Contract Flooring Magazine Publishing Online for the Flooring and Construction Industry

Understanding The Tiling Shift

Historical methods of laying floor tiles of thousands of years ago have influenced modern methods.  However, there are occasions where the installation goes wrong.  Understanding of the causes of floor tiling problems and the implimentation of correct preparation and laying procedures, should result in a satisfactory, problem-free floor.

Today's installation systems allow the incorporation of ceramic and stone tile on virtually any surface. In addition to traditional projects such as bathrooms and kitchens, other tile applications which are becoming increasingly popular include worktops, exterior balconies, and even bedrooms.

However, the development of these contemporary systems highlights a shift in common knowledge about the physical dynamics of the floor assembly regarding the relationship between the covering and the substrate.

Thousands of years ago European builders developed a successful means of installing tiles which virtually eliminated the transfer of stresses within the various layers of the overall assembly, thereby eliminating failures.

These builders understood that a forgiving shear interface between the building structure and the tiled surface was necessary in order to allow the two elements to move independently.

The installation method used by these European builders was a "sandwich" comprising a structural base and a layer of sand.

Then a mortar bed - a mixture of sand, cement or other binder, and water - was laid, with the tile adhered on top. The critical component in this sandwich was the layer of sand, which uncoupled the tile covering from the structure, allowing the two to move independently. The layer of sand supported the tile covering under heavy loads, while, at the same time providing a shear interface that effectively prevented movement from the structural base being transmitted into the tiled surface.