Is cement board necessary when tiling over concrete?
Question:We are enlarging a mud room that's in our garage. The older, smaller space had vinyle. We would like to tile the new space. Do we need cement board on the concrete floor before tiling?
Answers:
There is absolultely no need for cement board in most tile applications given new underlayment and waterproofing technology. I install tile for a living and almost 100% of the time we put down a product called Ditra when tiling over concrete. Ditra allows the tile to move freely or independent of the concrete while it expands and contracts in temperature and humidity changes. Without this independent movement, your risk of cracked tiles, loose tiles, and cracked grout are greatly increased especially if you live in a freeze/thaw climate. If the concrete is not level you can simply level out the floor first with any cementitious or self leveling floor leveler product before you put down the Ditra. I'll let you read about the benefits of using this product by going to this link. It's available at any Home Depot and well worth the cost. It's usually about .55 cents a square foot and installs with plain old unmodified thinset over concrete and is ready to receive tile as soon as its down. Their site has complete installation instructional videos and explanations.
http://www.schluter.com/6_1_ditra_functi...
No,not if the concrete is level and relatively flat.
However is should be clean.
Use an etching solution if there are grease spots etc.
Otherwise no other special requirements.
For extra bonding you may add some latex bonder to the cement (sometimes already included)
Cement board does make for a nice flat surface though,
but if you want to save your money and extra effort,
go and get right down to the concrete :)
no,but i suggest using self leveling mix (watery mortar), it makes it easier to tile and the room look better when completed.
no you should tile right over the concrete you have with out any problems
Lay a nice level concrete floor and tile.
Have done it myself
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