How To Install Backer Board For Ceramic Tile

Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage.

How to install backer board for ceramic tile.

It s made primarily with cement and sand and it has no paper that can deteriorate or promote mold growth if it gets wet. Here are the basics of how to install ceramic tile backer board effectively. Most tile manufacturers recommend installing a cement backer board instead of any other type of underlayment such as plywood. Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water.

Backer board is installed as underlayment for the tiles to prevent moisture from damaging the walls and to create a level stable surface to support the. The tile will break and crack if you do not use the backer board. However if you can t remove the old surface or otherwise decide to install over it lay a backer board with thin set over the old surface to serve as your new subfloor material. The boards come in 3 x 5 foot sheets and are available where tile and grout are sold.

Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor. A flexing subfloor results in cracked tiles and grout and a lot of headaches. 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. Multiply the length and the width of the room to get the exact square footage.

Second the strength of wood boards isn t always consistent. Then divide that number by 15 as most. Use a tape measure to determine the exact dimensions of the room. Step 1 estimate.

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. But that s pretty much where the similarity ends. Backer board is everything that drywall is not. Installing ceramic tile over vinyl or linoleum surfaces can be more complicated than expected and probably should be avoided whenever possible.

First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood.