Greetings, Is there a need to use 1/2" backerboard under ceramic tile? I would like to keep the difference between flooring heights to a minimum and
You only need backerboard if you are going to use a cement based mortar (thinset)... If you are using mastic instead, you don't need backboard...
With regards to 1/4" vs 1/2", if it is screwed and glued sufficiently to the plywood subfloor, you should be able to use a thinner backerboad and it be acceptably sturdy... Personally, I believe that the 1/4" Hardy product feels sturdier than the 1/2" concrete and fiberglass mesh product... Still, except for perhaps walls and countertops, I'm not a big believer in putting tile anything other than a concrete foundation... A house that I used to own had ceramic tile in the 2nd floor bath and I spent a lot of time periodically repairing it when a tile or two came loose... It was over plywood, not backerboard though...
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