Use and Care Guide

ManualsBrandsSchluter Systems ManualsTile MembranesDITRA-XL/175

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR CERAMIC AND STONE TILE

Ceramic and stone tiles are durable, easy

to maintain, and hygienic, representing

the ideal surface coverings. However,

today’s lightweight construction methods

can make the installation of hard surface

coverings particularly challenging. In order

to protect the integrity of the tile assembly,

an underlayment that performs multiple

functions is required.

Application and Function

6.1 Schluter

-DITRA and Schluter

-DITRA-

XL are polyethylene membranes with a grid

structure of square cavities, each cut back in a

dovetail configuration, and an anchoring fleece

laminated to the underside. The anchoring

fleece is embedded in thin-set mortar to provide

a mechanical bond to the substrate. Tile is

installed over DITRA or DITRA-XL using the

thin-bed method in such a way that the mortar

becomes mechanically anchored in the square,

cutback cavities of the matting.

Designed specifically for ceramic tile and

dimension stone installations, DITRA and DITRA-

XL serve as an uncoupling layer, waterproofing

membrane, and vapor management layer that

accommodates moisture from beneath the tile

covering. Further, DITRA and DITRA-XL perform

all these functions while still providing adequate

support/load distribution for the tile covering.

The combination of these four essential

functions allows for the successful installation

of tile over a wide range of substrates, including

plywood/ OSB, concrete, gypsum, heated

floors, etc.

DITRA is 1/8" (3 mm) thick, which minimizes

tile assembly thickness and reduces transitions

to lower surface coverings (e.g., carpet,

engineered wood, and vinyl). DITRA allows

for ceramic tile application over single-layer

plywood or OSB subfloors on joists spaced

up to 19.2" (488 mm) o.c. DITRA-XL is 5/16"

(7 mm) thick, which permits even transitions

between tile and 3/4"-thick hardwood flooring.

DITRA-XL allows for ceramic tile application

over single-layer plywood or OSB subfloors on

joists spaced up to 24" (610 mm) o.c.

Uncoupling

Tile has been successfully installed for

thousands of years by incorporating an

uncoupling layer, or forgiving shear interface,

within the tile assembly. DITRA and DITRA-

XL provide uncoupling through its open rib

structure, which allows for in-plane movement

that effectively neutralizes the differential

movement stresses between the substrate

and the tile, thus eliminating the major cause of

cracking and delaminating of the tiled surface.

Waterproofing

UNCOUPLING MEMBRANES

6.1 Schluter

-DITRA

UNCOUPLING, WATERPROOFING, VAPOR MANAGEMENT, AND SUPPORT/LOAD DISTRIBUTION

H = 5/16" - 7 mm

6.1 Schluter

-DITRA-XL

H = 1/8" - 3 mm

Summary of content (8 pages)

PAGE 1
UNCOUPLING MEMBRANES I NN OV ATIVE SOLUTION S F O R C E RA M IC A N D STO NE T I L E UNCOUPLING, WATERPROOFING, VAPOR MANAGEMENT, AND SUPPORT/LOAD DISTRIBUTION Ceramic and stone tiles are durable, easy to maintain, and hygienic, representing the ideal surface coverings. However, today’s lightweight construction methods can make the installation of hard surface coverings particularly challenging.
PAGE 2
UNCOUPLING MEMBRANES DITRA and DITRA-XL provide reliable waterproofing in interior applications. Its polyethylene composition protects the substrate from moisture penetration, which is particularly important in today’s building environment where most substrates are moisture-sensitive. Vapor management The distinguishing feature of DITRA and DITRAXL is the existence of free space created by the configured channels on the underside of the matting.
PAGE 3
UNCOUPLING MEMBRANES DITRA and DITRA-XL’s waterproofing ability not only protects the substrate from moisture and harmful substances, it also slows the drying of fresh concrete, thus reducing the chances of cracking and curling. The free space beneath the DITRA and DITRAXL matting provides a route for any residual moisture in the concrete slab to escape. This allows the installation of DITRA and DITRAXL and the tile covering as soon as the slab can be walked upon.
PAGE 4
UNCOUPLING MEMBRANES tile, be set on DITRA with latex-modified thin-set mortar? Answer: In general, we DON’T recommend it. Here’s why: Latex-modified mortars must dry for the polymers to coalesce and form a hard film in order to gain strength. When sandwiched between two impervious materials such as DITRA and ceramic tile, including porcelain tile, drying takes place very slowly through the open joints in the tile covering.
PAGE 5
UNCOUPLING MEMBRANES Product Item Numbers 6.1 Schluter®-DITRA Item No. DITRA 5M DITRA 150 DITRA 30M Uncoupling and waterproofing membrane Width Length Area Thickness 3' 3" - 1 m 3' 3" - 1 m 3' 3" - 1 m 16' 5" - 5 m 45' 9" - 14 m 98' 5" - 30 m 54 ft2 - 5 m2 150 ft2 - 14 m2 323 ft2 - 30 m2 1/8" - 3 mm 1/8" - 3 mm 1/8" - 3 mm Width Length Area Thickness 3' 3" - 1 m 53' 3" - 16.25 m 175 ft2 - 16.25 m2 5/16" - 7 mm 6.1 Schluter®-DITRA-XL Item No.
PAGE 6
UNCOUPLING MEMBRANES 8.3 Schluter®-KERDI-FIX Item No. KERDIFIX / color* KERDIFIX 100 G Adhesive/sealant Description *Color Codes BW Cartridge - 9.81 oz — 290 ml Tube - 3.38 oz — 100 ml Bright white G Grey To complete the item number, add the color code (e.g., KERDIFIX / BW). Schluter®-DITRA-TROWEL Item No. TRL-DIT6 TRL-DIT Trowel Notch Size Packaging 11/64" x 11/64" — 4.5 x 4.5 mm 11/64" x 11/64" — 4.5 x 4.
PAGE 7
UNCOUPLING MEMBRANES Schluter®-DITRA and Schluter®-DITRA-XL Uncoupling Membrane 10-Year Limited Warranty LIMITED WARRANTY COVERAGE: Subject to the conditions and limitations as stated in this Schluter®-DITRA and Schluter®-DITRA-XL Uncoupling Membrane 10-Year Limited Warranty (the “Limited Warranty”), Schluter Systems warrants that its Schluter®-DITRA and Schluter®-DITRA-XL uncoupling membranes (the “Products”) will be free from manufacturing defects and will perform as described in the Schluter®-DITRA Inst
PAGE 8
This technical data sheet is subject to change without notice. Please visit www.schluter.com for the latest version. 04/2019 © 2019 Schluter Systems L.P. www.schluter.com 553104 Schluter Systems L.P. • 194 Pleasant Ridge Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901-5841 • Tel.: 800-472-4588 • Fax: 800-477-9783 Schluter Systems (Canada) Inc. • 21100 chemin Ste-Marie, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3Y8 • Tel.