QA

How To Install Permabase Cement Board On Floor

Can you put cement board on the floor?

Cement board is a type of underlayment that is now standard for most tile installations, especially for floor tile. The primary benefit of cement board is that it doesn’t break down, expand, or warp if it gets wet. This is a distinct advantage over plywood and drywall.

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.

Do I need plywood under cement board?

Because cement board can be used either for floors or walls, the surface below the cement board will vary: Flooring: For ceramic tile floors, the cement board usually rests on a plywood subfloor (minimum 5/8-inch-thick exterior-grade plywood or OSB).

Do you have to put thinset under cement board?

Using thinset under cement board is a commonly skipped step amongst many contractors. Proper installation would be to follow the manufacturers installation instructions for applying cement board to a subfloor. Thinset is going to create a solid surface under tile and prevent flexing that could lead to cracking.

What side of PermaBASE cement board faces out?

Install PermaBase with the printed side facing you. In typical situations, use two 3′ x 5′ boards horizontally for the tub back- wall, and one 3′ x 5′ board vertically at each endwall and ceiling. Cut cement board to size, attach to wall studs or ceiling joists using rec- ommended nails or screws.

What is better Durock or PermaBASE?

Though, upon doing extensive research on both, you’ll find that many professionals prefer PermaBASE Brand Cement Board over Durock since it is easier to cut and has better edge treatment that allows the installer to screw or nail closer to the edge.

Which side of PermaBASE faces out?

Heavy brackets, which jut out beyond the stud plane, should not be treated with PermaBase. The printed side is facing you. There are two 3′ x 5′ boards horizontally for the tub back wall and one 3′ x 5′ board vertically at each endwall and ceiling.

Can you use cement board as a subfloor instead of plywood?

Cement backerboard is more stable than plywood in high humidity and other wet environments. It won’t swell and buckle the way that plywood does, so it’s safe to use in mudrooms and bathrooms where things like spills and puddles are normal, as well as in areas with high levels of moisture in the air.

Can I use 1/4 cement board on 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.

Can you walk on backer board?

Some cement boards are “softer” than others, so dragging a refridge over it will crush or damage some. the main thing is just be carefull of it. Thank you.

How many screws do I need for cement board?

Hang the cement boards cement board to the back wall. Place special 1-1/4 in. cement board screws every 8 in. along each stud but 1 in.

Do you need plywood behind Hardie board?

Fiber cement siding should be installed over plywood, OSB, or sheathing. Building codes will usually require installing siding over water-resistant barriers and nailed into the studs every 16 or 24 inches.

Do I need plywood under durock?

Subfloor should be minimum 5/8″ APA span-rated plywood or OSB with an Exposure 1 classification or better. Minimum 3/4″ APA span- rated plywood or OSB with an Exposure 1 classification or better. Cover base with USG Durock™ Brand Tile Membrane, 15 lb. felt or 4-mil polyethylene and attach with 1/4″ galvanized staples.

What kind of thinset goes under cement board?

An unmodified thinset (Masterblend) is fine between the Hardi and the subfloor. Tara, 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.

How thick should thinset be under Backerboard?

The thin set under the backer board may account for about 1/16″. The bond coat for the tiles about 3/32 – 1/8″. Your best bet is to use 1/4″ which should end up being 5/16″, standard thickness tiles can average about 3/8″ installed, plus or minus. You’ll be very close, but may need to tweak the last tiles a bit.

What goes under Hardieboard?

Either is acceptable, but we recommend that the smooth side with the nailing pattern of every 8″ on center go up. What subfloor should HardieBacker® cement board be installed over? The minimum subfloor specified is 5/8″ exterior grade plywood or 23/32” exterior grade OSB subflooring.

Is there a front and back to cement board?

Cement board manufacturers imprint a gridlike pattern on one surface of the board. Also, cement board typically has a label or manufacturer sticker on the front of the board. The back of cement board is plain, has no manufacturer-defining stickers and is void of the front-featured grid.

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.

Is WonderBoard the same as cement board?

Unlike other cement backerboards, WonderBoard is not completely stiff. It is flexible, making it a good choice for curved surfaces. WonderBoard is also safer for wet areas than HardieBacker.

Is Durock the same as WonderBoard?

I found that Wonderboard is stiffer than Durock (less floppy) which makes it easier to handle, carrying up stairs, loading etc. It also seemed to have a more consistent cement fill with less voids and less soft and “crumbly” areas than Durock.

Do you have 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 you use concrete board for subfloor?

As long as the subfloor is sound, cement board (Hardiebacker, e.g.) is fine.

Can I use backer board for subfloor?

1 Answer. No, Hardie cement board is not meant to be structural, and it will not work in place of a subfloor. The board is very strong in compression and very stable so that the tiles applied to it do not crack, but it has very little shear strength.

Can I use durock as a subfloor?

B. Laminate DUROCK cement board to subfloor using Type 1 organic adhesive, latex-fortified mortar or dry-set mortar mixed with acrylic latex additive that is suitable for bonding cement backer board to plywood subfloor, with 1/4″ square-notched trowel for mortar, 5/32″ V-notched trowel for adhesive.