Ceramic Tile Problems? Choose the right Subfloor!!!

Ceramic, porcilan and stone tile certainly have its problems, or is the problem the subfloor that is under these tiles that is the problem?

Cracking, Buckling, Broken, Grout issues, Cold on the feet, and damp are all issues I have heard about when talking to customers about tile. What if I told you these problems are not related to the tile, and in most cases they are a direct result of the subfloor that is installed below the tile.

The truth is at first I agreed with the common norm, there is and can be many problems associated with tile, however it is so strange to me that all these homes built from the 1970's to now have had tons of issues with their tile, meanwhile humans have been laying tile for thousands of years and today thousands of years later, some of that tile is still in good condition. Therefor I have to ask the question Why?

Well as humans we have gone through 2 major methods of Installing tile subfloor, the historic but quality method called the Uncoupling method and the more modern method called the Direct Bond Method.

Direct Bond Method or more formally known as the Thin-set method is exactly how it sounds, the tiles are installed directly on a subfloor or concrete using a thin-set mortar as an adhesive, shown in Figure B. Cracking, Buckling, Broken and Grout issues become present when the subfloor, floor joist, even cement moves or shifts below the tiles.

Ancient Uncoupling Method This method has been present for thousands of years and has proven to be a much more stable installation method than the Direct Bond Method, however the steps involved are far too extensive to do in todays construction. Thousands of years ago installers would lay an ultra thick layer of sand over top of the sub-floor and the tile would get adhered over the sand, so if the subfloor were to move or shift in anyway the sand was able to move under the tile without causing the same issues as the Direct Bond method.

The Answer? Well obviosly we are not going to come into your home with pounds of sand, so the answer is Schluter Ditra, Ditra XL, & Ditra Heat!



Why? Because these three Schluter Ditra products are uncoupling products designed to work the very same way as the Ancient uncoupling method, with a much lighter and more basic installation method.

How Does Ditra Work? Ditra products provide uncoupling through its open rib structure, which allows for in-plane movement that effectively neutralizes the differential movement stresses between the substrate and the tile, thus eliminating the major causes of tiles to crack, buckle, break and have grout issues.

What About the Tile Being Cold & Damp? Good question! Ditra Heat is a subfloor with heat option built in, although a bit more expensive than the traditional Ditra, well worth it for people that do not like the cold. Also you should know that Ditra, Ditra XL & Ditra Heat are all made with polyethylene composition making it a vapour barrier from dampness from below. Many people that install Dirtra/Ditra XL under their tile believe their tile is warmer because of it, when in reality the Ditra is just stopping the vapours from below, removing the damp feel of the tile floor.