Cement board (used in tile underlayment) is now standard for most tile installations, but particularly for floor tile. Cement board also provides an additional layer over a plywood or particleboard subfloor, adding stiffness to the tiled surface to help prevent cracks.
Correspondingly, how thick should cement board be under tile floor?
Cement-fiber, or similarly reinforced, backer board comes in standard 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch thicknesses. If you’re installing backer board over an existing subfloor, 1/4 inch is sufficient. If you’re installing backer board in new construction, attaching it directly to floor joists, opt for 1/2 inch sheets.
Similarly, can you install tile on plywood? While tile can be laid on plywood, do not install tile directly onto the plywood subfloor itself.
Herein, can cement board be used for flooring?
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. Ceramic tile laid over cement board is one of the most durable floor or wall surfaces you can install.
Should I put Thinset under cement board?
Thinset is absolutely required beneath backer-board on a floor. Also, backer-board provides no structural strength at all. You can not install it directly over a 1x subfloor; that is way too thin and will deflect. It does not sound as if you have a quality-minded contractor.
17 Related Question Answers Found
Which backer board is best for floors?
Cement board is a good, reliable backer board that works well on both floors and walls. Keep in mind that most tile setters err on the side of caution and brush a waterproofing membrane on top of cement board when it is in wet areas like showers or tub surrounds.
Can you use 1/4 inch cement board on floors?
Floors. Both 1/4- and1/2-inch cement board are appropriate for floors. To install cement board on floors, cement board manufacturers mandate a 5/8-inch plywood subfloor or OSB underlayment. They also require a 3/4-inch subfloor where tile size exceeds 12 inches.
What is the best cement board for tile?
Tile Backer Board Breakdown Foam boards are lightweight, easy to cut, and a completely waterproof. Pictured: Wedi Board tile backer board. Schluter approves Kerdi over drywall. Hardibacker is the best known fiber cement board. Cement board has improved over the years and is easier to work with.
Can I use deck screws for cement board?
There are screws made for concrete board. Bugle head like drywall screws but they are coated to resist corrosion and have sufficient strength to support the board. The heads are larger than deck screws or drywall screws, too. Rona, HD, HH will all have them.
How do you fix backer board to floor?
If you floor is solid then you lay the hardie down in a staggard pattern using adhesive initally and then screws. The adhesive is only there to fill potential voids underneath the board and not as an adhesive. Use a flexible adhesive both below and above the boards and screw the boards down at about 200mm centres.
Do I need to Thinset under Hardibacker?
Since you are putting down hardie board on boards with small gaps, I would not recommend trying to put down thinset under it. It will make an enormous mess under the house (or whatever is under your bathroom). It is also more likely to make the floor uneven since it is hard to level thinset that is separated by gaps.
How thick should Thinset be under tile?
The terms thinset cement, thinset mortar, dryset mortar, and drybond mortar are synonymous. This type of cement is designed to adhere well in a thin layer – typically not greater than 3/16th thick. For example, a 3/8″ notch trowel will produce a 3/16th inch thick coating after the tiles are pressed in to the cement.
How do you attach cement board to floor?
Precut and fit all the cement board and then lift all of the cement boards out. Then spread thinset mortar with the flat side of a 1/4-in. notched trowel and use the notched edge to “comb” the mortar. Embed the cement board and screw it to the underlayment with special 1-1/4 in.
Should you put cement board under a tub?
You don’t need any cement board under the tub. It is far more important to have a sturdy layer of ply under the tub.
How do you secure cement board to the floor?
backer board Step 1: SNAP A GRID OF CHALK LINES TO MARK THE LOCATION OF BACKERBOARD. Step 2: WHILE THE MORTAR IS STILL WET, PLACE A SHEET OF BACKERBOARD ONTO IT. Step 3: SECURE BACKERBOARD WITH SCREWS. Step 4: FILL THE JOINTS WITH MORTAR. Step 5: COVER JOINTS WITH FIBERGLASS TAPE.
Can you use drywall screws for cement board?
No, you should not be using drywall screws. Drywall screws can corrode from presence of portland cement and lime in mortar and CBU. There are screws that are specially coated to be used with the cement board.
Can you walk on cement board?
You need to fasten the backer-board before the mortar sets up underneath, so walking on it while it’s wet isn’t a problem.
What is the purpose of cement board?
The primary purpose of cement boards is to serve as backing for tile and is superior to paper-covered gypsum at this task because of its resistance to water – as tile is typically used in areas prone to water exposure, it is important to have a backing that will not develop mold and mildew or disintegrate after
Does cement board need to be waterproofed?
“A waterproof membrane or vapor retarder membrane must be specified to prevent moisture intrusion and protect adjacent building materials.” ~B412 Bathtub or shower with prefabricated receptor. Cement board or Fiber-cement board. Consult local building code for moisture barrier requirements.”
Which side of cement board faces out?
Cement board has a smooth side and a rough side. Face the rough side out if you will be using thin-set mortar adhesive to install the tile but the smooth side out if you will be using latex mastic.
What kind of Thinset do you use for Hardibacker?
To save a few bucks, you can use dry-set mortar under Hardi, but if you want to simplify things and deal with only one thinset, use a modified thinset like 253 Gold for both applications. Rialto is a porcelain tile that has deep depressions on the back.
Can you put cement board on a ceiling?
Walls and ceilings: 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch thick backer board. Apply directly to the wall studs or joists, with each spaced at a maximum of 16 inches on-center.