Can you put ceramic tile over wood floors? If yes I was told that it wouldnt stay, even with cement board.?

Question

Yes were replacing the wood floor, and putting down plywood flooring. Then were gonna put a cement board on top of plywood and lay tile. (if it would not give) (was told by a contractor it would give in time.

Answer 1

Without reading any answers here, and after installing thousands of sq. ft. of flooring,,,especially tile. I suggest that EVEN on a concrete slab,,, "perfection" isn't something set in stone,,, so to speak.

You don't state the state of the construction,,, IE: Basement or crawl space below the existing floor, slab on dirt, etc..

ANY floor substrate should be as "level" as you can get it,,, but even that can be supplemented by leveling a tile installation.

Concrete backer board is my choice, no matter the substrate, as it allows for less movement, degradation over time, a porous/textured enough surface to "GRAB" thin set, with less chance for warp,,, as long as the bottom line is as secure as possible. Perhaps your least or greatest concern might be removing any existing base molding and determining adding what might be near 3/4 inch height to existing flooring.

Consider a deeper issue. This is EARTH, on top of which,,, or in which a house has been built. I suggest no stronger force exists than that of the EARTH.... and it gives and takes, in its process.

Consider too, the prep work, and knowledge of the structure, its construction, and history. Does it tend to ebb and flow like Tides? Or has its base element been relatively secure since it was constructed? Then consider that it may last longer, no matter what you do, or what was done, than your lifetime,,, No offense.

It would seem that research is your first exploration option, and valid experience. If in fact the base flooring is above a basement or crawl space some shimming might be called for, especially if the existing floor seems to squeak, or be pliant. If it's Concrete, I suggest you don't stress.

E mail accepted for more info.

Rev. Steven

Answer 2

You CAN lay ceramic tiles over a wooden subfloor, on a raised foundation, IF you do it right. The best I have seen was when someone used the traditional 1x6 subflooring, then turned another layer of it 90 degrees so that there was 1 1/2" of wood for the sub floor. The Tiler then floated concrete directly onto the wood, forcing it into all the cracks between the boards, to prevent movement. Then once that had dried, he used thinset mortar to lay the tiles. This is the traditional way to do it, it takes a little more time than using the cement board, but it prevents movement better than the cement board does, due to the higher adhesion and closer fit.

Answer 3

You have a lot of work going on in your house. I have a two story house. I have tile on the second floor and have had for five years. Placing tile on concrete is ideal , however if you have a two story that is impossible. You will be fine if you remove wood to your floor joice and replace with a sturdy plywood followed with the cement board sub deck. Use an industrial adhesive on both of your sub decks and use screws not nails. Like I said I have no cracks in mine after five years.

Answer 4

It depends on what you mean by "wood floors". If you are talking about placing the tile over an existing hardwood floor, then no the old floor is not a good foundation for the tile. If you are talking about placing the tile over a plywood subfloor, then yes, this is exceptable with most tile manufacturers.

Answer 5

Yes, you can. You have to make a solid wood foundation (not boards) then lay plywood on the top. On the top of the plywood you need to pour a layer of concrete. Inside the concrete you need to put a dense iron mesh (small holes). The mesh will not allow the concrete to break or to settle in places. Then you can put tiles on the concrete.

Answer 6

No. Ceramic tile must be put on a solid foundation that won't move. Wood floors move and give, especially as time goes by.
It's possible you have concrete under your wood floor, if so, that might work - or - you could take the wood floor up and put the tiles on the concrete base.
Seems like you're asking for a lot of work with possible trouble at the end.
Think vinyl tile, or refinish your wood floor. My daughter just refinished her 50 year old wood floor. She rented a floor sander and finished it with One-coat Olympic walnut stain/poly-urethane. It looks like a piece of antique furniture. Just beautiful. Good luck.