I'm renovating my bathroom and getting ready to lay tiles. The plywood floor isn't level, so I plan to use a self-leveling compound first. However, my father-in-law insists that I also need to use cement board. I've also come across mentions of decoupling membranes. What's the best way to prepare my plywood floor for tile?
3 Answers
If you're concerned about how thick the floor will be, consider using a decoupling membrane like Ditra instead of cement board. It's a newer method and might save some space.
Your father-in-law is right about using cement board. It's a solid choice, especially if you're going to tape and cement the seams afterward. Just make sure your floor is level first, which is where the self-leveling compound comes in!
Cement boards are older tech, but they do offer some advantages, especially if the floor isn’t super rigid. If your subfloor is stable, you might get away without them. However, it’s a good idea to lay down a thin 1/4" panel to keep your tile removable in the future. Just check industry guidelines for the best practices.
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll look into Ditra.