Since I’ve been running the radiant tubing, I can justify going wild! We’ll be installing a Kohler k-702 cast iron whirlpool/tub. The tubing at the base should help keep the tub warm (like the hot water won’t). The perimeter tube should keep the platform and tub rim toasty! Used dbl. 3/4″ ply. laminated to form the curved top and bottom plates. Dry-sack w/ wire mesh reinf. to cover perimeter tubes and build up deck. Lt. wght. conc. poured on floor. 1/4″ conc. board forming radiused wall. Fin. surfaces: 1 1/4″ limestone slab w/ ogee edge for top, 1/4″ x 1/4″ / 1/2″ mosaic limestone on rad. wall. More pics to come.
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As they say, when the student is ready, the teacher shall appear. I am in the process of building (Planning to build) just such a shower. I now have great ideas from you on how to do it.
It appears you are using the Vanguard system for you potable water system. Did you use the same tubing for your RFH tubing?
Also, in some areas you appear to have used floor panels with grooves into which the pex is placed. The only source I know of for such is Statdler-Viega. But yours are not Climate panels. What are they and where can I get them?
A beautifully innovative and artfully executed bath. My hat is off to you.
Are you going to MUD the floor of the shower before tiling, and can you show some pics of that process?
Thanks a lot for shareing.
Stef
Lets see here. The Potable water syst. I'll have to get the name on. It runs from a 1" main loop to maniflods then to 1/2" to the valves (I love the color coordination , red for hot and blue for cold, no more instances of running hot water to your toilet). The rad floor is 3/8" pex tubing run at 8" o.c. Now the sleeper system/ furring you see is home made. I checked into a product called "warm board" which comes in 2' panels routed out for the tubing @ 12" o.c. and coated w/ an aluminum skin (I was quoted around $8,500 just for the materials!) I nearly shat my pants! So I printed a full scale paper template w/ my cad software for the end panels and ripped the field out of sheet goods. I used 1/2' cement board for tiled areas and 5/8" CDX for hardwood and carpeted areas. Kinda going out on a limb here but after talking to my rad-floor sub and hardwood sub, all concernes of heat transfer, warping, etc. were taken away. I'll stick some pictures w/ this reply. You should also check out the "Munchskin boiler I'm using. It's roughly 18"h x 18"d x 16"w which will be suspended from my mech. room wall and I'll stick the side hot water tank beneath it. It's 92% eff. rating w/ propane and is a modulating boiler.
I've often wondered what happens after the flooring is done and a plumber or electrition comes along and starts drilling holes for cabinet lighting or a water maker?
If you hit that pipe is it fairly easy to repair without tearing up half the floor?"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
It's the floor guys I'm most worried about. Actually they'll be ok if they leave their bad habbits at home. I have a 6" zone around the perimeter of each room, the tubes are 8" o.c. (they just have to aim between the tubes). I'll be installing the trim package and cabinets. All the in-cabinet wiring is in the walls so hopefully I have all my bases covered.
But if there is a mishap, it will suck! I also have gone ahead and filled the voids aroung the tubing w/ light weight conc. to increase the heat mass. I'll be screaming and the'll be running!
Her'es the latest. Have the 1/4" cement board up around the platform and the top has been dry-sacked. The tubes in the floor have been covered w/ a slip-sheet and skimmed. My tile guy starts this monday, woo hoo!
Progress is moving along. Here we have the tub platform skimmed to a true radius and the top has been floated out level. We are now ready for the mosaic tiles which you can see laid out on the floor. Also, the cabinets have been installed and the granite installers have been out to template for the limestone slabs. Here's the latest!
Looking good, so far. I like the basket weave floor tiles. Nice touch....that's not a mistake, it's rustic
Got the mosaic tile up. I'll get a better picture of the "overall" when things are less cluttered. But till then here's two for now. I'm told the limestone slabs for the tub platform and vanities arrive a week from today. Still proclaming an X-mas move-in! Only I know the realities.
Reality use to be a friend of mine, reality use to be.....
In your first picture, you've got all the trim masked of. What are you using to spray
your trim with hvlp or airless? Also what kinda of paint(oil, latex,?)? You sure are
going to have a nice bathroom when you finish. Thanks for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Edited 12/12/2003 5:32:14 AM ET by butch
I'm using my HVLP. It's a Graco 4900 ProComp. Two build coats of Benjamin Moore alkide primer then two or three finish coats w/ B.M. acrylic enamel. Today I've shot the whole mill packs first finish coat. Reducing the acrylic ± 15/85 %, Iv'e had a few runs, but nothing that has'nt sanded out. I'm really liking this product. I'm looking foreward to not having my trim 'yellow' over time.
Thanks for the comments.
Phill,
I'm no plumber but.......
There is no way that tub will hold water!
I may be wrong, but it hasn't happened yet ;)Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!