The plywood adds stiffness and stability to the floor.
Installing hardibacker on floor.
Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage.
Hardiebacker is available in both 1 4 inch and 42 inch thick hardiebacker 500 versions and is designed to add mold and moisture resistance to tile installations.
The backer board comes in different sizes and you will pick the right one depending on the type of floor you are installing.
Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor.
For best results remove existing floor covering especially if it is in poor condition.
Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water.
If you re preparing to do a ceramic floor or wall installation it s recommended that you install hardiebacker cement board on your subfloor or wall before you begin to lay the tile.
To avoid building up the floor too high you can use 1 4 in thick backer board instead of 1 2 in.
Check with wedi schluter laticrete goboard or whichever manufacturer to see how they want their product installed over a concrete subfloor.
Required tools for this project.
Fasten the backer board to the floor using proper nails or screws as recommended by the manufacturer every 8 around the perimeter and all supporting the studs.
Keep fasteners between 3 8 and 3 4 from sheet edges and 2 in from sheet corners.
That s why it was named the most preferred brand of backer board by tile installers and contractors according to the 2019 tile and stone report conducted by clearseas research in partnership with the national tile contractors association and tile magazine.
If installing hardiebacker cement board over existing floor ensure the floor is flat.
Hardiebacker cement board may be installed under or over vinyl composition tile vct and other resilient flooring.
The other is foam backer board which is ok to install over concrete.
Hardiebacker cement board is made better to install better and perform better.
With the plywood in place install the backer board as you normally would.
Floor tiles should be installed over smooth flat surfaces.