Do I Need Cement Board For Tile Floor

Install a cement based backer board following the manufacturer s instructions.

Do i need cement board for tile floor. 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. This is a distinct advantage over plywood and drywall. It s available in sheets of many sizes with 3 foot by 5 foot sheets being the most common. 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.

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. 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. The primary benefit of cement board is that it doesn t break down or expand or warp if it gets wet. 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.

Cement board is a type of underlayment that is now standard for most tile installations but particularly for floor tile. If you can t find them at a home center call tile specialty stores. 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 backerboard is a thin layer of concrete with fiberglass mesh on both sides.

Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage. Use a polymer modified thin set a type of mortar to attach the backer board to the subfloor. These screws have a coating to resist corrosion a special wide head with cutting flutes and hi low threads for a strong grip. What you need for a tile base.

Cement board screws see fig. Cement board also provides an additional layer over a plywood or particleboard subfloor adding stiffness to the tile. Hardiebacker cement board is made better to install better and perform better. On top of the 2 6 will be 3 4 subfloor thinset cement board redgard thinset tile.

To attach the cement board to the studs you ll need special 1 1 4 in. 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. I d like to get as close as possible to matching the height of the existing tile.