Replies

1. 
   aimless | Dec 18, 2003 06:55pm | #1

   Gene,

   This is a good technical question for the folks over on Breaktime, and I strongly suggest you ask it over there as well. However, from what I have gleaned from reading Breaktime, you don't want to tile directly onto plywood, you need a substrate that is masonry based such as a mud base or concrete backer board. The reason is that wood products move more and at a different rate, so your tiles will pop. If you want to protect the plywood from water, then you might consider doing your tile like you would for a tiled shower pan. Another thing to consider, if you haven't already built the deck, is to use pressure treated plywood. That way, if your protection of the ply is imperfect, then it will still be resistant to rot from moisture that makes its way past the tiles.

   Good luck, and don't forget to post pictures of the work in progress!

2. 
   andybuildz | Jan 25, 2004 10:48pm | #2

   A plywood deck? You mean a subfloor or an out door deck made of plywood?

   Never saw such a thing before.

   How long has it been to the weather? Is it CDX, Advantech????

   As long as its at least 3/4" CDX you should be able to use Wonderboard thinset and screwed to the top of the ply. Wonderboard is "made" for out door use unlike a lot of CBU's.

   Is there adaquit ventilation below it?

   Be sure to seal all the exposed edges as well and be sure its pitched at least 1/8" per foot for drainage.

   Take pictures to post here.

   BE floored

                    andy

   My life is my practice!

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

1. 
   aimless | Jan 27, 2004 07:33pm | #3

   Andy,

   Where my dad lives in FL, they sell pressure treated plywood. Don't know too much about it, and I probably wouldn't use it on a horizontal surface, but I'd guess that some folks do.

1. 
   andybuildz | Jan 28, 2004 03:42am | #4

   Wouldnt hurt!My life is my practice!

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

1. 
   AaronRosenthal | Mar 02, 2004 08:38am | #7

   Andy, I use PT Ply here all the time.

   Use it with a vinyl deck coating, fine. With tile, uh-uh.

   Use the same system you would for a house. Ply, cement board, tile, thinset in between.Quality repairs for your home.

   Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada

1. 
   andybuildz | Mar 02, 2004 02:18pm | #8

   Aaron

           As Cloud said.

   Use Ditra over the ply.

   Its 100% water proof. Expensive but waterproof

   Be well

              AndyMy life is my passion!

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

3. 
   johnrgrace76 | Jan 28, 2004 10:04am | #5

     If you want to put tile on a plywood deck, I would be very warry.  The plywood is going to pick up water and expand and contract over time which is going to destroy your thinset holding the  tile down over time and crack your grout.

     Your going to need something waterprrof between the tile and the plywood.  You could try a waterproof membrain, or just screw down cement board to the plywood and tile over that.

   Do it right now and the time you spend working on the deck in the future will be much less. 

4. 
   CloudHidden | Feb 25, 2004 08:29am | #6

   Use something like Schlüter Ditra.