How To Install Backer Board For Ceramic Tile

Use a tape measure to determine the exact dimensions of the room.

How to install backer board for ceramic tile.

Ceramic tile backer board also called cement board or tile backer is a rigid panel material that installs over wood framing much like drywall. The tile will break and crack if you do not use the backer board. 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. Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor.

Installing ceramic tile over vinyl or linoleum surfaces can be more complicated than expected and probably should be avoided whenever possible. Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage. 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. How to install wall tile over backer board.

Then divide that number by 15 as most. The boards come in 3 x 5 foot sheets and are available where tile and grout are sold. Step 1 estimate. Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water.

But that s pretty much where the similarity ends. Backer board is everything that drywall is not. 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. 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.

It s made primarily with cement and sand and it has no paper that can deteriorate or promote mold growth if it gets wet. Most tile manufacturers recommend installing a cement backer board instead of any other type of underlayment such as plywood. Here are the basics of how to install ceramic tile backer board effectively. First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood.

Installing over existing vinyl.