Preparing wood floors for tiling - help!!

[Ollylot]

Hi all - new to the site, and would really appreciate some basic advice on how to prep a wood floor for tiling. Against my (better?) judgement, my wife has stripped back our hall and kitchen to the floorboards, sanded and dyed them black.
Now want to tile instead. The floor seems pretty level and solid (it was once covered with carefully screwed down ply sheeting on top of which was lino.
What steps should I take to prep the floor?
Sorry if this seems like a silly basic question, but I honestly can't find a straightforward answer!!

 

[DHTiling]

Hi and welcome..

If the floor is deflection free!, then for me i would use hardibacker 250 (6mm)... this needs to be embedded into a 6mm bed of adhesive and screwed down every 200mm ..then you use the hardi scrim tape for the joints.

 

[Drastik Lee]

As Dave says make sure your subfloor is sound and then make sure your substrate is fully fixed with adhesive first and screws every 6 inches apart or so and make sure to reinforce all joints with 2" wide, alkali resistant glass fiber cement backerboard tape covered with a smooth layer of adhesive and you ull be ready to go

 

[Ollylot]

Thanks Dave and Lee - really appreciated. Showing my level of ignorance - (a) can you suggest an adhesive (b) do I apply adhesive direct to the floorboards (c) does it matter if there are some very narrow gaps between some of the boards?

 

[Drastik Lee]

I suggest using a flexible adhesive something along the lines of Bal flexible (Mind if you get the rapidset though its sets pretty fast) or i know the lads on here like mapei but its personal preference really it would also be a good idea to leave a 1/8 inch gap between each board then putting your tape over the joints before skimming the top with some adhesive (making sure its flat) and yes adhesive the floor boards directly assuming theres no major gaps between them and the boards are free of dirt and then screw down your backer board every 6 inches or so ....should be good to go !

 

[Ollylot]

Cheers Lee - why the gap between each board?

 

[Ian]

Cheers Lee - why the gap between each board?

Expansion.

 

[Drastik Lee]

Expansion.

Exactly that for more info try James Hardie: HardieBacker 1/4'' backerboard | Residential Siding from James Hardie

 

[DHTiling]

Can't add anymore than lee... top advice... there are other brands of Alkali resistant tape.. wickes sell one..

 

[Ollylot]

Gents - I am very grateful for your tips...

 

[DHTiling]

No probs... maybe you can post us some pics when done... we get excited when new pics are shared.. :lol:

 

[Drastik Lee]

No problems lets us know how you get on ...also pics are always good

 

[Ollylot]

One final question - there's varnish on the floorboards. Am I going to have to rough that up, or will the adhesive cope, do you reckon?

 

[DHTiling]

The adhesive is to take up voids, the screws hold the boards in place... so no need to sand.

 

[Drastik Lee]

in my opinion id rough it up somewhat if its to smooth the adhesive wont have a stable base to stick just make sure its cleverly done as not to leave debris behind

 

[Drastik Lee]

well there ya go even i just learnt something then YAY!

 

[Ollylot]

Again - thank you. Now I know I said the last one was my final question, but I have got one more. Probably the most stupid one of all. Screwing down the board - before or after the adhesive has set!?
I will post some pics.

 

[DHTiling]

Spread the adhesive onto the boards getting an even bed and lay the boards into that and screw down straight away... 🙂

 

[Drastik Lee]

Spread the adhesive onto the boards getting an even bed and lay the boards into that and screw down straight away... 🙂

DONE! lol