Should you install tile on your second floor?
Right off the back, we’re going to say that yes, you can install tile on the second floor of your home. Most homes are constructed with structural requirements and codes according to local governments. As such, additional tile weight should be fine as an addition, as those considerations were built into the construction process.
That being said – homes move and shift with the wind more than most people realize, especially wood-frame homes. And the higher the floor, the more movement a room will have. Flooring that is not flexible is much more likely to crack when it is on the second story of a home in Austin.
Tile is heavy as well.. For example, a 12×12 porcelain tile typically weighs over 1.8 pounds. A box of 15 tiles can hold 15 to 30 pounds. When applying tile to your second floor, you’ll want to go about it in a way that’s most effective.
How to prepare your second floor for new floors
Tiles can be heavy and warp floors unless proper care is taken to protect them. Here’s a quick primer on how you can prepare your second floor room for tile.
Prepare the subfloor
A subfloor is the bottom-most structure of your floor. You’ll need a level surface to install the tile, so here’s what you can do.
- Run a 4-foot to 6-foot straight edge in all directions around the room. Mark any uneven spots you find.
- Use caulk to fill in seams.
- Tape off affected vents with painter’s tape.
- Sand down any uneven or high spots.
- Pour liquid underlayment into any dips in the floor.
- Make sure the subfloor doesn’t deteriorate when wet.
- Install a cement-based backer board following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Check thickness
You can use a paperclip to check the thickness of your subfloor to make sure it’s ready for tile.
- Locate a pipe that goes through the floor. If there isn’t a pipe, use a power drill to drill through the floor.
- Straighten a paperclip to have a hook at the end and feed it through the pipe, or the hole you drilled in the floor and hook it on the underside. Mark the paperclip with permanent marker at the top of the floor.
- Measure the paperclip from the top of the hook to the mark you made. If it’s at least 1 – ¼ inches thick, your subfloor is ready for tile.
Flohr—your partner for all your flooring needs
The process to prepare any room for new flooring can be a lot, even for experienced individuals. At Flohr, we’ve got more than 20 years of flooring and flooring supply experience that provides the best in customer service and care. If you’re looking to tile your floor, or start any flooring project, give us a call. We’d love to discuss how we can partner up and make the installation a success.
