Installation Guide

24 TESTING & CERTIFICATIONS
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 Tile Council of North America (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
2. DITRA and DITRA-XL bonded to plywood/OSB with modified thin-set mortar (ANSI A118.11)
3. DITRA bonded to concrete with unmodified thin-set mortar (ANSI A118.1)
4. Tile bonded to DITRA and DITRA-XL with unmodified thin-set mortar (ANSI A118.1)
5. Polymer-modified cement grout (ANSI A118.7)
The test results above demonstrate that Schluter
®
-DITRA and -DITRA-XL perform extremely well under load while at the same time
providing flexibility within the shear plane.
Waterproofing
DITRA and DITRA-XL provide reliable waterproofing in interior and exterior 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 Dimension Stone Installation A118.10. Schluter
®
-DITRA and DITRA-XL are also listed by cUPC® and have been evaluated
by ICC-ES (Report No. ESR-2467 and PMG-1204).
Vapor Management
The free space under the DITRA matting allows 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.
Green Building
DITRA and DITRA-XL were evaluated according to the "Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emis-
sions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers, Version 1.1" for California Specification 01350 and found to comply with the
VOC requirements. California Specification 01350 is referenced by various green building standards and rating systems.
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.
Report Number Substrate Joist Spacing Tile Rating
Schluter
®
-DITRA
TCA-046-03 (B) Plywood 19.2" o.c. 12" x 12" porcelain Heavy (13 cycles)
TCA-126-03 (A) Plywood 19.2" o.c. 12" x 12" porcelain Light (9 cycles)
TCA-130-04 (C) OSB 19.2" o.c. 6" x 6" porcelain Heavy (12 cycles)
TCA-130-04 (A) OSB 19.2" o.c. 3" x 3" porcelain Light (7 cycles)
TCNA-039-06 Concrete N/A 12" x 12" porcelain Extra Heavy (14 cycles)
TCNA-057-06 Concrete N/A 2" x 2" porcelain Light (6 cycles)
Schluter
®
-DITRA-XL
TCNA-153-08 Plywood 24" o.c. 6" x 6" porcelain Extra Heavy (14 cycles)
TCNA-303-06 Plywood 24" o.c. 12" x 12" porcelain Heavy (12 cycles)
The result is that DITRA and DITRA-XL effectively manage vapor and prevent damage to the tile covering as a result.
Property Test Method Performance
Water vapor permeance
ASTM E96-00 (water method at 73° F and 50% RH) 0.006 perms