Tiling closet floor with 1/2 hardi backer?? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Divine Tile · 03-22-2009, 03:06 PM

Thanks guys.

Mike Finley · 03-22-2009, 03:21 PM

The size should be based on the finished height of the tile floor you want.

jarvis design · 03-22-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Divine Tile

Hey guys, I'M doing a little closet floor for a home owner and she keeps on persisting that she wants 1/2 inch hardi insted of 1/4 inch. I'm installing porcelain on top of it. I have never installed 1/2 inch on floors. what should i do? I tried to explain to her that her other floors are 1/4 inch but she doesent listen. Is this possible or will I have problems installing it? thanks guys.

What differance does 1/4 or 1/2 make, other than the height difference??

Use screws that are a 1/4" longer

A.W.Davis · 03-22-2009, 05:32 PM

You aren't providing much info, but typically you need to match the existing floor height which in your case is with 1/4" hardibacker/durock.

You can use 1/2" hardiboard, but obviously you will have a 1/4" height issue.

rsss396375 · 03-22-2009, 05:45 PM

I don't apologize for being condescending, but WTF are you doing installing tile when you don't know the difference between 1/4" and 1/2" HB.
I researched your name and you have a flooring store and you sell tile. You have never installed 1/2" on floors?...not even to make up the difference in an existing floor?

I suggest you call a licensed tile setter and have him contact the owner and then do the job on your behalf.
I know that's harsh, but you've got to save the integrity of this trade!!!!!
Damn that's sad!!!

Divine Tile · 03-22-2009, 06:57 PM

Thanks

rbsremodeling · 03-22-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Divine Tile

So I have a store and i sell tile???wtf I am a tile contractor. I don't have a store. If your going to correct me, make sure your correct.
I never install 1/2 hardi backer anywhere. I flout all my walls and floors. The real way, not a half ass tile setter. I don't install it on any of my jobs, not on walls or floors. But I forgot everybody now a days is a tile setter. On the rare occasion that i do install it, its 1/4 inch on floors. Don't talk about messing the trade up, most of you guys don't know how to flout. I done it for 20 years, I have never installed 1/2 inch on floors. Flout the damn floor in my opinion, but home owners don't want to pay for it. I'm guessing most people here didn't do so good on research papers when they were in school. now thats sad!

How do you Flout? I have never heard that term before

SK Builders · 03-22-2009, 07:22 PM

I believe it's canadian eh'...

Divine Tile · 03-22-2009, 08:07 PM

Flout as in mud work. Half inch of fat mud on walls and half inch of deck mud on counters and floors. Ive always known it as flouting. That's what the union called it. And by the way I am a licensed tile setter by the state. Not just with a contractors license but by the union and California as a certified tile finisher (obvious) and a certified tile setter. I whent to school for 4 years when i was an apprentice many years ago.

SLSTech · 03-22-2009, 09:11 PM

Its FLOAT - got to stop writing with an accent

Flout is to show disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff, mock, or gibe (something unions are good at)

Mike Finley · 03-22-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Divine Tile

Flout as in mud work. Half inch of fat mud on walls and half inch of deck mud on counters and floors. Ive always known it as flouting. That's what the union called it. And by the way I am a licensed tile setter by the state. Not just with a contractors license but by the union and California as a certified tile finisher (obvious) and a certified tile setter. I whent to school for 4 years when i was an apprentice many years ago.

Float.

And what the hell dude? You're a top dog tile setter and you have no clue about underlayments?

Do you have the ability to contact a manufacturer of a product and get their installation instructions and information? Do you have the ability to contact a manufacturer and talk to a rep? Do you have the ability to find the TCA and learn about underlayments?

Again to answer your question for the 2nd time:

Quote:

The size should be based on the finished height of the tile floor you want.

JazMan · 03-22-2009, 09:46 PM

WHAT? Half-inch of deck mud on floors? What hack would do that?

Jaz

Divine Tile · 03-23-2009, 01:51 AM

Thank you

jarvis design · 03-23-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SK Builders

I believe it's canadian eh'...

Hey, leave us Canadians out of it!!

jarvis design · 03-23-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Divine Tile

Man, i love this forum. Its not that I have no clue its just that I HAVE NEVER USED 1/2 INCH HARDI BACKER ON FLOORS. i know what it is, Knowledge about underlayments is irrelevant. I know what they are and used them. But all things aside, I now know that it is ok to be used on floors. Its not that i don't have the ability to call or ask reps, i just wanted some past experience with using it. That's what this forum is used for right? I now know that the tile trade on the west coast is so much different than other parts of the country. But once again thanks guys

Knowledge about underlayments is irrelevant??

Man, you guys in CA need to lay off the weed!!

rsss396375 · 03-23-2009, 10:24 PM

I stand corrected.....you DO NOT have a tile store, so I apologize for that. As fas as "floating" a floor, why are you asking if 1/2" hb is acceptable. Go ahead and float that floor with felt, wire and mud. The depth or thickness of the floor has nothing to do with anything, if you trying to achieve a certain height.
I have not done tile as long as you, but "floating" is outdated and only used in certain applications.
In the end, my opinion, go ahead and install 1/2"!!!!

Bill_Vincent · 03-24-2009, 12:34 AM

Divine Tile-- If it were me, I'd bring a scrap piece of 1/2 inch over and show her the height difference she's going to have with it. If she objects and starts talking about her other floors, bet her. Literally bet her that it's 1/4" under the other floors. Tell her to let you pull up one piece of tile, and if it's 1/2 inch, you'll do the closet for free (even if you lose, you're not losing much). If you're right, though, she doubles the price on the contract. If that's not enough, just in case, bring a piece of 1/4" as well, so you can also show her that. If, after all that, she still wants the 1/2", by all means, give it to her, and then just use a piece of Schluter metal to transition to the floor outside the closet.

send_it_all · 03-24-2009, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarvis design

Knowledge about underlayments is irrelevant??

Man, you guys in CA need to lay off the weed!!

What good would that do for anyone?
Just because one guy 500 miles away from me has a question about underlayment, doesn't mean that I need to be deprived of my glaucoma medication. (I don't actually have glaucoma yet. I like to call it a preemptive strike)

jarvis design · 03-24-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by send_it_all

What good would that do for anyone?
Just because one guy 500 miles away from me has a question about underlayment, doesn't mean that I need to be deprived of my glaucoma medication. (I don't actually have glaucoma yet. I like to call it a preemptive strike)

I would in no way want to limit the amount of medication you are taking, as I have heard great things about it!!

I guess I was trying to figure out how anyone who calls themselves a union licensed tile setter can ask such a simple question!

Cheers!!

olzo55 · 03-24-2009, 09:58 AM

What Bill said but also shim it up the combined thickness of the thinset from under the hardi and under the tile. Should put you right there.

Wherever you pick up the hardi should have the installation instructions or visit thw hardi website.

oLzo