We want to tile /install rock in a cubby hole at the top of our stairs. It measures 60hx63w. It is not in any bathrooms or anywhere near water, the other side of the wall is a master closet.

I want to do this myself so I have a few questions. Do I need any special backer board to put the thin set on? Can I just sand the paint off and then thinset to the drywall? Any other tips are appreciated.

[This message has been edited by Hoyt ag (edited 6/12/2014 7:49p).]

In theory, yes, you can just glue to to the sheetrock. I would recommend securing backerboard to the wall so the weight doesn't just pull the facing paper off the sheetrock. That would also help later on if you decide to remove it because you'll have to patch a few screw holes in the sheetrock instead of replacing the whole panel.

If you don't use thinset you can just glue the tile to the gyp after priming.

Better option is to do what RTT said and add a layer of tile backer or cement board over the gyp or replace the existing gyp with cement board and tile to that.

How big of tile ?

With that ledge underneath you can prime the drywall and use premixed mastic to set the tiles.

what they said. use a thin backer board and then tile

quote:

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How big of tile ?

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Not sure yet. Been thinking about the idea for a while and have some ideas from houzz. Going this weekend to look for tile/stone. Nice little Saturday.

I thought about Googling "cunny hole" to see if that's the right term for that particular architectural design...but I think I know what I'll get.

Oops. Fixed it.

Another option that I think would work well:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Custom-Building-Products-SimpleMat-10-sq-ft-Tile-Setting-Mat-SM10R1/202828989