Advice needed for tiling around bath

[shazz316]

I'm tiling all my bathroom walls, floor and even a tiled bath problem, but I have a slight problem which I'm looking for advice on.

Basically, I have a query regarding tiling round my bath.
You see my bath sits against 3 walls and is nearly the full length of my bathroom except for a 100-200mm gap between the end of the bath and the wall.

I am hoping to put on a tiled bath panel the full length of the bathroom.
But I'm not sure what would be the best way to box in and tile the top of this gap. I was thinking about putting in a shelf and tiling it, but I don't know whats the best way to do this, Should I:
1. make sure the finished tiled shelf sits flush with the top of the bath,
2. make the finished tiled shelf slightly lower than the height of the bath or
3. make the wooden shelf flush with the top of the bath, which means that once I tile it the tiled shelf would be sitting slightly higher than the top of the bath.

I was just wondering if anybody has ever come across this problem before or if anybody would have any recommendations on what I should do. I have attached a sketched layout of my bathrrom so that you can see what I mean.

[royaloakcarpentry]

You can make it so that tiles sit onto bath........looks ok.

You can finish below level of bath but obviously have to be careful with water. Least preferred finish.

I would box in around the end of the bath and have it 300 or 400mm higher than the bath. Nice shelf for candles. Other option would be to take it right up to the ceiling, then you could have various niches in it and even incorporate mood lighting.

[wine~o]

Nice to see someone with my drawing skills...

Is the bath already fitted and being tiled around??

What are the walls???..plasterboard??

There are people on this site who will be able to help..given enough info..inc.Royal..if he's around..

[thescruff]

As R.O.C. take it at least 4 tiles above the bath, but build it to fit the tiles without cuts.

[shazz316]

Nice to see someone with my drawing skills...

Is the bath already fitted and being tiled around??

What are the walls???..plasterboard??

There are people on this site who will be able to help..given enough info..inc.Royal..if he's around..

Good to hear I'm not the only one with bad drawing skills , I would have taken a photo but my camera is broke.
Yes, Bath is already fitted and the walls are brick walls.

[wine~o]

Something like this do you you mean?

[shazz316]

Something like this do you you mean?

sort off. The only difference is that the bath panel will sit under the inside lip of the bath, meaning the tiles on the long side panel would be almost flush with the edge of the bath.

[wine~o]

So what you need is 1 and a 1/2 inch battening. framework..on the long lengtha bit like..oh no I'm going to have to draw again...



So that the ply is about 8/10mm short of the bath edge...depending on tile thickness..(Allow approx 3mm for adhesive)