How To Put Tile On An Acrylic Shower Pan

A lot of bathroom furnishing vary based on its appearance or functionality of the room. One of the indispensable parts of a bathroom is the acrylic shower floor. It forms the foundation of a stand-alone shower, which is a shower without a bathtub attached to it. The primary function is to contain and funnel water to the shower's drain. Customizing an acrylic shower floor may be done by applying acrylic tile directly onto the shower pan itself. This can be done to reinforce the shower pan and change up the color and design of the original shower floor. Acrylic tile is also easy to clean and maintain, especially since it will be getting wet every day.

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In order to add acrylic tiles to an acrylic shower floor, the floor has to be prepped first. Sand the shower floor with 40-grit sandpaper, then dust the shower floor off. Once that's off, clean the acrylic shower floor with a damp rag or paper towel. Now it's ready to have tile applied.

Once the acrylic is prepped, cover the shower drain with plastic and tape. Mix an epoxy thin set mortar. The epoxy thin set comes in three parts, which include mortar powder, hardener and resin. Follow the instructions for mixing. Spread it over the shower pan with a trowel. Work in small section so that the mortar doesn't set when you're setting down the acrylic tile.

Once the tiles are set over the mortar, put spacers in between them so that the grout lines are straight. Once the mortar sets and is dry, remove the spacers. Put a wooden slab over the tiles and gently tap the tiles so that the tiles can set. Mix unsanded epoxy-based grout and apply it to the tiles. Let it dry, then use the shower as needed.

Some stand-alone showers do not an acrylic shower floor, but instead, have a plastic shower pan, which is usually known as a fiberglass shower pan. Like an acrylic shower floor, they offer strength, support and flexibility for the shower floor.

A plastic shower pan has to be prepped in order for the tiles to stay on the surface. Gently sand the shower floor with sandpaper, dust it off, then remove remaining powder with a damp rag or paper towel.

Follow the same steps followed with the acrylic shower pan. Lay down mortar, put down the acrylic tiles, let them set and then add the grout.