Schluter�-DITRA Installation over Wood

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-DITRA is specifically designed to allow the

installation

of ceramic and stone tile over any even and load bearing substrate. The first step in a successful project is planning. The

Schluter

-DITRA

Installation

Handbook includes comprehensive

installation

guidelines and warranty criteria. The planning process starts by searching for the detail applicable to your project based on the substrate, tile type, and other factors. All requirements in the Handbook

are important. Please pay close attention to the setting materials and movement joints requirements when planning any DITRA project After finding the applicable DITRA

installation

handbook detail and confirming that all requirements can be met, we can create a list of materials and quantities. When installing DITRA, the following tools are commonly used: - A Tape measure, - A Marker, - A Utility knife or scissors, - Buckets, - One-half inch electric drill and

mixing paddle suitable for thin-set mortar, - A Margin trowel, - A DITRA-TROWEL or one-quarter-inch by three-sixteenths V-notched trowel, - A

Wood

or magnesium float - A Chalk line reel, - Hairspray, - A Notched trowel for tile setting - And a Grout float Project planning is now complete. Now we re ready to prepare for the

installation

. It is important to have a perimeter movement joint throughout the tile assembly. One option, as shown here, is to fasten a

strip of Sill Seal, a compressible polyethylene gasket, to the surrounding walls to ensure a consistent joint along the perimeter. The substrate must be clean, even, and load bearing. Any leveling of the subfloor must be done prior to installing DITRA. Sweep the floor to remove any debris. For

wood

substrates, verify that subfloor panels are properly fastened to framing members. Measure and cut the matting using a utility knife or scissors. Clean any dust from

the substrate with a damp sponge. Now we re ready to begin the

installation

. DITRA is installed simply and easily with thin-set mortar. In this case a modified thin-set mortar is used, because the matting is being installed over

wood

. Always verify the proper type of mortar required to install DITRA based on the substrate. The mortar is mixed to a fairly fluid consistency, but still able to hold a notch. A one-quarter inch by three-sixteenths inch V-notched trowel or

the

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-DITRA-TROWEL, which features a four-point-five millimeter by four-point-five millimeter square-notched design, is used to apply the mortar. Apply a thin layer of the mortar with the flat side of the trowel to produce solid contact with the substrate and then comb additional mortar using the notched side of the trowel. Apply the DITRA, fleece side down and solidly embed in the mortar using a float or the DITRA-ROLLER. When using the DITRA-ROLLER, place

a weight on the shelf and slowly move the roller from one end of the matting to the other, slightly overlapping successive passes. Bags of thin-set mortar or grout or boxes of tile can be used as weight, provided the total weight is kept under seventy-five pounds. Make sure to observe the open time of the thin-set mortar. If the mortar skins over, remove and reapply fresh mortar before installing the membrane. The risk of skinning is increased when installing a

longer run of DITRA. Applying the mortar and embedding the membrane in shorter sections will help avoid this problem. Lift up a corner of the membrane to check coverage. Proper

installation

results in full contact between the fleece webbing and the thin-set mortar. Re-embed the membrane. Coverage may vary with mortar consistency, angle at which the trowel is held, membrane application, and other factors. If full coverage is not achieved, remove and reapply, making

sure to observe proper

installation

techniques. For DITRA-XL, it may be beneficial to use a trowel with larger notches, such as a one-quarter inch by one-quarter inch square-notched trowel. This process is repeated over the entire floor. Since we ll be installing a movement joint profile at the floor-to-wall transition, we need to cut the sill seal above the DITRA. Otherwise we would leave the gasket in place until after the tile was set and grouted. The

installation

of the DITRA membrane is now complete. Floors can be made fully waterproof with DITRA if desired by sealing seams and floor-to-wall transitions with

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-KERDI waterproofing accessories. The KERDI accessories can be installed using any of our thin-set mortars or an unmodified thin-set mortar. The mortar is mixed to a fairly fluid consistency, but still able to hold a notch. A one-quarter inch by three-sixteenth inch V-notched trowel or the

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-KERDI-TROWEL, which features a one-eighth inch by one-eighth inch square-notched design, is used to apply the mortar. Apply thin-set mortar to the area where the

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-KERDI-KERECK corners are to be installed. Fill the cavities in the DITRA matting and comb additional mortar using the notched side of the trowel. Embed the KERDI-KERECK into the thin-set mortar using the flat side of the trowel or a dry wall finishing knife. Corner

installation

may be

simplified by holding one side of the corner in place while embedding the other side of the corner in the mortar.

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-KERDI-BAND waterproofing strips are used to seal seams and floor-to-wall connections. The band may be creased prior to

installation

to help maintain tight corners and simplify subsequent tile setting. Apply thin-set mortar to the area where the KERDI-BAND is to be installed. Embed the KERDI-BAND in the thin-set mortar using the flat side of the

trowel to ensure full coverage and remove air pockets. Note that a 2 inch overlap can be achieved at KERDI-KERECK corners without continuing the KERDI-BAND all the way to the corner. This will limit build-up of the membrane in these areas. This process is repeated at remaining floor-to-wall transitions and DITRA seams. Always ensure that a minimum two inch overlap is achieved at all locations. The waterproofing application is now complete. Tile may be installed

immediately over DITRA using thin-set mortar . We have already figured out our tile layout and have applied chalk lines to guide our

installation

. Hairspray helps ensure the chalk doesn t easily wipe off the membrane. The hair spray will not act as a bond breaker because the thin-set mortar is mechanically locked into the top of the membrane. Fill the cut back cavities with thin-set mortar . Then comb additional mortar over the matting using a notched trowel that

is appropriate for the size of the tile. Back-buttering large-format tiles is a useful way to help ensure proper coverage. The skim coat can fill in the concave area on the back of the tile and improve contact with the mortar combed on the substrate. Solidly embed the tiles in the setting material, making sure to observe the open time of the mortar. Slide the tile back and forth to collapse the mortar ridges and transfer the mortar to the back of the tile.

Periodically remove a tile to check coverage. Run a margin trowel through the bond coat and slide the tile before pulling up to avoid creating tension on the surface of the DITRA; this is especially important soon after the matting

installation

. Proper

installation

results in full coverage of the mortar to the back of the tile. Industry standard guidelines for ceramic tile require a minimum of eighty percent coverage in dry areas and ninety-five percent coverage in

wet areas. Tile edges and corners must be fully supported. If sufficient coverage is not achieved, remove the tile and reapply, making sure to verify proper mortar consistency, application, and tile embedding techniques. Consider back buttering large format tiles. Continue setting the remaining tile. Profiles are a useful tool to enhance any floor tile

installation

. DITRA does not eliminate the need for movement joints within the tile covering. This includes

perimeter joints at restraining surfaces such as walls. As an alternative to sealant,

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-DILEX movement joint profiles accommodate movement and protect tile edges, resulting in a permanent, maintenance-free

installation

. DILEX-EKE creates a discreet, uniform joint at floor-to-wall transitions. DILEX-BWS matches common grout joint widths and is available in a variety of colors, allowing it to blend into the tile field. Because ceramic and stone tiles are

inherently brittle, their exposed edges can chip and crack if left unprotected. Transitions between floor surfaces and at thresholds are particularly vulnerable to damage.

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-Systems offers a variety of floor profiles to provide edge protection and transitions at thresholds and between adjacent surfaces. For example,

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-RENO-TK is designed to provide a smooth transition from tile coverings to floor coverings at lower elevations, typically carpet.

Wall profiles like

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-RONDEC or QUADEC make it possible to create a tile base using field tiles without ceramic trim. This simple approach increases the utility of the room and produces a clean, finished appearance. Ceramic and stone tiles are the ideal surface coverings because they are beautiful, durable, hygienic, and easy to maintain. However, the long-term performance of the covering depends on the

installation

method. The integration of

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-DITRA

s uncoupling, waterproofing vapor management, and support functions ensures consistent success over common tile substrates. With over twenty-five years as the industry leader in uncoupling technology,