Under Tile Board

Cement based backer board.

Under tile board.

Now largely regarded as the very best underlayment for ceramic tile in any application floors walls and countertops cement based backer board goes by many names. The polymer modified thin set provides additional strength and helps eliminate any movement between the backer board and the subfloor. It is generically called cement board or backer board or it can also be referred to by one of the common brand names such as densshield hardiebacker and wonderboard. Lay the tile in thin set set the tiles using the same latex modified thin set and techniques used for the cement board.

This is a distinct advantage over plywood and drywall. Cement board is a type of underlayment that is now standard for most tile installations but particularly for floor tile. This provides a solid surface under the tile that prevents flexing that could lead to cracking. 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.

Only mix as much thin set as you can use in a half hour and be sure to have solid support under each tile. Use a polymer modified thin set a type of mortar to attach the backer board to the subfloor. Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage. In this highly convenient inexpensive and popular application a moisture barrier of 4 or 6 mil thick plastic is installed directly over the wall studs.

Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor. If you must install over such surfaces it is best to install a backer board over the old surface and install the tile on the backer board. If you follow all these steps you ll have a stiff monolithic crack free floor. Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water.

The primary benefit of cement board is that it doesn t break down or expand or warp if it gets wet. Tile backer is used under tile flooring and in tile showers or bathtub areas to prevent damage to the tile installation if moisture gets behind the tile. It is made of cement water silica limestone flour and fibers such as kevlar or fiberglass for increased strength. Then the cement board is installed on top of the plastic sheeting.

Tile is hard and will break or dislodge if the surface bends under the load and many wood surfaces can expand or contract negatively impacting their ability to stay level and support the weight. Cement backer board is a mineral based pre fabricated wall unit usually 1 4 inch or 1 2 inch thick and 3 feet by 5 feet long. Cement board also provides an additional layer over a plywood or particleboard subfloor adding stiffness to the tile.