Floor Tile Backer Board Installation

Some backer boards will have the fastener locations printed on the board.

Floor tile backer board installation.

This is more of a little known fact but most cement board manufacturers want fiberglass alkaline resistant mesh tape embedded in thinset mortar over the backer board seams. Installing backer board involves three main steps. Congratulations you now have a perfect floor for your perfect tile installation. When installing floor tile or any tile for that matter the most important aspect of the installation is always the preparation.

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. Floor tiles should be installed over smooth flat surfaces. Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor. 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 the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas. Not using mesh tape on the seams of your cement board installation. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water. Don t skip this.

Installations for floor tile and other horizontal surfaces like countertops require an extra step of applying thin set tile adhesive to the wood subfloor before laying down the cement board sheets. 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. Install a cement based backer board following the manufacturer s instructions. This guide will teach you how to properly lay cement backerboard and use mortar to secure and level your subfloor before installing tile.

The backer board comes in different sizes and you will pick the right one depending on the type of floor you are installing. I m using a 6 inch galvanized metal flashing screwed into the backer board and on the back into the densglass with drywall. First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood. This provides a solid surface under the tile that prevents flexing that could lead to cracking.

Use a polymer modified thin set a type of mortar to attach the backer board to the subfloor. Cutting fastening and taping and mudding.