should I use cement board or a leveling compound for my tile flooring?
On a wood floor use the backer board, on concrete use a leveling compound unless a 1/2 notched trowel can fill the gap with your thinset.
Cement board is the best. It will help the floor stay true and will help the grout from cracking. Tiles will not come lose from the hardi-backer or wonder board as easy as leveling compound. And it helps to keep moisture down also.
You can use either. As long as the self leveling compound is poured a minimum of a 1/2 This way or 1/2 cement board, properly installed, will meet both ATC and TCA tile hand book guidelines.This being a minimum of 1 1/4 minimum total substrate for tile base. By the time you use a primer on the floor for the compound , it isn t very cost effective, but you will have one nice hard level floor. Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL
