masonite as underlayment

has anyone used masonite as an underlayment for self stick tiles?

 

we have done this and it has worked for us.

 

I would think that it would be difficult to drive the nails flush in the Masonite, thereby leaving nail heads to telegraph into the vinyl tile.

 

It is not approved by any tile manufacturer, as an underlayment for their productes.


They require you use a hardwood(birch) ¼" thick, finish grade plywood approved for flooring underlayment.


That's not to say Masonite isn't used everyday for underlayment by uneducated or greedy contractors.Just don't get it wet.

 

Just Don't get it wet?

Masonite is commonly used outdoors on skate ramps and lasts for years.

Masonite as an underlaymeny will void any manufacturers warrantee. Wanna spand a couple grand on a floor with no warrantee? Didn't think so.

 

Years ago I used masonite in a bathroom for vinyl tile. It was an experiment and the tile was actually free (it was good tile, 25 year warranty and all) but not only was it heavily slashed for some reason the cashier forgot to ring it up. The bathroom itself was tiny. Using 1/4" plywood like I normally do wasn't really practical in a small and oddly-shaped bathroom.

So, I spent about $15 for underlayment (including all the sheets I didn't use) plus a little extra for some quarter round. My experiences?

The board was easier to work with mostly due to its size. Nailing it down and driving the nails flush wasn't that big of a deal. Laying the tile wasn't difficult. I didn't get it wet, and I haven't had any incidents in the bathroom. There is no issue with the tile. Apparently, it has no warranty, but for the time and money I put into it, I don't really care about that.

For what it's worth, I've laid tile on five separate surfaces in my house:

1) A dry and smooth concrete basement workroom that originally had no tile;
2) A concrete bathroom that originally had tile that I removed and sanded;
3) A bathroom where I initially removed the tile and laid the new tile on the old subfloor;
4) The kitchen and the entryway which used 1/4" BC plywood as underlayment over the old tile and
5) The bathroom where I used the masonite.

The easiest to compare (3, 4, and 5, which all use identical tile) have worn exactly the same for this time. The basement has worn the same as well, though those tiles are different and unique.

If you can, it's best to simply use plywood. I wouldn't recommend masonite, but I've used it with success. Don't let a contractor or professional installer do it.