Flooring Tile - New method for sub-floor prep
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wtrgzr
04-25-04, 11:56 AM
I'm considering replacing old 3/8" thick parquet with ceramic tile in my kitchen, which is over a basement. The subfloor is 3/4" plywood over 16" joists. The "how-to" guides suggest a minimum of 1 1/4" subfloor thickness. However, this is not possible because it would raise the floor too much for clearances. Two questions for the experts;
1) What are my options for keeping the height no more than 1/8" higher than current floor?
2) I have had my floors in 2 bathrooms and a countertop re-installed with tile by contractors. In both cases, they did not use durarock, or did they increase the thickness of the floor. Instead, they stapled down a metal "screen", and applied a mastic directly to this, and set the tiles. I have not seen this method described anywhere. Is it recommended?
\Thx
1) What are my options for keeping the height no more than 1/8" higher than current floor?
2) I have had my floors in 2 bathrooms and a countertop re-installed with tile by contractors. In both cases, they did not use durarock, or did they increase the thickness of the floor. Instead, they stapled down a metal "screen", and applied a mastic directly to this, and set the tiles. I have not seen this method described anywhere. Is it recommended?
\Thx
awesomedell
04-25-04, 03:21 PM
I often use a product called Ditra for setting tile where there are height issues. It is a dove-tailed plastic membrane with a fleece bonded on the back. This is bonded to the subfloor with thinset, (don't like mastic, just junk, IMO) then the tile is set again in thin set over the ditra.
But before you go any further, need to check the size of the joists, (2"x8", 2"x10", etc.) and also what is the unsupported span of the joists. Post back with that info so we can insure that this floor will sustain a ceramic installation.
But before you go any further, need to check the size of the joists, (2"x8", 2"x10", etc.) and also what is the unsupported span of the joists. Post back with that info so we can insure that this floor will sustain a ceramic installation.