Selecting a Tile Backer Board
Since I just started researching and understanding the uses of backer boards, I learned that I used the incorrect backer board for a project so here is a straightforward list of what each backer board is used for....
Greenboard : (moisture resistant, NOT water-proof)
Backsplash in a Kitchen
Behind a fireplace
Behind a vanity or toilet
Glass Mat Gypsum Wall Board: this product has taken the place of green board, it is moisture resistant but it has a waterproof coating on its face)
It is used in places that could get a little wet.
Backsplash in a Kitchen
Behind a fireplace
Behind a vanity or toilet
When planning on building and tiling a shower, use one of the below options: This is where I went wrong, I used greenboard on the shower walls, thankfully I learned what needed to be used before I started tiling. I had to takedown the greenboard and add cement board. it was extra work, but at least I didn't tile over the greenboard yet!
Fiber cement board
This is what I used! The Hardiebacker Board 1/4" with the Hardiebacker screws and Alkaline Tape
For building a shower
Easy to cut
Not too heavy to move
Easy to install
Fiber cement board and cement board are closely related. You’ve probably heard of Hardiebacker tile backer board. Fiberock is another popular product in this category. It’s a sort of gray/beige colored board and is available at any hardware box store.
For installing make sure to use the proper screws (or galvanized roofing nails) when installing. I prefer screws because they don’t bang on the wall and cause cracking in the sheetrock in the rest of the room. The seams should be taped with alkaline resistant mesh tape and thinset.
But when it comes to getting wet these fiber cement tile backer boards hold up well. They will soak up water but will dry out without losing their form. Because they will absorb moisture there should always be some sort of a moisture barrier when using these tile backer boards in a shower or other wet area. Either a vapor-type barrier behind the board or a waterproofing membrane on the front. This can take the form of a sheet membrane or a paint-on liquid.
*** When installing on masonry wall, I framed the wall with 2x4's and drilled the cement board right into the 2x4s. I read somewhere that you can use a strong adhesive on the back of the board and then drill screws with brown anchors right into the cement, this seemed tough to me considering I HATE drilling into concrete. Instead, I drilled a few 2x4's into the concrete and was able to easily hang the cement board on this. This also gave me the option to cut in between the studs and make a little shower niche/shelf for shampoo and soaps :-) More on this later.... if I can figure it out :-)
Cement Board
Popular Cement board brands are Durock, Wonderboard, and Permabase. Like the fiber cement boards these can be difficult to cut. The difficulty comes not so much from the stiffness but the edges that crumble. It does take some getting used to. And they’re heavy. And hard to hold on the wall while you start your screws.
Cement boards have improved over the last few years. The edges don’t crumble as bad as they used to. Permabase is the one that I prefer and I can usually drive screws into the very edge without it breaking off. Also the water absorption is quite low. You still need to waterproof them like the fiber cement boards above. And use the same screws and mesh tape.
Foam Board/Kerdi Board
The most popular board is probably Wedi tile backer board, but there’s a lot of players that have recently entered into this space. For instance, USG (Durock foam tile backer board) has recently come out with an extruded polystyrene foam backer board. Kerdi-board also is a very popular choice in this category.
There’s some big advantages to these panels for showers: They are lightweight and don’t damage the walls as you carry them into the house and upstairs. They are really easy to cut and the board itself is waterproof. No need for additional waterproofing. Some boards will need additional framing blocks at the seams. Wedi board seems to be stiffer than most.
The main drawback is the cost and maybe availability. The foam board itself is typically 3 times the cost of cement board. Then you have to buy the urethane sealant that you use in between the joints of every panel (or banding for products like Kerdi-board). And the stainless screws and special washers. All that stuff adds up – and fast.
Thanks www.diytileguy.com for the article and recommendations.
