For the Old School Tile Setters out there...
What is the benefit of using wire lath? I have a first time issue where height difference is a large concern for my customer. Wire lath is one of the solutions I am considering, but not too crazy about it. I am Installing over 3/4" and 1/2" subflooring with 16" c. using small hex tile. Is there a product with a proven track record I can use in place of lath? Thank in Advance!

stop it silly! just kidding... yeah, you could actually take upo that 1/2" and lay down Ditra mat www.schluter.com Its only an 1/8" thick, make sure your 3/4" is screwed well.

Thanks Tilesome... I read up on the ditra mat and its telling me in the spec sheet the minimum tile size is 2"x2"... the tile i am using is hexagon 1/2"x1/2". Oh well

The Ditra won't work for small tile ( less than 2x2)as per Schluter's specs.

If you have 2 layers of plywood, you could use the wire mesh. There should not be enough flex in the floor to cause any problem.

If you choose to ues wire lath, skim out the mesh with modified thinset only. DO NOT USE SCRACTCH COAT cement.

I would only use the wire in this case if height was really critical, otherwise 1/4" backerboard would be preferred.

OK, wire lath it is... unless someone can talk me into using tavvy thinskin.
OK, Is wire lath as straightforward as I think it is, or is their more to it.
1 - cut to fit area
2 - use proper nails/staples to secure
3 - skim coat with thinset
4 - let dry overnight/ or install as it is being
skim coated?

Oh and bring lots of band-aids.

A pneumatic stapler works best, otherwise use 1" galv roofing nails. All fastners are spaced about 8" o.c. or closer.

Skim and let dry overnight so you can do your grid layouts next day.

I'm confused!! The method described IS the scratchcoat method which we don't think much of. What's up with that?

Jaz

Jaz

Your right this is not a recommended method but due to the specs given I don't see a problem.

This is over 2 layers of plywood. Theres nothing wrong with that.

As long as the floor is stiff enough there won't be enough flex between the joist to deteriorate the scratch coat which is to be modified thinset.

Wire lath and scratch useually fails over single layer plywood or OSB and skim coated with unmodified thinset(scratch mortar) once the flex acting on the wire starts to crumble the scratch coat mortar.

Like I said, if height is a big issue than in this case I see no problem with this method.

OK.........I agree the floor is strong enough, any standard floor is strong enough. If I didn't care to do a real good job, (skip CBU or Ditra), I would forget the lath and just bond to the plywood with the proper mortar.

Around here I've never heard of anyone doing a scratchcoat job with unmodified. Actually not many scratchcoat at all.

Your right the bond could be done to the plywood, however the key issue seems to be a height problem.

Here in Ontario I have to deal with jobs that are quoted low all the time. Reason is wire lath / scratch over single layer OSB . This is the norm here. Very few builders here use plywood for subfloors due to the cost.

The customers make the final choice between not recommended / good / better / best type of installs. It all boils down to the overall cost and how well you can inform the customer on the correct installation method.