Ceramic Tile Deflection Calculator

How to fix floor deflection for ceramic tile.

Ceramic tile deflection calculator.

This deflection limitation differs from the l 360 deflection limit under uniform load prescribed by building codes. Because ceramic floor tile is rigid and unforgiving it needs a structurally sound immobile base. Concentrated load see astm c627. For instance ceramic tile can withstand more deflection than natural stone.

The tile council of america recommends that deflection be limited to l 360 l span length in inches under total load for ceramic tile. Tile industry associations recommend special total load deflection limits the following tables list the components and weights of typical floor systems along with the deflection limits that apply. If you have engineered truss or i beam type joists please do not use this calculator. However when considering deflection for tile one needs to also consider deflection between joists.

Deflection of bare plywood and osb comparable to the robinson l 360 deflection can be estimated by calculation but the addition of tile systems creates a stiffness change in the floor assembly that is impossible to estimate e g. Recent research has shown tile to fail under some conditions when the floor is more rigid than l 360. In fact failures at l 600 have been observed. It is for this reason that recommendations for floor rigidity are not based on deflection measurements but on empirically established methods found to work over normal code construction.

Larger tiles make for a stiffer floor than smaller tiles. Enter your floor joist information and then hit calculate deflection to find out your floor rating. Matthew the ceramic tile institute of america prefers deflection of less than l 360 and states. The apa ews has voluntarily raised the minimum deflection of its systems to l 480 33 stiffer that conventional framing requirements for ceramic tile.

Joists are almost always laid on standard spacings 12in 16in 19 2in or 24in. All floors deflect or move to some extent but if. Whether you are installing stone or ceramic tile over floors and walls there s one thing to consider. Learn more about it here.

A heavy concentrated load can exceed l 360 between joists. Deflection or bounciness can cause tiles and grout to crack or come loose and the tolerance depends on what type of tile is being installed.