Screw laminate tile... - HomeModders.com

James · 08-06-2008, 12:00 AM

I want to do ceramic tile in my kitchen. I was at lowes, and 144 sq ft of some of this ceramic tile was about 20-25 bucks. I'm pretty sure 144 sg ft would cover my kitchen easily. Now for the question...

My kitchen is plywood subfloor. It's not wise to put tile on that right? My brother mentioned some sort of masonry subfloor, but the guys at lowes looked at me stupid when I mentioned it. They told me it'd be fine to put it on plywood. (even I didn't know the difference and thought that'd be stupid).

How should I go about this? Rip up a chunk of the plywood and see how the rafters look?

Also, what kind of ceramics should I stay away from?

Jeefsilverado · 08-06-2008, 08:50 AM

I did my tile over plywood. Bob Vila and I ripped out a 1/2" layer of the subfloor and put a 1/4" down to make the floor the same height as the hardwood it was going next to. I did this a few years ago and I had 2 tiles come up from movement. I do not know if if it was they subfloor wasn't screwed down properly or if the the subfloor just moved. If I were to do it again I would get the hardy board.
How many square feet is your kitchen? Make sure that with the 144sqft you will have enough tile for cuts, errors and a couple down the line incase you break some. Get enough extra before you start the job. I would have atleast a case extra.

Why do you want to go down to the rafters? The cement board you need to have plywood underneath it.

Bob Vila · 08-06-2008, 11:11 AM

You can use luan (1/4") or hardy board. Never put tile directly on the subfloor.

144sq ft is 12'x12'. If its only 20-25 bucks, I'd probably move on to something better as its probably really cheap stuff and will be prone to breaking.

You'll also need flexbond mortar as your base plus your grouting material. Not to mention renting or buying hte tools.

Expect to spend far more than 25 bucks on a tile floor. lol

James · 08-06-2008, 05:39 PM

well of course I plan to spend more than 25. I was just quoting the price on the tile itself.

The subfloor isn't straight/level/in very good shape and I'd like to do it right the first time. Talking with my brother who just did ceramic tile, he was saying to never lay it directly on a plywood subfloor, especially since that is what is bolted directly on the rafters. I have no problems with ripping it all up and going all out on the kitchen. I already need a new sink, disposal, fixtures and plumbing, dishwasher, and stove anyway. lol

chestercheeto48 · 08-06-2008, 10:21 PM

Last time I did tile I just layed down 1/4 inch plywood in the oppisite direction as the original and screwed the hell out of it. Then we proceeded to lay down the mortar and grouted it. I haven't heard a peep from the person that we did it from and it turned out nice. I would recommend a wet tile saw if you have a ton of cutting to do - a grinder works well too for smaller/round cuts. Make sure you order extra as some tiles break either during installation or down the road.

James · 08-06-2008, 11:52 PM

I shouldn't have any round cuts, but my cousin has a wet tile cutter I'm sure I could borrow. They let my brother borrow it when he did his foyer this spring.

Konstruction · 08-10-2008, 09:49 PM

Hey james,

ABout your tile flooring. You cant lay tile on anything unless your flooring is 1 1/8" min thick including subflooring+thinset+hardybacker+thinset+tile= 1 1/8" +
Subflooring = 3/4"
thinset = 1/8"
hardybacker = 1/4"
thinset = 1/8"
Tile = 3/16" or 1/4"
Add these up your well over whats required for ceramic tile.

If your subflooring is solid and is not giving under your weight. Then you do not need to rip it all up. I would demo the floor to the subflooring. Replace any weak spots. Screet thinset and lay your 1/4" Hardybacker or Durock on top of the subflooring. Screet thinset and lay your tile.

You can lay tile on top of plywood if you use the correct bonding agent. 253 thinset will not bond to plywood. You have to use a fortified blend.

If it is your first tile job, dry fit all the pieces first, pull up a few and screet thinset, lay them down, and repeat.

Btw if your floor isnt very straight, level it when you lay the tile. You shouldnt have to sister the floor joist unless your floor is out 1" in 8ft.

Accordian · 08-12-2008, 11:17 PM

the lady that lives across the street from my parents works for flooring America(used to own it).. when i bought my tile from her, she said to be careful with home depot tile (i assume lowes as well) in regards to it's overall squareness.

when i bought tile back in june, it was $1.75 a sq ft, and that was basically at her cost. it is porcelain, and a very high quality tile.. as mentioned above, $25 for 144 sq ft seems excessively cheap and i would definitely be concerned about it's quality

James · 08-13-2008, 06:45 PM

I think I'm going to say fuck it and put wood laminate down in the dining/family room areas too. I really don't feel like spending an entire summer moving everything out of there, sanding the fuck out of the floors, finishing them, staining them, and then moving everything back in being careful not to scratch it all up. Its too high traffic to not be without my living/dining room pass throughs for a few days during the staining process. I might just get some dark wood laminate flooring and cover the real hardwood and possibly do the real work later on in life.

08-06-2008, 12:00 AM	#1
James Slacking off in the house Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In IN Posts: 231 Rep Power: 4	Screw laminate tile... I want to do ceramic tile in my kitchen. I was at lowes, and 144 sq ft of some of this ceramic tile was about 20-25 bucks. I'm pretty sure 144 sg ft would cover my kitchen easily. Now for the question... My kitchen is plywood subfloor. It's not wise to put tile on that right? My brother mentioned some sort of masonry subfloor, but the guys at lowes looked at me stupid when I mentioned it. They told me it'd be fine to put it on plywood. (even I didn't know the difference and thought that'd be stupid). How should I go about this? Rip up a chunk of the plywood and see how the rafters look? Also, what kind of ceramics should I stay away from? __________________ 1927 2200 sq feet 3 story renovation project. Done Washing Machine - 10.27.07 Windows Install - 02.13.08 (New) Gas Oven - 11.22.08 Needs to be Done Put in the (new) dryer New front freaking door that doesn't leak air right onto the tstat. Uh... Alot more.

08-06-2008, 11:11 AM	#3
Bob Vila Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In a house Posts: 107 Rep Power: 4	You can use luan (1/4") or hardy board. Never put tile directly on the subfloor. 144sq ft is 12'x12'. If its only 20-25 bucks, I'd probably move on to something better as its probably really cheap stuff and will be prone to breaking. You'll also need flexbond mortar as your base plus your grouting material. Not to mention renting or buying hte tools. Expect to spend far more than 25 bucks on a tile floor. lol __________________ Bow to my presence...

08-06-2008, 05:39 PM	#4
James Slacking off in the house Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In IN Posts: 231 Rep Power: 4	well of course I plan to spend more than 25. I was just quoting the price on the tile itself. The subfloor isn't straight/level/in very good shape and I'd like to do it right the first time. Talking with my brother who just did ceramic tile, he was saying to never lay it directly on a plywood subfloor, especially since that is what is bolted directly on the rafters. I have no problems with ripping it all up and going all out on the kitchen. I already need a new sink, disposal, fixtures and plumbing, dishwasher, and stove anyway. lol __________________ 1927 2200 sq feet 3 story renovation project. Done Washing Machine - 10.27.07 Windows Install - 02.13.08 (New) Gas Oven - 11.22.08 Needs to be Done Put in the (new) dryer New front freaking door that doesn't leak air right onto the tstat. Uh... Alot more.

08-06-2008, 11:52 PM	#6
James Slacking off in the house Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In IN Posts: 231 Rep Power: 4	I shouldn't have any round cuts, but my cousin has a wet tile cutter I'm sure I could borrow. They let my brother borrow it when he did his foyer this spring. __________________ 1927 2200 sq feet 3 story renovation project. Done Washing Machine - 10.27.07 Windows Install - 02.13.08 (New) Gas Oven - 11.22.08 Needs to be Done Put in the (new) dryer New front freaking door that doesn't leak air right onto the tstat. Uh... Alot more.

08-10-2008, 09:49 PM	#7
Konstruction General Contractor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 27 Posts: 249 Rep Power: 4	Hey james, ABout your tile flooring. You cant lay tile on anything unless your flooring is 1 1/8" min thick including subflooring+thinset+hardybacker+thinset+tile= 1 1/8" + Subflooring = 3/4" thinset = 1/8" hardybacker = 1/4" thinset = 1/8" Tile = 3/16" or 1/4" Add these up your well over whats required for ceramic tile. If your subflooring is solid and is not giving under your weight. Then you do not need to rip it all up. I would demo the floor to the subflooring. Replace any weak spots. Screet thinset and lay your 1/4" Hardybacker or Durock on top of the subflooring. Screet thinset and lay your tile. You can lay tile on top of plywood if you use the correct bonding agent. 253 thinset will not bond to plywood. You have to use a fortified blend. If it is your first tile job, dry fit all the pieces first, pull up a few and screet thinset, lay them down, and repeat. Btw if your floor isnt very straight, level it when you lay the tile. You shouldnt have to sister the floor joist unless your floor is out 1" in 8ft. __________________ Check out my website. www.AllenCreations.net Affordable Creations Construction 2002 Condrey Ridge Dr Richmond, Va 23236 Johnathon Allen 804-980-6310

08-06-2008, 08:50 AM	#2
Jeefsilverado jeef Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 70 Rep Power: 3	I did my tile over plywood. Bob Vila and I ripped out a 1/2" layer of the subfloor and put a 1/4" down to make the floor the same height as the hardwood it was going next to. I did this a few years ago and I had 2 tiles come up from movement. I do not know if if it was they subfloor wasn't screwed down properly or if the the subfloor just moved. If I were to do it again I would get the hardy board. How many square feet is your kitchen? Make sure that with the 144sqft you will have enough tile for cuts, errors and a couple down the line incase you break some. Get enough extra before you start the job. I would have atleast a case extra. Why do you want to go down to the rafters? The cement board you need to have plywood underneath it.

08-06-2008, 10:21 PM	#5
chestercheeto48 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 69 Rep Power: 4	Last time I did tile I just layed down 1/4 inch plywood in the oppisite direction as the original and screwed the hell out of it. Then we proceeded to lay down the mortar and grouted it. I haven't heard a peep from the person that we did it from and it turned out nice. I would recommend a wet tile saw if you have a ton of cutting to do - a grinder works well too for smaller/round cuts. Make sure you order extra as some tiles break either during installation or down the road.

08-12-2008, 11:17 PM	#8
Accordian Chicks dig the box Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	the lady that lives across the street from my parents works for flooring America(used to own it).. when i bought my tile from her, she said to be careful with home depot tile (i assume lowes as well) in regards to it's overall squareness. when i bought tile back in june, it was $1.75 a sq ft, and that was basically at her cost. it is porcelain, and a very high quality tile.. as mentioned above, $25 for 144 sq ft seems excessively cheap and i would definitely be concerned about it's quality

08-13-2008, 06:45 PM	#9
James Slacking off in the house Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In IN Posts: 231 Rep Power: 4	I think I'm going to say fuck it and put wood laminate down in the dining/family room areas too. I really don't feel like spending an entire summer moving everything out of there, sanding the fuck out of the floors, finishing them, staining them, and then moving everything back in being careful not to scratch it all up. Its too high traffic to not be without my living/dining room pass throughs for a few days during the staining process. I might just get some dark wood laminate flooring and cover the real hardwood and possibly do the real work later on in life. __________________ 1927 2200 sq feet 3 story renovation project. Done Washing Machine - 10.27.07 Windows Install - 02.13.08 (New) Gas Oven - 11.22.08 Needs to be Done Put in the (new) dryer New front freaking door that doesn't leak air right onto the tstat. Uh... Alot more.

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