Tile Underlayment For Concrete Floor

A concrete slab makes a good underlayment for ceramic tiles since it s similar to the solid mortar bases that used to be the standard for ceramic tile installation.

Tile underlayment for concrete floor.

However the slab must be flat perfectly level and not at risk of settling or heaving. Test by sprinkling water on various areas of the subfloor. In addition underlayments can provide thermal and sound insulation as well as a cushion that makes walking on the floor more. I m putting ceramic tile flooring in my kitchen and live on a 10 year old ground level concrete slab.

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. To prepare your concrete subfloor make sure that it can accept water penetration. A waterproof underlayment membrane like ditra from schluter systems can be substituted for backer board. Although you don t need to install an underlayment between the concrete and the tile you need to prepare the surface before placing the tile.

Made of lightweight polyethylene the membrane is only 1 8 thick and can be cut easily with a. When installing a tile floor a layer of cement backer board is usually put down over a plywood subfloor to provide a firm stable surface. Additionally a steps must be taken to ensure that a concrete floor will create a solid bond. For ceramic tile flooring laid over concrete it separates the tile from the concrete pad and prevents cracks damaging the tiles.

For wood and laminate flooring the underlayment may provides moisture protection. Now largely regarded as the very best underlayment for ceramic tile in any application floors walls and countertops cement based backer board goes by many names. Yet this application does make sense since concrete is heavy solid and is typically thought of as an unbending uncompromising material. As with a wooden subfloor a concrete subfloor must be level for successful tile installation.

There are various types of tile underlayment but all serve to smooth out uneven. Ceramic and porcelain tile are so frequently installed at or above grade level on a cement board underlayment or directly on plywood that it almost seems novel to install tile directly on concrete. Cement based backer board. Installing tile directly on concrete.

After all cracks and uneven areas in the concrete can cause damage to the tile above and uncontrolled moisture in the concrete can destroy the mortar and loosen the tiles.