How To Install Backer Board On Bathroom Walls

Cement board commonly sold under trade names such as durock hardiebacker and wonderboard is now the standard underlayment used for ceramic porcelain or stone tile laid with thinset mortar adhesive 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.

How to install backer board on bathroom walls.

Lay the backer board according to the manufacturer s instructions. Then apply a generous amount of thin set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1 8 in. Carefully lift the backerboard panel into the tub area and set it on several shims placed about a foot apart to maintain a 1 4 inch gap between the board and tub. Anyone can enjoy the benefits of a cement board shower system if you follow these 3 easy steps.

The best approach when installing cement board or other tile backer around a tub is to keep the cement board out of the lip area. Using a notched trowel apply a leveling bed of thinset mortar over the subfloor and embed the backer board sheets into the adhesive. Install blocking for future grab bars while the walls are open. But that s pretty much where the similarity ends.

Add more mortar as necessary to fill sunken areas in. The backerboard should completely cover the subfloor joints. All the insider information on how to build and waterproof a. The fasteners should be flush with the surface.

If needed cut the backerboard to fit in small spaces or around obstructions. Score the board with a utility knife then cut it using a jig saw with a carbide blade. Backer board is everything that drywall is not. It s made primarily with cement and sand and it has no paper that can deteriorate or promote mold growth if it gets wet.

Spread the mortar to about 3 16 thickness. Above the lip of the tub. Ceramic tile backer board also called cement board or tile backer is a rigid panel material that installs over wood framing much like drywall.