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I’ve always used 1/2″ Durock Tile Backer for
Bathroom ( shower area, around tub , and floor)
then covered with tile.
I’m interested in another product – 1/2″ Dens-Sheild
made by GP. It’s touted as being lighter and easier to cut.
Should I have any concerns in using this instead of Durock
in future Bathroom projects?
Thanks,
DJ
Replies
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Our tilestetter uses Durock and sometimes Hardiboard for tile underlayments. We sometimes use Dens Shield as a Dryvit base for exterior use, but only in protected areas such as soffits and ceilings. I don't care what anyone says, Dens Shield is drywall. I would never use any drywall product as a tile underlayment when you can buy concrete in sheets (Durock) which will last forever and is not that much harder to install.
*I haven't looked at Dens-Shield in a few years, but when I did, I thought there were numerous warnings about the need to protect the board's face membrane in order to not let moisture get to the core.Still, D-S has its supporters and they like the product.Cement board? It's bullet-proof. I like that.
*thanks guys,kind of what my gut instinct was tellingme.think i'll stick with the good olreliable durock.dj
*DJ,I have D-S in a couple of bathroom floor applications. They have been in for about 3-4 years so far so good. One is in my own house, and have had no problems. I mostly use durock just because of its availabilty in my area. If more carried D-S, I probably would use it.Good luck.MikeBC BLDG.
*We used Dens-shield on a job a couple of years ago and it does install easilly. The concern I had was your bond is only as good as the bond between the facing and the gypsum core under it. If that is loose{ I trimmed off a couple of bad corners} You have a problem. With concrete based backers, you don't have to worry about this. Anyone tried the hardi-board tile backers yet?
*I've done one countertop and one shower with Hari-board. I went back to durock because it cuts easier (Score and snap vs. eating dust). The Hardi also delaminated (slightly) on some detailed corners of the counter. I think it'll last like concrete board, but it just wasn't as easy to work with.I've tried to get Dens-Sheild but it's not available here. Local tile place said they carried it a while but nobody bought it so they dropped the line. Sounds like it's significantly more expensive than durock too.I like the idea of lighter weight and easier screwing with the dens- shield (ie regular coated rock screws vs $0.07/screw for the durock brand self-tappng stuff). I'll probably give it a try if I ever find it locally.
*I love dens shield. It's easier, faster & has a vapor barrier face. I don't need to add one to the studs like I do with cement board. i don't like hardi backer because it's too difficult to get the screw flush. there has been numerous discussions on this. Check the archives.
*I used Denshield in my house after testing it by tossing a chunk of it in a bucket of water. After a month, the chunk was still floating and there was no evident deterioration. That's waterproof enough for me.
*Hmmm... Lighter and easier to cut.I notice you don't say anything along the lines of say; stronger, sturdier, more water resistant.I have no personal experience with the product. For soffets or filler maybe but for important projects I think I will keep using the cement products. Let others be bold and inovative while I learn from thier successes or failures. As the case may be. In a few years use experience the verdict will be in and I may know more.Just a thought.
*Nobody has yet mentioned that sometimes it may be optimal to have a 1/4" backer like the Hardi. I've done a number of installs where it was necessary to use 1/4" to match thickness or minimize it. Is there another 1/4" product I'm not aware of? -Ken
*You might want to check out the waterproof boards from Bonsal called ProPannel and a similar product from Wedi.http://www.wedi.de/usa/The Bonsal site does not show their ProPannel product but you can find neat add-ons that will make shower and bath jobs go faster and neater. Click on the Pro-form info.http://www.bonsal.comI have a Wedi distributor about 10 miles from me and I think I'm going to check out the product for my next bathroom job.
*|:-)>|brian