Flooring Tile - ceramic floor ( luan underlayment)
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03-15-01, 06:32 PM
John,
yes we are installing a ceramic tile floor 12"X 12". We are doing a large area. Do you think we will be able to use this surface, what might be the worst outcome if we go with this surface? My husband wants to know why its not a good surface.
Mary
yes we are installing a ceramic tile floor 12"X 12". We are doing a large area. Do you think we will be able to use this surface, what might be the worst outcome if we go with this surface? My husband wants to know why its not a good surface.
Mary
03-15-01, 07:43 PM
Luan plywood is a bad idea for ceramic tile...if you've ever seen a tile come loose on luan, you will notice that it comes off completly clean...with no adhesive stuck to the wood..but you'll find a thin layer of wood stuck to the tile..it's not a very stable subfloor. Also, it very hard to fasten to the subfloor..did you use screws? Staples are not enough.The adhesive you picked is good glue..but it would be better if you had used a polymer modified thinset.not to mention it's cheaper. IF you carry on with the luan...don't let the sink over flow or the dishwasher leak...if the luan gets wet...the tile will come loose.
03-16-01, 01:25 PM
Hi Mary S.,
Luan is also one step away from being cork in the center of the two outside ply's. Also during the manufacturing process somewhere they either wash or finish with a formaldahyde solution. (that's why when a tile comes loose there is virtually no adhesive on the Luan ,most is on the tile too oily!) You will notice on the back of every bag of thinset and on the back of nearly every adhesive bucket there is a disclaimer of "unsuitable substrates", Luan is almost the first one listed. My advice do not use it! your floor is almost sure to fail. Use 1/4" concrete backer board, or hardibacker (follow the manufacturers recommendations for installation) and install your tile on that. Do yourself a great service and install the backer board with your tile job. (The difference in price between Luan and Backerboard is mere pennies.)
Regards,
Rich Gately (Tileman1)
http://www.gatelytile.com
Luan is also one step away from being cork in the center of the two outside ply's. Also during the manufacturing process somewhere they either wash or finish with a formaldahyde solution. (that's why when a tile comes loose there is virtually no adhesive on the Luan ,most is on the tile too oily!) You will notice on the back of every bag of thinset and on the back of nearly every adhesive bucket there is a disclaimer of "unsuitable substrates", Luan is almost the first one listed. My advice do not use it! your floor is almost sure to fail. Use 1/4" concrete backer board, or hardibacker (follow the manufacturers recommendations for installation) and install your tile on that. Do yourself a great service and install the backer board with your tile job. (The difference in price between Luan and Backerboard is mere pennies.)
Regards,
Rich Gately (Tileman1)
http://www.gatelytile.com