How To Install Ceramic Tile Floor On Plywood

Tile floors are an attractive functional option for kitchens bathrooms laundry rooms and entryways.

How to install ceramic tile floor on plywood. Plywood or osb flakeboard can expand and contract at too high a rate to be a stable foundation for tile. 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. But a number of precautions must be taken to ensure a successful installation. No matter how firm the subfloor.

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. A flexing subfloor results in cracked tiles and grout and a lot of headaches. 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. Installing ceramic floor tile to a plywood sub floor has unique challenges beyond that of installation on a concrete floor.

A thinner subfloor will cause the floor to flex due to the weight of the tile. While most floor tile these days is installed onto a layer of cement board or similar backerboard it is possible to lay tile directly over plywood. Install ceramic tile over a subfloor that s no less than 1 1 8 inches thick. With this patented new technique ron s friend shows us how to build a strong base and then prepare it using the tavy thin skin system so that the tile is as strong.

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. Laying tile over a plywood subfloor can be a bit tricky but if you take the time to prepare the sub floor properly you can enjoy a new tile floor that will last for a lifetime. 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.