Best Tile Backer Board For Floors

Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas.

Best tile backer board for floors. Tile backer board basics. Wedi building panels are lightweight internally waterproof and dimensionally stable making them fast clean and simple to work with. Thick 3 x 5 ft. If needed cut the backerboard to fit in small spaces or around obstructions.

Plywood and osb substrates can warp and mold with water damage but tile backer board will do neither. 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. Do a dry run and lay the backerboard down to fully cover the area you plan to tile. It s hard flat and incredibly stable.

Wedi building panels are so much more than a simple tile backer board and offer endless installation opportunities. Membrane faced board only. One type of tile backer board is made with a water resistant facing on both sides of the board. You shouldn t add any backer board over the top of it.

It s typically available in 1 2 in. Ordinary milled wood regular drywall and even water resistant drywall contain organic elements which will degrade in high moisture environments. It s a sort of gray beige colored board and is available at any hardware box store. 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.

Fiber cement board and cement board are closely related. Custom s fiber reinforced levelquick is another. 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. 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.

Score the board with a utility knife then cut it using a jig saw with a carbide blade. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water. The only building material derived from organic elements that does work is. Cement board is a good reliable backer board that works well on both floors and walls.

Hardibacker is the best known fiber cement board fiber cement board. 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. Georgia pacific s densshield is one such product.

Fiberock is another popular product in this category. Available in a wide variety of thicknesses and sizes they are compatible with virtually any substructure. Backer board is the best substrate for tile.