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I’m in the midst of a bathroom remodel, part of which is replacing damaged flooring. The client is going to have the floor tiled (by another tradesman) and wanted me to put down wonderboard. Is this stuff really better enough to warrant the extra time and expense for a floor? Should I just do the sheet goods and leave the rest to the tile guy/gal (yes they are out there)? Is mortaring the wonderboard to the sub-floor nessecary? Thanks in advance for any advice.
-joel
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Replies
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Yes mortaring to the sub-floor is necessary. I would have the tile guys do the underlayment. They probably would prefer that too. They have to warranty the floor. I know I won't warranty the floor if someone else puts down the underlayment.
Steven
*Hey Steven, you sound like someone who knows about underlayment. I am about to kick-off a job for my toughest customer - my wife! After three years of "remodeling" in our own house, I am finally to that point where I've gotta get at it. I've already done the floor underlayment (as you describe) but now for the question - I am doing a large shower. I've waterproofed all of the walls with membrane, put greenboard on top of that and now am looking at either cement backer board or the new lithweight tile backer - Dens-Shield by GP for the substrate for the walls and a sloped ceiling section that will all be tiled with Travertine. Any words of wisdom - or caution?
*Do you have green board around the shower already? The Durock or Dens-Shield will work great behind the tile. Either of these products go directly on the studs of the shower walls with no drywall needed under it. Also if this bath remodel includes a whirlpool deck, use an underlayment over the plywood too.Steven
*Chris, putting a waterproof membrane behind greenboard in a wet area application is not advisable. This will trap moisture in the greenboard and accelerate the failure rate. Even when installed properly, greenboard is not a very durable choice for wet area applications such as a shower. Cement backer board or Denshield are much better choices. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommended installation guidelines for these products.Gregg
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I'm in the midst of a bathroom remodel, part of which is replacing damaged flooring. The client is going to have the floor tiled (by another tradesman) and wanted me to put down wonderboard. Is this stuff really better enough to warrant the extra time and expense for a floor? Should I just do the sheet goods and leave the rest to the tile guy/gal (yes they are out there)? Is mortaring the wonderboard to the sub-floor nessecary? Thanks in advance for any advice.
-joel