How To Install Tile Flooring On Cement

Installing a cement backerboard is crucial when you want a waterproof tile floor that lasts for years without cracking.

How to install tile flooring on cement.

Installing over wood. For ceramic tile floors the cement board usually rests on a plywood subfloor minimum 5 8 inch thick exterior grade plywood or osb if new ceramic tile is being laid on an existing floor the cement board can usually be laid right over the existing floor finish provided it is in good shape and the extra floor thickness is not a problem. Cement tile floor care. Yet this application does make sense since concrete is heavy solid and is typically thought of as an unbending uncompromising material.

A concrete sealer prevents moisture from staying underneath the ceramic tiles. The next step is to apply a concrete sealer on the floor surface. Never use acids to clean the encaustic cement tiles as it will cause damage. A flexing subfloor results in cracked tiles and grout and a lot of headaches.

Visit our page on cleaning cement tile for more information. Installing tile directly on concrete. This is an optional step but can really benefit your tile installation in the long run. Ceramic and porcelain tile are so frequently installed at or above grade level on a cement board underlayment or directly on plywood that it almost seems novel to install tile directly on concrete.

Cement backerboard is a thin layer of concrete with fiberglass mesh on both sides. Installing ceramic tiles over concrete can help to create a more inviting indoor or outdoor living space. Using an acid based cleaner or deep cleaner of your choice clean the concrete and allow it to dry thoroughly. Step 3 plan your layout.

Chipboard cushioned vinyl flooring particle boards of any type oriented strand board osb interior grade plywood tongue and groove planking and hardwood floors are unsuitable substrates for direct installation of ceramic tile. It s available in sheets of many sizes with 3 foot by 5 foot sheets being the most common. Most tile manufacturers recommend installing a cement backer board instead of any other type of underlayment such as plywood. A thinner subfloor will cause the floor to flex due to the weight of the tile.

It will also provide a stronger adhesion between mortar and concrete.