Wood Substrates

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

All wood materials, including OSB, plywood, and framing members, are subject to expansion, contraction, bending, and deflection as a result of changes in moisture content and loading. Further, these deformations fluctuate over the life of the building structure.

Uncoupling

Schluter-DITRA/ Schluter-DITRA-XL’s uncoupling function protects the ceramic or stone tile covering from the aforementioned deformations by neutralizing the differential movement stresses between the wood structure and the tile, thus eliminating the major cause of cracking and delaminating of the tiled surface.

Waterproofing

Since wood structures are sensitive to moisture, Schluter-DITRA and Schluter-DITRA-XL’s waterproofing function adds an essential element to the flooring assembly by providing simple, effective, and permanent moisture protection.

Vapor Management

Wood continually absorbs and releases moisture. The free space beneath the Schluter-DITRA/ Schluter-DITRA-XL matting allows the wood to breathe and provides a route for any residual moisture in the wood substrate to escape.Since wood structures are sensitive to moisture, Schluter-DITRA/ Schluter-DITRA-XL’s waterproofing function adds an essential element to the flooring assembly by providing simple, effective, and permanent moisture protection.

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.

By addressing all of the challenges associated with today’s fast, lightweight construction methods, Schluter-DITRA and Schluter-DITRA-XL provide a durable installation system for ceramic and stone tile over wood substrates.