Best Tile Backer Board

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Best tile backer board. Wedi building panels are so much more than a simple tile backer board and offer endless installation opportunities. Hydro ban board is a lightweight easy to handle and ready to tile wall board designed to be used in bonded tile or stone installations. Georgia pacific s densshield is one such product. Here s how to choose the best tile backer board for your project.
Cement board is a cement backerboard designed for use with floors and countertops. Tile backer board basics. Tile needs to be installed on a backer board to keep the assembly stiff otherwise the assembly will flex at the grout joints allowing water to seep behind the tile and rot the substructure. It is made with a high density waterproof extruded polystyrene core and a reinforced waterproof membrane on both sides to give triple protection from water and vapor intrusion.
Here we look at tile backer board including types applications and tips for properly installing it. Water resistant gypsum board or green board was used in the past as a tile backer but is no longer recommended mainly because better products are available. Wedi building panels are lightweight internally waterproof and dimensionally stable making them fast clean and simple to work with. Cement board will also work as a countertop backerboard and underlayment for tile granite and other stone surfaces.
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. Backer board is the best substrate for tile. Doesn t deteriorate when wet. 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.
Fiberock is another popular product in this category. Works under interior floors to provide a solid foundation for tile vinyl wood and other flooring. It s hard flat and incredibly stable. You ve probably heard of hardiebacker tile backer board.
Cement board is james hardie hardiebacker 1 4 in. Available in a wide variety of thicknesses and sizes they are compatible with virtually any substructure. Hardibacker is the best known fiber cement board fiber cement board. Fiber cement board and cement board are closely related.
Membrane faced board only. It s a sort of gray beige colored board and is available at any hardware box store. Ordinary milled wood regular drywall and even water resistant drywall contain organic elements which will degrade in high moisture environments. Sheets of glass mat gypsum are made from water resistant silicone treated gypsum reinforced on both sides by fiberglass mats.
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. Plywood and osb substrates can warp and mold with water damage but tile backer board will do neither.