How To Install Porcelain Tile On Plywood Floor

Chipboard cushioned vinyl flooring particle boards of any type oriented strand board osb interior grade plywood tongue and groove planking and hardwood floors are unsuitable substrates for direct installation of ceramic tile.

How to install porcelain tile on plywood floor.

Tile floors are an attractive functional option for kitchens bathrooms laundry rooms and entryways. Plywood or osb flakeboard can expand and contract at too high a rate to be a stable foundation for tile. Cement backerboard is made for tiling. Try laying tile over 1 2 durock or hardie and see what happens when the joists are 19 2 or 24 on center.

If you have items in the way like radiator pipes or bath pipes you ll need to drill holes in those tiles ahead of time so they can fit in place. Most tile manufacturers recommend installing a cement backer board instead of any other type of underlayment such as plywood. Backerboard does not shrink or expand when it comes into contact with water mortar and grout both contain water. Plywood substrate alternatives.

The boards come in 3 x 5 foot sheets and are available where tile and grout are sold. When you re ready to lay the tile you ll need to start from the exact center of the floor and lay the tile in lines toward either wall leaving a small space between each tile. This will cause either the tile itself to crack and even come loose or cause the grout to crack inside the joints. If your tile floors are worn or chipped or you re simply ready for an upgrade follow this guide to learn how to install a tile floor yourself.

Preparing a subfloor is an essential step for installing floor tile it provides a level surface that will allow the tiles to properly stay in place. The safest most prudent course is to install tile on top of a cement backerboard such as durock wonderboard or hardiebacker. Tile can be installed over a plywood substrate and it is actually a fantastic way to make sure you don t have deflection in your floor. Installing ceramic floor tile to a plywood sub floor has unique challenges beyond that of installation on a concrete floor.

Installing a tile floor in any of these rooms will give you an easy to clean waterproof floor that holds up against weather and wear. After you establish your guidelines or layout lines it s time to install the tile. To install ceramic tile over wood the wood surface must be structurally sound enough to support the weight of the tile.