Just finished our master ensuite reno in North York and want to share the tile work details since this was where we had the most contractor education.
Shower specs:
- 36x48 inch shower base, custom mud bed
- Walls tiled to ceiling (9 ft)
- Large format 24x24 porcelain tile (matte, light grey)
- Schluter Kerdi membrane for waterproofing
- Niche cut into one wall (12x24 inches)
- Linear drain (Schluter Kerdi-Line)
Labour cost (tile contractor only):
- Substrate prep and Kerdi membrane installation: $1,400
- Floor tile (mud bed, linear drain, mosaic tile): $1,800
- Wall tile (large format, 4 walls to ceiling, niche): $3,600
- Grouting, caulking, Schluter edge trim: $900
- Total labour: $7,700
Materials we supplied:
- 90 sq ft porcelain tile: $1,260 (at $14/sq ft from local importer)
- Kerdi membrane and accessories: $580
- Linear drain: $380
- Grout and thin-set: $310
- Total materials: $2,530
Grand total: $10,230
The Kerdi membrane was non-negotiable for us. Previous owner had used durock + RedGard in the main bath — it failed at the corners within 8 years. Kerdi bonded system has no such weak points.
Large format tile on shower walls: the seams between tiles are nearly invisible. Worth the premium labour cost in my view.