advice > advice 01

TILING ONTO WOODEN FLOORS

Floating Floors
It is possible to tile onto a floating floor but the adhesive manufacturers will not offer any guarantees. Firstly we would recommend overlaying the floor with WBP Ply (9mm minimum), screwed at 200mm centres. Then we would recommend fixing the tiles with a highly flexible, rubber based adhesive (such as BAL Fastflex) and using a cement based wide joint grout with added flexibility, by either using a polymer modified grout, or by adding a liquid polymer to the cement based grout (such as BAL Wide Joint Grout with GT1 additive).

Existing Timber Floor
This floor must be sound with no flexing (if there is any doubt we would recommend following the New Timber Floor procedure). Firstly we would recommend overlaying the floor with WBP Ply (9mm minimum), screwed at 200mm centres. Then you should apply one coat of primer to the wood and allow it to dry (it will depend on the adhesive you are going to use as to whether this is necessary). Then we would recommend solid bed fixing the tiles with a cement based flexible adhesive, by either adding a liquid polymer to the cement based adhesive, or by using a polymer modified adhesive (such as Evo-Stik PTB). The floor must be allowed to dry fully before grouting (minimum of 24 hours). Then we would recommend using a cement based wide joint grout with added flexibility, by either adding a liquid polymer to the cement based grout, or by using a polymer modified grout (such as Evo-Stik SGS Grout). The floor must not be walked on for at least 12 hours.

New Timber Floor
Firstly you will need to remove any old flooring and we would then recommend replacing this floor with WBP Ply (minimum 18mm), screwed to the joists at 300mm centres. Then you should apply one coat of primer to the wood and allow it to dry (it will depend on the adhesive you are going to use as to whether this is necessary). Then we would recommend solid bed fixing the tiles with a cement based flexible adhesive, by either adding a liquid polymer to the cement based adhesive, or by using a polymer modified adhesive (such as Evo-Stik PTB). The floor must be allowed to dry fully before grouting (minimum of 24 hours). Then we would recommend using a cement based wide joint grout with added flexibility, by either adding a liquid polymer to the cement based grout, or by using a polymer modified grout (such as Evo-Stik SGS Grout). The floor must not be walked on for at least 12 hours.

Please Note - This advice is for general guidance only and may contain inappropriate information under particular conditions of use. We cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage due to the inappropriate use or the possibility of variations of working conditions and of workmanship outside our control.