I’ve got a small 2nd floor bathroom. 5″ tub, toilet and wall hung sink. I leveled/rebuilt the subfloor by sistering new 2×8’s and nailed and glued new 3/4″ plywood over top. The subfloor is now rock solid.
The floor area to be tiled is now 4.5′ x 5.5′.
I want the best. Tried and true. Do I pay $80.00 for a roll of Ditra or do I pay $18.00 for 2 sheets of 1/4″ cement board?
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Replies
for $40...
the cement board is simpler, with ditra you have to use modified cement underneath, to adhere to the subfloor, but they recommend non-modified for setting the tiles on the ditra. also, as others have stated, the cement takes longer to cure on the ditra . having said all that, it is the best method, for $40 extra
Other way around - un-modified goes underneith. The latex in modified can't dry properly when it's sealed by plastic.
The tile councel of America recommends 1 1/4" plywood under tile, if going that route. That said, I've tile over 3/4" using cement board or ditra, with no problems, as long as the floor deflection is within limits (see http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/deflecto.pl to determine if your floor is adequate.)
Typically bathroom floors are pretty stout, but it pays to check and make an informed decision.
No modified under Ditra per manufacturer's instructions
No he's not.
The following comes from the Ditra website:
"expand Q. What type of thin-set mortar should I use when installing Schluter-DITRA?
A. The type of thin-set mortar used to install Schluter-DITRA depends on the substrate material. For example, to set DITRA over plywood or OSB, a modified thin-set mortar meeting the requirements of ANSI A118.11 is used. To set DITRA over concrete or gypsum, Schluter-Systems recommends an unmodified thin-set mortar meeting the requirements of ANSI A118.1. Please consult the Schluter-DITRA Installation Handbook before beginning your tile project to confirm the proper materials selection.
I stand corrected.
I stand corrected
You are indeed correct. I was recalling the old advice about not using modified under the Ditra. Thank you for the correction and being a gentleperson.