• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
  • AWARDS
  • EDUCATION
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Breaking Flooring News
  • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
  • Carpet & Area Rugs
  • Hardwood
  • Installation Products
  • Installation Tools & Equipment
  • Laminate
  • Resilient
  • Specialty
  • Tile & Stone
  • MARKETS
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • AWARDS
  • Installation Awards
  • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
  • Continuing Education
  • Webinars
  • MEDIA
  • FLOOR Podcast
  • Videos
  • TISE 2025 Videos
  • Product Spotlights
  • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP

The Foundation Behind a Long-Lasting Tile Surface

June 29, 2000
In their excitement over the wide array of home furnishing colors, styles and designs available, homeowners tend to overlook some of the fundamental aspects of building or remodeling. One aspect that every ceramic tile customer should be aware of is underlayment.

Hardibacker 500 Ceramic Tile Backerboard is an example of a fiber-cement underlayment designed for tile installations. Photo courtesy James Hardie Building Products.


Bonsal's Util-A-Crete underlayment features a fiber-cement core with a fiberglass mesh covering its surfaces.
Whether they are building a new home or simply remodeling their existing dwelling, today¿s homeowners are enthusiastically taking control of their living space. Naturally, they are most excited about choosing the design elements ¿ such as decorative tile, wall treatments and interior furnishings ¿ that will help create a harmonious, comfortable and attractive home.

But in their excitement over the wide array of colors, styles and designs available, homeowners tend to overlook some of the fundamental aspects of building or remodeling. One that every ceramic tile customer should be aware of is underlayment.

What is ceramic tile underlayment? In the simplest terms, it is a product manufactured for use as a substrate for ceramic tile. Available in a wide variety of compositions, it is most frequently used in floor, wall and countertop applications.

In high-traffic, moisture-prone areas of the home ¿ such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms ¿ use of a reliable underlayment is crucial because it provides a solid foundation for the tile, and prevents the underlying deterioration often caused by water and steam.

Typically, this deterioration occurs when water and steam penetrate a ceramic tile application through grout joints, which are porous. As a result of this frequent exposure to moisture, many underlayments rot, warp and swell over time This causes failure of the adhesive bond, and the tiles become raised and loose as a result.

Therefore, even as homeowners explore the myriad of ceramic tile options, it¿s important that they carefully consider to the underlayment product they, or their contractor, will use.

Due to the deleterious effects of prolonged expose to moisture, direct application of tile to plywood may open the door to significant problems over time, because wood-based substrates are extremely vulnerable to warping, rotting and other damage.

One commonly used alternative product consists of a cement core faced with fiberglass mesh on both sides. Another alternative is based on fiber-cement technology, a durable, lightweight option. Gypsum panels are sometimes used as an underlayment material as well.

Many factors must be considered when selecting an acceptable underlayment, one of the most important being the environment surrounding the installation. Careful consideration of factors such as moisture, heat and humidity helps ensure a superior bonding system for the tile.

Just as in any step of building or remodeling, selecting tile treatments can be an emotional, costly and time-consuming process. The worst thing homeowners can do is disregard the critical role that the underlying foundation plays in the longevity and durability of their new tile investments. Making an informed decision can be the difference between a ceramic tile surface that looks great just over the short term vs. one that will perform beautifully for years to come.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • resilient flooring

    The 7 Types of Resilient Flooring

    The resilient flooring category is comprised of many...
    Resilient Flooring
    By: Resilient Floorcovering Institute
  • QuickDrain USA’s ShowerLine linear drain

    Tips for Curbless Shower Installation Using a Linear Drain

    Consider these four tips when planning for a curbless...
    Flooring Installation
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Flooring Installation
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

More Videos

Popular Stories

Ken Ballin manning the Tools 4 Flooring booth in Tool Alley at TISE 2025

10 Tool Innovations Every Flooring Contractor Should Have on Their Wish List

RevWood American Originals.jpg

How Mohawk's Domestic Manufacturing Powers Growth in Challenging Times

Paul Hambidge

The Waterproof Laminate Myth: Why Consumer Expectations May Never Be Met

Installation Awards - Vote Now!

Events

June 9, 2025

NeoCon 2025

A trade show for the commercial interior design industry.

December 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Flooring Groups

Flooring retailers, do you belong to a buying, marketing or franchise group?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

FLOORtalk podcasts - Listen Now

Related Articles

  • Resilient on a roll: Commercial, residential styles that look great and last a long, long time

    See More
  • ‘A major market with long-term potential': Alloc boosts its commercial business

    See More
  • A Ceramic Tile Primer: Dispelling the Fallacies

    See More
×

We’re rolling out the red carpet of flooring knowledge!

Stay in the know on the latest flooring retail trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP