I have seen so many diferent type of backer boards for tile I don’t know what to use. I always thought the concrete one was the best but I saw a different product in a tank of water that is supposed to be the best. They say it won’t mold up and will not get soft. I know this is the best place to ask cause the stores tell you to buy the one they make the most money off of. Thanks for all the help.
Jeremy
From building boxes and fitting face frames to installing doors and drawers, these techniques could be used for lots of cabinet projects.
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Replies
The one in the fish tank is probably a sheetrock-type product (help me here, brain ... is it Durock?) that is wrapped in a water-resistant cover. It works ... until you cut it to fit the space, or you drive a screw through it, etc ... then you have to use very specific procedures to seal the cuts ... otherwise it acts just like sheetrock when it gets wet. And, even though the ads state differently, I wouldn't use it on the floor, cuz it will crush. It doesn't offer any advantages over the other products, and has some disadvanytages.
Hardiebacker or Hardieboard is a better choice for any application ... floor, walls, counters, etc. Easier to cut than cement board, not as heavy as cement board, essentially water proof, makes a nice surface to attach tile to.
Old fashioned cement board is a great choice, but it's heavy and nasty to cut and work with. You can usually recognize the stacks of cement board in the stores cuz there's a bunch of cement powder on the floor where it has been crumbled ... and it weighs a ton. But it will last forever.
If you had to, or wanted to, pick one product to work with, and make it your product of choice for everything, the Hardie products would be good.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Durock is cement board
Durock used to be the board in the water display on the counter.
Durock¯ Brand Cement Board is a high-strength ceramic tile backer board that delivers a water-durable tile base for walls, ceilings and countertops—anywhere tile is used. The board will not swell, soften, delaminate or disintegrate; it is also noncombustible and carries a 30-year limited warranty.
http://www.usg.com/brands/drck.asp
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
I used the Hardibackerboard for may last shower installation and it went up great. You need a special tool for cuttting correctly but once you get the hang of it, you can do it like sheet rock. At my Home Depot, it was displayed in a water bag.
Sid
Haven't used the hardiboard so cannot comment on it. HAVE used Durock on all tiled baths, shower jobs - never had a problem with it.
Cement board....Wonder Board `round here....can`t go wrong.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
I think Ed is referring to Denshield, which is a gypsum product with a (I believe) glass mat surface skin. Yes, the skin is impermeable to water...but the core can degrade it exposed to water for periods of time. Read the fine print on Denshield and you;ll see references to not violating the integrity of the skin, etc.
I won't use Denshield.
Any of the cement boards are good. Durock, Wonderboard, Hardie's products, etc.
I'm partial to Wonderboard myself.
Do realize that cement boards aren't waterproof. Thy absorb water, and water can pass through them. The key is that water will not degrade them...they won't crumble and fail. So, between the cement board and the framing you still need a barrier that will shed water. Felt is common.
anyone else used this????
http://www.wedi.co.uk
i don't know if its availiable in the US, but it works a treat.
Wedi is available in the U.S. It has an extruded foam core with a fiberglass mesh and cement coating. Custom recently introduced a similar product except it uses an expanded foam core. I haven't tried them but I've heard good things from people who use Wedi. Light, easy to cut, it doesn't degrade in water. And it insulates (a little).
Billy
its really good .
i found a bit when i was tidying up a few months ago it must have been outside for 2/3 years still fine.
oh its nice and light too
Oh yeah, the name of the Custom product is Easyboard. I would go with the Wedi (extruded foam is more solid and fewer water issues), but it can be hard to find.
Billy
Denshield. Denshield. Denshield. Repeat 100 times until you can remember it dummy. That's the product I was thinking about, and I still would not recommend using it. My apologizies to Durock.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Chevy or Ford; Chicken or Fish.
Hardibacker, Durock, Wonderboard. Each has its own favorites.
I happen to like Hardibacker, as it cuts cleaner, but alas dustier.
Do not use Denshield. It is junk.
Regards,
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
I've used the Hardiboard and I think it is the easiest to work with. After a bit of practice you can score and snap with a sraightedge (which you can't reliably do with the other cement backerboards) like sheetrock and that keeps the dust to a minimum.
Be sure to screw to the studs every 6 inches or so using the Hardiscrew or equivalent so you get minimal movement behind the tile - otherwise you asking for cracks in the grout.
Cheers
Work + Risk + Luck = Success