Underlayment can be one of several types of products that are applied beneath a floor system to solve one or more issues. Some of the solutions provided by underlayment include the prevention of subfloor cracks when changing to tile installation, enhancing rigidity for tile installation, preventing moisture from entering from the subfloor and damaging the finished floor, and soundproofing. At Tile This, we offer various tile underlayment options to provide your floor with the ideal base for your tiles.
In this post, we cover tile underlayment membrane installed on top of a level and prepared subfloor.
Installing the Right Underlayment
It is important to use the right underlayment for the right application. As an example, if your tile experiences up and down movement, resulting in cracks due to a flexible moving wood subfloor, a crack membrane designed to resist horizontal/lateral cracks will not protect your tile installation.
Proper installation of the tile underlayment is crucial. Adhere closely and completely to the underlayment manufacturer’s instructions. The instructions may require the underlayment to be installed with thin set and a screw installed at 8-inch intervals.
Underlayment Options for a Tile Installation Project
Selecting the right underlayment is important, since each type of underlayment is designed to address certain issues. The types of tile underlayment membrane available on the market, which can also come in various forms, include:
- Sheet
- Peel and stick membrane
- Liquid applied membrane
Sheet includes polyethylene uncoupling membrane used as underlayment for stone and tile floor installations.
With peel and stick membrane underlayment, you can cover and encapsulate asbestos in older homes. It can also be used as a powerful barrier that shields from radon. It also prevents the transmission of moisture into a home through concrete slabs.
If you need sound absorption on second floor wood flooring, peel and stick membranes are ideal. It is thicker than crack prevention membrane, but otherwise similar. This tile underlayment membrane deadens sound that travels underneath a floor.
Liquid membranes, when applied properly applied, can be used for both exterior and interior applications. They are effective for providing vertical and horizontal crack suppression.
For information about the tile underlayment products, we offer at Tile This, give us a call today at 952.882.0436 or use our contact form to leave us a message.
