The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Real marble tiles have a beautiful, unique look like no other surface, with all their whirling patterns and shade variations. Keep in mind, because you're applying backer board, the primer product is unnecessary for wood subfloors. When you plan on installing marble tile, you need to make sure that you are dealing with a structurally sound subfloor. Cement and wood layers. Because of issues of moisture, movement, and adhesion, ceramic tile will work well with certain types of subfloor/underlayment systems and can go dramatically wrong with other subfloor materials. Steve Bliss, of BuildingAdvisor.com, responds: Wood framing is not an ideal substrate for tile since wood tends to flex, shrink, and expand, while tile and grout are very inflexible. All rights reserved (About Us). Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. According to backer board manufacturers and tile setters, installing backer board directly over an old, solid-wood subfloor is risky for a couple of reasons: First, changes in humidity make solid wood shrink, swell and cup more than plywood. Depending upon the manufacturer, you may need to score both sides of the board. Marble flooring isn’t always shiny—nor should it be. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. You can find them easily if you do an online search. Bob talks to Nick Tagios, of Tagios Tile and Marble, who's laying down the marble tile bathroom floor using a traditional installation technique. We discuss the stiffness of floor framing needed to avoid cracks or loosening of ceramic tile, stone, slate, and similar flooring and we describe alternative methods of floor preparation for tiling. ", Step 2: Lay marble tiles firmly in the thin-set adhesive. Wear safety glasses. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Concrete subfloors move, shift and crack over time. Cement board is inexpensive ($10 or less for a 1/2″ thick, 3′ x 5′ sheet), easy to install, and sufficient for most installations. … Traditionally, exterior grade plywood has been the subfloor material of choice for many bathroom flooring projects. When you’re ready to determine how much tile you need, don’t guesstimate, calculate. If you can keep these things out of the bathroom, you'll be able to keep the marble sparkling for years. Once the material spreads out and levels itself, the floor is in the same plane. Then reinforce the joints with self-adhesive alkaline-resistant glass fiber tape specially made for backer board. Some marbles are as hard as granite, so look for those if you want the most durable flooring. Check the package for specific drying times. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/20). Also, if your subfloor runs east to west, lay your backer boards in the opposite direction, north to south. … Tile can crack easily when flexed, but a stiff subflooring helps prevent this. Smooth concrete slabs must be etched or roughed up using chemical or mechanical methods to achieve a good bond. Cut and score along your line with a carbide backer board cutter and a straight edge. No matter how firm the subfloor; the plywood will expand and contract at a different rate as the tile, causing cracks to develop in the grout lines or tiles over time. Just about all of these materials are rated to be used under marble tile. Plywood is made by gluing alternating layers of wood veneer. ", Step 3: To prepare your concrete subfloor, make sure that it can accept water penetration. Use a large bucket and a drill with a mixing paddle. Use 16d common nails to create a gap of 1/8-inch between the sheets. A layer of crack-isolation membrane over two layers of plywood provides an excellent substrate for tile. Your marble tile bathroom is going to look splendid, and with minimal care and effort it will look gorgeous for many years.Marble is a natural stone formed when limestone is heated and subjected to intense pressure. To prevent shrinkage cracks in the grout, be sure it's mixed with minimal water. ", Step 4: Planning and patience along with these tips will help ensure that you install the quality of finished flooring you are looking for. After all backer board sheets are in position, remove the 16d common nails. If you can find a neutral pH cleaner, use that. Bathroom remodeling tips: choosing a Subfloor Material. The easy way to install marble tile is with the side of each tile parallel with a wall in the room. Recently, marble tile is increasing in popularity because of its beauty and durability. No you haven't made a bad choice installing Crema Marfil marble floor tile. A self-leveling compound can be poured over the entire surface if the subfloor has several high and low spots. Prepare a Wood Subfloor for Tile This means the subfloor that is under the marble tiles must be solid and have little or no bounce or flex in it. Leave a 1/4-inch gap between the edges of the backer board and the walls to allow for subfloor expansion and contraction. The above types of marble can be finished to … Daltile Natural Stone Collection Carrara White 12 in. To prepare your concrete subfloor, make sure that it can accept water penetration. I don't like the spacers that drop down in the gap between tile. Versatility: Marble tile is used in bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms and elsewhere throughout the home. Additionally, a steps must be taken to ensure that a concrete floor will create a solid bond. It's no wonder marble is considered the King of the natural stones.Marble flooring brings luxury to any homes interior. OSB Subflooring. Remove the tile and begin with a clean and level substrate. A successful tile installation project requires a level surface. While you can lay tile directly over a concrete slab using thin-set adhesive, don’t make the mistake of applying tile directly to a plywood subfloor. All Rights Reserved. For more information, download our PDF about types of subfloors. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Level Concrete Subfloor and Install Crack Prevention, floor patching, self-leveling & waterproofing, Step 1: Use 1 5/8-inch screws for 1/2-inch backer board. Clean the mixing paddle promptly so the mortar does not harden on it. This guide will show you how to prepare your subfloor for a tile installation project to ensure that it’s fit to support ceramic or porcelain tile. Install a cement-based backer board following the manufacturer’s instructions. These products can often be found at stores that just sell stone products. Follow the directions on the packaging to properly mix the thin-set mortar. For this reason, ceramic and porcelain tile floors can be considered somewhat delicate, despite the inherent strength of the material. x 12 in. Lay the tiles on top of the adhesive within 10 minutes … No, cushioned vinyl is not an appropriate subfloor. If it's a wood subfloor, you don't want seasonal changes in humidity to cause cracks as the floor picks up moisture and swells. We love the way a traditional black and white marble tile flooring can add a classic vibe to your space. Tape off any affected vents with painter’s tape. Particleboard is not an acceptable subfloor material for tiling projects. Your concrete floor should be clean, dry, flat and free of adhesives. If there are cracks larger than 1/8-inch in your concrete subfloor, those should be patched and filled with a cement patching compound. Use 1 1/4-inch screws for 1/4-inch backerboard. If water penetrates and leaves a wet spot, then a good bond can be achieved. Concrete is strong enough that it will support the marble tile and prevent it from breaking. Marble flooring may appear strong but it can be brittle, especially if the subfloor that your marble is installed on moves often or greatly. Continue this process to lay the rest of your backer board panels, leaving a 1/4-inch gap at the walls. Check for dips in the floor by sliding a 4-foot to 6-foot straight edge in different directions all around the room. To cut backer board, measure and mark the size you need. The grout should be the consistency of cool cake icing that will not sag if you tilt the bucket on its side. The cracks likely were present prior to installation or caused during installation. Cover the tape with thin-set mortar and level it with a straight edge. Residue from strippers or cleaners should also be cleaned and rinsed with water. Preparation for installing floor tile depends on the type of subfloor in the room you are tiling. Test by sprinkling water on various areas of the subfloor. Remove the Old Tile. © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. Need Help? Cement-based thinset mortar bonds the marble to the subfloor permanently, and it prevents the marble from separating. With a trowel, scoop out and spread enough mortar on the wood subfloor to cover an area slightly larger than your first piece of backer board. Concrete subfloors should have a coarse finish to form the bond with the thin-set. Once your marble tile is installed, take care of it with regular cleaning. remove the old tile. Floor tile can be manufactured from a variety of materials, including stone, quartz, metal, terrazzo, and clay. This situation can be solved by making sure you install the marble tile on top of a crack-isolation membrane. This means that there are no bumps or dips in the floor. It provides a level surface that will allow the tiles to properly stay in place. In other words, be sure that no four corners of the backer board touch. Subfloor. Tip: Make sure the subfloor will not deteriorate when it gets wet. Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses. Work quickly while the mortar is wet. Fill seams in the subfloor with caulk. Before you start the job, be sure you talk with your wife about the orientation of the marble tile in the room. Marble floor tile (like all floor tile) requires a smooth, flat, water-resistant base … The generic statement that the tile and stone industry makes regarding deflection of the subfloor is that it must meet a minimum of L/360 for tile and L/720 for stone. Cement-based thinset mortar bonds the marble to the subfloor permanently, and it prevents the marble from separating. Drive screws every 8 inches around the perimeter of each board, 1/2-inch from the edges and 2 inches from the corners. The old-fashioned mud method of floating a thick mortar bed in preparation for the tile has given way to using cement backer board over a plywood subfloor. Every screw head should be flush with the panel. The concrete must be free of efflorescence or salts on the surface. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but this usually takes several days. Test by … Lighter marble floors can drastically brighten your room’s atmosphere. Level Concrete Subfloor and Install Crack Prevention It supports your decorative floor finish, whether it’s carpet, hardwood, vinyl, laminate or tile. Polished Marble Floor and Wall Tile (10 sq. If you have only a few uneven spots, you can treat just those areas. Use a drill with a clutch to speed up driving the backer board screws. Subfloor Preparation. But you'll discover that if you want to make the floor really look interesting, you'll install the tile diagonally in the room. The granite trend is giving way to the stylish, open look of a lightly colored surface. But if you bend or stretch marble, it can crack with ease. I like that look, and the lack of silica sand in the grout ensures that the highly polished surface of the marble won't get scratched as you spread the grout on top of the marble. After all, if it had stayed in the ground a bit longer, it would’ve turned into marble! 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