I have two sites for you. The first one is for a conventional shower and base. It shows in great detail the proper way top put together a shower pan:

Here is a link that might be useful: Harry Dunbar's Ontario Tile

The second one is for a Kerdi shower. If you go to the link below, on that page, there's a streaming video of putting one together:

Here is a link that might be useful: Schluter Kerdi

Thanks so much. Is there an advantage to using the Kerdi system?

Sorry, one other question. We will be building a surround for a drop in bathtub that will lead into a small bench in the shower. Does the bench need any special material? Is it the same as the shower pan?

Thanks so much. Is there an advantage to using the Kerdi system?

The advantage is that with the Kerdi System, the entire shower is now waterproof. Additionally, the waterproofing is right behind the tile, so that the only thing that gets wet is the tile and grout. With a conventional shower, that isn't the case, especially on the floor, where the waterproofing is underneath the mortar bed of the floor.

Does the bench need any special material?

The bench also needs to be completely surface waterproofed, whether it's a Kerdi or conventional shower, as well as 6" out onto all adjoining walls. Personally, I prefer to waterproof the whole face of the bench, as well, just to be safe.

You should take a look at the thread where Mongo posted a photo tutorial for how to install Kerdi in the shower... I have it bookmarked- it's really awesome.

I will let you all know how it goes in the coming weekends when I get to "trying" it out in my master!

Here is a link that might be useful: Mongo's Kerdi Thread

To pepperidge_farm

Thanks for posting that link! I don't know how I missed that thread.

Thanks Mongo!