Tile Over Wood Subfloor Bathroom

While i prefer using 1 2 cement backer board over a plywood subfloor you may be able to get by with 1 4 backer board instead.

Tile over wood subfloor bathroom.

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. If the tile is being installed in a bathroom consider applying an isolation membrane over your wood subfloor to further protect against expansion and contraction. According to backer board manufacturers and tile setters installing backer board directly over an old solid wood subfloor is risky for a couple of reasons. 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.

When used as an underlayment the plywood sheets are laid over the osb or plywood subfloor for a two layer base. If installing over an appropriate wood surface sand the wood to make it smoother and remember that the installation will work better over a subfloor at least 1 1 8 inches thick. In addition uncoupling tile membranes prevent moisture from infiltrating surfaces below. The tiles broke way too easily so i was suspicious and when removing the pieces of tile i found wood rot which caused a hollow effect under these tiles tile over wood subfloor.

First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood. A tight unmoving bond between mortar and subfloor causes cracking. Even if you use a waterproof underlayment membrane the floor will still be either 1 4 or 1 2 higher than the subfloor plus the thickness of the tile and adhesive. An uncoupling membrane does exactly what the name says.

Second the strength of wood boards isn t always consistent. It uncouples or releases the bond between plywood and tile mortar allowing each surface to move independently of each other. Preparing your subfloor for tile in this video learn how to prepare a wood or concrete subfloor for tile including such steps as checking for dips installing backerboard applying primer and thinset pouring liquid underlayment and when to use osb or exterior grade plywood.