Floor Tile Backer Board Installation

Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water.

Floor tile backer board installation. Install a cement based backer board following the manufacturer s instructions. First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood. Second the strength of wood boards isn t always consistent. The backer board comes in different sizes and you will pick the right one depending on the type of floor you are installing.

Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor. Some backer boards will have the fastener locations printed on the board. This guide will teach you how to properly lay cement backerboard and use mortar to secure and level your subfloor before installing tile. When installing floor tile or any tile for that matter the most important aspect of the installation is always the preparation.

Congratulations you now have a perfect floor for your perfect tile installation. Not using mesh tape on the seams of your cement board installation. Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas. Installing backer board involves three main steps.

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. Floor tiles should be installed over smooth flat surfaces. To achieve the ideal flat surface most contractors rely on the backer board cement backer board is a thin layer of concrete designed to be setting surface upon which tile can be installed. According to backer board manufacturers and tile setters installing backer board directly over an old solid wood subfloor is risky for a couple of reasons.

This provides a solid surface under the tile that prevents flexing that could lead to cracking. Use a polymer modified thin set a type of mortar to attach the backer board to the subfloor. Cutting fastening and taping and mudding. I m using a 6 inch galvanized metal flashing screwed into the backer board and on the back into the densglass with drywall.

Don t skip this. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water.