Ceramic Tile Over Wood Structural Panel Floors
Technical Topic
Ceramic and natural stone tiles are beautiful, durable flooring options, but their brittle nature demands careful attention to the underlying floor structure. Concentrated loads from furniture, foot traffic, and other sources can cause tile cracking and failure if the subfloor system isn't adequately stiff.
This publication is designed for: architects, engineers, builders, contractors
The publication provides comprehensive technical specifications for tile-ready floor assemblies, drawing from tested systems approved by the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and research conducted in partnership with APA. It includes detailed assembly specifications, load capacity recommendations that exceed code minimums and practical design examples showing how to evaluate and upgrade existing floors for tile installation.
Key sections include:
ASTM C627-tested floor assemblies with service classifications
Complete specifications for TCNA-listed installation systems
Recommended L/360 uniform load capacities for different joist spacings
Floor design principles and deflection requirements
Step-by-step design example with calculations
Installation requirements and best practices
Published by APA — The Engineered Wood Association.
