| Ceramic tile material is rigid and relatively brittle, so a | | | | ceramic tile floor. Okay, but why? Because the |
| sturdy base is the most critical part of installing this | | | | mortar bed has a built-in reinforcement against floor |
| type of tile. Unless you want to see cracked tiles, | | | | deflections in the form of the wire mesh. Translation- |
| loose tiles, or loose grout, you need to select the | | | | less cracked tiles and loose grout, and longer-life |
| proper underlayment. Underlayment being what the | | | | flooring.Concrete Slab- |
| construction trade calls the layer that goes between | | | | You can lay your ceramic tile directly on concrete |
| your wood subfloor and your tiles.You have several | | | | slab, but all cracks and holes need to be refurbished |
| alternate ways to accomplish the strong | | | | prior before the installation of a tile when it's directly |
| underlayment required for ceramic tile | | | | bonded to the concrete. Some concrete slab has |
| installation.Plywood- just a single layer of plywood | | | | been coated with curing compound to help the slab |
| isn't rigid enough to stop floor deflection. It needs to | | | | set without cracks. This compound should be |
| be covered over with an additional layer of | | | | removed before tile installation to ensure a |
| exterior-grade plywood to achieve a total thickness | | | | long-lasting mortar bond, since the compound helps |
| of at least 1 1/8 inch. You can either (A)- Cover the | | | | the concrete retain moisture and in some cases |
| plywood with a cement backer board (more on | | | | affects adhesiveness. It is also important that the |
| these below) or (B) Cover the existing plywood with | | | | slab be as level as possible, especially with the larger |
| a second layer of exterior grade plywood. Under | | | | tile sizes in use today. Cleaning the concrete |
| either of these, a thin-set mortar is applied to | | | | completely of debris and dust will also contribute to a |
| eliminate air gaps. Additionally, in bathrooms, it's | | | | higher quality installation. In short, preparation of the |
| recommended to lay a "shower pan" over your | | | | surface is key.One other possibility is laying the tile |
| wood subfloor. This refers to thin rubberized | | | | over existing flooring. There are a few things to |
| materials that protect the tile from floor expansion | | | | consider. Is your existing floor solid, flat and in good |
| and contraction due to moisture, temperature and | | | | shape? Is it stuck well enough to the subfloor under |
| humidity.Cement Backer Board - These are | | | | it to provide support? Good. Is the existing floor |
| prefabricated, lightweight concrete sheets used to | | | | linoleum or vinyl? Not so good. You need to strip it |
| cover wood subfloors. It has a dense Portland | | | | out or put a good subflooring on top of it. (And |
| concrete core and fiberglass surfaces both sides and | | | | watch out for older vinyl flooring, which may contain |
| is able to withstand prolonged exposure to moisture. | | | | asbestos fibers. You don't want to strip this stuff out |
| Brand names include DUROCK, UTILICRETE, | | | | yourself. Instead, either cover it up with some |
| WONDERBOARD and GLASCRETE. Joints of the | | | | plywood subfloor or have a contractor remove it. If |
| backer board sheets should be staggered such that | | | | you aren't sure if your flooring has asbestos, call in a |
| they don't fall directly over the wood subfloor | | | | trained asbestos inspector.) If you have ceramic tile |
| joints.Mortar Bed- Mud beds, or mortar beds, are | | | | on the floor you can lay newer tile on top of it as |
| used by professional tile contractors mostly. They're | | | | long as it's surface is level and not too smooth. You |
| composed of a layer of thick roofing felt, then wire | | | | might need to sand the surface to let your bonding |
| mesh, followed by a layer of mortar. The reason it is | | | | have a better chance.In conclusion, a little planning |
| used mostly by the specialists is that it takes a high | | | | and thought will go a long way toward making your |
| level of skill and practice to ensure the mortar bed | | | | tile installation project a long-lasting addition to your |
| produces a sufficiently level surface. The other | | | | home, so take the time before you go in with "both |
| reason is that it is the best foundation possible for a | | | | guns blazing". |