I'm preparing to replace the tiles in my foyer. It's a townhouse, about 20 years old with no basement. I don't know much in the way of construction, but since it's on ground level I think there might just be a cement slab underneath the existing tile. Can I install the tiles directly over the cement slab after removing the old tile or do I need a backer board? And if I do, how do I account for the height difference? Thanks in advance!
If it's concrete, you don't use backer board. That is only used over a plywood subfloor. As for height difference, you can get reducer strips of different materials to transition from one surface to another. Hope this helps.
if its backer board, u can cut it with a razor knife, if its Dur-rock( cement board) wet the area of the board first after marking the line with a pencil, and then cut , will cut down on the dust. hint: get a box or floor fan and point it so as to blow the dust away from u! lic. gen. contractor
level concrete is the ideal surface for ceramic tile. You don,t need B,board You can buy transition trim made of a composition material or ceramic
Yes you can install Directly on the concrete Floor you don't need any Cement Backer Board
Cement board is only 1/2 thick, concrete would be at least 2 ( probably 6 thick) you will know the difference by taping it with a hammer. You can remove the existing tiles and install new tiles onto the existing concrete. If any concrete is broken or damage, you will have to patch the broken concrete, let dry, and install tiles 24 hours later. Wait 24 hours before you grout.
