height differences between rooms
#1
01-18-08, 07:09 AM
height differences between rooms
Hey folks,
I have been reading hundreds of posts and articles on the subject of tiling, backerboards, installation, tips, techniques, etc. but have not gotten enough detail to answer my question sufficiently enough. I have been remodeling my kitchen for the past couple of years doing all of the work myself. Have gotten through all the mechanicals (plumbing, electrical, heating, lighting), brought the walls and ceiling back up and have finally painted and am ready for my floor.
The room is 12 x 17 with 2 x 8 sistered joists running across the length of the 12 ft span at 16" o.c. I have 1/2 in. of plywood down now. I will be using 3/8" 13 x 13 glazed porcelain tiles.
Based on what I have learned, I will need to put down at least another 5/8" exterior grade plywood to bring the height to 1 1/8". With 1/4" backerboard this will bring the total height of my kitchen floor at least a 1/2 inch higher than the adjoining living room wood floor. Now this is without taking into account the thinset underneath the backerboard and under the tiles. Now for my questions:
- Based on recommendations, I will be attaching the second layer of plywood at a spacing of 6" intervals. Thats well over 100 screws/nails per board. Ringshank nails seem like they would be easier/faster to use vs. screws. What do you guys use?
- How much height will thinset add to the floor?
I am considering using Ditra which will help me an lose 1/8" and really only increase my costs by about $50-$60.
I am wondering the best ways to decrease the height without sacrificing a quality install.
- What would be considered too large of a height difference between rooms and/or what is considered acceptable and what would be the best way to handle the transition between the different levels. Sorry for the length of this post. Thanks for all your feedback, it is really appreciated.
Mark
I have been reading hundreds of posts and articles on the subject of tiling, backerboards, installation, tips, techniques, etc. but have not gotten enough detail to answer my question sufficiently enough. I have been remodeling my kitchen for the past couple of years doing all of the work myself. Have gotten through all the mechanicals (plumbing, electrical, heating, lighting), brought the walls and ceiling back up and have finally painted and am ready for my floor.
The room is 12 x 17 with 2 x 8 sistered joists running across the length of the 12 ft span at 16" o.c. I have 1/2 in. of plywood down now. I will be using 3/8" 13 x 13 glazed porcelain tiles.
Based on what I have learned, I will need to put down at least another 5/8" exterior grade plywood to bring the height to 1 1/8". With 1/4" backerboard this will bring the total height of my kitchen floor at least a 1/2 inch higher than the adjoining living room wood floor. Now this is without taking into account the thinset underneath the backerboard and under the tiles. Now for my questions:
- Based on recommendations, I will be attaching the second layer of plywood at a spacing of 6" intervals. Thats well over 100 screws/nails per board. Ringshank nails seem like they would be easier/faster to use vs. screws. What do you guys use?
- How much height will thinset add to the floor?
I am considering using Ditra which will help me an lose 1/8" and really only increase my costs by about $50-$60.
I am wondering the best ways to decrease the height without sacrificing a quality install.
- What would be considered too large of a height difference between rooms and/or what is considered acceptable and what would be the best way to handle the transition between the different levels. Sorry for the length of this post. Thanks for all your feedback, it is really appreciated.
Mark
#2
01-18-08, 12:38 PM
Member
Hi Mark
For starters, 1/2" plywood was not a good choice for your subfloor. 5/8" ply or more would have been better. It sounds like you have already put the 1/2" down. What you could have done was put down 3/4" plywood subfloor and then ditra. This would have minimized the height transtion that you are concerned about.
Thinset under ditra will create virtually no additional height so the ditra will take up only about 1/8". 13x13 porcelain, likely you will need 1/4" x 3/8" notched trowel. This will add maybe 3/16" height, may a little more or less depending on what the back of the tiles look like.
If you go ahead with your plan to add 5/8" plywood over the 1/2" (at this point you really dont have any choice) then use deck screws, not ring shank nails. Pounding on that 1/2" subfloor with a hammer aint a good idea. The screws will hold much much better.
For starters, 1/2" plywood was not a good choice for your subfloor. 5/8" ply or more would have been better. It sounds like you have already put the 1/2" down. What you could have done was put down 3/4" plywood subfloor and then ditra. This would have minimized the height transtion that you are concerned about.
Thinset under ditra will create virtually no additional height so the ditra will take up only about 1/8". 13x13 porcelain, likely you will need 1/4" x 3/8" notched trowel. This will add maybe 3/16" height, may a little more or less depending on what the back of the tiles look like.
If you go ahead with your plan to add 5/8" plywood over the 1/2" (at this point you really dont have any choice) then use deck screws, not ring shank nails. Pounding on that 1/2" subfloor with a hammer aint a good idea. The screws will hold much much better.
#3
01-19-08, 12:41 PM
HJ,
Thanks for your response. The 1/2" was original to the house. I don't recall exactly what was pulled off of that when I demo'd
the kitchen. It was several layers of stuff (vinyl, luan, etc.). I am a bit confused because I was going to add 5/8" on top of the 1/2" to bring it up to 1 1/8" which I thought was the minimum thickness of plywood needed for tile.
thanks,
Mark
Thanks for your response. The 1/2" was original to the house. I don't recall exactly what was pulled off of that when I demo'd
the kitchen. It was several layers of stuff (vinyl, luan, etc.). I am a bit confused because I was going to add 5/8" on top of the 1/2" to bring it up to 1 1/8" which I thought was the minimum thickness of plywood needed for tile.
thanks,
Mark
