Tile Backer Board Installation: Shower Remodel Video Series

0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Bath Remodel

Tile backer board installation really isn’t all that difficult. With a few simple tools and a couple hours of your time, you can install new cement board for your new shower wall tile project. Let’s take a look at some of the things you will need for installation and talk about a few critical quality checks.

Why Cement Backer Board?

Cement backer board is great around tubs and showers because when it gets wet, it won’t…

delaminate or warp (like plywood or OSB)
soften or disintegrate (like drywall will…even the moisture coated drywall will disintegrate if it gets wet repeatedly)
warp

Even if you plan on using a waterproofer (which we highly recommend especially for showers), there is a good chance water will get through at some time during the life of the shower. It might take time for caulk to breakdown or grout to crack, but water will get through to the backer. So for your tile backer board, you should use a product that will remain stable and solid.

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Purchasing Tile Backer Board

Be sure you get the right thickness of board for your project. You may need two different thicknesses for your project, 1/2 and 5/8 inch. You want the board to be the same thickness as the adjacent drywall board for a smooth transition from wall to tile. Places where you might encounter 5/8″ drywall include…

wall studs at 24 inches on center (the thicker wall board helps span the greater distance)
garage common walls (for greater fire protection)
townhomes or condos at common walls (again, for greater fire protection)

Figure the area you need by multiplying the width times the height. Be sure to figure the height of your tile backer board to be a minimum of 6 feet above the shower floor. This will keep you from having any moisture problems with your drywall. You may want to add in some waste for missed cuts. If your store is close by, you can probably forego the waste factor.

To make the tile backer board installation easier, you may want to purchase one of the lighter products available on the market. We chose the Durock Next Gen because it was noticeably lighter and we had a pretty good distance to carry the sheets to get to the work area. It costs a little more, but it can be worth it to save a backache.

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Tile Backer Board Installation

The tools required for tile backer board installation include: utility knife, straight edge (level or T-square), screw gun/drill driver with phillips bit, tape measure, marker, dust mask, mesh tape and float. You can use electric tools to cut the backer board but if you do, be sure to use personal protective breathing equipment. The silica dust created when cutting can cause lung cancer.

Cutting. Similar to cutting drywall, you score the face of the backer board with your utility knife and then snap along the cut line. Then use your utility knife to cut through the reinforcing mesh on the backside. When measuring to cut, be sure you figure the tapered edges on adjacent pieces to face each other to create a smooth, flat joint.

Fastening. Some of you have sent in tile backer board installation questions. One of those was…which side of the backer board faces out? When looking at the board, the side that faces out is the one with the tapered edges. In our case, this was the side with the Durock writing on it.

For installation over wood studs, your fasteners should be spaced at a maximum of 8 inches apart. This will help ensure you get a good solid connection to the framing behind to support the weight of your tiles. You will want to use special screws for installing cement backer board that are made of anti-corrosive materials. These are typically 1.25 inches long and go through the board without drilling pilot holes.

With any tile backer board installation, be sure to snug the edges of the board up to each other. However, do not force them into place as the edges will break and crumble. And for the installation at the tub deck or shower pan, leave a 1/4 inch gap. This gap between the board and the the wet surface is required by most manufacturers.

Level Joints. Now you apply some thinset mortar to the joints with your float and press the mesh tape into it. You can then place a thin coating of mortar over top of the tape and level it off.

If you follow these techniques for tile back board installation, you will end up with a solid backing to support your new tile that will last for years. Don’t forget to follow all of the manufacturer recommendations for the product that you decide to use. Check out our new video at our main site for more detailed installation instructions.

Have you ever thought about building your own home? Be sure to stop by the Armchair Builder How to Build Your Own Home resource page.