Subfloor Requirements For Ceramic Tile

Oriented strand board osb and other porous manufactured boards are not recommended for the subfloor because they absorb moisture and will expand and contract.

Subfloor requirements for ceramic tile.

We discuss the stiffness of floor framing needed to avoid cracks or loosening of ceramic tile stone slate and similar flooring and we describe alternative methods of floor preparation for tiling. 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. 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. The subfloor is 5 8 t g.

The substrate for tiles shorter than 15 inches must be so flat that it varies no more than 1 16 inch per foot according to the ceramic tile education foundation. Most floor tile is adhered to the subfloor or underlayment with cement based thinset mortar. Regardless of the material it must be at least 1. Before you install sheet vinyl the subfloor must be in good.

This guide will show you how to prepare your subfloor for a tile installation project to ensure that it s fit to support ceramic or porcelain tile. For this reason ceramic and porcelain tile floors can be considered somewhat delicate despite the inherent strength of the material. How to prepare a subfloor for vinyl flooring. Sheet vinyl flooring provides a durable surface for high traffic areas in your home.

We are planning on using ceramic tile with granite counter tops. This article discusses floor framing and subfloor recommendations for use under ceramic tile stone granite marble and similar floors. I have visited several tile stores and received conflicting subfloor thickness requirements. First make sure you have a 1 1 4 inch sub floor before any tile goes down.

It sounds like your joists are well within the acceptable limits of l 300 so your main concern is the deflection of the subfloor between joists. The subfloor must be structurally sound as well as thick and stable enough to hold the weight of the tile without moving or flexing. I have a book about remodeling by that tv guy mike holmes and he says that the proper way to prep a subfloor for tiles is. 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.