Enduring tile assemblies get support from ancient methods and contemporary technologies
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T E C H N I CA L F E AT U R E
Enduring tile
assemblies get
support from
ancient methods
and contemporary
technologies
Schluter®-DITRA uncoupling membrane
celebrates 25 years in North America
By Sean Gerolimatos
On the occasion of the 25th crete expand and contract with
anniversary of Schluter®-DITRA changes in relative humidity and
uncoupling membrane in North temperature at a different rate than
America this year, this article pres- the ceramic or stone tile covering,
ents a historical view of uncou- and will bend and deflect when
pling methods over time and evo- loaded. Since ceramic tiles are
lution of DITRA’s acceptance and hard, brittle, and unforgiving mate-
incorporation within our industry. rials, they are susceptible to dam-
Tile installations are composite age from substrate movement and
assemblies made of various com- deformation. The key to a success-
ponents, each of which has its ful tile installation is to combine
own unique physical properties.
▲ The use of uncoupling membranes
For example, common substrates has made thin-set tile installations
such as plywood, OSB, and con- viable in modern construction.
56 TileLetter – Celebrating 65 Years | November 2012
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TECHNICAL FEATURE
TIMELINE OF these components in a manner
UNCOUPLING that accommodates their inherent
MEMBRANES IN differences.
NORTH AMERICA
The Sand-Strata Method
There are centuries-old cathe-
1987 drals in Europe with tile floors
Schluter®-DITRA introduced that are still intact today due to
the layer of tamped sand which
was placed between the structural
1999
substrate and tile assembly. Since
Method F147 added to the sand has very little cohesive
TCNA Handbook for strength, it allows the tile covering
Ceramic, Glass, and Stone to move independently from the
substrate, thus preventing substrate
Tile Installation (double-layer movement from producing damag-
plywood/24” o.c. joists) ing stresses in the tile covering. In
addition, the sand effectively dis-
tributes heavy loads to support the
2000
tile covering. The combination of
Design improvement from “uncoupling” and support ensures
corrugated shape to grid lasting installations.
pattern
2001
Method F148 added to
TCNA Handbook for
Ceramic, Glass, and Stone
Tile Installation (single-layer
plywood/19.2” o.c. joists)
The Mortar-Bed Method
2007 A more recent installation meth-
Method F128 added to TCA od that functioned on the same
principles as the sand-strata meth-
Handbook for Ceramic Tile
od is the wire-reinforced mortar
Installation (young concrete) bed over a slip-sheet or cleavage
membrane. In these applications,
the cleavage membrane allows for
58 TileLetter – Celebrating 65 Years | November 2012
TECHNICAL FEATURE
independent movement between the tile is rigidly connected to
the tile and the substrate, while the the structure, movement in the
mortar bed provides the necessary substrate can produce damaging
support. stresses in the tile covering.
The Uncoupling-Membrane
Method
Despite the inherent drawbacks,
the direct-bond method became
the standard for tile setting in most
of North America and a return to
traditional methods was unlikely.
In 1987 Schluter Systems intro-
duced the Schluter®-DITRA uncou-
The Direct-Bond Method pling membrane in an effort to
Building practices and tile instal- improve the performance of thin-
lation methods have changed set tile assemblies. DITRA was
considerably since the sand-strata configured to provide lateral flex-
method was in common use. The ibility to allow independent move-
most fundamental change in the ment between the tile covering
tile industry was the introduction and the substrate. The shape of
of thin-set mortars in the 1960s. the membrane also ensures proper
Originally designed for use as a support for the tile through the col-
bond coat in conjunction with the umns of mortar formed in the cavi-
mortar-bed method, these products ties on the top of the matting. Thus,
were eventually used to bond tiles Schluter®-DITRA provides for reli-
directly to the substrate. Although able tile applications through the
the direct-bond method was con- ancient wisdom of uncoupling and
venient and allowed thinner and support in a method that matches
lighter tile assemblies, the benefits today’s building practices and tile
of uncoupling were lost. When installation techniques.
60 TileLetter – Celebrating 65 Years | November 2012
TECHNICAL FEATURE
The membrane was first
used as a solution for set-
ting tile on problematic
substrates. But product
recognition grew as tile
setters enjoyed successful
installations in the most
demanding applications.
By the early 1990s,
DITRA had become a
popular underlayment
for use in mainstream tile
applications, particularly
over single-layer ply-
wood floors.
Ed Sanders learned about
the benefits of uncoupling
while working on the televi-
sion show Extreme Makeover:
Home Edition, so he made B = 9mm - 11/32”
sure to install an approved =H
membrane throughout his new
family home in California.
.368
B = 9mm - 11/32” .250 .133
.360 .240
=H .485 .365
CTC Backwards
Carpet Trim CTC 14 CTV
.368
.250 .133
.360 .240
.485 .365
62 TileLetter – Celebrating 65 Years | November 2012TECHNICAL FEATURE This tiled floor on the ground-level public/retail areas of Phoenix Plaza in Oakland, Calif., was installed in 1989. It was set over DITRA uncoupling membrane, installed on post-tensioned concrete over a parking garage. It has endured frequent use – including the 7.1 Loma Prieta earthquake – and is still in excellent condition today. In 1999, an uncoupling-mem- method for tile installation over brane method for tile installation young concrete (Method 128) was over double-layer plywood floors added to the TCNA Handbook. on joists spaced at 24” on center This method was and remains the (Method F147) was added to the only thin-bed installation in the Tile Council of North America’s TCNA Handbook that addresses TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, challenges of setting tile over con- Glass, and Stone Tile Installation. crete cured less than 28 days, In 2001, an uncoupling-membrane which is invaluable in today’s method for tile installation over world of fast-track construction. single-layer plywood floors on The acceptance of uncoupling joists spaced at 19.2” on center membranes as an industry-recog- (Method F148) was added to the nized method for tile assemblies TCNA Handbook. At the time, this was a significant milestone. It was method was the only recognized also proof of Schluter Systems’ means for installing tile over a sin- commitment to supporting the gle-layer wood subfloor on joists industry by providing innovative spaced in excess of 16” on center. solutions to tile installation chal- In 2007, an uncoupling-membrane lenges. 64 TileLetter – Celebrating 65 Years | November 2012
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