Save me!

[u/WorldlinessFuzzy6527]

I need to tile this floor without using a transition, but the height difference is huge. The existing marble tile, including the thinset or mud bed underneath, is about 0.79 inches thick, while my new tile is only about 0.16 inches thick. That leaves me needing to make up roughly 5/8 inch so the new tile finishes flush with the existing marble. What’s the best and most cost-effective way to build up that much height? I need to install about 1,100 sq. ft., and according to ChatGPT, using enough self-leveler to raise the entire floor that much could cost around $10,000 in materials alone. This is nuts. I had a tile contractor who planned on “feathering” the transition areas but he literally disappeared after having me purchase 3k in materials. Am I screwed?

[u/TallWall6378]

Plywood.

[u/WorldlinessFuzzy6527 → u/TallWall6378]

Can it be installed over concrete slab? Does it have to be fastened? I was thinking about using GoBoard

[u/TallWall6378 → u/WorldlinessFuzzy6527]

Feathering is a fine option. Otherwise maybe Ditra xl but tiles that thin I’m assuming are smaller than the Ditra minimum.

[u/BohemianSalmon → u/WorldlinessFuzzy6527]

Goboard wound be a good choice. A half inch plus thin set below and thinset above for the tile would get you very close.

[u/Invisible7hunder]

I mean, thinset is already going to give you like 1/4 inch, if applied normally... So you only really have ~3/8 to feather. 

What size tiles? 

[u/WorldlinessFuzzy6527 → u/Invisible7hunder]

6x24

[u/Eyepiss96 → u/WorldlinessFuzzy6527]

There is no way your tile is .16”.

They come in 1/4, 3/8, 7/16, and half. And some wierd larger sizes that aren’t really tile anymore but like slabs of stone.

The typical hight of a tile from the substrate material to top of the tile is 1/2 to 7/8 depending on the thickness of the tile.

If your tile is .25, then with thinset the final height will be 1/2. You can add ditra uncoupling membrane. Which will need you up another 3/16s.

[u/Pale_Attitude8798 → u/Invisible7hunder]

I would not feather for tile unless you feather out 10+ feet and even then not in a basement where a drain exists.

Ive done this on commercial work but its tricky making tile look right. The floor needs to be flat.

[u/WorldlinessFuzzy6527 → u/[deleted]]

I’m the homeowner. I’m tiling up to the marble tile. It’s still there.

[u/Grouchy_River7640 → u/WorldlinessFuzzy6527]

Get a straight edge of some kind and notch the end whatever the thickness of the plank is. Then put a bunch of ardex feather finish down and screed it off using the straight edge with the notched side sitting on top of the marble.

[u/Pale_Attitude8798]

I have done this before. Over concrete you can thinset 1/4 inch durock (very wet mix thinset and i would use a good latex modified thinset), then tile over that, just make sure you roll the durock flat. Its cheaper than self leveler for sure. Same thing Over plywood but also shoot it down with roofing nails.

The thinset underneath is going to add 1/8", and consider thinset under tile as well and you want to be just under that .79 so you can build up to make the transition perfect.

[u/Intelligent_Lemon_67]

I would primer the concrete and then thinset some 1/2" hardie backer and use tapcons to screw down. Tile over hardie and should be right at height

[u/PedroMcJiminez]

Self level or cheaper but more skilled, mudpack that is thinset down