I want to cover my basement floor with tile. The basement is basically dry and I built a small play room for kids. Can this be layed right over crete or do I need to insulate. Tile can be very cold in the winter but I do not even want to entertain radiant.
Any suggestions?
Replies
I would suggest electric radiant under your tile, but if you don't want it I won't say anything... (but look here http://www.nuheat.com/ )
Tile will feel somewhat cold even if it is insulated underneath. The only two tile insulating backerboard products I would recommend are Wedi Board and Easyboard. The second one is from Custom Building Products: http://www.custombuildingproducts.com/ProductCatalog/SurfacePrep/Backerboards/OneHalfInch_EasyBoardUltraLight.aspx?user=diy&lang=en
I am not certain that Easyboard is spec'ed for floors but Wedi Board definitely is. But it is harder to find.
You may want to try insulating the floor using EPS sheets and TWO layers of 3/4 inch plywood, and a decoupling membrane such as Ditra under the tile. But then you are spending more $$$ and you may still have a cold floor.
Billy