Do I Need Cement Board For Tile Floor

Cement board is a type of underlayment that is now standard for most tile installations but particularly for floor tile.

Do i need cement board for tile floor.

Hardiebacker cement board is made better to install better and perform better. This provides a solid surface under the tile that prevents flexing that could lead to cracking. Install a cement based backer board following the manufacturer s instructions. Cement board also provides an additional layer over a plywood or particleboard subfloor adding stiffness to the tile.

Do it yourselfers can use either 1 2 or 1 4 inch cement board in certain applications while other scenarios mandate 1 2 inch board. To attach the cement board to the studs you ll need special 1 1 4 in. What you need for a tile base. Cement backerboard is a thin layer of concrete with fiberglass mesh on both sides.

This is a distinct advantage over plywood and drywall. 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. It s available in sheets of many sizes with 3 foot by 5 foot sheets being the most common. 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.

Cement board is an easily installed diy tile underlayment providing a stable dependable tile setting substrate while eliminating the complicated lath and mortar floating process. If you re working over a wood subfloor cement board is the right choice for your tile base. If i thinset the cement board down using a 1 4 x 1 4 trowel and screw it every 8 will the thinset end up being 1 8 thick. I d like to get as close as possible to matching the height of the existing tile.

Cement board screws see fig. These screws have a coating to resist corrosion a special wide head with cutting flutes and hi low threads for a strong grip. On top of the 2 6 will be 3 4 subfloor thinset cement board redgard thinset tile. If you want to replace an old cracked tile floor or other type of flooring with new ceramic tile it s absolutely imperative that you create a solid setting base for the new tile.

If you can t find them at a home center call tile specialty stores. 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. Use a polymer modified thin set a type of mortar to attach the backer board to the subfloor.