Shower Tile Backer Board Options

Your tile underlayment options classified into three main categories each suited for different tiling situations.

Shower tile backer board options. Generally expect to find backer boards at your local home center that are 3 feet wide by 5 feet long. Sheet type called backer board or cement board liquid or semi liquid products. To cut a backer board mark the board score it with a. It s typically available in 1 2 in.

Measure the work area and cut your boards to fit. Thick 3 x 5 ft. Whenever installing tile in any area of your house you need a special substrate or base layer. When it comes to installing a tile backer board the easiest to install is usually the worst choice or most expensive option.

Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water. In this particular case the shower tile was still intact which is a rarity considering the tile was set on green board. Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas. In showers the standard substrate is tile backer also called cement board or cement backer board.

Install the backer board. You don t need to use a backer board in the entire bathroom just in the wet shower area. I often get questions on what sort of tile backer board to use for showers and tub surrounds. Ceramic and porcelain tile more than almost any other surface material needs a stable flat flex free substrate.

Earlier this month i started with a shower tile renovation for one of my denver tile contracting clients. Tile backer board tends to come in a limited number of sizes on the consumer market. It is possible to find backer boards that are 4 feet wide by 8 feet long.