Tiling - Gap in plywood (sub)floor

mcg · 01-15-2009, 01:23 PM

I am in the process of remodeling a bathroom, and have taken it down to the studs and removed the old tile from the floor. The previous install had two layers of 1/2" plasterboard on each wall. Below the tile appears to be 1+" plywood. I will be installing new tile. They did the tile after the walls were in, so now there is a 1" gap where there is no plywood near the studs on the outside of the floor, and I would only like to put in one 1/2" sheet of drywall on the walls as the two layers seemed unnecessary. Once that is in, it will leave me with a 1/2" gap on the floor around the room that has no plywood.

I'm looking for suggestions to fix this. Is cement backerboard strong enough that if I put that over the plywood and the 1/2" gap, it will hold up? I know I could install strapping before drywall, but I'd prefer to get the extra 1/2" back into the room as it is pretty small already. I would also prefer to not go through the trouble of cutting 1/2" thick pieces of plywood to fill the gap. I also thought of just putting extra layers of backerboard in the gap.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

angus242 · 01-15-2009, 02:06 PM

Why not fill with 1" strips of plywood before you drywall?

mcg · 01-15-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angus242

Why not fill with 1" strips of plywood before you drywall?

Definitely an option, but I don't presently have the tools (circular saw) necessary. Just fishing for other ideas.

angus242 · 01-15-2009, 02:30 PM

I understand. If I'm not mistaken, if you bought a sheet of plywood from the big box stores, don't they offer to cut it for you? I think I remember seeing the big panel sized cutting machines in there.

mcg · 01-15-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angus242

I understand. If I'm not mistaken, if you bought a sheet of plywood from the big box stores, don't they offer to cut it for you? I think I remember seeing the big panel sized cutting machines in there.

You are probably right. I also have family/friends close by that I can borrow from. If this is the safest approach, I will probably just go ahead with it.

Thanks!

ponch37300 · 01-15-2009, 05:21 PM

Most box stores will cut it for you and they even sell helf sheets of plywood if you don't need a full one. I would support that last 1/2" of cement board if it was me.

01-15-2009, 01:23 PM	#1
mcg Newbie Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 7	Tiling - Gap in plywood (sub)floor I am in the process of remodeling a bathroom, and have taken it down to the studs and removed the old tile from the floor. The previous install had two layers of 1/2" plasterboard on each wall. Below the tile appears to be 1+" plywood. I will be installing new tile. They did the tile after the walls were in, so now there is a 1" gap where there is no plywood near the studs on the outside of the floor, and I would only like to put in one 1/2" sheet of drywall on the walls as the two layers seemed unnecessary. Once that is in, it will leave me with a 1/2" gap on the floor around the room that has no plywood. I'm looking for suggestions to fix this. Is cement backerboard strong enough that if I put that over the plywood and the 1/2" gap, it will hold up? I know I could install strapping before drywall, but I'd prefer to get the extra 1/2" back into the room as it is pretty small already. I would also prefer to not go through the trouble of cutting 1/2" thick pieces of plywood to fill the gap. I also thought of just putting extra layers of backerboard in the gap. Thoughts? Thanks.

01-15-2009, 02:06 PM	#2
angus242 K&B Remodeler/Tile Guy Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 887	Tiling - Gap in plywood (sub)floor Why not fill with 1" strips of plywood before you drywall? __________________ Angus To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-15-2009, 02:30 PM	#4
angus242 K&B Remodeler/Tile Guy Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 887	Tiling - Gap in plywood (sub)floor I understand. If I'm not mistaken, if you bought a sheet of plywood from the big box stores, don't they offer to cut it for you? I think I remember seeing the big panel sized cutting machines in there. __________________ Angus To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-15-2009, 05:21 PM	#6
ponch37300 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin Posts: 931	Tiling - Gap in plywood (sub)floor Most box stores will cut it for you and they even sell helf sheets of plywood if you don't need a full one. I would support that last 1/2" of cement board if it was me.

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Tiling - Gap in plywood (sub)floor