Shower Tile Backer Board Install

Decide the best way to install the board on your shower walls.

Shower tile backer board install.

Cover the wall studs in plastic sheeting cut down to size with a utility knife to act as a moisture barrier for the. When it comes to installing a tile backer board the easiest to install is usually the worst choice or most expensive option. For most shower walls the drywall installed in the home during the building phase is cut off at the edge of the shower opening and then backer board is installed in place of the drywall in the wet areas. Center a tile horizontally along the length of the wall and do a quick dry fit to make sure you don t have a lot of tiny tile at the end of the rows.

The backer boards are usually around a one half inch thick in both cases. The best method is to refasten the subfloor then add a layer of plywood. If so adjust your layout to have wider tile on the sides. How to install backer board in a shower 1.

In our project the shower pan is poured concrete image 2. For highly wet areas such as showers and bathtub surrounds cement board typically is attached directly over the wall studs and the studs may be covered with an intervening moisture membrane. Anyone can enjoy the benefits of a cement board shower system if you follow these 3 easy steps. Vertical or horizontal placement doesn t matter.

All the insider information on how to build and waterproof a. Whenever installing tile in any area of your house you need a special substrate or base layer. For the vertical layout begin your pattern at the top of the wall so there ll be full uncut tile at the top. Ceramic and porcelain tile more than almost any other surface material needs a stable flat flex free substrate.

There is no need to install backer board on a concrete substrate ceramic tile can be applied right over concrete provided the surface is flat smooth and free of significant cracks. Have a professional install a shower membrane and shower pan appropriate for the space. In showers the standard substrate is tile backer also called cement board or cement backer board. I often get questions on what sort of tile backer board to use for showers and tub surrounds.

First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood. Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage. Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor. Once demolition of the old tile is complete install a cement backer board in the shower area image 1.