Underlayment for tile surface
A fiber-reinforced pultruded underlayment for ceramic tile includes a thin base with a plurality of elongated ridges. The underlayment is in the form of planks having interlocking tongue and groove edges. The elongated ridges have a narrow base and a wider distal portion wherein the areas between adjacent ridges have a trapezoidal cross sectional configuration. Tile is adhered to the surface using a rigid cementitious or epoxy adhesive which fills in the trapezoidal area creating a very rigid support structure for the ceramic tile.
1. A tiled floor structure comprising a plurality of elongated fiber reinforced polymeric planks aligned side-by-side over a horizontal base support;
said planks having a first and a second side, a thin base connecting said sides, a plurality of elongated solid ridges extended above said base and extending along a length of said planks establishing open areas there between;
said planks having a height measured from said base to an upper surface of said ridges being from about 13/32 inch to about ¾ inch
wherein said horizontal base support comprises a plurality of floor joists and a plurality of fasteners extended through said planks into said joists fastening said planks to said joists;
a hardening floor tile adhesive material covering said base and filling said areas between said ridges; and
a tile layer adhered to said upper surface of said ridges with said entire tile layer above said ridges.
2. The tiled structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said plank is a fiber reinforced pultruded plank.
3. The tiled structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said ridges have a base and a top surface wherein said top is wider than said base.
4. The tiled structure claimed in claim 3 wherein said planks include at least three elongated ridges.
5. The tiled structure claimed in claim 3 wherein said first side has a tongue structure and said second side has a groove structure wherein adjacent planks are adapted to inter-fit with respective tongues and grooves.
6. The tiled structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said tiled structure is an outdoor deck.