How To Lay Ceramic Tile On Cement Board

This provides a solid surface under the tile that prevents flexing that could lead to cracking.

How to lay ceramic tile on cement board.

Today most professional tile setters back their tile with cement board instead because it offers almost the same durability with a lot less work. Here are the basics of how to install tile over cement board. In order to install tile over cement board you will need to first measure the room. Cement board is a type of underlayment that is now standard for most tile installations but particularly for floor tile.

For ceramic tile floors the cement board usually rests on a plywood subfloor minimum 5 8 inch thick exterior grade plywood or osb if new ceramic tile is being laid on an existing floor the cement board can usually be laid right over the existing floor finish provided it is in good shape and the extra floor thickness is not a problem. Installing over wood. Chipboard cushioned vinyl flooring particle boards of any type oriented strand board osb interior grade plywood tongue and groove planking and hardwood floors are unsuitable substrates for direct installation of ceramic tile. Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor.

Laying cement board is the easiest way to assure a solid durable base for a ceramic tile floor. Once the cement board is in place you are ready to install the tile. All the insider information on how to build and waterproof a. To install ceramic tile over wood the wood surface must be structurally sound enough to support the weight of the tile.

Use a polymer modified thin set a type of mortar to attach the backer board to the subfloor. Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage. We show you how to install a first class tile base. The traditional method of installing ceramic tile called for setting it in a solid mortar bed.

Install a cement based backer board following the manufacturer s instructions. In order to install tile over a wood floor you will need to cover it with cement board. In fact this is already assuming that your wood subfloor meets the minimum requirements. Cement board also provides an additional layer over a plywood or particleboard subfloor adding stiffness to the tile.

Now there are more ways to screw things up than just these five things. Messing up cement board installation is not just limited to these 5 ways. The primary benefit of cement board is that it doesn t break down or expand or warp if it gets wet. Cement board should never be counted on to stiffen up your floor.

This is a distinct advantage over plywood and drywall. Step 1 measure the area. Troweling a perfectly flat bed required great skill but the reward was a tile job that lasted for decades.