So I've read all the threads on Ditra, it sounds like the cats meow! NOW I need to know where to buy it for a good price somewhere in Alberta, preferably in Edmonton but it doesn't matter. I'm redoing a kitchen 15'x12' and a bathroom 4'x8'. I don't know what the going rate of Ditra is, but I don't really want to pay $1.50 a sq/ft. Any suggestions???

Thx

Sorry I can't tell you where to get it in your area.

Here in Ontario I have been paying $1.40 sg ft
Other suppliers and Home Depot are about $1.85

Thanks for the reply RC. I've looked at Schluter's website and there aren't very many suppliers in Alberta. Home Depot, a couple of tile shops (retail I'm assuming) and that's about it. Where, if you don't mind telling me, are you buying it in Ontario? I'm thinking maybe there are other suppliers in Alberta that just aren't listed. If I can't whittle the price down a bit from 1.85 I may have to forgo the Ditra for a cheaper alternative

thanks

I get it from a local tile shop in my area.
If your thinking cement board,theres not enough of a cost difference by the time you add special cement board screws extra modified thinset and the hassle of the install.
Thats my contractor opinion. Now as a do it yourselfer the extra labour does not account in the costing decision

Have you tried this site yet?

http://www.tile-experts.com/products.asp?id=67


I think the guy who started it up is from Edmonton.

Davey,

Why is $1.50 cdn. the magic figure? Just wondering. I think that based on what it costs me, if someone could/would sell YOU a partial roll at $1.85 cdn. that would be a very good deal for you, and I would say thanks and shake the guys hand and tell my friends.

Here's the figures as I know them, in US $$$. Regular wholesale cost to legitimate tile contractors and retail stores that buy full rolls. $1.18. (A few dealers pay a little less if they are preffered accounts). Based on that, the retail should be $1.75-1.80 sq. ft. US. Now convert to Canadian and see what you get.

"A cheaper alternative". Why would you want to do that? If you're conviced it's "the cats meow". You're not going to do this again in a few years. You'll get an excellent job either way, but the Ditra method is worth more and it's easier too.

Jaz

Thanks for the feedback everybody. Jaz I hear what you're saying, but it's a relative to the situation. This is a rental house that was purchased from the courts. Upon entering the home, it was obvious that there was only one thing to do, gut the home. With having to re-do both bathrooms, a new kitchen, new flooring throughout the home, several new walls, new doors, new electrical etc etc. I'm trying to keep things under control financially. I would like to put tile down in the kitchen and one bathroom as opposed to cheap looking vinyl, and if I can do that by not spending too much then that's what I want to do. But if I have to pay $1.85/sq ft + 1.20$ per tile + cost of 5/8" subfloor it may force me to go the other route. If it were my home (the one I live in) I would spare no expense to ge the best job possible (that means I wouldn't be doing the tiling I'd hire a pro ).

David

Hi Dave,

Ok, the condition of the home was a business decision you're already made, and you paid less for the house considering its condition. Hopefully you'll be able to make some $$ as a landlord. But none of that matters now. The difference is 30- 40 cents per ft and whether it's a good investment. I don't know why you need the plywood, but you'd probably need it regardless of what you put on the floor?

I really think that you are NOT spending enough on the tile. Yicks!! $1.20 CDN., gotta be some pretty cheap stuff?? I wouldn't be comfortable spending $1.85 on Ditra either if I was paying only $1.20 for tiles. If you need to redo this job in 5-10 years the savings won't make you happy then.

Someone once said; "The most expensive job is one that was done too cheaply".


Jaz

If you are willing to take a chance and save some money, just install directly on the plywood with the appropriate thinset.
The the floor must be strong enough for this to work.

Like Jaz said if your planing on keeping this property for a long time you could be up the creek if the job falls apart latter. Then you will have wished you spent the extra money for better products.

My saying is; The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the cheap price is forgotten