Table of Contents
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.
Which is better backer board or cement board?
Cement board is the most common and widely-known backer board. On the downside, the cement boards are heavy, somewhat difficult to cut and can leave abrasive sandy crumbs that can damage tubs and shower bases if you’re not careful. Cement board is a good, reliable backer board that works well on both floors and walls.
What’s the difference between cement board and durock?
Durock cement boards are denser and heavier than Hardibacker cement boards, and Durock boards contain glass mesh. It is harder to clean up if you cut Durock boards because of the added material and glass mesh. Hardibacker cement boards are unique because of their EZ Grid pattern design that makes them easier to cut.
Is Hardibacker board good for showers?
A good backer board that works well on both floors and walls is cement board. When it is in wet areas like showers or tub surrounds, most tile setters brush a waterproof barrier on top of the cement board.
What is HardieBacker cement board used for?
HardieBacker® cement board is a tile underlayment made to use on walls, with floors and countertops. Works as a tile backerboard and as an underlayment for tile, vinyl and wood flooring. 0.42\” cement board is made of 90% Portland cement and sand, resists damage from moisture and provides excellent tile adhesion.
Do I need to seal cement board before tiling?
Contrary to popular thought, tile and grout are not waterproof, and some moisture will penetrate even if sealant is used. However, if you choose to use concrete backerboard, which is much stronger and more durable than gypsum board, a water vapor membrane must be placed underneath it or a sealant applied on top of it.
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.
Does durock need a vapor barrier?
I called USG,the maker of Durock cement board Next Gen, and they advised using no vapor barrier so that the wall cavity can breath and allow any moisture to evaporate. Their online instructions/diagrams show no use of a vapor barrier.
Can Hardibacker get wet?
It’s not waterproof but it will not disintegrate or lose its strength when wet. You should allow it dry thoroughly, however, before using it.
Do I really need Thinset under backer board?
Not only is thinset a critical component underneath cement board but the other critical component is the fasteners. And you won’t have the fasteners if you are trying to install it over concrete.
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.
Do I 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.
Can you use durock in 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.
Do you have to tape seams on Hardibacker?
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 this does is tie the two boards together and help prevent flexing.
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. Along the perimeter, screws should be installed at least ½ inch from the edge, but no more than 2 1/4 inches.
What thickness Hardibacker should I use?
We recommend 1/4 in HardieBacker® board for floor applications, unless 1/2 in thickness is needed for transition. On existing structures: Ensure subfloor is not damaged.
Can you tile directly onto Cement board?
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.
Can you tile straight onto Hardibacker?
The Hardibacker will be fine to tile straight onto.
How far apart do you put screws in Cement board?
Drill screws through the backerboard sheets every 6 to 8 inches. Position the screws at least 1/2-inch, but no more than 2 inches, from the edge of the sheet.
Do I need RedGard on Hardibacker?
You really don’t need the RedGard, but the more protection the betterso go for it. And yes, you can do the boards beforehand. But, hit the filled seams & screws (your weak points) as soon as a panel is ready to give it some time to setup. You’ll have to wait for the fills to dry or at least setup anyway.
Does 100% silicone stick to RedGard?
Caulk that gap with siliconized or latex caulk and then use Redgard over the caulk. Regard will not stick to 100% silicone caulk. You DO NOT want moisture collecting in that crevice and it can if you stuff it with thinset.
Does it matter which side of cement board faces out?
No, it doesn’t matter. Regardless of which side faces out during installation, you can expect the same great performance that has made USG Durock® Brand Cement Board the preferred choice of professionals and do-it-yourselfers for decades.
Can Durock cement board get wet?
Water does not affect USG Durock® Brand Cement Board, however, TCNA guidelines recommend the use of a waterproof membrane in wet areas.
Do I need a vapor barrier in shower?
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.
