When installing Durock or Hardibacker is it necessary to set the sheet in thinset or can I just screw them to the subfloor? I am installing slate tile in a kitchen and the floor seems very solid.
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Replies
I've been installing durock and found that the specifications from USGS call for a thinset. Check out their tech specs at their website (sorry, I don't have the web address handy). good luck
Thanks. I have had one person tell me that he has installed several jobs without the thinset without any problems, I don't think I will risk it. Would 1/2" be better than 1/4" on a floor installation? I have 3/4 subfloor (not plywood) and solid 3/4" T & G strip on top of that.
all 1/2 gives ya over 1/4 is.....
and extra 1/4 in thickness!
Same deal otherwise......other than 1/4 being less money and usually easier to work with.
Unless that extra 1/4" is desired...go with the 1/4.
Once again....with feeling....CBU's ain't structural!
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
I like the "with feeling" defiantly added character...
anyhoo my question..
what about subfloor or PL premium opposed to thinset, never done it but I know a tile installer, that I trust, who uses glue instead of thinset?Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.
Neil
Thinset helps level the cbu out in case there are any bumps or lumps or thumps on the floor as well as give it a nice strong base
An 1/8 of thinset and 1/2 of cbu and another 1/8 under the tile makes for a nice solid job IMO..and adding a latex additive rather than water even makes for a sort of cusion effect.
Be well
andy You can "be" the universe, but you can't know it. You are the answer- but you can't know you know.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
yeah ..what Andy said!
The thinset under the CBU is a leveling bad.....
betting the PL don't help level much....
also ...think about the contact area......a full notched trowel bed of thinset....
vs a squiggly line of PL......
not much level/support going on there ......
I will confess to squirting down some backer way in the back of a goofy(pie shape) shaped closet .....got the last piece cut and someone there out my last batch of thinset .....so the last triangle got PL'd .....made the executive decision that I'd never see foot traffic...so I could bend the rules just once.......more!
Jeff
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Most definatly need thinset under it!
A soul might say," I dropped by to play at being an ego.....and lo and behold I identified with my ego and forgot I was a soul!"
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
yes.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
You can pass on the thinset if you don't mind the squeeks and ultimate cracks when the backer turn to powder.