Simply carrying the backer board from your vehicle to a second-floor master bath can take several trips. They weigh approximately 40lbs for every 323 square feet, while an equivalent amount of backer board weighs hundreds of pounds. Because it’s screwed down, it can’t provide crack protection like uncoupling mats.īecause of their makeup, uncoupling mats are faster and easier to install. Uncoupling mats provide crack isolation protection because they allow lateral substrate movement.īacker boards are made of concrete and fiberglass mesh, and must screwed into the subfloor to secure it. The fleece is bonded to the thinset with pressure and a trowel, and tile can be laid overtop immediately. Uncoupling mats are membranes with mesh on one side and fleece on the other. So what exactly is the difference between uncoupling mats and backer board? When it comes down to it, the main differences lay in the makeup, purpose, and installation of the products. Both are fairly recent developments, and are good alternatives to traditional methods when you don’t have the option to add much extra height to the floor. Just reading the definitions alone doesn’t provide too much of a difference, as both uncoupling mats and backer board are used to prep the subfloor to help prevent loss of bond over time when installing tile. This is where uncoupling mats and backer board come into play.īy definition, uncoupling mats are plastic membrane systems that are geometrically configured to provide air space between the tile and the substrate to allow independent movement between the two and limit the transfer of stresses.īacker board is a thin layer of concrete that has fiberglass mesh on its sides and is used under the tile to provide a firm and even surface for the tile to adhere to. Unfortunately, this method of installation adds 1.5 to 2’’ of extra height to the floor (as well as weight), and many installs today don’t account for that. If the subfloor moves and cracks, it won’t be spread to the underlayment or through to the tiled surface. This was done with a weakly bonded plane situated between the reinforced mortar bed and the subfloor. Trims, Stair Nose & Bull Nose Alternativesįor many centuries, tile has been installed on reinforced mortar beds that have been free to move independent of the subfloor.TileWare Bathroom Accessories (for wallboard).Structural Surfaces™ Series Claddy-T™ (Corner Shelves).TileWare Bathroom Accessories (for tile).Self Leveling & Trowel Applied Underlayments.Electrical Underfloor Heat Mats & Accessories.Backerboard Alternatives & Uncoupling Mats.Specifically designed for use with both fortified and unfortified adhesives, STRATA_MAT allows for the proper adhesive to be used with porcelain or large format tiles and stone. The unique patent pending design of STRATA_MAT provides for an enhanced mechanical bond of the adhesive and provides for faster drying of the adhesive allowing for shorter time to grout. Designed to replace traditional underlayment materials. For both residential and commercial applications. STRATA_MAT™ is a next generation high performance uncoupling mat for use under tile and stone installations. Part of the LATICRETE Lifetime System Warranty Product Information Provides a stronger bond of tile at 16-24 hours for faster time to grout STRATA_MAT™ is a next generation high performance uncoupling mat for use under ceramic tile and stone installations, for both residential and commercial applications.
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