Laying The Foundation For Beautiful New Tile Floors

December 5, 2018 | Written by Josh Robinson | Posted in ,

tile floor preparationWhen it comes to anything flooring related, you always want to make sure you get it right the first time. Your floors will ultimately influence the look of the entire room. Plus, it’s more permanent than other decorative elements such as furniture.

When these homeowners wanted a new tile floor for their kitchen, they called JR Carpentry & Tile.

We found that the floor needed a big fix before installing tiles. The uneven floor had multiple of layers and low spots scattered throughout – but the biggest hurdle was the 4″ tongue and groove subfloor. Tiles need a solid base, and per any manufacturer specs, you can’t install any substrate for tiles over a 4″ tongue and groove subfloor.

Usually in this case, you would overlay that subfloor with a minimum of 3/8″ plywood. However, there were substantial low spots in the existing floor, so overlaying was not an option for this home. It would create a difference in height in the flooring, and since the floor we were working on transitions into the kitchen, it requires an even surface throughout. Plus, having a section of floor that’s slightly higher will make it difficult to use the door in that area.

Our experts decided that the best option was to remove the existing subfloor. We rolled up our sleeves and installed new 3/4” tongue and groove oriented strand boards. The new subfloor is rigid and sturdy – perfect for receiving the new substrate and tile.

With the hard work done, tile installation is going to be much easier and with less prep required. Plus, the new subfloor will improve the lifespan of the newly installed tile floors.

If you’re looking to install new floors, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We offer free in-home estimates and never sacrifice on quality – our installations will last!

Click here for your free quote on floor installation by JR Carpentry & Tile.

Tile Floor Preparation Photos

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