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Vivian Volz, AIA, CSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: vivianvolz

Post Number: 138
Registered: 06-2004


Posted on Monday, January 06, 2014 - 09:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I have a tenant improvement project where the entire tenant area, including the elevator lobbies, is on access flooring that's landlord-supplied and contractor-installed. The designer is hoping to use ceramic tile in a few areas where access is not necessary, such as small unisex restrooms and possibly the elevator lobby. I thought we might put down cement board over the access flooring, since we can adjust the height at installation, and install the tile over that. Does anyone have experience with this or another method?

(And yes, it does seem to me to obviate part of the purpose of the access flooring, but these spaces are the exception. We're carpet-tiling most of the rest of the space.)
Ronald J. Ray, RA, CCS, CCCA
Senior Member
Username: rjray

Post Number: 128
Registered: 04-2004
Posted on Monday, January 06, 2014 - 09:58 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Hi Vivian.

I have done this many times. Please feel free to email me or call and I can provide you detailed information, as well as other issues related to access flooring and toilets. ronald-ray@sbcglobal.net
J. Peter Jordan
Senior Member
Username: jpjordan

Post Number: 663
Registered: 05-2004
Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2014 - 07:22 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I had a project several years ago where we installed thinset terrazzo over an access floor system. The access floor system was used primarily for air distribution. Seemed to work very well.
John Hunter
Senior Member
Username: johnhunter

Post Number: 110
Registered: 12-2005
Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2014 - 12:34 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Tate has details on their website for field-applied tile.
Di Ann Reid, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: dhassloch

Post Number: 33
Registered: 07-2005
Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2014 - 06:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

We did this at a recent high profile project. We also did a thick-set with stone. We called on Laticrete for assistance with the detailing. Checking with the team now to see how it went.
Vivian Volz, AIA, CSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: vivianvolz

Post Number: 139
Registered: 06-2004


Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2014 - 06:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Thank you all! Yes, I'd like to know more about how it's gone on your project, Di Ann, and I'll check the Tate web site. Ron and I spoke this morning and he confirmed my inclinations with some added tips about managing the modules of the flooring and the moisture risk below the restrooms.
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg

Post Number: 675
Registered: 12-2006


Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2014 - 01:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

My guess is that you'll need a good crack suppression system and a flexible mortar. Keep in mind the new requirements regarding large format tile if that applies; actually it's not much more than best practices, but it sure beats having cracked tile installations.

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