Thinset the tile on and caulk the edge.
Kerdi sheet over drywall.
It would be faster and easier than the way the contractor wants to do it and probably the most logical step forward.
Sheet applied polyethylene waterproofing membrane and vapor retarder.
Kerdi is ideal for use in tiled showers bathtub surrounds residential steam showers and other tile applications in wet areas.
If you must tape the joints per fire code requirements make sure to apply a latex primer over the taped joints before installing kerdi.
If kerdi over regular drywall is acceptable is it preferable to waterproof drywall alone for the rest of the bathroom.
In fact it s advised to use this product on drywall in your bathroom before laying tile and other materials.
It is not necessary to tape the joints between drywall panels before installing kerdi.
The icc international code council test report esr 2467 covers the certification for both ditra and kerdi and is only valid if you follow the manufacturer s installation instructions.
Go over the drywall with kerdi.
So is kerdi safe to use on drywall.
Kerdi band would be fine but cement board mesh tape would be ok.
Schluter recommends their kerdi product over drywall.
This video shows a schluter shower installation using drywall purple board and schluter s wide roll kerdi membrane which allows the walls to be waterproof.
Scrape the sheetrock to get a key and use whatever you want to tape the transition at the wall.
The advantage i see is that the membrane is continuous around corners unlike hardie backer or densshield.
They have easy videos and instructions online if he s not familiar with the process.
It s not a wet location.
At the ceiling i d tape with mesh with thinset on the kerdi side and hot mud on the ceiling.
Here are a few tips on installing kerdi.
Schluter kerdi is a pliable sheet applied waterproofing membrane and vapor retarder designed for the direct application of tile.
Without a waterproof membrane like kerdi water and moisture can seep through grout tile and other materials and end up damaging wood studs and subfloor.
Remove drywall and proceed as you ve outlined.
Joint compound can be water soluble and should be protected from the moisture in the thin set mortar used to install kerdi.