Exterior Applications - Overview

Schluter-DITRA and Schluter-DITRA-XL

Specifically designed as an underlayment for ceramic and stone tile

Ceramic and stone tiles are durable, easy to maintain, and hygienic, representing the ideal surface coverings. However, today’s lightweight construction methods can make the installation of hard surface coverings particularly challenging. In order to protect the integrity of the tile assembly, an underlayment that performs multiple functions is required.

Schluter-DITRA and Schluter-DITRA-XL are specifically designed to allow the installation of ceramic and stone tile over any even and load-bearing substrate. The integration of four functions—uncoupling, waterproofing, load-distribution, and vapor management—makes consistent results viable through the use of Schluter-DITRA or DITRA-XL.

Every substrate presents unique challenges

Ceramic and stone tiles are ideal surface coverings for the exterior and have been used successfully for thousands of years. Exterior balconies and terraces are ideal opportunities for the installation of tiled surfaces. However, these installations have typically presented significant challenges to tile setters. Since hard surface coverings are rigid by nature and have different physical properties compared to virtually every substrate, they cannot be bonded directly to the substrate, particularly in exterior applications where they are exposed to potentially severe climatic changes and the recurring introduction of moisture.

Uncoupling

Schluter-DITRA/ Schluter-DITRA-XL’s uncoupling function protects the ceramic or stone tile covering by neutralizing the differential movement stresses between the substrate and the tile, thus eliminating the major cause of cracking and delaminating of the tiled surface. This is particularly important since these stresses are magnified by the significant temperature gradients common to exterior applications.

Waterproofing

Schluter-DITRA and Schluter-DITRA-XL provide effective waterproofing that will protect the tile assembly from the recurring introduction of water, which is common in exterior applications.

Vapor Management

The free space beneath the Schluter-DITRA/ Schluter-DITRA-XL matting provides a route for any residual moisture in the substrate to escape. This is especially important when installing tile over a young slab, concrete slabs subject to moisture migration, or a fresh mortar bed.

Support/ Load Distribution

Since Schluter-DITRA and Schluter-DITRA-XL are virtually incompressible within the tile assembly, the advantages of uncoupling are achieved without sacrificing point load distribution capabilities.

Because Schluter-DITRA and Schluter-DITRA-XL are uniquely engineered to provide uncoupling, vapor management, and waterproofing, all of which are essential functions in exterior environments, they provide reliable installation systems for ceramic and stone tile surface coverings in exterior applications.