Prepping and Hanging Backer Board

• 1). Remove all existing surround material from the shower and window.
  Check for mold and treat mold properly before beginning the tiling process.
  
  
• 2). Measure around the window. Measure from the window to the sides out, from the top of the window to where you will place the top row of tiles and from the bottom of the window down to the shower floor.
  Measure around the window ledge if there is one. Some windows have an edge that goes all the way around the window. This should also be measured and tiled.
  
  
• 3). Cut plastic sheeting to go on the window ledge and bare walls that surround the window and shower area. The plastic sheeting is hung prior to tiling and is there to protect your drywall from moisture if ever there was to be a crack in the grout or tiles. Hang plastic sheeting into studs using a hammer tacker or staple gun.
  
  
• 4). Prepare to cut backer board using the same measurements that you took from around the window. Hang backer board beginning at the window and then work your way out.
  
  
• 5). Cut backer board to size with either a backer board knife or a utility knife. Attach backer board to studs with 1-5/8 inch screws and a power drill.
  Backer board will be hung on top of plastic sheeting.
  
  
• 6). Apply backer board tape to all seams and corners using a latex modified thin set in the same manner used to tape dry wall.
  
  

Tiling Around Your Window

• 1). Place tile saw onto a clean work table. Fill tray with water. Plug tile saw into an electrical outlet.
  For tiles under 12 inches: use a 3/16 by 5/32 V-notch trowel.
  For 12-inch tiles: use a 1/4 by 1/4 by 3/8 trowel.
  For tiles 16 inches or larger: use a 1/2 by 1/2 square notch trowel.
  
  
• 2). Measure the ledge or lip around the window in your shower area first. This measurement will be used to cut the tiles.
  Cut tiles.
  
  
• 3). Mix thin set with water to a peanut butter-like consistency. Allow to sit for 15 minutes before using.
  
  
• 4). Using a margin trowel or joint knife, load thin set onto your trowel. spread thin set onto the backer board around the window, using upstrokes. Cover only a small area at a time, or the amount of space that you can tile in under five minutes (this is because it dries quickly).
  
  
• 5). Repeat and cover all backer board around the window with tile in the same manner, using tile spacers between the tiles.
  Tile remaining shower area in this same manner, working from the window out. Tile above window first, then work your way down the sides until you get to the bottom.
  
  
• 6). Allow thin set to dry for 24 hours.
  
  

Grout

• 1). Remove tile spaces from around all tiles.
  
  
• 2). Add water to grout mix and mix to a peanut butter-like consistency. Let the grout sit for 15 minutes.
  
  
• 3). Load grout onto the grout float with a margin trowel or a joint knife and spread the grout into the grout joints (space between the tiles). Allow the grout to set up for 15 to 20 minutes.
  
  
• 4). Using warm water and a grout sponge, begin wiping the excess grout away from the tiles. Form grout lines to their final aesthetic quality before the grout dries.
  Allow grout to dry for 24 hours.
  
  
• 5). Remove any residual haze from the tiles with warm water and a grout sponge .
  
  
• 6). Allow the tiles to dry, then apply two to three coats of grout and tile sealer to the grout lines.