Need help with installing a tile floor?

Question

I live in a very old house that has thick floor boards to the basement then very thick plank wood on that, then luon board and linoleum had been placed over that.

I recently had new cabinets installed in my kitchen. The contractor cut out the linoleum, luon board and 1/2" plywood then shimmied the cabinets up 3/4th inch for tile to be installed afterwards.

A tile contractor came to my house after and stated that the cabinets need to be raised another inch to fit ¾ inch plywood down and 1 inch for the tile and other material.

Does anyone have another suggestion of how to lay a tile floor without moving the cabinets?

Can tile be laid directly on the plank flooring leveling it with the material used to set the flooring?

Can we just put down ¼ inch plywood to create a level surface? This contractor said the tile will crack, but my house is 150 years old, I think it has done all of its settling.

Answer 1

I don't know where you live, but look at the site provided. these are real tiles that are on a wood backing, and click together like laminate. Very easy to install, and you can install them over any floor (except carpet).
The backing eliminated the chance of cracking.

Answer 2

First, houses never stop "settling". Old house,even more than new breath. The wood will swell and constrict with the seasons. If you don't mind loosing some toe kick area at the bottom of the cabinets, you could put the tile and flooring, just up to them. But you do need a solid- stable floor for ceramic tile. The cabinets were raised for a thin peal and press or vinal type flooring. With that 1/4" luan and some liquid leveler would do the job. You could probably get away with 2 layers of 1/2" concrete board, depending on the sub floor. But the cabinets should have been set higher for ceramic. Did the cabinet installer understand that ceramic tile was to be used?

Answer 3

I had an old house that the previous owner installed tile in the kitchen area. It had a crawl space under it and in the winter time the tiles cracked like a shot gun going off.And I live in Central Florida. He evidently didn't put down enough plywood /underlayment or whatever.Sounds like the tile man was being honest with you.Your other option would be to lay the 3/4 inch plywood up to your cabinets and tile just to the cabinets and not under them.

Answer 4

There are a couple of way to do this. If you want the easier way buy 1/4" Hardie backer. Use thin set mortar to glue it to your sub floor and fill in any minor imperfections. Buy the screws made to put this down and don't use drywall screws. Then you can put your tile down over that. If your worried about cracking you can also use a crack isolation fabric.
The other way you can do it is use a product like: http://www.schluter.com/6_1_ditra.aspx . This product replaces the backer board. It also works to help prevent cracking. All this stuff is available at Home Depot if they don't stock it they can order it. The cracking is not going to be due to settling as much as deflection in the floor. The older houses often were undersized in the lumber used and there is allot of flex. If this is true in your house you can either try to sturdy the floor from under or use a laminate floor that has the tile look.

Answer 5

First of all, does your floor have creeks or loose boards?
if so 1/4 " plywood isn't going to work...if you place tile over this, you will most definitely have cracks in the future, my suggestion to you is place the 3/4 " plywood down and cut the tiles around your cabinet instead of it going under and when finished, install base molding with a bead of silicon sandwhiched between the tile and base board to help prevent moisture from reaching under your cabinets if you accidentally spill any liquids.

good luck

Answer 6

What is the kick space dimension of your cabinets. that is the space between the cabinets and the floor there is a set back area at the bottom of your cabinets.
The only thing that will happen is that area will be an inch or so smaller. this is not a huge issue, it will only be a minor inconvenience when cleaning the floor.
Get quotes and opinions from other tile contractors.
Also do not pay for a bid or give money up front to do the work. A reputable contractor will not need money up front or money to start the job.
Good Luck

Answer 7

proper ceramic installation requires cement board as a subfloor. however, you should be able to find 1/4'' or 5/16" cement board at a flooring supply store. truthfully, your contractor should know this. it sounds like he's saying my way or the highway.

suggest to him that he use 1/4'' OSB board to smooth the area, then apply 5/16'' cement (wonder) board. then he can use grout to fill-in the edges around the cabinets. you might not be able to see a fraction on an inch of your kick board, but you tile will hold and you don't have to raise your cabinets again.

Good Luck!

Answer 8

I would call another tile guy. I had my kitchen floor done and he tore off the plywood that was on the floor taking it to half inch planks, added 1/4 inch plywood, then "cement board" and put the tile on top of that. Worked and works great.

Answer 9

Do it as recommended by someone who has done this many times. This will be costly, but save you money and headaches later. Although the floor may be "settled" it may not be 'solid' (rigid) enough to place tile on, without it cracking!