How To Lay Backer Board For Tile Floor

Second the strength of wood boards isn t always consistent.

How to lay backer board for tile floor.

Add more mortar as necessary to fill sunken areas in. While cement backer boards are. Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas. 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. According to backer board manufacturers and tile setters installing backer board directly over an old solid wood subfloor is risky for a couple of reasons. Cement board is a type of underlayment that is now standard for most tile installations but particularly for floor tile. Lay the backer board according to the manufacturer s instructions.

It s typically available in 1 2 in. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water. Concrete is usually a good subfloor on which to install ceramic tile. Cement board also provides an additional layer over a plywood or particleboard subfloor adding stiffness to the tile.

First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood. Using a notched trowel apply a leveling bed of thinset mortar over the subfloor and embed the backer board sheets into the adhesive. Spread the mortar to about 3 16 thickness. Placing cement boards over the concrete subfloor is an excellent way to create a solid and smooth subfloor.

Thick 3 x 5 ft. Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage. However a homeowner may need to raise the floor slightly before installing tile and lack the experience or time to install a mortar bed. 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.

The backer board comes in different sizes and you will pick the right one depending on the type of floor you are installing. To achieve the ideal flat surface most contractors rely on the backer board cement backer board is a thin layer of concrete designed to be setting surface upon which tile can be installed.