What Is Tile Backer Board Used For

Half inch cement backer board is ideal for most tiling jobs including walls floors countertops and ceilings.

What is tile backer board used for.

It is used on flooring installations as a means of creating a stable and easier to work with subfloor. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water. Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor. When it comes to installing a tile backer board the easiest to install is usually the worst choice or most expensive option.

It is also used in shower and tub enclosures or anywhere with significant wetness issues as a means of helping to create a moisture barrier. Backer boards can be nailed or screwed into studs or cinderblock brick mortar or concrete. Hardiebacker cement board is made better to install better and perform better. For flooring the backer board should be installed over a 5 8 inch thick osb or plywood base.

How to install tile backer board. Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water. Cement backer board is commonly used to form a base for ceramic tile. Wedi board tile backer board which shower tile backer board is best.

Backerboard or cement board comes in sheets much like drywall and is used in a couple of ways. Make sure to tape the seams and corners of the backer board according the manufacturer recommendations. Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas. I often get questions on what sort of tile backer board to use for showers and tub surrounds.

And if you re building a new house or remodeling a kitchen you ll also want to put backer board behind the backsplash. Also called a cementitious backer unit or cbu. This guide will teach you how to properly lay cement backerboard and use mortar to secure and level your subfloor before installing tile. But with many non organic shower backer boards available as alternatives there is little reason to use greenboard.

That s why it was named the most preferred brand of backer board by tile installers and contractors according to the 2019 tile and stone report conducted by clearseas research in partnership with the national tile contractors association and tile magazine. Some homeowners believe that painting or priming plywood will render it suitable to use as shower tub backer board. For countertops use 3 4 inch plywood beneath the backer board. Plywood alone cannot be used as a substrate under tile in showers.

Backer board is also used under floor tile when there s a wood sub floor. This is not true.