How To Lay Tile On Uneven Backer Board Wall

Proper way to install backer board in tub area no matter what the board is made of it should not sit on top of the tub flange.

How to lay tile on uneven backer board wall.

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. Tile needs to be installed on a backer board to keep the assembly stiff otherwise the assembly will flex at the grout joints allowing water to seep behind the tile and rot the substructure. Step 4 screw the last piece of backer board into place leaving a 1 8 inch gap between the backer board and the drywall. Keep in mind that inch backer board is frequently less than inch thick.

Nail shims to the two by four so that the front surface of the backer board is even with the front surface of the drywall. Here s how to choose the best tile backer board for your project. Score the board with a utility knife then cut it using a jig saw with a carbide blade. Any kind of backer board will do.

If needed cut the backerboard to fit in small spaces or around obstructions. If you are using the cement board as tile backer use the same mortar you are using to affix the tiles. Just slather one side with thin set or mastic and stick it in place. For the vertical layout begin your pattern at the top of the wall so there ll be full uncut tile at the top.

Center a tile horizontally along the length of the wall and do a quick dry fit to make sure you don t have a lot of tiny tile at the end of the rows. Otherwise use latex or acrylic modified thin set mortar. Doesn t deteriorate when wet. When the bathtub is installe.

Spread thinset mortar on the bottom center of the wall. Use tile spacers if necessary to keep the tile lines straight in the layout. Spread the mortar with the flat edge of the trowel then groove. Here the trim wasn t quite thick enough to overhang the tile below so we set the trim over a strip of 1 4 in.

A strip of tile backer can help you get the build out just right. Snap a grid to the subfloor using a chalk line to mark your backerboard placement.