Can they miter the tile? Especially stone where the insides match the outsides, I'd skip the Schluter.

If the competency level requires they use the Schluter, I think there are other colors that might be less offensive. I don't like the Schluter in many cases because, well, it's a metal strip. (It looks great in some places, but is inappropriate in many applications, stylewise).

I will ask about mitering. Thank you. Honestly haven't a clue what is the norm, so at a loss. I assumed there was a product I could buy in the same finish as the tile. Just know I prefer the look without the metal.

if you are using marble, you can ask them to bullnose finish the edges. marble is soft, so it should be easy for them to do this.

This is what GC said:

Schluter can't be mitered because you will see the raw metal composites of it.

What we do is angle cuts and 45 degree cuts.

^^^ isn't that what mitered means ?

Nonono...cut the tile!

And bullnosing is better because it'll put the crack on the bottom--just round the edge of the tile at the edge of the niche. Or bevel it. Or just slapping it on top and letting the edge show could at times be more attractive than metal stripes.

Like this:

You see the edges but since it's stone they can be nice.

Photo is from http://www.bluemtntile.com/.

My first choice would have been to bullnose the stone. I would not have introduced metal unless the client requested it.

They did bathroom walls and floor today, but shower tomorrow! Sounds like the consensus is to bullnose the existing tile . This can be done with whatever tools or machines that will already be on hand considering the other tile work ?

Yes. A qualified installer will carry tools for this. An angle grinder to create the profile & polish as needed. It's basic tile knowledge. Post a photo of the shower as it is now and take photo's of the waterproofing which is most important. Make sure it is flood tested prior to tile installation. Do you know which waterproofing method will be applied?

Looks like I have something to worry about ... GC responded by saying " I would never guarantee myself or an of my men to hand carved the marble. " Ugh.

This is what it looked like this morning:

Tell the GC that "" I would never guarantee myself or my family to pay for something we were not pleased with. "

I just had a tiler bullnose a ton of our Carrara tile on site. It was a piece of cake for him and it looks great.

"Hand carve?" Who is he--Michelangelo?

LOL! Laughing and crying now.

Honestly, I am surprised at the disparity between the opinion here that bull nosing is a basic and easy request and GC Michelangelo's hesitance or refusal to do so. I don't want to ask someone to do work they aren't comfortable or proficient doing, but I don't want to accept a look that isn't what I wanted.

Can the rest of the tile be completed and leave the niche and other visible edges unfinished - to be determined after we speak and come to an agreement???

1. I didn't want to use a Schluter strip, either. My tile guy did a polished edge on all the exposed edges of my porcelain tile and it looks great:

He used a succession of fine grits on a grinder until the edge got really glossy. This doesn't work with all porcelain tiles, particularly if there is a big contrast between the body color of the tile and the surface. In my case, the somewhat darker tone of the polished edge worked just fine. It's much more understated than a Schluter strip.

2. Where is the waterproofing on your Durock? (Redguard or equivalent.)

I made sure to pick tiles that have quarter round pieces (8" long) that match the rest of the tile. Quarter round will go on edges of window, niches, threshold side walls and ceiling. I was lucky to do my first bathroom last year, with guidance from a family friend who has been in the business for 40 years, so I got to learn a lot about paying attention to the small endless details. Using all that knowledge I gained for the rest of the bathrooms this year.

Perhaps someone might mention that the liner goes behind the wall board. Is there a preslope under the liner? What waterproofing will go over the cement board? Stop this clueless contractor now! I think you would be lucky if he knows the shiny side of the tile faces up.https://tile-assn.site-ym.com/store/ViewProduct.aspx?id=3484938 Ask to see which detail in the TCNA Handbook he is using. You may want to get a copy for yourself. The $30 now will save you thousands. Sorry but your project is a horror story that is just starting to be written. Take plenty of photo's. You will need them in court.

I'm just a DIY engineer. I have used Schluter on corners of walls because most of the bullnose that I have found is only 3" wide, and looks more unattractive than Schluter.

However I would not use bullnose around the niches. Too much Schluter looks busy.

Tile profile wheel

enzaenza, I understand you just got hit with a lot of information that you would rather have not heard and there is no reason to trust unknown people on the internet. Everyone just wants you to protect yourself. Call a professional tile installer or a reputable flooring retailer.(not a box store) ask them to come out ASAP to evaluate your project before it gets covered up. Offer to pay them for their time and expertise. P.S. I apologize for being so blunt earlier. Contractors like this give the folks who take pride in their work a bad rap. Hope all works out for you.

Overwhelmed is an understatement. I've been back and forth with the contractor all day and still don't feel that he hears me or understands that I'm providing info directly from knowledgable professionals.

To all the posters above, thank you so very much for your desire to help! I do feel that you are trying to protect me from the consequences of allowing this work to continue. My husband and I are discussing this all and will be figuring out a way to remedy this with GC.

Enza

Enza: Just to be clear, I'm in complete agreement with xedos and CTECT.

I used Schulter edging on my shower and I like it very much but mine is a contemporary look with plain white tiles. I would never used a Schluter edge with marble. Your edges really just need to be slightly bullnosed and you are set to go - that is the beauty of natural stone.

A request , please!

I would like to have a list of the steps that are the industry standard way of creating a shower, starting from the ground up. I know there is quite a bit of advice above, but i\I'm hoping someone wouldn't mind spelling it out, literally, in such a way that I can go through the list line by line with GC!

Continued thanks,

Enza

Just looking at the first picture, had to shake my head ruefully. Liner not covering the face of the curb with nails on the top penetrating (and defeating) the waterproof layer. The BIG thing, though is the pan liner being nailed outside the Durock! How do they expect to tie that in to the plastic sheeting that goes on the studs? The liner goes on the studs and is there before the Durock goes up. They DID put plastic sheeting on the studs, eh? Well, looking at this, probably not...

This is a tear-out and re-do...no if's, and's or but's about it.

Really stontech,

you think there is plastic or tar paper covering the studs on this one ?

enza - a copy of the TCNA handbook will guide you.

https://www.tcnatile.com/products-and-services/publications/930-2015-tcna-handbook-for-ceramic-glass-and-stone-tile-installation.

https://tile-assn.site-ym.com/store/ViewProduct.aspx?id=3484938

The link I posted above which is the same link from 10 post's ago for the TCNA Handbook is what you need.(Tile Council of North America) If you are intending on walking your GC through this instead of getting a professional all the responsibility falls on your shoulders. Your GC is not competent enough to be taking on this project. If he was he would have researched the proper methods prior but instead he argues with you. You are making the choice now to be the GC. I think you are making a big mistake but it's your shower. Best of luck and I hope it all works out for you.

Ditto jerzeegirl re Shluter trim and a modern aesthetic - that's what we have too and I love the look, but NOT for a more traditional, or marble, tile.

i too am dealing with the same challenge. although I am using porcelain which you cannot miter and there is no bullnose available that matches it. while searching I found what i think is going to look much more elegant and actually compliment the tile. It is like a strip of glass. i was looking for something frosted white. i found Glacier Pure White Frosted Glass Pencil Liner. It can line the edge of walls, your shower edges. frame your shower niches. it sounds cool and its sold just about everywhere