How To Lay Backer Board For Tile Floor

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

How to lay backer board for tile floor.

Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas. Cement board also provides an additional layer over a plywood or particleboard subfloor adding stiffness to the tile. Using a notched trowel apply a leveling bed of thinset mortar over the subfloor and embed the backer board sheets into the adhesive. Concrete is usually a good subfloor on which to install ceramic tile.

Add more mortar as necessary to fill sunken areas in. 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. Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water. 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.

Spread the mortar to about 3 16 thickness. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water. Cement board is a type of underlayment that is now standard for most tile installations but particularly for floor tile. While cement backer boards are.

Placing cement boards over the concrete subfloor is an excellent way to create a solid and smooth subfloor. However a homeowner may need to raise the floor slightly before installing tile and lack the experience or time to install a mortar bed. Floor tiles should be installed over smooth flat surfaces. This is a distinct advantage over plywood and drywall.

Lay the backer board according to the manufacturer s instructions. Second the strength of wood boards isn t always consistent. Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor. First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood.

The backer board comes in different sizes and you will pick the right one depending on the type of floor you are installing. Thick 3 x 5 ft.