Tiling on Plywood

[pendleh]

Hi

Just been reading that the americans tend not to use plywood on wooden floors what alternative is their in the UK? They talk about cement backer unit board because of moisture related expansion and contraction issues. Anyone suggest an alternative.

Thanks

Howard

[Oli]

Have a look here at cement boards...

James Hardie Backerboard

wedi Tilebacker

[alex1963]

we only use 6mm cement sheet,glued and nailed down and with some of our houses being shoddy timber affairs and all kinds of climatic extremes ,i have heard of no problems with this system

[grumpygrouter]

Hi

Just been reading that the americans tend not to use plywood on wooden floors what alternative is their in the UK? They talk about cement backer unit board because of moisture related expansion and contraction issues. Anyone suggest an alternative.

Thanks

Howard

bear in mind Howard that ply over boarding here is to add strength to the floor because of our construction methods. Maybe the Americans and Aussies have different methods for floor constuction meaning they are solid in the first place, so only use the cement board to give a good surface to tile onto.

[bj F]

I was told that it said in the British standards to avoid tiling on to wood wherever possible. So it is H B for me all the way now.

[grumpygrouter]

I was told that it said in the British standards to avoid tiling on to wood wherever possible. So it is H B for me all the way now.

What do you do if the floor suffers from deflection then?

[Alberta Stone]

I have tiled hundreds of jobs onto plywood in Alberta.

Typically the house is made from OSB (3/4 inch T&G) as the primary subfloor, sometimes I see 3/4" plywood, I then put down 3/8" exterior rated sheathing plywood which is glued and screwed to add strength to the floor.
Most tilers here recommend that method.
I don't often use CBU's as they do not offer any structural strength, only a fresh smooth surface.
I use ditra on some occasions as it is a low profile and has nice features.
There is a product from Noble which is an anti-fracture membrane (like kerdi, but better material, chlorinated polyurethane ) that is recommended to be put over plywood to avoid cracking, but I have never seen a floor crack due to the plywood, only if it is a single layer of subfloor or if the tiles were put directly onto dimensional lumber (like 2X10 stairs).

[groucho]

I use no more ply if the customer pays. Best of both worlds good surface to tile onto its only 6mm thick and has the strength of 18MM. So regards to deflection its good. £10 a sheet glue and screw and no floor height issues

[Alberta Stone]

what is no more ply?

[GazTech]

what is no more ply?

Do you have google ?

Home

[Branty]

what is no more ply?

It's a brand name for a cement board.

[Alberta Stone]

Thanks.
I did look but they didn't say what it was made of and you couldn't tell from the pics.