Tile Decks: Robinson Testing for Performance

Tiledek Under-Tile Membrane

Ceramic tile floor assembly testing is a valuable way of determining and measuring a (flooring) system’s performance prior to installation. While outdoor tile decks, particularly when over living space, have no specific testing criteria, testing the flooring assembly provides the peace of mind that the system is going to perform as intended in its real-world application. Duradek Ultra Tiledek under-tile membrane has been thoroughly tested in a ceramic tile floor assembly and can confidently offer a 10-year waterproofing guarantee.

Tile Floor Testing History

Robinson Floor Tester

During the development of the thin-set method for installing ceramic tile back in 1958, Donald Robinson, the head of engineering research at the Tile Council Research Center, designed a testing machine to evaluate the performance of such a method on floors. Adopted as ASTM test method C-627 in 1970, the apparatus is commonly known as “The Robinson Floor Tester” and the ASTM C-627 is still used today as the benchmark for performance of all types of flooring products.

Some technical consultants agree that the only problem with the Robinson Floor Tester is that it doesn’t necessarily give you the full picture since it is only a 4’ x 4’ pad the assembly is placed on, which may hinder the system from mimicking an entire floor installation.

Recognizing this, the Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC) developed a more modern and advanced testing machine that can perform the ASTM C-627 for both conventional size test formats (4’ x 4’) or more real-life longer spans (up to 20’). Developed about nine years ago, the Universal Floor Tester tests assemblies following ASTM C-627 criterion and designates five levels of performance:

• Residential (three cycles)
• Light Commercial (six cycles)
• Moderate Commercial (ten cycles)
• Heavy Commercial (twelve cycles)
• Extra-Heavy Duty (fourteen cycles)

Robinson-Type Universal Floor Tester

How Tile Floor Testing is Performed

The test requires a carriage with three wheels that rotate over the same path consistently with specific weights and a specific type of wheel designated for each cycle performed. Testing criteria is determined by being aware of what type of conditions under which the flooring will be used and then simulating those conditions.

The test assembly is placed under the carriage of the machine, and the first set of wheels, which are made of soft rubber, are installed along with steel plates weighing a total of 300 lbs. The cycle takes approximately one hour to complete 900 revolutions, and the load is continually increased by 150 lbs. for each cycle up to 900 lbs.

After each cycle the technician inspects the assembly to see if any cracks, chips, loose tiles, etc. exist. If the assembly (the whole assembly system is observed for each cycle) is unaffected after four cycles, the wheels are changed to hard rubber and the process is repeated until there is evidence of failure or the eighth cycle is complete.

The final last two levels of performance require the use of steel wheels and to once again run the test through the increasing weights for each cycle. Once the test is completed or a failure is observed, the test is stopped and observations, readings and pictures are taken. The final test classification is then determined and the testing technician provides a written report.

This test is extremely useful because it allows a simulated representation of what will occur at the installation site. In addition, you are able test many types of material to demonstrate whether or not certain materials are able to work together.

Does Tiledek pass the Robinson Floor test?

Tiledek was tested to ASTM C627 (the Robinson Floor Test) on TTMAC’s Universal Floor Tester to see how suitable our system was for application under tile.  Tile has very little tolerance for any deflection or movement of the surface to which it is installed.  Too much deflection or if the membrane beneath is too soft may cause cracking of the grout lines or the tile.

Tested over ¾ inch plywood and ½ inch cement board, Porcelain tile on Tiledek achieved a “Heavy” rating with no cracking of tile or grout lines after 9000 revolutions with 600 pounds on steel wheels (on the twelfth cycle).  This is much more than would ever be necessary for residential traffic on a roof deck.

On the same subsurface assembly, Tiledek achieved a “residential” rating on slate.  There were no signs of cracking on the slate or the grout lines.  The failure was in the slate itself which showed signs of the surface deteriorating where the steel wheels made contact.

Builders and contractors may disagree on many things but there is one thing that most would agree on:  Exterior tile projects are often ‘problem’ jobs. Duradek Ultra Tiledek hopes to change that perspective with the performance value of Tiledek under-tile roof membranes.

To learn more about Duradek Ultra Tiledek, check our blog each Monday in September as we publish a 4-part series detailing the specifics of Tiledek and tile installation methods.

Beautiful Tile Deck Waterproofed with Tiledek Membrane

Outdoor Tile - An Age-Old Problem with a 21st Century Solution

For hundreds and hundreds of years, tiles have been used for pedestrian surfaces. When beautifying your outdoor living space, there are few surfaces that can match the aesthetic pleasure and long-lasting durability of porcelain or slate tiles...if they are installed correctly. However, many installers avoid exterior tile projects because they are unfamiliar with the new and innovative installation systems and methods now available.

Historically, exterior tile jobs have had repeated issues of tiles cracking or lifting; and exterior tile and grout provide absolutely zero waterproofing protection. While this may be something you would be willing to accept on a ground-level walkway, it certainly could pose a problem for deck surfaces, particularly when over living space.

Doing it right the first time saves time and money.
Demolition and rebuild of a leaky tile deck is a homeowners nightmare.

Duradek Ultra Tiledek has changed the playing field for exterior tile applications and allows a performance-proven system of under-tile assembly to far surpass the methods and products used in the past. Duradek Ultra Tiledek brings solutions to the 3 primary environmental stresses that make exterior tiling a challenge.

#1 - Freeze / Thaw Cycles: When water that infiltrates the tile, grout and substrate is allowed to freeze, it expands and can cause high internal pressure. The localized damage caused by the expansion can allow even more water to infiltrate the materials during the thaw. As the cycle repeats, deterioration of the assembly will occur over time.

Duradek Ultra Tiledek is able to withstand freeze/thaw cycles while many other materials cannot. As a waterproofing membrane specifically designed to best adhere exterior tile on rooftop applications, no moisture is able to penetrate through to the substrate.

#2 - Thermal Stress: When the temperature increases, the materials used in the assembly can expand. Since the sun heats the tile assembly from the top, a gradient of higher temperature in the tile layer and a lower temperature in the substrate is created which causes significant stresses at the tile/bond coat/substrate interfaces in direct bond applications which can result in cracking.

Duradek Ultra Tiledek is a strong and durable vinyl membrane which provides just enough flexibility in the assembly to allow for subtle movement due to thermal stress and allows the complete tile assembly build-up to shift with the temperature without losing integrity in the adhesion.

#3 - Moisture Exposure: Since tile and grout are not waterproof, moisture can enter the assembly and cause substantial damage to any moisture sensitive substructure.

Duradek Ultra Tiledek is a roofing-approved waterproof membrane, so you are guaranteed that if your exterior tile is installed over habitable space, the area below is properly protected.

Most experienced tile installers will agree that some of the most critical points to consider when planning exterior tile projects are:

• Waterproofing and Flashing Details
• Inclusion of Movement Joints
• A Suitable Surface

In fact, some installers refuse to take on outdoor tile jobs if the customer does not want to pay for the proper build-up assembly underneath, and waterproofing seems to be the most critical factor.



When the problem can't be avoided, Tiledek simplifies the solution.

One of the most common problems with exterior tile is experiencing tiles 'popping' or 'lifting'. When your outdoor tile assembly utilizes the Duradek Ultra Tiledek recommended application, this becomes a very minor issue. Because the Tiledek waterproof membrane is installed underneath the thin set mortar, tile and grout, even if a tile does lift it does not at all compromise the waterproofing protection and the tile can easily be adhered back in place. Without a proper waterproof membrane underneath the tiles, once one tile lifts you have no certainty whatsoever that the entire tiled surface has not been compromised.

Tile 'lifting' could be avoided when adhered to a Tiledek Membrane

With the costs involved in an outdoor tile job (just the tiles themselves can be expensive), you get heh most value out of your investment when you choose to do it right the first time...do it with Duradek Ultra Tiledek.

To see an example of how Tiledek has outperformed its predecessors, read these real-life examples from Vancouver, BC, Centerville Bench, UT and the Bay Area, CA.

Porcelain/Stone Tile On Outdoor Decks Over Living Space - White Paper

Porcelain or Stone Tile on outdoor decks provides a beautiful surface but the failure rate is high. This paper discusses the common pitfalls of a tile overlay from the construction of the deck throught the application of the top finish. It deals primarily with decks and balconies on wood frame buildings with a focus on protecting the structure with solid waterproofing (roofing) details. It also prepares the reader with the questions to ask when choosing tile, thinset mortars, decoupling and drainage mats and making decisions on slope and railing attachment. To view the White Paper, DOWLOAD HERE.