Laying tile is an excellent way to create a beautiful, durable floor. You can have the look you want at a great price, but it takes some work to lay tile on a plywood subfloor.
Don’t worry; we’re here to guide you:
You’ll need:
- Cordless drill
- Trowel
- Dinner plate
- Cereal bowl
- Plywood sheets
- Thinset
- Plywood screws
- Uncoupling membrane
Some tips you need to know:
- Add an intervening sheet of plywood because it’s not advisable to install the tile directly on the plywood subfloor
- Make sure the top layer of plywood is screwed down every eight inches on the edge and every six inches in the field, interior, or section.
- Ensure all screw heads are screwed flush with the level of plywood.
- Board joints must be spaced out evenly. Avoid having two joints on top of each other.
- There needs to be a 1/16-inch gap for the joints to allow for contraction and expansion. Leaving no gap between the board may cause the edges of two adjacent sheets to press against each other and deform when the plywood expands.
- Once you lay out the plywood, check it for deflection through a plywood flex test.
- When screwing down the top layer, ensure you’re screwing no farther than the bottom layer of plywood. Make sure not to drive the screws all the way down to the joists, as this will negate the effect of double layering the floor.
- Augment plywood substrate with waterproofing with the use of an uncoupling membrane between the tile and a layer of plywood. This will uncouple or release the bond between the plywood and tile mortar, which will allow each surface to move independently of the other. The uncoupling tile membrane will also prevent moisture from infiltrating the surfaces below.
Plywood Flex Test
- Set the dinner plate on the plywood.
- Place the cereal bowl on the plate.
- In a separate container, fill the bowl to the rim.
- Walk on the plywood around the bowl.
- There should be ripples caused by the vibration, but the water shouldn’t spill onto the plate.
In case water spills, you need to add more screws to the boards. However, there are some situations when this may not work. When this happens, there may be a problem with the floor joints. What you can do is shore up the joints from below by sistering them with 2x10s or 2x8s to strengthen the joists.
Tiles look good, and they come in various styles, shapes, and colors. With that, you can find something that will match your specific taste. Installing tiles over plywood is similar to installing them on any other surface. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the tile mortar to ensure the tiles last and look great for a long time.
Let an Expert Work on It
Tile floors are elegant and durable. They also happen to be easier to lay than you might think. A concrete floor is the best support for tile, but many DIYers choose to install tile over existing subfloors like plywood. You can also seek the help of an expert to do it for you!
For floor tile installations in Pattaya, Thailand, let European Painting & Electrical Services help you. We provide high-quality work with our skilled team of employees. Contact us!
