Hardibacker or Wonderboard

I am going to attempt to install tile on a wood floor (mobile home). What product would you experts recommend: Haribacker or Wonderboard?

Additionally, what adhesive product would you recommend between would and backer?

What modified thinset product would you recommend?

Any advise is greatly appreciate. (And boys, savior this, because you won't hear that often from a woman! LOL)

EXACTLY what type of flooring is in this mobile home, how many layers of what and how thick?

Uh. I don't really know (yet) but the manufacturer said it is one of three products. The manufacturer told me it was of sufficient structure to install tile assuming I used a backer. So the question is what thickness and what brand.

P.S. I do really appreciate this formum and the advise!

Susan I'm not sure the mobile home manufacturer knows the in-and-outs of ceramic tile installations. I'm not aware of a mobile home structure that is suitable for a ceramic tile installation, that's not to say there isn't one somewhere. Backerboards offer absolutely NO structural benefit what-so-ever and installing a backerboard first won't change a thing.

Susan, I wouldn't take the manufacturer's word for it. They can tell you what the floor is made of or you could jepordize your project. See what they say. If they can't/won't help you then consider drilling thru the floor in an out of the way place with a 1" or so metal bit to see what you've got then tell this board. You should be able to readily patch the hole. Be careful what you drill thru.
Seems to me many mobile homes will have alot of expansion/contraction so you really need a solid substrate. You need to know what you've got there.
What RD says.

The subfloors are usually particleboard also, that's a no-no too.

When I lived in a mobile home back in the college days, I had good luck with peel and stick vinyl tiles on the particle board floor.

I saw a TV ad for a product that "looks like tile" but is made and installs like laminate (I assume without a grout joint).

I also say an ad for a ceramic tile that looks like wood.

What next?

What next?

Correct HD advice? Nahhh!

Okie dokie (affectionately of course LOL). So let me jump in again. I know that the floor isn't particle board, it is one of three type of woods. I also know that the manufacturer offers tile in these home (they are considered modular homes plus I am in Az for what it's worth). The reason I didn't have them install the tile is because of the cost. I am also going to try to find out what it is tonight. So. With that, assuming the wood is sufficient, what would you recommend. Hardibacker or wonderboard. Also what product for between the wood and back. What would you recommend for a thinset product? P. S. I am still very grateful for your input!

OK, that's different. A mobile home and a modular home are two intirely different animals these days. Ceramic tile in mudular homes is being done all of the time.

Hardibacker and Wonderboard are basically the same thing tho they look very different. Both are good products. Between the cement board and the existing floor you would use unmodified thinset, then to install the tile you would use modified thinset, both sold at Home Depot.

Hopefully your floor joists are 2" X 10" and on 16" centers. The subfloor should be at least 3/4" thick and more would of course be better. If the present "wood floors" are slat-wood then that's an issue.

More info. I pulled up the carpet and observed the "wood". I haven't a clue what it is. I does however have a green colored surface. It didnt appear to be laminated. However, if I knew what I was doing, I wouldn't be begging for help! LOL! Any ideas on this limited info? What about the brand of adhesive/thin set?

Susan, you've been given some good direction here. You need to find out what you have there, not just on the surface but throughout. You can't proceed until you get past that point.
Can you get someone to cut a hole and tell us what you have there as well as tell us the joist situation?
No need to worry about thinset at this point. That's the easy part.
If you get the deflection wrong the project should fail so let us know.

Susan I have been a hard surface contractor for 40 years Marble Granite wood & tile. My mother has a mobile home in AZ as well. I recently put hardibacker on top of the flooring without taking up the vinyl in the mobile home she has then, put 12x24 granite with a 4x4 at the top corner. It makes a lovley floor that is hard and heavy. I had no problem with a latex mixture with thinset. It comes pre mixed or you can get regular thinset & add the latex in place of water. You should put the flooring in. The supports will take the weight if there is any problem use extra floor supports that are easy to in stall.
Good luck if I can b of any help I will be in AZ in November If you would like me to stop by with the pix of the install, drop me a line

BRRRRR- I don't know if this guy creeps me out more, or rd's old guy tile pics.

Capolavro Ltd, I'm an amateur tile DIY'er but it's still not clear if Susan lives in a mobile home or a modular home.
I know nothing about mobile homes and about the same on modulars, even though I've lived in both. If it was my house I'd check out what's there first, but I'm a little paranoid about these things.

Whether or not the structure will support the weight isn't even the issue here and isn't at all a concern. The structure WILL support the weight.

Susan you came here for legitimate advice and what you are getting (until now) is by-the-book, a book that the author of Reply 14 has obviously never seen or read or practiced.

Stranger things have happened you know. And worked. Again some work is a little unorthodox at times but to those willing to take a risk reap the rewards. Not saying anybody is wrong or right here.

The information dispensed here will always be accurate and correct when dealing with the right people, and you know who you are

I like to beleive I'm one but after many years of this sh*t I'm learning everyday myself.

The best advice is advice that comes from standards and practices that are accepted by the industry which is what the regulars here try to do. This isn't to say odd-ball stuff won't work, in some cases it will. But to offer advice to a novice DIY that isn't a proven method is risky to the success of the job. DIY's that come to these places for advice and recommendations deserve the absolute best information available and advice that isn't sanctioned by anyone in the industry isn't the way to go.

We live in Oklahoma and are considering installing ceramic tile in a mobile home. It has 2x6 floor joists 15", with particle board flooring. We have replace some with 3/4" plywood. We were told to lay backer board and it would be ok to install the tile. What is the best solution. The vinyl floor fades, yellows and curls up at the seams. Is tile to heavy? What concerns should we have?