Camran Ahmed

thanks for the replies so far guys its much appreciated as its my first time doing this! i was leaning more on the tile adhesive route but wasn't sure. how would you guys even go about back-buttering this thing for good coverage? the ridges on the underside will surely make it so awkward right? im thinking of combing out the spread on the plywood base for sure, but would you slap on thick a layer on the underside of the tray too? Cam

Hi guys I'm a DIYer having learned mostly from others online teaching browsing YouTube and other forums. I'm in the process of refurbishment of the bathroom in my house and I'm after second opinions on my approach to bedding down a shower tray. The shower tray is to replace a bathtub. It's a 1200mm rectangular SMC tray (this exact one https://www.bathroommountain.co.uk/berlin-rectangular-matt-white-slate-effect-smc-composite-shower-tray-1200x800mm-c48184) The only thing is that the instructions provided are sparse with zero wording. All I have a is a brief pictogram showing that it's recommended to bed down using some sort os silicone. What it's doing down on is a floorboard subfloor, with supply and waste pipes on the surface. Given that I have spare studs and spare 18mm plywood on hand from other refurbishments happening in the house, I was thinking to create a level base using the two in order to avoided routing pipework below the floor. I don't mind a small step up to the tray and it suits me as I'm no the best plumber. Plus I intend to tank the plywood with a suitable product (don't know what yet, maybe SBR) and use jackoboard as the tile backer for the parts of the wall that didn't have tiles (due to there being a bathtub there before). Would anyone in my situation still proceed with bedding down with silicone only, even if they constructed a plywood base? As I've seen some people use silicone with some sort of foam, others use sand and cement, some use flexible tile adhesive. What do you guys think? I will be tiling the floors and some walls so could just use flexible tile adhesive if I have spare, right? Or are there certain adhesives not suitable for bedding SMC trays?