Cement based backer board.
Under tile board.
Now largely regarded as the very best underlayment for ceramic tile in any application floors walls and countertops cement based backer board goes by many names.
Cement backer board is a mineral based pre fabricated wall unit usually 1 4 inch or 1 2 inch thick and 3 feet by 5 feet long.
If you follow all these steps you ll have a stiff monolithic crack free floor.
Cement board is a type of underlayment that is now standard for most tile installations but particularly for floor tile.
Cement board also provides an additional layer over a plywood or particleboard subfloor adding stiffness to the tile.
Use a polymer modified thin set a type of mortar to attach the backer board to the subfloor.
This is a distinct advantage over plywood and drywall.
Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water.
Tile is laid onto the cement board with thinset mortar or mastic.
If you must install over such surfaces it is best to install a backer board over the old surface and install the tile on the backer board.
Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage.
The tile look panels included in some shower and tub surround kits are sometimes referred to as tileboard but there is a critical difference between shower panels and true tileboard.
Then the cement board is installed on top of the plastic sheeting.
Only mix as much thin set as you can use in a half hour and be sure to have solid support under each tile.
Screws secure the cement board to the wall studs.
In this highly convenient inexpensive and popular application a moisture barrier of 4 or 6 mil thick plastic is installed directly over the wall studs.
This is the industry standard most preferred by construction pros when installing ceramic or porcelain tile backer board comes in four foot by eight foot and three foot by five.
Tile backer is used under tile flooring and in tile showers or bathtub areas to prevent damage to the tile installation if moisture gets behind the tile.
The primary benefit of cement board is that it doesn t break down or expand or warp if it gets wet.
It is made of cement water silica limestone flour and fibers such as kevlar or fiberglass for increased strength.
The polymer modified thin set provides additional strength and helps eliminate any movement between the backer board and the subfloor.
Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor.
Lay the tile in thin set set the tiles using the same latex modified thin set and techniques used for the cement board.
