- 1). Start with one wall panel of the enclosure. Measure the length and width of the panel, using a tape measure and multiply these two numbers to attain the area. Repeat with each panel of the enclosure. Add all of these areas to get the total area you'll cover.
- 2). Snap a chalk line across the length and width of each panel of the shower enclosure. Use a level to ensure that the horizontal chalk line is level with the floor. Use a T-square to ensure that the intersecting vertical chalk line is perpendicular with the floor and the first line. These two intersecting lines will serve as a guide when you lay your first tile.
- 3). Mix the thinset mortar according to the instructions. Only mix as much as you can spread in a half-hour, so that the mortar does not dry out and become brittle.
- 4). Spread a layer of thinset with the smooth edge of a notched trowel, using the intersection of the chalk lines as a guide. Cover the space of several tiles. Use the notched edge of the trowel to go over the smooth mortar. This will make grooves in the mortar that will help the tiles adhere with suction.
- 5). Lay the first tile at the intersection of the chalk lines. Apply even pressure with a slight wiggle to help ease out any air bubbles from the grooves in the mortar. Add plastic tile spacers on all sides of the tile.
- 6). Spread mortar and lay tiles until you reach a wall or a fixture. In both cases, you'll cut the tiles so they'll fit.
- 7). Make straight cuts in the tile with a wet tile saw. Mark the tile with a straight edge and wax crayon where you will need to make the cut. Line up this mark with the mark on the carriage of the wet tile saw. Turn on the saw and carefully feed the tile into the rotating blade until the tile comes apart.
- 8). Make curves to fit around fixtures and drains, using a tile scriber and nippers. Mark the curve on the tile face, using a wax crayon. Go over this curve several times, using the tile scriber. This will etch a groove in the tile that will serve as a guide for the nippers. Use the tile nippers to break small bits of the tile off until all that's left is the curve you've drawn.
- 9). Spread mortar and install the cut tiles in the remaining spaces. Allow the thinset mortar to dry according to the instructions. Typical drying times are between 12 and 36 hours.
- 10
Remove the plastic tile spacers from the joints between the tiles. - 11
Mix the grout according to the instructions on the package. Use a rubber float to spread the grout into the joints between the tiles. Wipe away any excess grout from the tile face. Allow the grout to cure according to the instructions on the package. - 12
Load the caulking gun with caulk and line each seam, as well as around each fixture and drain. The seal must be perfect to keep the enclosure waterproof.
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