Tiling Over Plywood Underlayment

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.

Tiling over plywood underlayment. Void free underlayment grade panels which both stiffen the existing floor and provide uniform support to prevent cracks in the tile above. If the structure is adequate the use of a cement based floor patch that allows for the needed height may be the best choice. The go to product is 1 2 in. Roll on a layer of latex primer sealer.

Tape off any affected vents with painter s tape. This prepares and seals the surface for the. Check for dips in the floor by sliding a 4 foot to 6 foot straight edge in different directions all around the room. Use intervening layers of two sheets of plywood.

Use thinset with a higher latex content thinset is the wet base that you first trowel on the plywood to make the tile stick. Begin by applying the thin skin adhesive to the plywood with a smooth trowel. Once properly in place and cured the tile can be installed. For residential use one form of underlayment the tile council of north america s handbook allows is plywood over joists that are 16 in.

Tape over holes and cracks in the wood subfloor or slab before pouring on the self leveling tile underlayment to keep it from seeping through and leaving indentations. Step 5 skim coat the paper. Fill seams in the subfloor with caulk. A tapered piece of plywood may be difficult to fabricate and may not offer the support required for a good installation.

While tile can be laid on plywood do not install tile directly onto the plywood subfloor itself.