tile in kitchen questions

rjmvancity · 02-02-2011, 07:00 PM

So I've removed the old carpet from my kitchen/dinning and cleaned up the subfloor. I'm now ready for the next step to start my tiling but need some help as it's my first tile job over 20 sq ft.

I'm putting in ceramic tile, 1 foot square.

1- I quickly checked the floor and it seems pretty level, if I have to use self leveling compound should I put it over or under backer board?

2- Is it over kill to put down backer board and ditra? if I have to choose, which is better?

3- Can I install a infloor heating pad over the ditra if I choose to use ditra?

Sorry but I need to know before I go any further

Bud Cline · 02-02-2011, 07:23 PM

Quote:

1- I quickly checked the floor and it seems pretty level, if I have to use self leveling compound should I put it over or under backer board?

A floor does not have to be level to install ceramic tile. The floor should however be flat. Flat and level can be two different things. Backerboard CAN NOT be installed over Self Levelling Compound.

Quote:

2- Is it over kill to put down backer board and ditra? if I have to choose, which is better?

DITRA is by far better. There is no reason what so ever to use both.

Quote:

3- Can I install a infloor heating pad over the ditra if I choose to use ditra?

Well you can but the floor heat system still requires a thermal-mass of cement to work properly. So if you install the heat product then bury it in Self Levelling Compound you have done all you need to do. The SLC serves as the tile backer underlayment.

rjmvancity · 02-02-2011, 07:29 PM

Sorry Bud, I used the wrong wording, the floor seems to be fairly level and fairly flat, 1/4" or less

Would you say its better to use the backer board in the small area where I'm putting the heating pad and use detra in the rest of the room?

Bud Cline · 02-02-2011, 07:34 PM

SLC is usually all that is required for the heat system.

DITRA comes in 1/8" and 5/16" thickness.

It takes a minimum of 3/8" of SLC to bury a typical heat mat product.

If you use the 5/16" DITRA you can make it all work out perfectly but the truth is the SLC doesn't cost any more than the DITRA. I would pour the whole thing with SLC and be done with it.

rjmvancity · 02-02-2011, 08:26 PM

ok so last dumb question I promise. Do I need to put down more plywood or will the stuff that was under the carpet do?

So option 1: Stright to ditra then tile

or

Option 2: plywood, ditra, then tile?

FlooringDude · 02-02-2011, 08:57 PM

check the deflection and go from there
http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/deflecto.pl

Bud Cline · 02-02-2011, 10:22 PM

What is the thickness of the subfloor now?
What is the size of the joist spacing?
What is the size of the floor joists?
What is the style of the floor joists?

02-02-2011, 07:00 PM	#1
rjmvancity Newbie Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 3	tile in kitchen questions So I've removed the old carpet from my kitchen/dinning and cleaned up the subfloor. I'm now ready for the next step to start my tiling but need some help as it's my first tile job over 20 sq ft. I'm putting in ceramic tile, 1 foot square. 1- I quickly checked the floor and it seems pretty level, if I have to use self leveling compound should I put it over or under backer board? 2- Is it over kill to put down backer board and ditra? if I have to choose, which is better? 3- Can I install a infloor heating pad over the ditra if I choose to use ditra? Sorry but I need to know before I go any further

02-02-2011, 07:29 PM	#3
rjmvancity Newbie Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 3	tile in kitchen questions Sorry Bud, I used the wrong wording, the floor seems to be fairly level and fairly flat, 1/4" or less Would you say its better to use the backer board in the small area where I'm putting the heating pad and use detra in the rest of the room?

02-02-2011, 07:34 PM	#4
Bud Cline Tileguy Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,104	tile in kitchen questions SLC is usually all that is required for the heat system. DITRA comes in 1/8" and 5/16" thickness. It takes a minimum of 3/8" of SLC to bury a typical heat mat product. If you use the 5/16" DITRA you can make it all work out perfectly but the truth is the SLC doesn't cost any more than the DITRA. I would pour the whole thing with SLC and be done with it.

02-02-2011, 08:26 PM	#5
rjmvancity Newbie Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 3	tile in kitchen questions ok so last dumb question I promise. Do I need to put down more plywood or will the stuff that was under the carpet do? So option 1: Stright to ditra then tile or Option 2: plywood, ditra, then tile?

02-02-2011, 08:57 PM	#6
FlooringDude Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 51	tile in kitchen questions check the deflection and go from there http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/deflecto.pl

tile in kitchen questions