Best Floor Tile Backer Board

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.

Best floor tile backer board. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water. The backerboard should completely cover the subfloor joints. Tile backer board basics. It s hard flat and incredibly stable.

The backer board comes in different sizes and you will pick the right one depending on the type of floor you are installing. You ve probably heard of hardiebacker tile backer board. First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood. Wedi building panels are so much more than a simple tile backer board and offer endless installation opportunities.

Score the board with a utility knife then cut it using a jig saw with a carbide blade. 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. Plywood and osb substrates can warp and mold with water damage but tile backer board will do neither. Ordinary milled wood regular drywall and even water resistant drywall contain organic elements which will degrade in high moisture environments.

Wedi building panels are lightweight internally waterproof and dimensionally stable making them fast clean and simple to work with. Available in a wide variety of thicknesses and sizes they are compatible with virtually any substructure. It s typically available in 1 2 in. Floor tiles should be installed over smooth flat surfaces.

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. Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas. Thick 3 x 5 ft. Georgia pacific s densshield is one such product.

The only building material derived from organic elements that does work is. Fiber cement board and cement board are closely related. Second the strength of wood boards isn t always consistent. 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.

Membrane faced board only. Backer board is the best substrate for tile. Do a dry run and lay the backerboard down to fully cover the area you plan to tile. Fiberock is another popular product in this category.

One type of tile backer board is made with a water resistant facing on both sides of the board. 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. 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.