I took off all the old flooring in the bathroom and whats left is wood (plywood), can I tile directly onto the plywood or do I need to set something down first?
i could advise paying a contractor simply by fact there are a number of stuff that would bypass incorrect. ...sub floor has bounce, so tiles do no longer stay down, grout cracks, putting a rest room over tiles (you may desire to enhance the bathroom, and reset it after the tiles are laid. you will additionally might desire to diminish the tiles around the ABS and which would be somewhat complicated too.) then the bathroom can nonetheless leak inflicting injury. yet once you're a superb DIYer, then bypass to domicile Depot or Rona and take a seminar.
Sure you can. Go to any reputable tile company. They should be able to supply and tell you to... 1st apply a flexible rapid set adhesive... 2nd then place on top a fiberglass mesh (this giving strength). pushing this onto the adhesive using the flat edge of the tool used to put the adhesive down.( doing a small area at a time and working your way to the door ) Once the adhesive is set, you again put another layer of adehsive down and your tiles. When set you can grout :-) This system will give you flex and strength so that you tiles will not move and crack, and raise the floor not much thicker the your chosen tiles. HAPPY TILING :-))
That is a two part question. Can you? yes Do you want to? No The reason for this is is yes the tile adhesive will bond to plywood and the grout will set however walking on and prolonged moisture will cause the boards to expand and contract and will result in cracking. Cement Board is the preferred underlayment to tile floor it will not flex or expand as much when applied. Thickness of cement board is really up to you. Home Improvement stores carry atleast two sizes 1/2 and I believe 3/4 (dont quote me on size). Placing cement board is real easy. If you have square footage of the room. And cut witha saw to exact size. Use Tap screws and and cement board filler. One reminder is your floor height will be affected for flooring coming into the room.
I agree with answer 1 in that a concrete backer board would be OK. Brand/Trade name is your choice. To more directly answer your Q however...YES After installing multiple thousands of sq. ft. of tile, some in my own home, Plywood; if stable; will hold mortar. The issue is in the fact that backer board is more textured, with minor holes/pits/ voids; allowing the mortar more GRIP area. The cutting and installation of backer board are not extremely labor intensive, and even 1/4 inch; well secured will benefit you. In my jobs experience I most often remove any cove base to replace after the fact. The backer board/mortar and tile, will lessen the floor to ceiling height by approx. 3/4 inch. Steven Wolf Above I mentioned Stable certainly the sub/substrate (PLY) should be stable before installing backer board.
