Installation Guide

22 TESTING & CERTIFICATIONS
Product Evaluation
TESTING & CERTIFICATIONS
Schluter
®
-Systems is committed to providing reliable installation systems for ceramic and stone tile. As part of this commitment, we have
invested considerable resources in testing our products and obtaining certifications where applicable to provide our customers and local
code officials with relevant data that supports the efficacy of our systems. All the testing referenced below was performed by independent
laboratories.
Uncoupling and Support/Load Distribution
The method used to establish the overall performance of a tile assembly under loading is the ASTM C627 “Standard Test Method for
Evaluating Ceramic Floor Tile Installation Systems Using the Robinson Type Floor Tester.” The assembly is tested in cycles using a loaded,
revolving carriage. Load, wheel hardness, and number of revolutions vary with each cycle. Once a specified level of damage is exceeded,
the test is stopped. The TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation assigns performance levels to an assembly
based on the number of cycles successfully completed. The ratings include residential, light, moderate, heavy, and extra heavy, in order
of improving performance.
Assembly Notes:
1. All plywood and OSB subfloors were 23/32" (3/4" nom.) -thick; 11/32" (3/8" nom.) -thick OSB underlayment added for carrara marble test
2. Modified thin-set mortar (ANSI A118.11) to bond membrane to plywood and OSB
3. Unmodified thin-set mortar (ANSI A118.1) to bond membrane to concrete
4. Unmodified thin-set mortar (ANSI A118.1) to bond tile to membrane
5. High Performance Cement Grout (ANSI A118.7)
The test results above demonstrate that DITRA-HEAT performs extremely well under load while at the same time providing flexibility within
the shear plane. DITRA-HEAT-TB was found to be suitable for residential and light commercial traffic, depending on the substrate and tile
chosen.
Waterproofing
DITRA-HEAT and DITRA-HEAT-TB provide reliable waterproofing in interior applications. The products have been found to meet or exceed
the requirements of the American National Standard Specifications for Load Bearing, Bonded, Waterproof Membranes for Thin-set
Ceramic Tile and Stone Installation A118.10.
Vapor Management
The free space under the DITRA-HEAT and DITRA-HEAT-TB mattings allow the substrate to breathe, while the material composition
provides for a very low water vapor permeance, which prevents any significant vapor intrusion in the tile assembly from below.
The result is the DITRA-HEAT and DITRA-HEAT-TB effectively manage vapor and prevent damage to the tile covering as a result.
Report Number Substrate Joist Spacing Tile Rating
Schluter
®
-DITRA-HEAT
TCNA-415-13 OSB 19.2" o.c. 12" x 12" porcelain Extra Heavy
TCNA-415-13 OSB 24" o.c. 12" x 12" carrara marble Light
TTMAC-UFT09-2013 Concrete N/A 12" x 12" porcelain Moderate
TCNA-415-13 Concrete N/A 2" x 2" porcelain Light
Schluter
®
-DITRA-HEAT-TB
TCNA-455-15 (1) Concrete N/A 12" x 12" porcelain Light
TCNA-455-15 (2) Concrete N/A 2" x 2" porcelain Light
TNCA-455-15 (3) Concrete N/A 12" x 12" marble Residential
TCNA-455-15 (4) Plywood 19.2" o.c. 12" x 12" porcelain Light
Product Test Method Performance
Schluter
®
-DITRA-HEAT
ASTM E96*
0.21 perms
Schluter
®
-DITRA-HEAT-TB 0.48 perms
*Using the water method at 73ºF (23ºC) and 50% RH