I am installing ceramic tile in a second story bathroom that use to have vinyl flooring. In the doorway the area meets up with carpeting.There was a plywood sub floor under the vinyl flooring. I was told that a concrete sub floor is needed for the ceramic tile. I tried removing the old plywood sub floor but after removing the screw I still couldn’t get them up. I believe they are glued down. I am afraid that if I put the new sub floor over the old sub floor, the tile level will be higher than the carpet level. Is there a way to remove the old plywood sub floor? Is it possible to lay the tile over just the plywood and not install the concrete sub flooring? or Is there a something to place between the carpet and tile so the area is not as awkward?
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Can you tell me how thick that sheet of plywood is? You may be able to go over it with a 1/4" cement board and then the tile if it is 3/4" ply or OSB over 16" On Center joists. Ax far as transitioning to other flooring, in a bathroom the usual is to put a marble saddle in the doorway.
Make sure you use thinset under the cement board and anchor it with galvanized roofing nails at 6 to 8" intervals all over the cement boards.
Make sure you use thinset under the cement board and anchor it with galvanized roofing nails at 6 to 8" intervals all over the cement boards.
The old plywood sub floor is 3/8 inch thick. Since I can't remove it, won't installing the cement board and the tile over it make the floor too high for the doorway where it meets the carpet? or Will the saddle take care of that problem? Also, what did you mean by OSB over 16" on certer joists?
OSB is oriented strand board. Dont know how they came up with that name but it is a type of plywood that will support a tile installation as long as the joists under the flooring are adequate. Depends on the size, spacing and length of the unsupported span of those joists. Joist sizes can be 2x8, 2x10, etc. Usually they are set every 16" but can also be 19" or 24". They usually rest on the top of the foundation and at the other end there is a cross beam. The distance between is the unsupported span.
In order to support the tile you will need much more than 3/8" ply You will have to add at least 1/2" ply and then the 1/4" cement board. Since tile does not flex like carpet, wood or vinyl it HAS to have a stable subfloor. If your biggest concern is the transition then give up on the idea of tile because without a proper subfloor you are wasting your time and money on something that will brake apart in less than 3 months.
In order to support the tile you will need much more than 3/8" ply You will have to add at least 1/2" ply and then the 1/4" cement board. Since tile does not flex like carpet, wood or vinyl it HAS to have a stable subfloor. If your biggest concern is the transition then give up on the idea of tile because without a proper subfloor you are wasting your time and money on something that will brake apart in less than 3 months.
Since the floor is pretty solid, some flooring specialists at a home improvment store recommened a flexible thin set mortar. What is your opinion on using the flex mortar directly on top of the plywood flooring and subflooring, which together is about an inch thick? I was told it was risky but that since the floor is pretty solid that it was an option that may work.
