Can you lay ceramic tile in a manufactured home?
April 12, 2009
I know most have linoleum but is it possible to lay ceramic tile?
That’s what I know how to do!
Okay how about re-wording…
is it possible to lay ceramic tile and have it hold up?
How about post treated tile, the stuff that's guaranteed?
Would that make a difference?
Or should I forget it and get some plain ol' linoleum?
Posted in How To Lay Ceramic Tile
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April 12th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
If manufactured you mean more like a trailer set on a pad , no these will move and flex to much and you ll have trouble like the others stated. If you mean a modular ( manufactured home )more often than not yes you can as long as the base for your tile and the subfloor you install for tile is sound then go ahead. I ve had tile in my modular home for almost 20 years and not a single problem GL
April 12th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Why Not!!……….Pull up the Lino, and if you want a real solid stable base first lay down cement base which comes in sheets
April 12th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
You can, if you have a solid floor & use at least 1/2" Hardi board screwed down on 12" centers…you might have to trim your door & any closet door you might have on the bathroom.
Just screw your backer over whatever's there now.
I'd also use the epoxy type grout & stay away from the 16" tiles.
Good luck…
April 12th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
as long as you have a solid sub floor there is no reason you can’t.
April 12th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Yes you can, but you must take some precautions.
As someone who owned a business handling warranty work on manufactured homes of all types, I’ve had some experience installing and repairing many things, including floors of all types.
If you’ve got experience with ceramic tile, then you know tile needs a solid subfloor. The problem you run into with a manufactured home, is that they are made to flex – just the opposite of what you want with a tile floor. Grout cracks, sometimes even the tile breaks.
If you really want tile, I would recommend that you use the cement backer board under the tile to add some rigidity to the floor. But before you do that, you need to eliminate any and all irregularities in the floor. If there are any humps, or dips, those need to be repaired first. The subfloor needs to be securely fastened to the floor joists, and if this is a mobile home, as opposed to a modular home, then the floor joists also need to be securely fastened to the steel frame, and the home needs to be leveled. All of this is practical and can be done, with a little time and effort. (By the way, the home needs to be on a good foundation too, or it will flex with the ground heave with seasonal changes)
I’ve had to repair quite a few tile entries (common with some manufacturers), because the home flexed at some point
Some other options you might consider are, as you already mentioned, vinyl floor covering, laminate flooring (which comes in anything from wood to tile look patterns), solid/engineered wood flooring, and carpet.
Once ceramic tile is laid, you need to keep a close eye on the home’s level – more so than usual, because if the home flexes too far, it could cause cracks to appear in the grout lines, and if you did not make certain the floor was level first, then the tiles themselves may break over a hump in the subfloor.
So, yes, tile can be installed, but of all the choices available, it requires the most preparation, and maintenance. When I refer to maintenance, I refer to keeping the home itself level, and solid, not that the tile itself needs more maintenance.
If this home is in a southern state, and is just sitting on pads on top of the ground, I’d strongly caution you to use a different product, as the home will flex far more than your ability to control it. The more concrete you have under a manufactured home, the better off it will be.
Assuming this home is on a good foundation, with a tile floor, I would recommend it be checked for level, and adusted as necessary 3 times a year, spring, mid-summer, and late fall/early winter. Otherwise, I recommend a home be checked for level as part of an annual maintenance routine. Unfortunately, most folks don’t bother to check the level at all, until the home has some serious twist/bow to it, hehehe.
I speak from practice – I could remove an old vinyl floor, and lay a new one by myself, over 2 days. The other floor coverings could be done in the same time frame, or less. I think you’ll spend more time than that, just prepping the home for ceramic tile, let alone installing the tile. It can be done — question is, do you want to invest the time to do it?
Have Fun
April 12th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Yes you can ceramic on home floors works. Buy extra pieces if you like just in case one of the ones that are installed crack you can replace it
April 12th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
I think Ceramic Tile is an excellent medium to explore both for functionality and design. Ceramic tiling is dense and strong, easy to clean, long lasting and does not absorb smell, water or carry allergens. It is excellent as a floor tile and it comes with knowledge it value increases more