Tiling Question

[borris-bear]

Hi

I have just bought my first house and am in the process of renovating it.

I am tiling both the kitchen and bathroom floors, they're both currently just floorboards. I have been recommended to put down some marine plyboard on top of the floorboards before i tile to stop the tiles cracking. However nowhere i've tried so far sells marine plyboard (which i assume is waterproof?) can i use normal plyboard and then waterproof it myself with some sort of paint on water proofer?

thanks for any help.

 

[JIM456]

Hi Borris,
marine Plywood is a specialist material and over the top for your specification.
All you need is a construction/exterior grade, wbp plywood, which is available from any builder's merchant, better still, flooring supplier. It is available in 4mm and 6mm thickness and the 4mm is usually adequate in a new home...and easier to work with. Lay the plywood at right angles to the direction of the floorboards, if possible, and nail at 100mm centres with 1" annular/serrated ringnails (available from same suppliers).
You could even use hardboard, but in wet areas such as kitchen and wc the plywood is a safer bet.
Cheers.
Jim.

 

[borris-bear]

Thanks for your help.

The house i have bought is a 1930's construction does that make any difference to the thickness of board to use?

 

[JIM456]

Hi Borris,
If the floor is sound and fairly level then the 4mm plywood is fine, and its easier to work with.
If there are a lot of gaps between the boards (i.e. the plumbers and central heating engineers have lifted them!), and if theres a lot of cupping and ridging in the boards, then 6mm plywood is better.
If the floor is really bad then a skim coat of latex screed first is a good idea before laying the ply.
Also try to make sure that the edges of you plywood sheeting don't land on the edge of a floorboard, if the floorboard moves then the edge of the ply will move with it.