How To Install Backer Board On Bathroom Walls

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.

How to install backer board on bathroom walls.

Above the lip of the tub. Using a notched trowel apply a leveling bed of thinset mortar over the subfloor and embed the backer board sheets into the adhesive. Do a dry run and lay the backerboard down to fully cover the area you plan to tile. Anyone can enjoy the benefits of a cement board shower system if you follow these 3 easy steps.

Lay the backer board according to the manufacturer s instructions. Apply it to the wall with the bottom edge about 1 4 in. Backer board is everything that drywall is not. It s made primarily with cement and sand and it has no paper that can deteriorate or promote mold growth if it gets wet.

Then apply a generous amount of thin set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1 8 in. The backerboard should completely cover the subfloor joints. But that s pretty much where the similarity ends. Spread the mortar to about 3 16 thickness.

Carefully lift the backerboard panel into the tub area and set it on several shims placed about a foot apart to maintain a 1 4 inch gap between the board and tub. Secure the panels to the wall framing with galvanized backerboard screws. 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 best approach when installing cement board or other tile backer around a tub is to keep the cement board out of the lip area.

Score the board with a utility knife then cut it using a jig saw with a carbide blade. Install blocking for future grab bars while the walls are open. If needed cut the backerboard to fit in small spaces or around obstructions.