wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm planning on tiling the entryway around the cutout door to my
basement (about 3' x 6') and a hearth in front of a fireplace. (about
2' x 4'). Both are going to be ceramic tile, and are going to be
surrounded by wall to wall carpet on 3 sides. Right now, the floor is
an unfinished cement floor, and the carpeters are coming in a week or
two, so I need to get moving on the tile.

After talking to a guy at the store, we agree that I probably need a
backerboard under the tiles, so that the height is proportionate to the
surrounding carpet. (Moderately thick pile on top of a 3/8" moisture
resistant pad). So I bought some 1/4" Durock cement backer boards, and
was getting ready to start slicing them up and putting them down, when
I thought of some more questions.

1) Do I need to (i) tape the seams and/or (ii) put down some moisture
membrane on the area by the door, or can I just seal my grout and
figure that it's cement all the way down?

2) How should I attach the backer board to a concrete subfloor? Will
thinset be enough to hold it in place, or should I mess with masonry
bits and screws, and if I need to screw it down, what kind of bit and
screw should I use?

3) Is there a good way to figure out if I've got the tile at the right
height? Would I be happier with 0" of backerboard (i.e. none), or
1/2"?

Thanks, TM


I am not a tile pro just a DIY tile guy.

Thinset is not going to be enough to hold this stuff in place. And that is
a lot of masonry screws.

You will need to float it of level if it has the tapered edges. Over
concrete I doubt that tape is of any value.

My advice is to not bother. No one is going to really notice a half inch of
difference. Your raw floor is stronger and more stable than what you are
about to create.

Spend the money you are about to waste on some reason nice transition trim
to cover the joint. The place to start looking would be where you are buying
the carpet. A better deal may be available elsewhere but their installers
may not want to install it if they don't get to sell it.

Colbyt