Silicone or cement mix to lay shower tray

L

lost_diyer

Member
I’m laying down a 1200 x 760 stone resin on a floor that isn’t level.

Manufacture instructions recommend a cement mix or silicone.

Silicone seems like the simpler option but can this be used to level a shower tray? Or would a sand cement mix be better for this?
 
Silicone won't hold up on its own. It will follow the floor. Mortar can be firstly skimmed to level and then after 30 mins or so the setting bed can go down using a 8 or 10mm notched trowel. Mortar mixed fairly wet to a consistency like tile cement, floor primed with sbr or pva mix to help bond and cut down suction. Don't prime the tray.. gently tap around the tray to bed it down into the Mortar and consolidate.
 
Mark DM said:
Silicone won't hold up on its own. It will follow the floor. Mortar can be firstly skimmed to level and then after 30 mins or so the setting bed can go down using a 8 or 10mm notched trowel. Mortar mixed fairly wet to a consistency like tile cement, floor primed with sbr or pva mix to help bond and cut down suction. Don't prime the tray.. gently tap around the tray to bed it down into the Mortar and consolidate.
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Would you recommend using tile adhesive?
 
Only if specified within the instructions. If you have any issues with the tray and need to claim from the manufacturer they won't be interested if you haven't followed the brief. TBH, seen them bedded on a few blobs of adhesive, a smear of silicone and lasted for 20 years plus. I think, with the low profile trays in particular it's prudent to follow the specified method.
 
Mark DM said:
Only if specified within the instructions. If you have any issues with the tray and need to claim from the manufacturer they won't be interested if you haven't followed the brief. TBH, seen them bedded on a few blobs of adhesive, a smear of silicone and lasted for 20 years plus. I think, with the low profile trays in particular it's prudent to follow the specified method.
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I’ll go with sand cement as specified by the manufacturer. Will skim first and let dry a little as per your previous message. Thanks
 
Sure, just skim any low areas to make level before the even troweled bed goes down. Primer will help to slow drying of the mortar when you are setting the tray
 
Mark DM said:
Sure, just skim any low areas to make level before the even troweled bed goes down. Primer will help to slow drying of the mortar when you are setting the tray
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Will do. How thick should the bed of sand cement be? Or does it not matter too much?
 
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