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.
Installing hardibacker on floor.
Check with wedi schluter laticrete goboard or whichever manufacturer to see how they want their product installed over a concrete subfloor.
Fasten the backer board to the floor using proper nails or screws as recommended by the manufacturer every 8 around the perimeter and all supporting the studs.
This can be beneficial if you are wanting to insulate concrete from an electric floor heating system above it.
The other is foam backer board which is ok to install over concrete.
Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage.
The backer board comes in different sizes and you will pick the right one depending on the type of floor you are installing.
With the plywood in place install the backer board as you normally would.
Hardiebacker cement board is made better to install better and perform better.
For best results remove existing floor covering especially if it is in poor condition.
Required tools for this project.
Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water.
To avoid building up the floor too high you can use 1 4 in thick backer board instead of 1 2 in.
If installing hardiebacker cement board over existing floor ensure the floor is flat.
The plywood adds stiffness and stability to the floor.
Hardiebacker is available in both 1 4 inch and 42 inch thick hardiebacker 500 versions and is designed to add mold and moisture resistance to tile installations.
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.
Hardiebacker cement board may be installed under or over vinyl composition tile vct and other resilient flooring.
Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor.
Keep fasteners between 3 8 and 3 4 from sheet edges and 2 in from sheet corners.