Do you absolutly have to use Ditra when you tile a floor? I have only seen ONE person do this in all the DIY home improvement shows I have watched over the past six months. Also I have seen many videos on laying tile and they just arent using Ditra as far as I can see. I am going to be tiling my bathroom floor in about a month so I would like some opinions on Ditra. Would you use Ditra on the walls too? What is Ditra really for?
Do you absolutely have to use Ditra?
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Ditra is for floors only, it's an uncoupling membrane, read up on it.
http://www.schluter.com/6_1_ditra.aspx
No, you don't have to use it, it's just that it's lighter and easier to install than any backerboard on a floor and has more to offer as far as it's performance.
But nothing beats a full mud job if it can be used.
http://www.schluter.com/6_1_ditra.aspx
No, you don't have to use it, it's just that it's lighter and easier to install than any backerboard on a floor and has more to offer as far as it's performance.
But nothing beats a full mud job if it can be used.
OK so I read the site. You would use it in place of hardibacker or something like that. are there advantages to using Ditra? We are going to be replacing the subfloor with new plywood. So if I am understanding this right you put thinset between the plywood and Ditra and then thinset again and lay your tile right? Ditra is expensive. I will do it if you guys think that its better than using some kind of backerboard. I believe in a job done right. I would rather do it right the first time then to run into problems later because I wanted to save money. I have an ok budget for my bathroom remodel but I know sometimes more expensive isnt always better. What do you guys think is the BEST way to install tile on the floor.
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An "opinion" on Ditra? Well most of the respondents here do tiling of some sort for a living, where you trade your reputation as a professional for other people's hard earned cash, to feed themselves and their family and create wealth by growing their business - and most of them know and use Ditra. Not everywhere, but it is a major component of one or two of the half-a-dozen standardised methods of tiling a floor.
Do you need it? No, but if you know your tiling, then it suggests itself more and more often on many projects for specific purposes. Put it this way: it is an advancement to the tiling industry as a whole. Therefore, it has undergone severe scrutiny, has been tested, tried and adopted by other professionals in the trade. Some say, it is a standard unto itself.
An "uncoupling membrane" reduces the liklihood of cracking in floors; cracks have a nasty way of diminishing the reputation of the tilesetter and therefore the cost of such a product is often outweighed by the advantages to the flooring system, to the homeowner and to the installer. And 'cost' shouldn't be evaluated strictly on a 'per sq ft' basis as many people tend to do and, again, the people who see the larger picture will say the cost is negligible compared to the costs of replacement or re-do...
Yours is a fair question; I don't think your method of collecting information was anything near a scientific study that would have allowed you to make an informed decision on it - but if you do indeeed take your sampling material from TV shows, how is it that you didn't consult 'Holmes on Homes' (arguably the largest renovation show currently on the air)? or 'This Old House'?:huh:
So be careful by putting forth the hypothesis that "people don't use it"...look at your sample first, then ask if you're looking in the right place.:laughing:
Do you need it? No, but if you know your tiling, then it suggests itself more and more often on many projects for specific purposes. Put it this way: it is an advancement to the tiling industry as a whole. Therefore, it has undergone severe scrutiny, has been tested, tried and adopted by other professionals in the trade. Some say, it is a standard unto itself.
An "uncoupling membrane" reduces the liklihood of cracking in floors; cracks have a nasty way of diminishing the reputation of the tilesetter and therefore the cost of such a product is often outweighed by the advantages to the flooring system, to the homeowner and to the installer. And 'cost' shouldn't be evaluated strictly on a 'per sq ft' basis as many people tend to do and, again, the people who see the larger picture will say the cost is negligible compared to the costs of replacement or re-do...
Yours is a fair question; I don't think your method of collecting information was anything near a scientific study that would have allowed you to make an informed decision on it - but if you do indeeed take your sampling material from TV shows, how is it that you didn't consult 'Holmes on Homes' (arguably the largest renovation show currently on the air)? or 'This Old House'?:huh:
So be careful by putting forth the hypothesis that "people don't use it"...look at your sample first, then ask if you're looking in the right place.:laughing:
I watch DIY network and HGTV and have seen "This Old House" but never a tiling episode and I have never heard of "Holms on Homes" except for on here. I will try to find him on Youtube. It just seems that when I am watching a home improvement show and they are tiling floors I just dont see them using Ditra. Why is it that they are not? Like I said I saw it once being used. There is a newer show on DIY called "Ten grand in your hand" its about how to take some of the work from your contracter by doing it yourself. It was an interesting show but from what I have read here did a BIG tiling no no. He GLUED backerboard to the subfloor with liquid nails. then screwed them down. What I am not understanding about these shows is how they can give wrong info like that. Dont they check the credibility of the hosts that are giving the advice on these shows? I am a visual learner and thats why I use these things to get an idea of what to do when it comes time to do it. I have learned a lot of infomation on this site as well. If it comes down to it and I need to hire a professional tile setter I will do it. Like I said I would rather the job be done right. If you guys think Ditra is the way to go then that is what I will do.
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Hey Quad,
If you expect to learn much by watching those tv shows, you're gonna be surprised. Most of those DIY shows, do all kinds of things wrong. I think the worst are the shows on HGTV, they seem to throw things together.
This Old House and a few others aren't bad, but remember they are tv shows and often use their sponsors' products only.
Ditra is a great alternative to cement backer boards for floors, actually much better than cement boards. But you can get a good job without Ditra too.
Jaz
If you expect to learn much by watching those tv shows, you're gonna be surprised. Most of those DIY shows, do all kinds of things wrong. I think the worst are the shows on HGTV, they seem to throw things together.
This Old House and a few others aren't bad, but remember they are tv shows and often use their sponsors' products only.
Ditra is a great alternative to cement backer boards for floors, actually much better than cement boards. But you can get a good job without Ditra too.
Jaz
Its unfortunate that they just throw things together and do things wrong because I am sure that a lot of do it yourselfers rely on these shows to give them ideas on how to do things. Especially DIY network because its pretty much all about doing it yourself. Can you recommend any books or websites on installing tile? The rest of my bathroom will be taken care of easily because we have two people more than qualified to hang drywall mud and tape texture and paint but no one is really qualified or has the know how for laying tile. My project will start in June when my dad gets here and I want to be prepared and have all the stuff I will need to get the job done right. I know that there will be some trips to HD or Lowes good thing they both are five min away. Jazman if you lived in Seattle I would hire you to do my floor.
I would check the John Bridge forums. You can find articles and advice on anything to do with tile. I'm redoing my bathroom too and I am going to use Ditra. I've done other floors without using a membrane and while I haven't had any issues serious enough to rip them back up yet, I think I'll use it from now on. It gives all the benefits of backer board plus some for a lot less weight and thickness. Just my opinion from what I have researched so far. Will know more in a couple of weeks when I get it installed.
Mark,
Let me know how it goes for you and if you have any tips for me for when I install mine. I am pretty much sold on using DITRA I have to convince my husband he just doesnt see how it could be better than backerboard for stability. I am going to make him read the website as well.
Let me know how it goes for you and if you have any tips for me for when I install mine. I am pretty much sold on using DITRA I have to convince my husband he just doesnt see how it could be better than backerboard for stability. I am going to make him read the website as well.
From everything I've read, the backerboard doesn't add any strength to the floor. It's only purpose is to provide an interface that expands and contracts at a rate closer to your tile than the wood subfloor. The Ditra has all the holes which get filled with the thinset your are attaching the tiles with, plus has the membrane which allows some independant movement between the tile and subfloor and is waterproof on top of that.
Then there is the benefit of being able to carry a whole room worth under your arm, rolling it out and cutting it to fit with a knife or scissors versus luggin those heavy sheets around, scraping your arms and hands on the cut edges and driving in all those galvenized nails.
Then there is the benefit of being able to carry a whole room worth under your arm, rolling it out and cutting it to fit with a knife or scissors versus luggin those heavy sheets around, scraping your arms and hands on the cut edges and driving in all those galvenized nails.
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That's the problem with smaller jobs. The closest is the 150 sq. ft. roll. Maybe you can find a retailer that stocks it and will sell you what you need?
As far as letting me do the job if I were closer.....I could move.:laughing: I buy it in full rolls of 323 sq. ft. Got any other tile projects soon?
I agree about John Bridge's book, "Tile Your World". Go to this link to see a pic of John with yours truly, # 10 & 11. http://picasaweb.google.com/tile4yo...2006Coverings2006Interbuild2006Coverings2007#
Jaz
As far as letting me do the job if I were closer.....I could move.:laughing: I buy it in full rolls of 323 sq. ft. Got any other tile projects soon?
I agree about John Bridge's book, "Tile Your World". Go to this link to see a pic of John with yours truly, # 10 & 11. http://picasaweb.google.com/tile4yo...2006Coverings2006Interbuild2006Coverings2007#
Jaz
Jaz are you on the right or the left? Yep I have another tile project to do in the kitchen if the bathroom goes well it all really depends on how the bathroom floor goes because I know that the kitchen floor is going to be MUCH harder to deal with I know there are multiple layers of tile and vinyl and lenolium in there. If I had a better budget I would fly you out here to do the bathroom floor for me. I am going to check out HD to see what they have as far as the ditra goes. I will be taking pics and documenting the bathroom remodel. I think its going to start the second week in June which is not too far off. Thanks again for all the tips and help.
Jenn
Jenn
Home depot carries a 54 sq ft roll for $83.70 I think it is about 3' wide. Might check with Master Wholesale over there in Seattle. I got my shower system through them, the prices they list on their site is a bit high, but they will take a bid if you can find a lower price somewhere else.
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I am on the left in pic # 10. http://picasaweb.google.com/tile4yo...2006Coverings2006Interbuild2006Coverings2007#
The HD's in my area can't make up their minds on whether to carry Ditra or not. Some carry the small and the 150 ft. rolls, other don't carry any. You're just as likely to find it in the wood laminate aisle, as any where close to where it belongs. One thing for sure, virtually no one there knows what it is used for. :no:
Jaz
The HD's in my area can't make up their minds on whether to carry Ditra or not. Some carry the small and the 150 ft. rolls, other don't carry any. You're just as likely to find it in the wood laminate aisle, as any where close to where it belongs. One thing for sure, virtually no one there knows what it is used for. :no:
Jaz
well nice to see your face Jazman! I am going to look for it at HD. Lowes doesn't carry it. I hadn't heard of it ether until I found this website but I recall seeing it before in the store not knowing what it was. you would think that the people at HD would know what it was for and put it on the right isle but then again we know that some in HD don't know what the heck they are doing or talking about half the time. we went in there one time looking for an electric mousetrap (which work fabulously by the way) and no one in the store knew where the mousetraps were. Guess where we found them? in the gardening isle!!!! ummm since when are mice a garden problem?????? anyways I will check on the other flooring isles when I am there getting my supplies. You all have been such a great help. I probably would have glued backerboard to the plywood like I saw on a home improvement show last week lol!!! Just goes to show you don't believe half of what you see on TV!
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