Ceramic tile has grown more and more
popular throughout the United States,
due in large part to the development of
thinset systems. These alternatives to tiling
over a thick mortar bed have cut down on
installation costs. But they've introduced new
problems, as well.
The new thinner, more flexible substrates,
including cementitious tile backerboards, are
unable to protect the tile from seasonal movement
in the structure, particularly in climates
with wide temperature swings like New
England. Even tile jobs set on thick mortar
beds can have problems in modern construction
because of excessive building movement.
Also, the new substrates do not protect the
underlying structure from damage when water
leaks through the tiles. To guard against problems
with