I am redoing a kitchen in a 20 year old house. I have removed the old ceramic tile floor and I plan on installing new tile. Currently, the subfloor is plywood, and the tile that was removed did not crack , with the exception of the grout in a small bathroom. I know that the current recommendations are to put down Hardi backer, or a product like Ditra. However, I think that it would be too much work to remove the old subfloor (400 sq ft). What is the cost/benefit ratio of doing this? If a put a product like Ditra down, it will raise the floor up too high going into the other rooms which have hardwood. I want it done right, so I wonder if there is harm in laying the tile over the existing subfloor. Your expert advice is appreciated.
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Replies
How thick is the subfloor, what's the joist spacing, what size tile?
How much do you figure you could raise the floor before height becomes an issue?
If what you mean is the subfloor fastened to the joists.........
and not merely an underlayment, you will not be removing it for either cement board or Ditra.
Again, what is the span of the joists, their size and the thickness and type of subfloor?
Size of Tile and type would make a difference in the equation also.
Adding Ditra is going to add too much height?? Ditra's 1/8" thick...or 1/4" if you go XL