# Tile showers and tub surrounds

> Waterproofing, layout and tiling wet walls. Ask with your Sheet attached: homeowners who’ve done it and verified pros answer, and anyone can read it.

## Before you ask

The shower size, the waterproofing you use, the tile size, and a photo of the walls before tile.

- **Attach your Sheet** so people see your sizes and the math.
- **Your town is enough.** Never your address; check photos for house numbers and plates.
- **Is it safe?** A safety question here goes to pros verified in tile, unless you pick another trade. Only they can call it safe or unsafe.

## Tile a shower or tub surround

5′ tub surround, tiled to 7′: 66 sq ft of wall tile, 2 gal of waterproofing, and the backer board, thinset and grout.

What people get wrong:

- **Drywall behind the tile.** Even green board turns to mush behind shower tile.
- **Two vapor barriers.** Poly behind the board and a membrane in front trap water in the board.
- **Membrane too thin.** A liquid membrane only works at full thickness: two coats, checked with a wet-film gauge or the color change.

[The worked example, every line's math and the code notes](https://studsheet.com/sheets/shower) · [Your own sizes in the app](https://app.studsheet.com/p/shower)

## More in Tile

- [Floor tile](https://studsheet.com/forum/floor-tile): Tiling floors: layout, underlayment, setting and grout
- [Backsplashes](https://studsheet.com/forum/backsplash): Kitchen and bath backsplash tile
- [Grout and caulk](https://studsheet.com/forum/grout-and-caulk): Grout that cracks, caulk that peels, and mold in the corners
- [Stone and large tile](https://app.studsheet.com/community?tab=talk&room=tile-stone): Marble, slate and big-format porcelain
- [Every group](https://studsheet.com/forum#every-group)

## How the community works

- **Open to read** from anywhere, no account needed.
- **Sign in with your email** to ask, answer and vote. No password.
- **The best answers rise:** votes, “worked for me” and a solved mark. Verified pros carry a badge.

Questions? Write to [support@studsheet.com](mailto:support@studsheet.com).