Best Tile Backer Board For Shower Walls

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.

Best tile backer board for shower walls.

Wedi building panels are lightweight internally waterproof and dimensionally stable making them fast clean and simple to work with. Use on walls in moisture prone areas as a tile backerboard and as an underlayment for all tile vinyl and wood flooring applications. 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. James hardie hardiebacker 42 in.

Wedi board tile backer board which shower tile backer board is best. Here s how to choose the best tile backer board for your project. Install the backer board. Available in a wide variety of thicknesses and sizes they are compatible with virtually any substructure.

Cement board is james hardie hardiebacker 42 in. Backer board is the best substrate for tile. You don t need to use a backer board in the entire bathroom just in the wet shower area. If needed cut the backerboard to fit in small spaces or around obstructions.

Plywood alone cannot be used as a substrate under tile in showers. Score the board with a utility knife then cut it using a jig saw with a carbide blade. To cut a backer board mark the board score it with a. 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.

I often get questions on what sort of tile backer board to use for showers and tub surrounds. 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 s hard flat and incredibly stable. But with many non organic shower backer boards available as alternatives there is little reason to use greenboard.

Do a dry run and lay the backerboard down to fully cover the area you plan to tile. Cement board is a cement backerboard designed for use with walls floors and countertops. Hardiebacker cement board is made better to install better and perform better. The backerboard should completely cover the subfloor joints.

When it comes to installing a tile backer board the easiest to install is usually the worst choice or most expensive option. Wedi building panels are so much more than a simple tile backer board and offer endless installation opportunities. Doesn t deteriorate when wet. Measure the work area and cut your boards to fit.