What is better underlayment for tile: cement board or Schluter Ditra (or similar)?
knokej
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Thinking of tiling a kitchen in a 1980’s home. I’m not in it yet, but I assume it has a 3/4″ plywood or OSB subfloor. Schluter says you don’t need cement board if you use their product and it looks like it might be easier to use their product than cement board, but I haven’t done this before. There is 1/4″ cement board — is that thick enough to stiffen the floor enough? Would it be best to use cement board under Ditra?
Replies
When Ditra first came out, I installed it over Hardiboard (usually 1/4") but my last job I mortared the Ditra to the plywood subfloor. I like the Ditra and I especially like the Ditra-heat floor warming system. A note of caution, I do my own electrical work so the Ditra electric is not difficult for me. But some of my friends don't like the hassle.