I'm installing natural limestone 12x12 inch tiles. 16" OC joist spacing. Having a 3/4" subfloor + 1/2" underlayment + DitraXL raises the floor way too high to the transition. Having to choose between the lesser of two evils (even if it voids the warranty of Ditra), should I go with a 1/4" underlayment with DitraXL, or stick with a 1/2" underlayment but go with Ditra regular. What would provide better insurance against broken tiles--So DitraXL with thin underlayment, or adequate underlayment with just Ditra regular?
Hi there! We'd love to have a conversation with you so we can ask you a few questions about your project, and be sure to guide you in the right direction. Can you give our team a call and one of our Product Support team members will be happy to walk you through the process. Thanks! 888-472-4588 (US) 800-667-8746 (Canada)
Hi there! Our customer service team would be better suited to answer this question. You can reach them at 888-472-4588 (USA) or 800-667-8746 (Canada). Hope this helps!
Hi Bill, Good question! The increased thickness of DITRA-XL provides increased movement accommodation, therefore limiting stress transfer from the substrate to the tiled surface, allowing for a higher rating when installed on a single wood layer over 24" o.c. joists. Thanks for reaching out!
The previous comment was referring to Exterior (balcony) installations. I also noticed that on interior floor installations over wood, the fleece side is set face-down, and on exterior applications (over Kerdi), the fleece is set face-up. Can you please explain the reasoning behind this difference? Thank you.
Hmm.. you might be referring to the DITRA-DRAIN which is a drainage membrane made for exterior applications (different than DITRA)... We'd be happy to go over this further. Mind giving our Product Support Team a call? US 800-472-4588 CA 800-667-8746 Thanks!
I have a question about your statement about installing a second layer of OSB/plywood when using natural stone. Your discussion mentioned if you have 16oc with a min thickness of 5/8 OSB, it should be doubled for natural stone (if I understood correctly). If you are using 1 1/8 inch Advantech flooring, which is nearly twice the thickness and has a higher load span than commodity OSB (for a matching thickness), is the second layer still necessary?
Hi Chad C, Thanks for your thought! Although a single layer of 1-1/8" thick flooring may offer the necessary stiffness, we recommend double-layer wood floors when installing natural stone in order to increase the stiffness of the sheathing assembly and position underlayment seams away from the joists to minimize flexural stresses in the stone covering directly above the joists and at seams. Please refer to the Natural Stone section (currently page 24) of the DITRA Installation Handbook for more details. sccpublic.s3-external-1.amazonaws.com/sys-master/images/h66/h6e/8917114126366/DITRA%20Installation%20Handbook.pdf
Hi there! This depends on a few factors. Our Product Support Team will be be able to best answer your question. You can contact them at 1-800-472-4588 (USA) or 1-800-667-8746 (CAN). Thanks and have a great day!
Hi there, there is a 2" x 2" minimum tile size over DITRA, so neither would be suitable it seems in your case. If you'd like to discuss your project in detail, we can connect you with your local Schluter rep, or you can give our Product Support team a call to discuss the details. 888-472-4588. Thanks
Good question, Jonathan! Ditra was designed for wall applications and our handbook doesn't cover Ditra on walls. You can always give us a call to discuss more: 800-472-4588. :)
Hi Bill, 19.2" on center refers to that particular joist spacing. The Ditra-XL has a higher height to accommodate a transitioning floor that may have a higher height, such as hard wood. The Ditra-XL would allow for an even transition in that case. Hope that helps!
It doesn't have to be and shouldn't be. It should be installed over wood, cement, or even cement backerboard using thinset. You can use kerdi band at the seams to make the room properly waterproofed.
