Tiling Over Plywood Underlayment

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

Tiling over plywood underlayment.

If the structure is adequate the use of a cement based floor patch that allows for the needed height may be the best choice. Step 5 skim coat the paper. Void free underlayment grade panels which both stiffen the existing floor and provide uniform support to prevent cracks in the tile above. Begin by applying the thin skin adhesive to the plywood with a smooth trowel.

On a plywood subfloor you need either a layer of cement backer board or an underlayment membrane like custom building products wonderboard and redgard between the subfloor and tile for the thin set adhesive to achieve a good bond. Check for dips in the floor by sliding a 4 foot to 6 foot straight edge in different directions all around the room. The go to product is 1 2 in. For residential use one form of underlayment the tile council of north america s handbook allows is plywood over joists that are 16 in.

Roll on a layer of latex primer sealer. A tapered piece of plywood may be difficult to fabricate and may not offer the support required for a good installation. Once properly in place and cured the tile can be installed. Use thinset with a higher latex content thinset is the wet base that you first trowel on the plywood to make the tile stick.

Tape off any affected vents with painter s tape. 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. This prepares and seals the surface for the. Use intervening layers of two sheets of plywood.

Once the surface is completely covered cover the adhesive with the fiberglass based paper and smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles with a broad drywall knife.