Featured Project · Residential Remodel

Cherry Creek Condo
Full Bathroom Remodel

Project
Cherry Creek Condo
Location
Denver, CO
Type
Condo Remodel
Scope
Steam Shower · Tile · Tub Surrounds · Schluter Waterproofing
Photos
13 Before & After Images
Project Overview

Before & After.
The Full Transformation.

This Cherry Creek condo remodel documents the complete transformation of two bathrooms and a living area — from demo and substrate through finished tile and hardware. The master shower was stripped back to framing and rebuilt as a full steam shower — a process that demands a completely different waterproofing standard than a conventional shower. Every surface including the ceiling was treated with Schluter-KERDI waterproofing membrane, ensuring the steam enclosure is 100% vapor-tight from pan to ceiling. The finished result is floor-to-ceiling gray subway tile including the steam ceiling, a herringbone marble floor pan, recessed niche, and brass Schluter trim throughout.

The secondary bathroom received a full tub surround replacement — Mapei waterproofing membrane, green marble-look porcelain tile set with leveling clips, recessed Schluter niche, and a matte black frame glass enclosure. The living room documentation captures the active construction phase with full poly containment and structural framing exposed.

Full Steam Shower Schluter KERDI System Subway Tile Shower Marble Herringbone Floor Tub Surround Tile Recessed Niches Brass Trim & Hardware Condo Remodel
Scope Highlights
01
Master Shower – Full Demo & Rebuild
Stripped to framing, Schluter waterproofing, subway tile floor-to-ceiling including ceiling, herringbone marble floor
02
Brass Schluter Trim System
Brushed brass Schluter edging on all transitions, niche frames, and entry threshold
03
Secondary Bath Tub Surround
Mapei waterproofing, marble-look porcelain with leveling clips, recessed Schluter niche, matte black glass
04
Herringbone Marble Floor Pan
Marble herringbone mosaic mudset shower floor with center drain — pattern aligned to entry
05
Recessed Niches – Both Baths
Schluter-framed recessed niches in master shower and secondary bath tub surround
06
Living Room Remodel
Demo, containment, framing and interior finish work in main living area
Technical Detail

Why Steam Showers Require
A Different Standard

A conventional shower produces liquid water that drains. A steam shower produces pressurized vapor that penetrates every unsealed surface — including the ceiling, upper wall corners, and any gap in the substrate. Standard cement board and thinset are not vapor barriers. Without a continuous, fully bonded waterproofing membrane on every surface, steam migrates into the wall assembly, causing mold growth, framing rot, and substrate failure within 2–3 years.

The Cherry Creek master shower was rebuilt from the studs using the Schluter-KERDI system — a fleece-laminated polyethylene membrane bonded directly to the substrate with unmodified thinset. KERDI creates a true vapor barrier that is bonded to every surface including the ceiling, corners, and niche. The result is a fully continuous, vapor-tight enclosure that performs to steam shower standards for the life of the installation.

Step 01 — Substrate Prep
Framing & Backer Installation

Studs inspected and braced. Schluter-KERDI-BOARD installed as substrate — a foam-core panel with integrated KERDI membrane that eliminates the need for cement board and provides built-in vapor control.

Step 02 — Membrane Application
Schluter-KERDI Full Coverage

KERDI membrane applied to all six surfaces — floor, four walls, and ceiling — using unmodified thinset. All seams, corners, and transitions sealed with KERDI-BAND and KERDI-KERECK pre-formed corners for a fully continuous vapor barrier with no weak points.

Step 03 — Floor Pan
KERDI-SHOWER-ST Tray System

Pre-sloped Schluter shower tray set in thinset with KERDI membrane lapping up all walls. Herringbone marble mosaic floor set over the tray system — zero mortar bed, fully bonded, pre-sloped to drain.

Step 04 — Tile Installation
Floor-to-Ceiling Including Steam Ceiling

Gray subway tile set on all walls and the steam ceiling using large format non-sag thinset. Ceiling tile pitched slightly toward the shower head wall to direct condensation runoff away from the entry. Brass Schluter RONDEC trim at all exposed tile edges.

Technical Detail

Why Steam Showers Require
A Different Standard

A conventional shower produces liquid water that drains. A steam shower produces pressurized vapor that penetrates every unsealed surface — including the ceiling, upper wall corners, and any gap in the substrate. Standard cement board and thinset are not vapor barriers. Without a continuous, fully bonded membrane on all six surfaces, steam migrates into the wall assembly and causes mold growth, framing rot, and substrate failure within a few years.

The Cherry Creek master shower was rebuilt using the Schluter-KERDI system — a fleece-laminated polyethylene membrane bonded directly to the substrate with unmodified thinset. KERDI creates a true vapor barrier on every surface including the ceiling, corners, and niche. All seams were overlapped and embedded in thinset with no exposed transitions — a fully continuous, vapor-tight enclosure built to perform to steam shower standards for the life of the installation.

Step 01
Substrate & Backer

Framing inspected and any soft spots addressed. Schluter-KERDI-BOARD installed as the substrate — a foam-core panel with integrated KERDI membrane surface, eliminating standard cement board and providing built-in vapor control from the first layer.

Step 02
KERDI Membrane — All 6 Surfaces

KERDI membrane applied in unmodified thinset to every surface — four walls, floor, and steam ceiling. All seams lapped and embedded. Inside and outside corners sealed with KERDI-KERECK pre-formed corners. No gaps, no exposed cement board, no penetrations left unsealed.

Step 03
Schluter Shower Tray & Floor Pan

Pre-sloped Schluter shower tray set in thinset with KERDI membrane lapping up the walls at the perimeter. Herringbone marble mosaic floor set over the tray — fully bonded, pre-sloped to drain, no mortar bed required.

Step 04
Tile — Floor to Ceiling Including Steam Ceiling

Gray subway tile set on all walls and the steam ceiling using large format non-sag thinset. The ceiling is pitched slightly toward the shower head wall so steam condensation runs back into the shower rather than dripping on users. Brass Schluter RONDEC trim at all exposed tile edges and the entry threshold.

Waterproofing
Schluter & Mapei Systems
Full wet area waterproofing — membranes, tape, corners in both bathrooms
Steam Shower System
Full Steam Shower
Schluter-KERDI vapor-tight enclosure, subway tile all 6 surfaces, herringbone marble floor, brass trim
Secondary Bath
Marble-Look Porcelain
Full tub surround, recessed niche, matte black frame glass enclosure
Project
Cherry Creek Condo
Denver, CO · Full bathroom & living room remodel

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Remodel?

Full-scope tile installations from substrate through finished hardware — shower rebuilds, tub surrounds, Schluter waterproofing, and niche work done right the first time.

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