Backer Board Thickness Requirements For Ceramic Tile

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

Backer board thickness requirements for ceramic tile.

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. Cement backer board is also called cement board and it s the most commonly used backer board for all manner of ceramic and porcelain tiles. Backer board is selected as a tile substrate because it is an excellent bonding surface for ceramic tile mortars to adhere to. In some cases it may not be feasible and you may need to settle for a thinner floor covering than ceramic tile such as vinyl tiles or laminate planks.

Made of cement and reinforced on the top and bottom with fiberglass this waterproof backer board is generally used for tiled shower surrounds and floors in wet areas. Cement backer board comes in two standard thicknesses 1 2 inch and 1 4 inch. Uncoupling membrane cementboard has replaced a manually applied mortar bed to emerge as the standard underlayment for a tile floor. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water.

Another layer is necessary for installing the tiles. Both layers together can add another 1 8 inch to the finished floor. Hardiebacker cement board is made better to install better and perform better. Densshield tile backer conforms to requirements of 2009 ibc irc code for tile backer in wet areas.

That s why it was named the most preferred brand of backer board by tile installers and contractors according to the 2019 tile and stone report conducted by clearseas research in partnership with the national tile contractors association and tile magazine. The industry standard is to use 1 2 inch thick backer board on wall tile installations such as a tub surround. Backer board installs to a subfloor with a layer of thinset.