|
What are the requirements
for installing a steam room in a residential or commercial
application?
Installation guidelines are included in the TCA Handbook
for Ceramic Tile Installation. Please visit the publications
section to order the Handbook and ANSI Installation
Standards.
Once you have picked out the materials for your installation
you should consult the manufacturer for their proprietary
application procedures and warranties.
Why do I need a membrane
for a my steam room?
While glazed tile is vapor impermeable, the grout is
not. In fact cementitious grout easily transmits water
and vapor. It is highly likely in a steam room assembly
that vapor can pass through the grout. It may also be
necessary to insulate the wall cavity due to differential
temperatures on both sides of the wall possibly causing
condensation. Each manufacturer may specify a different
application of the membrane. Always check with the manufacturer's
instructions.
Do I need a specific type of
membrane for my steam room?
A waterproof membrane meeting the standards of ANSI
A118.10 (as well as being rated and recommended by the
manufacturer for the steam room application) should
be used where ceramic tile is specificed (bonded directly
to the membrane or otherwise incorporated into the system).
Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions and
TCA guidelines.
This is not at all the same as waterproof coatings
used on building foundations or as might be used on
wood decking. Rather, this is a specialty membrane which
bonds to the substrate and to which tile can be bonded.
If using cement board should
the waterproof membrane go on top of or behind the board?
For thin-set applications (TCA Handbook detail SR614),
you will see that a waterproof membrane can be installed
on top of, or behind, the cement board. However, some
manufacturers require that the waterproof membrane be
used on the front and a vapor membrane on the back -
this tends to vary according to the manufacturer.
A surface application of the waterproof membrane has
the advantage that the cement board fasteners do not
puncture the membrane.
Can gypsum wallboard or "dry
wall" be used in a steam room?
There are no details in the TCA Handbook that incorporate
gypsum wallboard in a steam room assembly. In general,
the industry cautions against the use of gypsum wallboard
in a steam room environment.
What kind of tile should
be used in a steam room?
Virtually all tiles work will in steam room applications.
However, as with all installations, it is worthwhile
to discuss your intended use with a knowledgeable representative
of the manufacturer.
|
