Ceramic Tile Subfloor Options

Because of issues of moisture movement and adhesion ceramic tile will work well with certain types of subfloor underlayment systems and can go dramatically wrong with other subfloor materials.

Ceramic tile subfloor options.

When installing a tile floor a layer of cement backer board is usually put down over a plywood subfloor to provide a firm stable surface. Is this adequate to install new 12 x 24 inch porcelain tiles. Creating a bed of mortar is an older method of setting tiles on a concrete. Ceramic tiles are very strong but when they re installed on a surface that isn t sturdy and rigid you ll end up with cracked grout joints and broken tiles ruining the look and water resistance of the floor.

We took up old ceramic tile original with a 20 year old house and found no cement board or other underlayment material underneath. The diy basement subfloor interlocking tiles are great for use under vinyl planks or other laminate flooring. However i did find that the previous installer had put another sheet of 1 2 plywood over the 3 4 inch plywood subfloor. Since it isn t porous porcelain tile is more water resistant and harder than ceramic but it is harder to cut.

Preparing a subfloor is an essential step for installing floor tile it provides a level surface that will allow the tiles to properly stay in place. A number of trowel able and pourable tile underlayment options are available each with its own purpose and best use. This tile is composed of sand which is fired at high temperature and pressure. Oriented strand board osb and other porous manufactured boards are not recommended for the subfloor because they absorb moisture and will expand and contract.

You have a number of choices when it comes to the ideal underlayment for ceramic tiles. For ceramic tile the tile council recommends using joists that are 16 inches on center a 3 4 inch thick plywood subfloor and a 1 2 inch thick cement backer board or concrete slab.