strong thin plate that can be plastered over

I need a thin plate (like metal) to lend extra support to a shower unit chased into brick wall. What material would be strong and also can be plastered over ? I would have just used plywood, but it's too thick. I would be concerned about steel and even if galvanised it would have to be drilled, so could rust with the moisture from the plaster. And I think a brass sheet would be expensive ! Also the material would need texture to be plastered over. Simon.

Reply to
sm_jamieson
Loading thread data ...

Why not just cover the whole of that part of the wall with WBP ply? Then you wouldn't need to plaster, just tile straight on to it.

Reply to
Rob Morley

Cover the whole wall with a sheet of plaster-board. That'll flatten the whole thing off for you. Then it's just the edges you need to finish off neatly. Would 9.5 mm plaster-board be to thick for your fittings?

Reply to
BigWallop

I am actually fitting the shower into a wall with existing files, and only removing the ones I need to and the plaster beneath (which is quite thin in this area). So I have to build up to the surrounding level. 12mm ply + the mounting nut would be too thick. Maybe a thinner ply would do. Is there some sort of cement board I could use (obviously not with asbetos) ? Simon.

Reply to
sm_jamieson

How about a fibreglass sheet? Cheap, strong and won't rust. sponix

Reply to
s--p--o--n--i--x

Yep, sounds good. Where would I get such a sheet ? Simon.

Reply to
sm_jamieson

Versapanel (cement and fibre). Strong, stiff, waterproof and thicknesses down to 6mm. Available from good plywood suppliers. Similar panels are sold as Aquapanel (try Wickes)

Reply to
Andy Dingley

Expamet sheet is designed for this.

formatting link
might want to rivit it to a sheet of aluminium to give more strength if bridging a large area.

I've used wire mesh to plaster the underside of some wooden lintels where I couldn't afford to lose the thickness of plasterboard. (Even the Expamet sheet was too think in my case.)

Reply to
Andrew Gabriel

I would only need an offcut. Any idea who would have broken bits ? Simon.

Reply to
sm_jamieson

Reply to
Andy Dingley

Whats wrong with some heavy gauge expanded ally or steel?

Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

Actually, why not use car body filler to hold the whole thing to the wall anyway?

Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

Yup. Take the motherboard out of a scrap computer.

If not thick enough, glue two bits together with car body filler.

Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

I like it. True its really strong stuff. Maybe I could put a transparent panel on the front and tell everyone I have an "electronic" shower. They would be well impressed, although I'm sure it would make a Part P inspector expire ! Simon

Reply to
sm_jamieson

Thick aluminium mesh is a good idea. A thick guage would be strong. I had only thought of the think wibbly stuff. No chance of rust, and has holes for the plaster to grip.

So I think I have it down to expanded ally, or cement fibre board. Thanks for all the ideas.

Simon.

Reply to
sm_jamieson

I'd ask at the local builders merchant and see if they have any offcuts of fibreglass roofing sheets.

Failing that, Yellow pages probably have a section for glass fibre laminates or somesuch.

sponix

Reply to
s--p--o--n--i--x
< How big ? No more than 30cm x 20cm. Its to support and align 150mm centres shower valve at the front of chase (will also be fixed at back).
Reply to
sm_jamieson

Drop me an email with your address and the accurate sizes. I've got some

6mm here and I can easily cut a chunk off for you.
Reply to
Andy Dingley

Water resistant, to be pedantic. It won't fall apart if wet like plasterboard would, but it is not a waterproof barrier like materials such as wediboard/luxpanel etc. Better in this application, though, as it is stronger. You'll have to give some thought as to the best way of getting fixings into it, it won't offer much bite to a screw, unlike ply.

Reply to
Bolted

Hi,

How about build a frame out of cut down builders restraining strap, eg:

The cut and drilled ends could be protected with a few coats of zinc primer.

cheers, Pete.

Reply to
Pete C

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.