Tiling directly onto floorboards is not recommended due to the potential for movement, which can lead to cracked tiles and grout. The correct approach involves creating a stable and flat base.
Preparing for Tiling on Floorboards
To successfully tile a floor over floorboards, you need to:
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Ensure the Floorboards are Stable: Make sure the floorboards are securely fastened and do not have excessive movement or squeaking. Repair or replace any loose or damaged boards.
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Lay a Suitable Substrate: Instead of tiling directly onto the floorboards, you'll need to create a stable and even base by laying one of the following over the existing floorboards:
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Plywood: Use a suitable grade of plywood that is thick enough to provide a stable surface. It is recommended to use a minimum thickness of 15 mm.
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Cut the plywood to fit the room, leaving a small expansion gap around the edges (approx. 5 mm).
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Stagger the joints to prevent weak points.
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Fasten the plywood to the floorboards using screws, ensuring the heads are flush or slightly countersunk.
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Hardie Backer Boards: These boards are specifically designed for tiling and offer excellent stability and moisture resistance.
- Cut the boards to fit the room.
- Apply tile adhesive to the floorboards, creating a bed for the Hardie Backer boards.
- Lay the Hardie Backer boards onto the adhesive and screw them down to the floorboards.
- Use a suitable backer board jointing tape to seal the board joints.
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Applying a Bed of Tile Adhesive: Regardless of whether you chose plywood or Hardie Backer boards, apply a layer of tile adhesive to the floorboards before laying your substrate.
- This will provide extra stability and will help to create a strong bond.
Tiling Process
Once you have a stable base, you can proceed to tile as normal:
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Apply Tile Adhesive: Use the appropriate tile adhesive for your chosen tiles. Apply with a notched trowel in small sections.
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Lay the Tiles: Press each tile firmly into the adhesive, ensuring consistent spacing using tile spacers.
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Cut Tiles to Fit: Use a tile cutter or wet saw to cut tiles as needed around edges and obstacles.
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Allow to Dry: Allow the adhesive to dry completely as per the manufacturer's instructions.
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Grouting: Apply grout between the tiles, using a grout float, removing excess grout, and cleaning the tiles.
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Final Clean: Clean the tiles thoroughly after the grout has dried.
Why Not Tile Directly on Floorboards?
As referenced, tiling directly onto floorboards is not recommended due to excessive movement. Floorboards naturally expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. This movement can cause tiles and grout to crack, leading to costly repairs. The substrate (plywood or Hardie Backer boards) acts as a decoupling layer, absorbing this movement and protecting the tiles.
By following these steps you will successfully tile a floor on floorboards.
