Reduced heat loss, increased sound control Use of an uncoupling membrane throughout the tiled areas provided protection against stresses caused by movement of the suspended concrete floor. From there, heat- ing cables were quickly and easily secured between the studs on top of the membrane in the bathrooms. This didn’t create height differ- ences between the bathrooms and hallways since self-leveling com- pounds are not required to encap- sulate the cables. The tile could also be installed immediately after the cable was placed. The thicker bonding fleece on the underside of the membrane performs two functions. It acts as a Feature: Tile brings warmth and quiet to oceanfront condominium A self-adhesive polyethylene foam gasket was adhered to all the walls the tile would abut to allow the tile assembly to expand unimpeded and to prevent the transfer of impact sound between the floor and walls. The same membrane was used throughout, but heating cables were not installed in areas outside of the bathrooms. 40 TileLetter | May 2018