Tile Floor in bathroom?

[Mike Daleo]

Just finished tiling my shower/bath area walls. I am ready to pull up the linoleum and do tile on the floor. I am told that it is probably on luan. Do I pull up the luan? Do I need to use the same Hardie Backer board on the floor that I did on the walls?

[bugman]

i pulled ours up and i hated it.i used same board.

[haha]

Leave the linoleum on the floor and go over it with 1/4" backer board. (Hardi, Durarock, ect)
Trowel thinset down before installing the backboard then use the proper screws to secure the backer board. Dry fit all the backer board first then put he thinset down then the backer board.

I've done this to numerous bathrooms, kitchen, etc. jobs and never had problems.

[Mike Daleo]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by haha &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Leave the linoleum on the floor and go over it with 1/4" backer board. (Hardi, Durarock, ect)
Trowel thinset down before installing the backboard then use the proper screws to secure the backer board. Dry fit all the backer board first then put he thinset down then the backer board.

I've done this to numerous bathrooms, kitchen, etc. jobs and never had problems.</td></tr></table>

Well you have told me what I wanted to hear although many have told me opposite, I cannot see what the problem would be just doing exactly what you have described.

[jimfc3]

just a reminder if you go over existing flooring with backer and tile your going to be adding around 5/8 to 3/4 inch... what type of floor is on the other side of the bath door? how much does it matter if the new hight doesn't match the ajoining room??

[bugman]

[Mike Daleo]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by jimfc3 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">just a reminder if you go over existing flooring with backer and tile your going to be adding around 5/8 to 3/4 inch... what type of floor is on the other side of the bath door? how much does it matter if the new hight doesn't match the ajoining room??</td></tr></table>


The floor on the other side is carpet so it is slightly higher now but I do see what you are saying.

[jimfc3]

I would pull up the luan and install an uncoupling membrane like DITRA to the subfloor without the backer to keep the hight down..DITRA is about 1/8 thick http://<a href="http://www.schluter....ditra.aspx</a>

[haha]

Ditra is $$$$$$$$$$$

[Mike Daleo]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by jimfc3 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I would pull up the luan and install an uncoupling membrane like DITRA to the subfloor without the backer to keep the hight down..DITRA is about 1/8 thick http://<a href="http://www.schluter....ditra.aspx</a></td></tr></table>


I like the idea of using a thinner material, but how expensive is it? Also, how is it cut? Table saw or something simpler? Where can I get it?

[jimfc3]

home depot was selling it but any tile store should have it. I dont remember the cost. its made out of a type of plastic and you can cut it with tin snips or a razor knife

[Mike Daleo]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by jimfc3 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">home depot was selling it but any tile store should have it. I dont remember the cost. its made out of a type of plastic and you can cut it with tin snips or a razor knife</td></tr></table>

I like that. I hate cutting hardiebacker.

[jimfc3]

Most tile stores have a large roll, its about 36 inch wide and they sell it by the lin foot. I THINK it was $5-$9 a lin foot. Its great stuff but read the instructions or your tiles will pop off.

[haha]

A roll of it is about $85. They may have smaller rolls. When your all done it almost equals the same thickness as the 1/4" backer board.
With Ditra you have to put thinset on the floor then roll the Ditra on to the thinset. Get a grout trowel and smooth out the Ditra. Put mesh tape over any seams (as you are also suppose to do with backer board) then you can start tiling over the Ditra immediately.
I usually use Dirta if I tile over concrete that has cracks and sometimes tile over tile.

[Mike Daleo]

Those prices aren't so bad when you consider it makes the job a little easier. Gotta spend more on thinset though.

[haha]

Get the dry mix thinset. The cheap stuff is about $10+/- a bag. Mix it a little thinner than usual to put under the Ditra but not too soupy.

On floor tile I always mix my own. Grey under darker tile and darker grout. White if I'm putting down lighter tile and lighter grout.

[AWilliams]

I've looked at a few different 'tile" posts here and haha knows what he's talking about. A few things to add are: scarify the linoleum prior to thinsetting the hardibacker down and leave 1/8th" joint between pieces of hardi and use mesh tape and thinset over the joints. I've also been an installer for 15+ years.

[Mike Daleo]

Thanks guys, it really helps to be able to get your info.

[jbfarm]

Why half ass it. Pull it all the way to the sub floor and start new from there up. Do it right the first time and it will always cost less.