strong thin plate that can be plastered over

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.

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?

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.

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

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

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)

Expamet sheet is designed for this.

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.)

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

Whats wrong with some heavy gauge expanded ally or steel?

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

Yup. Take the motherboard out of a scrap computer.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.