Wall Tile Backer Board Needed

Tile needs to be installed on a backer board to keep the assembly stiff otherwise the assembly will flex at the grout joints allowing water to seep behind the tile and rot the substructure.

Wall tile backer board needed.

Fiber cement board and cement board are closely related. Choose a backer board that s the same thickness as the drywall so you have a seamless transition from one to the other. You don t need to use a backer board in the entire bathroom just in the wet shower area. Georgia pacific s densshield is one such product.

Cement backer board comes in two standard thicknesses 1 2 inch and 1 4 inch. Secondly once the self leveler is dry you can adhere tile directly to it. Do a dry run and lay the backerboard down to fully cover the area you plan to tile. Membrane faced board only.

Measure the work area and cut your boards to fit. During that discussion we had talked about adding a 1 4 drywall layer over. The industry standard is to use 1 2 inch thick backer board on wall tile installations such as a tub surround. Doesn t deteriorate when wet.

Whether it s a wall floor or countertop tile installation using the right substrate is crucial for preventing cracks and breaks in the tile and grout. Score the board with a utility knife then cut it using a jig saw with a carbide blade. If needed cut the backerboard to fit in small spaces or around obstructions. The backerboard should completely cover the subfloor joints.

Hardibacker is the best known fiber cement board fiber cement board. It s hard flat and incredibly stable. Fiberock is another popular product in this category. Ardex liquid backer board is an example of a self leveler that doesn t need reinforcement.

Cement board commonly sold under trade names such as durock hardiebacker and wonderboard is now the standard underlayment used for ceramic porcelain or stone tile laid with thinset mortar adhesive cement board is used for most floor tile and has all but replaced plywood and drywall backer materials for wall tile applications in wet areas like showers and tub surrounds. My contractor has told me that there is no need to put backer board on the wall for a tile backsplash in the kitchen. Plywood and osb substrates can warp and mold with water damage but tile backer board will do neither. One type of tile backer board is made with a water resistant facing on both sides of the board.

It s a sort of gray beige colored board and is available at any hardware box store. Custom s fiber reinforced levelquick is another. You ve probably heard of hardiebacker tile backer board. To cut a backer board mark the board score it with a knife and snap it along the cut.