Setting Material Guide
PREP
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Successful tile installations begin with the products used in floor preparation. Floor
preparation can be divided into several categories: Backer board, Waterproofing,
Crack Isolation, Floor Patch, and Floor Leveling products.
• Backer board:
From a bonding perspective, the best substrate to install tile is directly over
concrete. In lieu of that, it is recommended to use a backer board over
existing wood or vinyl substrates to provide sufficient tile bond. It is not
necessary to use backer board products over concrete substrates. Backer
board products are typically offered in two forms: cement board and fiber
board. In either case, backer boards are all purpose substrates engineered
to meet floor underlayment and wall tile-backing needs, as specified by
ANSI (American National Standards Institute). Tile backer boards provide
the resistance to water and mold that is required in bathrooms, kitchens,
and entryways. Backer boards are commonly offered in either ¼” or ½”
thickness. Typically, the ¼” is used on floors, while the ½” is recommended
for walls.
• Waterproong:
For tile installations where water or moisture will be prevalent, it is necessary
to apply a waterproofing product as a precaution. There are typically three
types of waterproofing products: single step liquids, dual step liquid & mesh,
and roll out sheet membranes. With any of these options; waterproofing
products will maintain the integrity of the substrate, either wall or floor, and
the strength of the tile bond without interference from consistent water or
moisture presence.