Tile over Ditra supporting a very heavy tub

[steve1001]

Hardie will carry, and spread a hell of a lot more weight per m² than any other market competitor, and over a timber based floor is the best way to offer any kind of guarantee!
If you want simple decoupling over a new screed then obviously a mat will be the answer!
I've laid thousands of floors, always following advice and "trends"on which backer is best, and on any timber substrate the hardie is the only one to have never failed! So if you would like to come back to me, once you have done a little bit of research and a few hundred thousand metres of tiling, feel free 👍🏻

This place is an absolute wash with whoppers!

Sorry. I stand corrected.

 

[michaelthomsan]

I'm tiling our bathroom, some basics - floor: 3/4" OSB T&G, 12" I-joists, 16" on center, new construction. I'm using the Schluter/Ditra-Heat uncoupling membrane but no heat cable under the tub that will be going in. The tub: Kohler slipper tub with four 1" dia. stainless legs and a composite skirt around the base, hiding the legs. The tub weighs 500 lbs. empty and holds 70 gallons of water. The floor tile is 18"x24". My question: with the tub full plus an occupant (two if I'm lucky), it will weigh in the area of 1350 pounds. Each leg will be supporting around 350 pounds. Will the tile over the DItra support this weight without cracking? Should I cut out a 3" circle through the Ditra where each leg will go and fill in with thinset, then tile over it to support the extra weight? Am I being paranoid? Thanks in advance!

Your setup sounds solid, and using the Schluter/Ditra system provides excellent support for your tile. Cutting out a circle for each leg and filling it with thinset is a smart precaution to ensure even weight distribution.

 

[michaelthomsan]

Your setup sounds solid, and using the Schluter/Ditra system provides excellent support for your tile. Cutting out a circle for each leg and filling it with thinset is a smart precaution to ensure even weight distribution.