Ceramic Tile in MH

[Alex Farkas]

When I purchased my Chariot Eagle home I asked if ceramic tile can be put inside. The manufacturer said "absolutley Yes".

Due to all the dust where we live I want to replace the carpet in the living and dining room with ceramic tile. These rooms are quite large.

I've been told by some as long as you prep it properly, laying cement board down and screwing it down well, it will be fine.

But, the service man that has been out to our home to correct some initial repairs stated that out of 50 homes that he's been in that have ceramic floors, at least 40 of them have cracks. He doesn't believe that MHs are stable enough to support ceramic floors, because they move a bit.

How do you feel about this? or has anyone else had any experience?

[mp]

People tell us the same, but we put ceramic in the living and dining room in our doublewide.

3/4" plywood floors initially, laid another 1/2 down (long ways over mairrage line - no screws right at marriage line) Tile as been there for 5 years now. No problems as of yet.

Even had home leveled this year. Crew said we should have no problems the way it was laid.

[Mark]

Tile floors usually crack because the floor they are laid on dips/sags. There is a formula used by tile (and wood) floor setters. The basic formula is based on the size, spacing and span of the floor joists. A small floor joist, spaced far apart, with a long span will have a deflection rate that is considered unsuitable for anything but carpet.

Let me know that info, and I can tell you what the industry says about whether your floor can take tile.

[Bill Fry]

If your home is on solid footers and concrete backer board is used under the tile you should be OK.Nail or screw the backerboard to the plywood and use a coat of thin set between the floor and backerboard for added strength.The reason tile cracks is because its laid poorly.Notch and drop methods usually lead to cracks.Dips and sags can be taken out by floating in the tile which uses more thin set.Any movement in the floor will be absorbed by the backerboard and then the setting material before it cracks the tile using this method.You also get one flat floor.Maybe 20%of tile setters use this method as it takes a lot more time.Find one who does and your floor will last a lifetime.

[Tracey McCullough]

Can the mobile home then be moved after it has been tiled. I want to tile the entire house and have been told by many that when we go to move the home in a few years the floor is going to twist and buckle even with hardy board down and the tile will crack and break all over the house. Any feedback would be appreciated because we are sitting on a ton of tile waiting to see if we need to return it. I would like to get started one way or the other as soon as possible. Thanks.
Tracey
ps I'm not sure I read one of the posts correct. Did it say to use the float and put a smooth thin layer of setting rather than the notched trowel? Please excuse my ignorance but what am i supposed to use between the plywood and backerboard?The same setting agent as i use for the tiles on the next level up?

[Tracey McCullough]

Never mind we've decided to go with snap laminate. I think. Seems prep and installation are much easier (and cheaper!) and we're planning on getting rid of this house in a couple years anyway. To be honest though, I still would like to know if it's possible to move a m.h. without breaking floor tile if you use hardy board throughout. Just curious. My father is an independant contractor of almost 50 years and he says he thinks it is possible. Maybe you never really know about any house for sure until you try.
Thanks!

[rmurray]

There are many new homes with ceramic tile as standard equipment..They are factory installed and move down the road to the dealer...then to the homeowners site...No trouble..

Most homes with tile standard are some of the highest quyality homes..and frames may well be stronger...by the way..they do not use a backer board..The tile is glued with specialty glue directly to the plywood or osb floor..I will say all homes with tile standard use 3/4 decking with floor joists on 16 inch centers..