Concrete Boards Over Floors

Alternatively screw rows of treated 1x4s to the concrete 16 in.

Concrete boards over floors.

If you have a concrete subfloor then you should not be contemplating installing cement board over it. Placing cement boards over the concrete subfloor is an excellent way to create a solid and smooth subfloor. However a homeowner may need to raise the floor slightly before installing tile and lack the experience or time to install a mortar bed. The primary benefit of cement board is that it doesn t break down or expand or warp if it gets wet.

I know it seems like a smooth surface and it seems like it may fix some of the issues with the concrete floor but don t do it. 500 750 square feet of coverage. Do it yourselfers can use either 1 2 or 1 4 inch cement board in certain applications while other scenarios mandate 1 2 inch board. Concrete is usually a good subfloor on which to install ceramic tile.

Cement backerboard is a thin layer of concrete with fiberglass mesh on both sides. First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood. According to backer board manufacturers and tile setters installing backer board directly over an old solid wood subfloor is risky for a couple of reasons. Lay 6 mil polyethylene sheeting over the concrete to minimize moisture migration from the concrete up into the wood flooring.

Using a glue down floor is an option in above grade installation only since installation below grade requires a plastic barrier on top of the concrete. I was thinking about putting down cement board and new tile over the old tile to get the floor levels to be close enough that a transition threshold would work. Cement board also provides an additional layer over a plywood or particleboard subfloor adding stiffness to the tile. Second the strength of wood boards isn t always consistent.

This is a distinct advantage over plywood and drywall. For the floor adhesive to properly stick the floor must be clean. Treated plywood to the concrete with concrete screws spaced every 16 in. Cover the plywood with 15 pound roofing felt and then.

Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage. It s available in sheets of many sizes with 3 foot by 5 foot sheets being the most common. Installing cement board over a concrete subfloor. I installed a new base layer and oak floor around that area where the tile is so my tile is now 1 5 inches below the new wood floor.

Cement board is a type of underlayment that is now standard for most tile installations but particularly for floor tile. The ideal way to put down a wood floor over concrete that is subject to dampness is to first put down pressure 2 by 4 inch sleepers or lengths of wood on the floor that are spaced 16 inches apart on center.