Table of Contents
What goes behind backer board in shower?
Use an appropriate waterproof or moisture-resistant backing material behind grouted tile or stone or segmented plastic or fiberglass tub and shower surrounds. Appropriate materials include cement board which has a cementitious core and glass mats on both sides to strengthen the board.
Do you need to waterproof backer board in a shower?
Whether you’re laying down a new tile floor or installing a shower, you may use a sheathing material such as backerboard. Although most backerboards currently available won’t fall apart when exposed to moisture and are somewhat water-resistant, they aren’t waterproof.
Which is better durock or Hardibacker?
Durock is too abrasive and can damage vinyl, porcelain, and enamel. HardieBacker does not contain any course materials, so it is the preferable choice. It has a warranty that extends over the use of vinyl tile applications. Durock does not.
Do I need a vapor barrier behind cement board in shower?
Their online instructions/diagrams show no use of a vapor barrier. You should, so that any moisture that gets behind the cement board runs into the tub or shower instead of into your wall cavity (causing rot or mold/mildew).
Do I need vapor barrier behind Hardibacker?
Hardibacker doesn’t need a vapor barrier or waterproofing except you do need to tape and thinset the joints.
How far apart do you put screws in cement board?
Fasten the backer board to the floor using proper nails or screws, as recommended by the manufacturer, every 8″ around the perimeter and all supporting the studs. Keep fasteners between 3/8″ and 3/4″ from sheet edges and 2″ in from sheet corners.
How thick should cement board be for shower walls?
The minimum recommended thickness for the shower wall is 1/2″ because like some of the other boards, they become far too flexible at thicknesses below 1/2″. Foam shower tile backer boards are generally about 4x the cost of cement board.
Does cement board need to be waterproofed before tiling?
Tile and grout are not waterproof Cement board will not fall apart when exposed to water. But like a concrete walkway, it can soak up water. It can also dry out and be perfectly fine.
Can I use Hardibacker in a shower?
Installing cement backerboard is one of the more popular choices for a shower wall substrate. Cement backerboards include Hardiebacker, Durock, Fiberboard, wonderboard, and similar products. When installed properly they will give you many, many years of durable shower construction.
Does a shower need a vapor barrier?
No matter how watertight you think your shower is, moisture in the form of water vapor may still get in. They are required beneath your shower pan and behind your shower walls. Moisture barriers can be made of polyethylene or a membrane that is rolled directly onto the drywall.
Can you tile directly on drywall?
The short answer to the question, “Can you tile over drywall?” is yes. In areas of high moisture, such as walls in a shower, for long term durability, it is NOT advised to install tile over drywall, even if the drywall is Type MR, moisture resistant.
Can you use cement board in a shower?
There are several acceptable applications of cement board in the shower. All applications pair up the tile board with some kind of waterproofing material, whether a liquid membrane, plastic sheeting, an uncoupling membrane like Schluter Kerdi, or a board that is already faced with waterproofing.
Can you tile directly over green board?
You can tile over greenboard sheetrock whether it is in the shower or any other location. To do this, roll on a layer of sealing primer and leave it to dry for 24 hours. After that, you can tile over the greenboard sheetrock in the same manner as you would with any other bathroom tiling.
Which side of cement board faces out?
Screw the board in place 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.
Can you put backer board over drywall in a shower?
Walls: For highly wet areas, such as showers and bathtub surrounds, cement board typically is attached directly over the wall studs, although the studs may be covered with an intervening moisture membrane. In such wet areas, never install cement board directly over drywall or green board.
Can I use plastic sheeting as a vapor barrier?
In simple terms, a vapor barrier is a material that won’t allow moisture to pass through it, such as plastic sheeting. A very simple experiment to show how a vapor barrier works is to lay a plastic garbage bag down on some damp soil. There are two basic types of vapor barriers used with exterior wall insulation.
Does Hardibacker need to be waterproofed?
Hardiebacker (James Hardie): the use of a waterproof membrane, vapor barrier or vapor. retarding membrane is optional unless the local building code requires it.
What is the best backer board for a shower?
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.
Do you need to waterproof shower walls before tiling?
Contrary to popular belief, ceramic tile and grout, by themselves are not waterproof. Water can penetrate through cement-based grout and work its way through the substrate. To prevent water damage, you must install a waterproof membrane just below the tile bonding mortar as close to the tile as possible.
Does cement board go over lip of shower pan?
ANSWER – No there should not be a gap between the top of the bathtub flange and the backer board on the wall. The backer board should overlap the tub flange so the tile has a stable backing to attach to. This requires shimming the backer board out from the studs so the wall is plumb.
