How To Lay Ceramic Tile On Plywood Subfloor

Install the sheets one at a time.

How to lay ceramic tile on plywood subfloor.

In residential use the tile council of north america specifically allows ceramic tile to be installed directly over 1 2 in. Lift one sheet leave the rest in place and spread thinset directly onto the subfloor filling the area left by the sheet use a 1 4 x 1 4 notch trowel. Wet locations such as bathrooms require the addition of a waterproofing layer. 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.

Follow the directions on the packaging to properly mix the thin set mortar. If the subfloor is plywood install a layer of cement backer board on top before tiling. Once you have filled the space place the sheet down onto the thinset. 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.

Use a polymer modified thin set a type of mortar to attach the backer board to the subfloor. No matter how firm the subfloor. With a trowel scoop out and spread enough mortar on. If the mortar bed is uneven or cracked apply a leveling or patching compound as needed first.

While tile can be laid on plywood do not install tile directly onto. Tips for laying tile on plywood subfloor for flooring use intervening sheets of plywood. Plywood underlayment in dry locations. It should be fastened to the subfloor using thinset and then screwed down every 10 square.

Use thinset with a higher latex content. If the old subfloor is covered with a thick bed of mortar that s in good condition you can tile over it. Thinset is the wet base that you first trowel on the plywood to make the tile. There s a caveat though.

There are two materials commonly used for laying ceramic on plywood or osb that are applied before the tile. Mix your thinset according to the instructions on the bag.