Schluter Ditra is a product used to provide a membrane that prevents the transmission of cracks up through the surface of your ceramic tile installation. It is a great solution where doubt exists about the stability of the tile setting surface. It is authorized for use by the Tile Council of North American (TCNA) as a cleavage membrane and is a foolproof solution to prevent the wholesale failure of your tile floor in that it provides a stable, lasting foundation for many years to come.
I like the product so much that I used it on my back porch, and the product’s promises have been kept for over three years without cracks in the tile. I say this knowing full well that there were cracks already in my porch; therefore, I had a reason to install Ditra first. As an add on to your tile purchase, it adds cost, both in materials and in labor, but consider the cost of not using it should your foundation shift.
The most common tile complaint that I see is from movement of the substrate upon which the tile is installed. A customer may ask, “Isn’t there something the installer can do? Did he use cheap materials?” The answer is an unqualified no in that, he could have installed a cleavage membrane, if it was paid for. The tile industry recognizes the reality that substrates shift and cause cracking; therefore, there are many methods on the market to address the problem and mitigate its effects. Ditra is just one of the answers.
Measured against the value of long term performance of the floor, versus short term cost, Ditra may be an option worth pursuing, but there are other less expensive options. Just keep in mind that you frequently get what you pay for when you decide which product to choose. A good company will be able to give you a good, better, and best style option for you to choose from in order to keep you within your budget. Just ensure you ask plenty of questions, and watch the video below to learn more about what causes cracks in tile.
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