QA

How To Install Durock On Walls

Does it matter which side of durock faces out?

When installing USG Durock® Brand Cement Board Panels with EdgeGuard, does it matter which side faces out? No, it doesn’t matter. The purpose of the dual surfaces (one smooth side, one textured side) on USG Durock® Brand Cement Board is to better receive mastic and thin-set mortar.

Do you have to put thinset under durock?

However, many manufacturers including, both Durock and Hardiebacker not only recommend that you use thinset under their backerboard, but they specify it and will void the warranty on their product if it’s not used. Thinset is going to create a solid surface under tile and prevent flexing that could lead to cracking.

How do you fill gap between cement board and drywall?

Fill the gap between the boards with mortar using the 6-inch taping knife. Force it into the gap and apply a thin layer on both sides of the joint for a total width of 3 to 4 inches. Place fiberglass mesh tape over the entire length of the joint and smooth it with the knife.

How do you secure cement board?

Use nails or screws as temporary spacers to create a 1/8-in. gap between sheets of cement board. When you squeeze the thin-set mortar into this gap, it will lock the two sheets together and strengthen the seam. Finally, leave extra clearance around each piece by deducting about 1/4 in.

What do you put on durock seams?

For tile backer boards such as Durock, Wonderboard, Hardiebacker, Permabase, and others the seams between the board need to be treated with 2-inch alkali-resistant mesh tape. Then a coat of thinset gets flat troweled over the seam.

What thinset should I use under durock?

Apply latex-fortified mortar or Type 1 organic adhesive with a notched trowel. Hold trowel at an angle to maintain uniform thickness.

Are drywall screws OK for cement board?

Therefore, drywall screws or nails will not work for cement boards. The fasteners designed for use with drywall do not feature the corrosion- and alkali-resistant coating that enables the cement board or galvanized fasteners to last.

What thinset do I use for cement board?

An unmodified thinset (Masterblend) is fine between the Hardi and the subfloor. The reason for the layer of thinset between the cement board and the subfloor is to fill the voids/gaps between the two. It’ll keep the cement board from moving up and down.

Do you need to tape cement board before tiling?

If you are going to tile over the cement board, you should tape the seams. This should not be that difficult. Pack in thinset, lay on the tape, and flat-knife to get it set in. In the corners, use a corner knife.

Can I just screw down cement board?

Screw and Joints Do not use drywall screws as they are not recommended to be used to hold the backer board in place. All of your backer board pieces should be cut before they are placed on​ the floor. It is important to highlight that screws shall not be installed all the way down to the floor joists.

How far apart are screws in durock?

Fasten panels to subfloor while the adhesive is wet with 32 mm (1-1/4″) CGC Durock Wood Screws or 38 mm (1-1/2″) hot-dipped galvanized roofing nails spaced 203 mm (8″) o.c. in both directions.

How many screws are in a sheet of durock?

Fasten the DUROCK Brand Cement Board with 1-1/4 hot-dipped galvanized roofing nails or 1-1/4 DUROCK Brand Screws. In both directions, the floor must be at least 1/3.

Can you use drywall mud on durock?

Things You’ll Need Durock Cement Boards are a type of drywall reinforced with cement for a harder surface. This type of wall material can be finished just like ordinary drywall, using joint tape and joint compound.

Can you glue cement board to drywall?

Because cement board can be used either for floors or walls, the surface below the cement board will vary: In such wet areas, never install cement board directly over drywall or green board. Instead, first, remove the existing surface material, then install the cement board over the studs and membrane, as applicable.

What do you do with a gap between tub and cement board?

Technically, after the tile is installed over the backer board that gap between it and the tub ledge should be filled with an ASTM C920 sealant (caulking e.g. silicone). Although some say you should have weep holes along this gap so any water behind can weep out into the tub.

Do you have to waterproof cement board?

Hardiebacker (James Hardie): the use of a waterproof membrane, vapor barrier or vapor. retarding membrane is optional unless the local building code requires it.

Does durock need to be waterproofed?

Should USG Durock® Brand Cement Board Panels be waterproofed in wet area use? Water does not affect USG Durock® Brand Cement Board, however, TCNA guidelines recommend the use of a waterproof membrane in wet areas.

Is thin set a mortar?

Thinset is an adhesive cement used to secure floor and wall tiles to concrete surfaces. The word “thinset” is sometimes used interchangeably with “mortar,” because it’s a type of modified mortar made specifically for tile.