Shower Bench Seat

[NateMoss]

I am planning on installing a bench seat in a 32x60 shower, the bench will go across the entire back of the shower. I am a Kerdi user and am just wondering how you guys have built benches before. I am planning on regular framing and wrapping it with plywood. The question I have is..... Do you then wrap the bench in sheetrock? I sheetrock the walls and apply kerdi. Wondering if the same principle applies to the bench. I will be putting 12x12 on the bench. Thanks, Nate

[semple]

I always pitch the seat so the water will run off when your done showering.Never used kerdi always wrapped the framing with cement board

[Shawn Prentice]

Never used kerdi always wrapped the framing with cement board

What was the waterproofing?

[Shawn Prentice]

Nate, you can do that, frame it (pitching it as Semple suggests), apply approved kerdi substrate, then kerdi it.

[GaryJR]

Nate,

Kerdi is all about drywall. That's what it was designed to be applied over in most applications, but I'd use 3/4" ply for the seating area.

Is this going to be a mud job? Go with a masonry bench or look into the better bench or nobel bench. Makes things a lot easier.

[Kgphoto]

Remember to have the bench in place before you do the pan. That way your heights will line up. I build out of 2x4, plywood and then drywall and then Kerdi. ORRR Some cinder blocks, cement caps ( 6x16) and some fat mud. Either works fine. Definitely pitch the top so no puddles. Not too much pitch or you will have a water slide. :-0

[inkster]

Drywall or gypsum board is not per code in wet areas.It was removed from the ANSI handbook,and TCA handbook..

[Kgphoto]

Only as a stand alone backer for drywall. In other words you can no longer set tile directly on Greenboard.

[inkster]

Who told you that? Call USG or GP,ask them.Its been out for about 2 years.If it were still a approved board ,you'd being seeing Custom,Laticrete,Mercrete,Noble,Mapei,all pushing their membranes over it.

[Shawn Prentice]

Schluter prefers drywall under kerdi if you ask them.

From their 2009 shower handbook:

"In addition, KERDI is installed over the solid backing (e.g., gypsum
board, cement backerboard, etc.) on walls, creating a fully waterproof and vaportight
enclosure."

[inkster]

we're talking code.

[Shawn Prentice]

Gypsum must be allowed somewhere or they wouldn't recommend it. I doubt that Schluter is oblivious to building codes. Besides, it really doesn't matter what you have under a sheet membrane because if it fails or it's not installed properly, there will be problems.

[Bldaz1]

I am confused, if it is only cement backerboard then why doesnt everyone say that?
What I am reading here is, It cant be drywall (green or otherwise) it cant be ext. plywood, what is left? only backer?
Then additionallly how do I go about creating a no barrier shower (handicapped) a seating area, and waterproof the floor and walls (concrete sub). Big rubber membrane still?
Thanks

[inkster]

They (schluter) is the only one to push gypsum.Do you think everyone else is oblivious?
"besides it doesn't really matter" Then why not OSB,or Particle Board?If it didn't matter,why was it removed from the codes and the ANSI standards?

[Shawn Prentice]

Then why not OSB,or Particle Board?

It's not in their instructions. BTW, I use cbu under the kerdi mainly out of habit. And, I don't write Schluter's installation instructions nor advise them on their recommendations. Why are you so argumentative? Maybe you should call Schluter if you want to attack someone.