hi all ... doing my kitchen floor with 13x13 porcelain ... just installed new exterior grade plywood over sub-floor and have been advised to staple wire mesh to plywood and then apply thinset for tiles ... how do you all feel about the mesh?? ... also can use your opinion on premixed thinset although i know it's way more expensive then the powder ... thanks!

Hi
I think you'll find here on this site, that we all agree, that wire mesh is a waste of time and money. You might as well save that step, and put the tile directly over the plywood with modified thin set. Of course the better choices would be a layer of cement board first..or Schluter Ditra, which is a crack osolation membrane/underlay.

Also, the pre-mixed thin set isn't very good....it takes so long to dry...and it has to be completly dry before you can grout the tile...So...you are much better off mixing your own modified thin set.

I agree with Bri. The wire mesh or lath is meant to reinforce a mortar bed and doesn't serve any purpose without an actual "layer of deck mud" installed as a base for your tiles.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of people pitching this method without FULL details on the procedure involved.

hey harry and bri, thanx so much for your immediate reply!! ... your advice is well taken ... my sense is that you guys really know your stuff ... will look into schluter ditra ...

utopiahead