We have purchased a house and are in flooring stages for our kitchen. My father in law has a flooring contact out of state and this person stated that a concrete floor should be placed underneath a ceramic floor tile. Our builder and flooring rep is looking at placing sub flooring (wood) underneath. The contact says that a wood sub flooring will lead to future problems. Should we push for a different sub flooring? What would be best.
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was he talking about a cement board or cement backer board ?
If so, then your contractor is wrong and your dads contact is right.
Ceramic tile installed over a wood framing construction needs a cement backer board, gypsum backer board made for tile, or a rigid load distribution and uncoupling membrane.
Ceramic tile CAN be installed over a wood subfloor in cases where deflection within L/360, but it requires TWO LAYERS of 3/4" exterior grade plywood (NOT OSB FLAKEBOARD).
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There are two ways to do any job. The right way and the wrong way. Do it right everytime.
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http://flooringworld.org/
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If so, then your contractor is wrong and your dads contact is right.
Ceramic tile installed over a wood framing construction needs a cement backer board, gypsum backer board made for tile, or a rigid load distribution and uncoupling membrane.
Ceramic tile CAN be installed over a wood subfloor in cases where deflection within L/360, but it requires TWO LAYERS of 3/4" exterior grade plywood (NOT OSB FLAKEBOARD).
_____________________________________________
There are two ways to do any job. The right way and the wrong way. Do it right everytime.
_____________________________________________
http://flooringworld.org/
_____________________________________________
Your dad's contact is right. By the book, the rule is an inch and a half of subfloor. The only thing is, no matter how thick u build it up, wood will always move. It's always expanding and contracting. Therefore, you have to use a flexible mortar, and u still may have problems. If you have 3/4" subfloor, use a 1/2" backerboard. If more than 3/4", you can go with 1/4" backer. My suggestion would be Hardibacker. 90% cement and sand, 10% fiberglass....it's more lightweight than traditional cement board, it's denser, and it's no where near as messy. good luck
