Flooring Tile - 1/4 Hardi for shower walls?

Wow, what a great resource. I just spent the last few hours reading posts and realizing how many huge mistakes I was about the make laying slate and travertine.

I now know that the 1/4 hardi that I purchased today will be insufficient for the subfloor and that I would be better off using Durock @ 1/2 inch (thanks Floorman) since it is easier to cut and less flexible. I will use some of the 1/4 hardi for my granite tile counters, but I was wondering if I should take the rest back, or try to use it on my shower walls. Any input would be helpful.

Thanks again for all of the great info on this board.

Edit for additional question. Are the subfloor requirements for tavertine and slate diffrent than for ceramic products? Is seems that the stone products would not break quite as easily as the ceramic...but what do I know.

Typically 1/4" is only used to bring a subfloor thickness up to 1 1/4", so it's only used on the floor and in places where the subfloor is almost or already thick enough. It's also useful for planning transitions between various floor types.

Other than that 1/2" is standard for walls, and subfloors sheeted with 3/4" plywood or other material.

Typically 1/4" is only used to bring a subfloor thickness up to 1 1/4", so it's only used on the floor and in places where the subfloor is almost or already thick enough. It's also useful for planning transitions between various floor types.





Say what??? Sure you don't work at Home Depot?

Cement tile backer board of any brand does not add structural support of any kind and is not in the 1¼" equation. The deflection for the subfloor for natural stone needs to be stiffer. L / 720 instead of L / 360 for ceramic.

For a far more superior product and easier to install...


http://www.schluter.com/english/products/2002/sectionf/ditra/601-index.html

Here's a quote from perry's link,Note: For plywood substrates, an additional layer of 1/2", exterior-grade, cement backerboard should be installed prior to installing Schlüter®-DITRA. So be careful what you preach as well as what hear from others investigate thing thoroughly and then make the decision.

As for me i'm going to stick with what has not been broke for the entire 15 years of tile setting,Durock,it worked for the journeymen who trained me and has worked for me without fail,if done properly you have nothing to fear my friend :cool:

Right Floorman, you do need to bring the wood substrate up to the 1¼", as you do for the Durock. ½" plywood is needed no mater what you do.