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Question:
I am in the process of getting ready to tile my bathroom and kitchen floors. I
have read differing information on the need for installing backer board over the
subfloor, prior to setting the ceramic tile. Can you comment on when one should
use backer board on the subfloor when installing ceramic floor tiles?
Answer:
Depending the level of expected foot traffic you may or may not need to install
backer board over the subfloor. It also depends to some extent upon the quality
of the existing subfloor. If the ceramic floor tile is targeted for a commercial
or industrial operation where there is a great deal of heavy foot traffic, then
backer board should absolutely be used.
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For light residential use, however, you can probably get away without it, as
long as the subfloor is constructed properly.
I have installed ceramic floor tile
in a number of residential applications where the foot traffic is considered
relatively light, such as kitchens, foyers, and bathrooms. In all cases I did
not use backer board on the floors, and I have never experienced a loose tile or
cracked grout lines. And this is after 19 years of living in one of the homes.
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I chose not to use backer board,
because I believed the subfloor was of the appropriate quality to be rigid
enough to support ceramic floor tile. The floor joists were less than or equal
to 16” OC and there was ¾” tongue and groove plywood installed as a base.
In addition, I always installed ½”
exterior grade plywood on top of the 3/4th inch tongue and groove
subfloor to help further minimize any floor deflection. When applying the ½”
exterior grade plywood I applied deck screws every 6” on center to prevent floor
deflections and squeaks.
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If you still have concerns on whether
or not you should use a backer board, check directly with the ceramic floor tile
manufacturer, and not the local tile reseller. The ceramic floor tile
manufacturer will know best about the appropriate subfloor preparation, and will
more than likely give you the most accurate answer for your specific ceramic
floor tile.
For information on
ceramic tile and installing a shower pan membrane liner, see the
Shower
Pan Membrane Liner Installation Ebook
from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Shower Pan Membrane Liner EBook will quickly
teach you the step-by-step process for installing the shower pan membrane liner
correctly. It includes instructions on framing the shower stall, pouring the
pre-slope and shower base mortar, and installing the shower pan membrane liner.
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