Laying Ceramic Tile Over Wood Subfloor

To install ceramic tile over wood the wood surface must be structurally sound enough to support the weight of the tile.

Laying ceramic tile over wood subfloor.

While most floor tile these days is installed onto a layer of cement board or similar backerboard it is possible to lay tile directly over plywood. 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. Planning and patience along with these tips will help ensure that you install the quality of finished flooring you are looking for. No matter how firm the subfloor.

Always follow the manufacturer s installation. 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. Second the strength of wood boards isn t always consistent. Osb panels provide an excellent base for many types of finished flooring including ceramic tiles if careful attention to the construction and preparation of the subfloor is paid in order to avoid costly callbacks.

First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood. 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. The plywood will expand and contract at a different rate as the tile causing cracks to develop in the grout lines or tiles over time. Laying tile over a plywood subfloor can be a bit tricky but if you take the time to prepare the sub floor properly you can enjoy a new tile floor that will last for a lifetime.

The house is 25 years old and this is the original tile. 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. 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. Installing over wood.

A number of different types of substrate are used for tile including plywood.