When evaluating a hotel, the bathroom - and especially the shower - really make a statement about the quality and comfort of the room. Hospitality showers today are more than just necessary amenities. They can be beautiful and luxurious mini-escape locations. And, nothing makes this statement better than natural stone. With that in mind, it is critical to construct the wet area at optimal levels to create a long-lasting and durable installation.

When and why should a waterproofing membrane be used in conjunction with a stone installation? What are some of the specific areas that make sense to use a waterproofing membrane? Some of the obvious use areas are showers, spas, steam rooms, fountains and pools. These are generally considered “constant wet areas” and by building code and design specification, a waterproofing membrane must be used to protect spaces below and adjacent to the stone installation. The Tile Council of North America’s Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installations provides many details that depict the use of a waterproofing membrane in an array of installation methods, including walls, floors, decks, tubs, showers and pools.

The use of stone in both residential and commercial flooring applications continues to expand, far outpacing the growth rate of ceramic tile and other hard surface coverings. This incredible growth can be attributable to the beauty and variety that stone offers, plus when coupled with a steady decline in the cost per square foot of stone, it’s easy to see why designers are opting to upgrade their flooring needs to stone.

A young student has problems breathing when he is in school. He experiences itchy eyes, a runny nose and a constant headache. When he is not in school, he does not experience any of these symptoms. A young mother goes to work everyday and comes home feeling lethargic; she gets plenty of rest but she is always tired, but just during the week when she is at the office. When she travels, she cannot understand why she is not as tired as when she is not traveling. She reasons to herself that she should be more tired when traveling. These types of stories are becoming more commonplace. In many cases, these types of symptoms point back to “sick building syndrome.”