Open up any architectural or design magazine or tour a new construction model home and one of the trends you’ll notice is master bathrooms getting bigger and bigger. With the middle to high end homebuyer seeking out both spacious tubs and showers fitted out with spa like finishes, the master bath, and in particular the shower stall, is an area we find our stacked stone veneer products showing up in more and more often.
For the early adopters of this trend, there were some fairly basic questions that needed answered about how stacked stone could be used in a shower. After all, our stacked stone panels are created and installed on a dry stack concept, where the stone is neatly cut and but up against the surrounding stones, but in no way does that form a watertight seal to keep moisture out. And since we’re working with natural stone to begin with, which tends to be very porous, the big question people had was how do we prevent water from getting behind the stone and into the wall cavity, possibly destabilizing the installation and causing moisture problems in surrounding rooms, and even creating health problems related to mold and mildew.
As natural stone continues to gain popularity in modern bathrooms, more homeowners and designers are exploring different stone shower wall designs as an alternative to traditional tile. Stacked stone panels offer a distinctive, dimensional look within this category, but require proper installation techniques to perform successfully in wet environments.
Step 1: Choosing the Correct Substrate
The solution to the problem is a multi pronged approach starting with substrate preparation, using the right bedding and setting materials, and then simple ongoing maintenance steps.
The real key to the moisture problem a stacked stone wall in a shower presents is using the correct substrate. Cement board, or similar anti microbial tiling board designed for vertical tile installations is the perfect starting point to cover the framing.
The next, and possibly most important step in the entire installation is the application of a waterproofing membrane. Waterproofing membranes are important for many tile installations and can be either sheet membranes or fluid applied membranes that roll on like thick paint. This layer serves a vital step of ensuring that water that does pass through the stone does not get past the membrane and into the wall cavity where it can cause problems. The membrane should overlap the shower pan to allow gravity to take its course and manage the flow of moisture away from the walls. This approach is commonly used in both traditional tile installations and modern stone shower wall systems, where moisture management and substrate preparation are critical to long-term performance.
Understand the pattern of the mesh backed tile and how that pattern works with the space to be tiled. This is a critical step so often overlooked! Mesh backed tiles that don’t have a repeating pattern vertically can result in more waste. A good way to know if your tile has a repeating pattern vertically is to put two tiles next to each other and flip one of them upside down. If the horizontal lines of the two tiles still match up then your tiles have a repeating pattern.
Step 2: Choose the Right Setting Materials
The stacked stone veneer should be applied to the prepared substrate using a polymer modified thinset, and since moisture is a concern in shower installations, an anti-microbial thinset is recommended. Anti-microbial thinsets are designed by setting material manufacturers to help prevent the growth of mold and mildew and as part of a whole installation system are effective at doing so.
This is especially important when installing a stone veneer shower, where setting materials must perform reliably in a high-moisture environment.
Step 3: Seal Your Natural Stone Shower Walls
Once the stacked stone is successfully installed, a quality natural stone sealer should be applied to the wall prior to putting the shower to use. One thing important to understand with sealers is that a sealer doesn’t form a waterproof layer or barrier of protection. The main function of the sealer is to treat the stone and make it harder for any staining, or in the case of a shower, mold or mildew to form on the surface of the stone. Natural stacked stone veneer should be periodically resealed according to the timeline provided by the seal manufacturer.
One final, and often overlooked ongoing maintenance tip for a stacked stone shower wall is to always run the exhaust vent in the bathroom during and after a shower. The exhaust vent is an effective tool at evacuating the steamy/ moisture rich air created during a shower. By removing this warm and moist air from the space you greatly inhibit mold and mildew growth.
Stacked stone shower walls are a statement feature in any master bathroom, but they require proper installation and maintenance to perform over time. From running the exhaust fan to regular cleanings and periodic resealing, the upkeep is manageable but essential to keeping the installation looking its best.
If you’re considering this type of application, explore a range of stone shower wall designs and ideas to find the right look for your space, or connect with our team to determine the best system for your project. You can also learn more about our natural stone cladding systems and how they can be used in shower applications.
