Who doesn’t love a beautiful, tile floor? Yet, even though the surface gives you a lot to appreciate, it won’t matter if it breaks down prematurely. When it comes to tile, what lays underneath is the most important. Learn how to pick out the right type of underlayment, and how to use it correctly.
Understanding Underlayment
If a finished tile floor were a sandwich, the underlayment would be the meat in the middle. Above this level you’ll find the tile itself, and below the subfloor. The main purpose of the underlayment is to smooth out the subfloor to create an even surface. It also acts a protective barrier underneath the tile. Due to these reasons, tile underlayment plays a crucial role.
Types of Underlayment
There are a few different styles of underlayment that are available. Membrane models are bendable and sheet-like. Liquid underlayments can be spread onto the subfloor to create the surface. Finally, cement board underlayments are stiffer variants that can be laid on top of the subfloor.
The Basics of the Application
Although the general concept behind applying an underlayment is the same, the process differs slightly depending on what type you are using.
When using cement boards as the tile underlayment, you’ll need to install the boards on top of an adhesive layer. Next, you’ll screw in the panels to attach them to the subfloor.
With liquid-style underlayment, you’ll use a spreading motion to apply the material. This will require using a trowel to achieve uniformity across the surface. However, getting it just right requires a lot of skill.
For membrane underlayments, you’ll tile the pieces across the floor as with cement boards. You should note that these effective tile underlayments are less stable than the two others. As such, they should be used with rigid tiles.
Making a Decision
There is a lot to think about when it comes to choosing an underlayment. Take the time to consider the pros and cons of each before making your final decision.
