Do You Need Cement Board Under Tile Floor

If you re working over a wood subfloor cement board is the right choice for your tile base.

Do you need cement board under tile floor.

It is generically called cement board or backer board or it can also be referred to by one of the common brand names such as densshield hardiebacker and wonderboard. If you want to replace an old cracked tile floor or other type of flooring with new ceramic tile it s absolutely imperative that you create a solid setting base for the new tile. Cement board is a type of underlayment that is now standard for most tile installations but particularly for floor tile. 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.

This provides a solid surface under the tile that prevents flexing that could lead to cracking. Installing cement board over a concrete subfloor. Cement based backer board. If it is a planked floor then y.

The primary benefit of cement board is that it doesn t break down or expand or warp if it gets wet. Installing over wood. Do it yourselfers can use either 1 2 or 1 4 inch cement board in certain applications while other scenarios mandate 1 2 inch board. If it is vinyl tile glued over a concrete slab you can clean the tile and adhere the tile directly to the vinyl.

Tile floors are beautiful durable and a fairly diy friendly option but for tile s good looks to really last it s vital to start with what you can t see the ideal underlayment. Cement board is an easily installed diy tile underlayment providing a stable dependable tile setting substrate while eliminating the complicated lath and mortar floating process. This is a distinct advantage over plywood and drywall. Cement board also provides an additional layer over a plywood or particleboard subfloor adding stiffness to the tile.

Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage. What you need for a tile base. It s available in sheets of many sizes with 3 foot by 5 foot sheets being the most common. It depends on the sub surface if it is a concrete slab then no but if it is a plywood decking yes.

Install a cement based backer board following the manufacturer s instructions. I know it seems like a smooth surface and it seems like it may fix some of the issues with the concrete floor but don t do it. 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.