In order to isolate the covering from the substrate with modern thin-bed methods, if we take this type of tiled application and apply state-of-the-art technology, an uncoupling system can be produced that works in a similar way. A membrane type uncoupling system, such as Schlüter®-DITRA, which is illustrated in Figure 3, prevents damage to the ceramic or stone surface, even when tiles bridge a board joint as in Figure 1.
Schlüter®-DITRA 25 has a uniform three-millimetre-deep grid structure of square cavities cut back in a dovetail configuration. An anchoring fleece is laminated to the underside, and the mat is installed by bonding this anchoring fleece onto the load-bearing substrate. A tile adhesive suitable for the format and application of the tile is then applied on top of the mat, and the tiles are set in the thin-bed method. Because the adhesive is mechanically anchored into the cut-back grid cavities, there is no direct bond between the covering and the substrate. Consequently, deformation stresses originating in the substrate are not transferred to the surface. The result: no surface damage.
Although this uncoupling system protects the surface, movement joints are still required. The two work in conjunction with each other to produce a complete systems solution. Stress-relieving movement joints are still needed within the surface to absorb thermal expansion and contraction of the tile.