The Schluter-DITRA uncoupling membrane is specifically designed to allow the
installation of ceramic and stone tile over any even and load bearing substrate.
DITRA has many benefits—and is a practical solution that fits the needs of the installer.
DITRA is lightweight…which makes it easy to handle and transport to the job site.
With the easy cut guides, it’s fast to prepare the membrane for installation…
..and DITRA is installed as quickly as you can spread thin-set mortar,
and requires no special tools or fasteners.
Tile can be set immediately over the DITRA membrane. And the cut back cavities on the
membrane are optimized to provide a superior bond and support for the tile assembly.
Let’s take a look at how to install the DITRA membrane.
First things first, always refer to the Schluter-DITRA Installation Handbook for
comprehensive installation guidelines and warranty criteria.
Find the detail applicable to your project based on the substrate, tile type, and other factors.
All requirements in the Handbook are important. Please pay close attention
to the setting materials and movement joints requirements when planning any DITRA project.
Now we’re ready to get started. It is important to have a perimeter
movement joint throughout the tile assembly.
One option, as shown here, is to fasten a strip of BEKOTEC seal , a compressible polyethylene gasket,
to the surrounding walls to ensure a consistent joint along the perimeter.
The substrate must be clean, even, and load bearing.
Sweep the floor to remove any debris.
Any leveling of the subfloor must be done prior to installing DITRA.
For wood substrates, verify that subfloor panels are properly fastened to framing members.
Clean any dust from the substrate with a damp sponge.
Measure and cut the matting using a utility knife or scissors.
Schluter®-DITRA is installed simply and easily with thin-set mortar.
We will use Schluter ALL-SET modified thin-set mortar to bond the matting to the
wood substrate. Schluter FAST-SET rapid-setting modified thin-set mortar may be used as well.
If you are not using a Schluter® mortar, a modified thin-set mortar is used to
install the matting over wood. Always verify the proper type of mortar
required to install DITRA based on the substrate. The mortar is mixed to a fairly fluid consistency,
but still able to hold a notch. Use the Schluter-DITRA-TROWEL,
which features a four-point-five millimeter by four-point-five millimeter square-notched design,
or a one-quarter inch by three-sixteenths inch V-notched trowel to apply the mortar.
Apply a thin layer of the mortar with the flat side of the trowel to produce solid contact
with the substrate and then comb additional mortar using the notched side of the trowel.
Apply the DITRA, fleece side down…
…and solidly embed in the mortar using a float or the DITRA-ROLLER. When using the DITRA-ROLLER,
place a weight such as a bag of thin-set or grout. The weight should not exceed 75 pounds.
Lift up a corner of the membrane to check coverage. Proper installation results in
full contact between the fleece webbing and the thin-set mortar. Re-embed the membrane.
For DITRA-XL, use the DITRA- DITRA-HEAT / DITRA-XL trowel , which features a
one-quarter inch by one-quarter inch square notched design. or a one-quarter
inch by one-quarter inch square-notched trowel. This process is repeated over the entire floor.
The installation of the DITRA membrane over wood is now complete.
DITRA is installed over concrete in the same manner as shown previously.
Any of the Schluter® Thin-set mortars can be used for installation of the membrane over concrete.
If you are not using a Schluter® mortar, an unmodified thin-set mortar should be used.
Again, it’s important to always verify the proper type of mortar required to
install DITRA based on the substrate Apply the DITRA, fleece side down…
…and solidly embed in the mortar using a float
or the DITRA-ROLLER. This process is repeated over the entire floor.
The installation of the DITRA membrane over concrete is now complete.
Floors can be made fully waterproof with DITRA if desired
by sealing seams and floor-to-wall transitions with Schluter-KERDI waterproofing accessories.
The KERDI accessories can be installed using any of our Schluter® Thin-set Mortars
or an unmodified thin-set mortar.
The mortar is mixed to a fairly fluid consistency, but still able to hold a notch.
Use the Schluter-KERDI-TROWEL, which features a one-eighth inch by one-eighth inch square-notched
design, A one-quarter inch by three-sixteenth inch V-notched trowel or to apply the mortar.
Apply thin-set mortar to the area where the Schluter-KERDI-KERECK corners are to be installed.
Fill the cavities in the DITRA matting and comb additional mortar using the
notched side of the trowel. Embed the KERDI-KERECK into
the thin-set mortar using the flat side of the trowel or a dry wall finishing knife.
Corner installation may be simplified by holding one side of the corner in place
while embedding the other side of the corner in the mortar.
Schluter-KERDI-BAND waterproofing strips are used to seal seams and floor-to-wall connections.
The band may be creased prior to installation to help maintain
tight corners and simplify subsequent tile setting.
Apply thin-set mortar to the area where the KERDI-BAND is to be installed.
Embed the KERDI-BAND in the thin-set mortar using the flat side of the trowel
to ensure full coverage and remove air pockets.
This process is repeated at remaining floor-to-wall transitions and DITRA seams.
Always ensure that a minimum two inch overlap is achieved at all locations.
The waterproofing application is now complete.
Tile may be installed immediately over DITRA using any of our Schluter® thin-set mortars,
or an unmodified thin-set mortar. We have already figured out our
tile layout and have applied chalk lines to guide our installation.
Hairspray helps ensure the chalk doesn’t easily wipe off the membrane. The hair spray will not act
as a bond breaker because the thin-set mortar is mechanically locked into the top of the membrane.
Fill the cut back cavities with thin-set mortar. Then comb additional mortar over
the membrane using a notched trowel that is appropriate for the size of the tile.
Back-buttering large-format tiles is a useful way to help ensure proper coverage.
Solidly embed the tiles in the setting material. Continue setting the remaining tile.
The integration of Schluter-DITRA’s uncoupling, waterproofing vapor management,
and support functions ensures consistent success over common tile substrates.
If you still have questions, please contact our Customer Support Specialists. For more information
on Schluter products, visit Schluter.com or check out our YouTube channel to view our videos.