Best Tile Backer Board For Floors

Backer board is the best substrate for tile.

Best tile backer board for floors.

Snap a grid to the subfloor using a chalk line to mark your backerboard placement. You ve probably heard of hardiebacker tile backer board. It s a sort of gray beige colored board and is available at any hardware box store. This is the industry standard most preferred by construction pros when installing ceramic or porcelain tile backer board comes in four foot by eight foot and three foot by five.

Membrane faced board only. It s typically available in 1 2 in. Hardibacker is the best known fiber cement board fiber cement board. Thick 3 x 5 ft.

The facing serves as an integrated waterproofing membrane so you don t need to install a separate layer of plastic behind the tile backer or a sheet membrane over the backer. Available in a wide variety of thicknesses and sizes they are compatible with virtually any substructure. Georgia pacific s densshield is one such product. The only building material derived from organic elements that does work is.

Fiberock is another popular product in this category. 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 a dry run and lay the backerboard down to fully cover the area you plan to tile. Score the board with a utility knife then cut it using a jig saw with a carbide blade.

Fiber cement board and cement board are closely related. Secondly once the self leveler is dry you can adhere tile directly to it. One type of tile backer board is made with a water resistant facing on both sides of the board. Wedi building panels are so much more than a simple tile backer board and offer endless installation opportunities.

Tile backer board basics. Plywood and osb substrates can warp and mold with water damage but tile backer board will do neither. Ardex liquid backer board is an example of a self leveler that doesn t need reinforcement. Whether it s a wall floor or countertop tile installation using the right substrate is crucial for preventing cracks and breaks in the tile and grout.

It s hard flat and incredibly stable. If needed cut the backerboard to fit in small spaces or around obstructions. Wedi building panels are lightweight internally waterproof and dimensionally stable making them fast clean and simple to work with. Tile needs a rock solid base or substrate to last for years without cracking not just any type of material will work as a substrate though.

Cement board is a good reliable backer board that works well on both floors and walls. You shouldn t add any backer board over the top of it. Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas.