How To Install Ceramic Tile On Plywood Wall

Plywood substrate alternatives.

How to install ceramic tile on plywood wall. If possible you should always use concrete board underlayments rather than plywood. Backerboard does not shrink or expand when it comes into contact with water mortar and grout both contain water. A thinner subfloor will cause the floor to flex due to the weight of the tile. Next mix your grout and spread it into the gaps between the tiles using.

The safest most prudent course is to install tile on top of a cement backerboard such as durock wonderboard or hardiebacker. Remove the tile and prepare the wall according to the corresponding instructions above or tile over the existing tile. A rented ceramic tile cutter is the easiest way to make your straight cuts. To do so make sure all of the tiles are intact and secure.

Install ceramic tile over a subfloor that s no less than 1 1 8 inches thick. One question that folks new to ceramic tile frequently ask is whether they can lay the ceramic directly on top of a plywood or osb subfloor using a thinset cement or liquid nails to glue down the tile to the wood. Using this tool score the cut line on a full tile and then snap the tile along the scribed line. A poor ceramic installation will delaminate from the subfloor split at the grout lines or worse crack directly across the tile.

A flexing subfloor results in cracked tiles and grout and a lot of headaches. For wall installations plywood is overkill beneath the concrete or fiber board which is designed in five eighths inch material for wall settings. If existing tiles are beyond repair remove the tile and install a piece of wallboard in its place. To install ceramic wall tile use a level and measuring tape to mark the tile locations on the wall with chalk.

Use long sweeping motions to apply mortar to the wall and start placing your tiles in the marked locations. At the end of a row or around fixtures you ll probably need to cut some tiles. Be sure to put spacers between each tile as you go. Cement backerboard is made for tiling.

The preferred method for tile installations is to use a sheet of underlayment. Smooth the edge with 80 grit sandpaper the edge of a cut ceramic tile is very sharp. Wash the wall with tsp tri. Repair any loose or cracked tiles.