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We’re wanting to install ceramic tile in our bedrooms. Is the orange underlayment necessary, or what exactly is required?

glockzilla | Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on

After looking at many installation videos and reading various articles, we are a bit undecided as to what would be the best method.

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Mike,
    Are you hiring a tile contractor, or doing the work yourself? I imagine that you are thinking of installing the tiles on the floor rather than the walls -- right?

    If you are new to tile work, and intend to do the work yourself, be aware that there are many pitfalls -- so it's important to be sure you know what you are doing.

    For more information on tile backerboard, I recommend this Fine Homebuilding article: Tile Backerboard Options.

  2. wjrobinson | | #2

    Mike, what is the subfloor?
    Where are you located?
    More is needed to know about the home and the project.
    Tile size
    type of tile
    and more.

    If you have a plywood subfloor that is over joists, for far less problems with cracked tiles you would install a backerboard or the orange product either one. Schluter makes the orange product. You have to follow their directions well and not use the wrong thinset to lay the Schluter and then the proper thinset to lay the tile.

    You will find the process easy if you are mechanically inclined, but if you are not, and find tools to be foreign objects, fo get bout it and hire it out.

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