- 1). Use a tape measure to find the dimensions of the walls for the shower. Transfer the dimensions onto a piece of HardiBacker board on a pencil. Also mark the location of any fixtures and the showerhead arm.
- 2). Cut the boards along the drawn lines with a jigsaw so that the boards fit exactly into the space. Use a drill with a 3/4-inch bit to create the openings for the fixtures.
- 3). Raise the boards into position and use galvanized screws to connect them to studs. Place screws into the boards and studs every 6-inches, and set the head slightly below the boards surface. Repeat this step for all boards.
- 4). Place waterproof mesh drywall tape along the seams and corners of the HardiBacker boards. Use a putty knife to spread a layer of thinset over the boards and leave it to dry for 12 hours.
- 5). Locate the center of all the boards and use a level or carpenter's square to create a vertical dividing line from the top to the bottom on all boards. Use a notched trowel to spread thinset over the bottom third of the board you wish to start with.
- 6). Lay the bottom row of tiles and press them down slightly into the thinset. Begin at the centerline of the boards and work out to the ends. Place spacers between the individual tiles to get a uniform gap. Use tile snips or a wet tile saw to cut the tiles for the ends.
- 7). Install further rows of tile, again starting at the center line and working out. Spread more thinset onto the HardiBacker as you work your way up, and keep placing spacers. Repeat this process for all walls.
- 8). Remove the spacers and leave the tiles and thinset to cure for 24 hours. Apply grout to the tiles with a trowel at a 30-degree angle to the wall. This presses the grout down into the space between the tiles. Wipe up the excess grout from the face of the tile with a damp sponge and allow things to dry for approximately 12 hours more.
- 9). Apply tub and tile caulk to any areas where the tile meets other materials like flooring or shower doors. This will aid in keeping water from getting behind the tile.
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