Subfloor For Bathroom Tile Floor

I am remodeling a 1953 original bathroom in a ranch home that is built on a pier and beam foundation.

Subfloor for bathroom tile floor.

For more information download our pdf about types of subfloors. The floor must also handle the weight of the tub shower tiles and other fixtures. Using the right type plywood ensures a long lasting floor. The bathroom floor gets wet.

While you can lay tile directly over a concrete slab using thin set adhesive don t make the mistake of applying tile directly to a plywood subfloor. The bathroom floor is constructed of the mesh concrete mud then tile. That usually means the underlayment and the subfloor also get wet. Traditionally exterior grade plywood has been the subfloor material of choice for many bathroom flooring projects.

For this reason ceramic and porcelain tile floors can be considered somewhat delicate despite the inherent strength of the material. Tile floors are likely to weigh 15 to 20 pounds or more when you add the framing ceiling below subflooring tile and setting materials. Preparation for installing floor tile depends on the type of subfloor in the room you are tiling. 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.

No matter how firm the subfloor. 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. It supports your decorative floor finish whether it s carpet hardwood vinyl laminate or tile. 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.

Because of issues of moisture movement and adhesion ceramic tile will work well with certain types of subfloor underlayment systems and can go dramatically wrong with other subfloor materials. Cdx plywood in particular is used often because it has a high level of resistance to moisture and humidity. Tile floors are especially heavy with layers of cement board mortar tile or stone and grout. This is fine for wood carpeting and resilient flooring but not for ceramic tile.

If your subfloor doesn t pass the flex test either because it s a bathroom floor and has sustained moisture damage or it s the wrong material you can and should replace the damaged section. Plywood is made by gluing alternating layers of wood veneer. A subfloor is the bottom most structural level of your floor. Kitchen cabinets or bathroom fixtures above can also add to the dead load.

This adds to the cost of the project but it s better to pay a little extra during installation than it is to tear up a failing tile floor that has.