I’m building an addition with an attached porch for a client of mine. THe plans call for the porch to have 2×10 joists @ 12″, 3/4″ Advantech subfloor, a 2″ mud slab, and then tile. I asked the designer what the “mud slab” was to be but didn’t get a great answer. He said not concrete because such a thin slab could flake and become brittle. He said it’s basically up to the tile guy. Does anyone have any suggestions? The porch will be enclosed with a EZE-Breeze screen system so it should be protected from the weather, but it’s a non heated/insulated space. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
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Replies
Sun,
Inch and a half slabs are done all the time, w concrete, to accomadate pex on heated installations.
I'm guessing 2" of concrete would be fine on this unheated porch.
I don't understand the purpose of this slab in your situation (thermal heat storage??)
It does make a nice tile base.
Better get the designer and the tile guy on the same page before you frame this floor.
Harry
I think the purpose of the slab is to make for a good weatherproof tile base. Although the porch will get the 3 season room panels, it still might get wet at times if someone leaves them open and it rains. We are not incorporating any type of drainage or pitch to this room. Yeah next week I will speak with the tile guy and designer again, I was just seeing if anyone has an ideas or experience with this here. Thanks.
I'm guessing the tile folks may have an effective and less expensive approach.Best of luck with your project.I love screen porches.Harry
I haven't used it yet but, that sounds like a great application for
Ditra.
Here is their website:
http://www.schluter.com/6_1_ditra.aspx
I've never seen a mud slab that wasn't concrete,but what do i know? designers and archys know it all!
A mud slab could also be a gyp-crete floor. Bottom line though, the "Designer" isn't doing their job. Beat on them until you get an answer