Tile Backer Board Floor Thickness
How to install tile backer board.
Tile backer board floor thickness. Required tools for this project. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water. To avoid building up the floor too high you can use 1 4 in thick backer board instead of 1 2 in. Place the first sheet of backer board on the mortar.
Cement backer board comes in two standard thicknesses 1 2 inch and 1 4 inch. 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. James hardie hardiebacker 1 4 in. If you re installing backer board over an existing subfloor 1 4 inch is sufficient.
For flooring the backer board should be installed over a 5 8 inch thick osb or plywood base. Thick 3 x 5 ft. Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas. They also require a 3 4 inch subfloor where tile size exceeds 12 inches.
The plywood adds stiffness and stability to the floor. Hardiebacker cement board is made better to install better and perform better. To install cement board on floors cement board manufacturers mandate a 5 8 inch plywood subfloor or osb underlayment. Manufacturers also recommend bonding cement board to floors with a 1 4 inch polymer modified thinset coating.
Cement board will also work as a countertop backerboard and underlayment for tile granite and other stone surfaces. It s typically available in 1 2 in. Cement board is a cement backerboard designed for use with floors and countertops. If the subfloor doesn t have enough stability you can usually but not always remedy the situation by installing cement backer board also called cementboard.
Use 1 5 8 inch screws for 1 2 inch backer board. With the plywood in place install the backer board as you normally would. Works under interior floors to provide a solid foundation for tile vinyl wood and other flooring. Walk gently on the panels as you begin to screw the backer board into the subfloor using special backer board screws.
The industry standard is to use 1 2 inch thick backer board on wall tile installations such as a tub surround. Cement fiber or similarly reinforced backer board comes in standard 1 4 inch and 1 2 inch thicknesses. For countertops use 3 4 inch plywood beneath the backer board.