Shower Backer Board Cement Vs Concrete Wall

Please don t do this you re asking for problems.

Shower backer board cement vs concrete wall.

When doing floors i use 1 4 x 14 notched trowel with thinset over the sub floor. Kerdi board by schlüter is one brand name of polystyrene backerboard for tile. Essentially drywall is gypsum pressed between two sheets of paper. Walls require 1 2 inch cement boards to keep a tile job from cracking and to prevent water damage to the tile and grout.

Wonderboard is a type of cement board used for tiling in wet places especially bathrooms. Cement backer board is a mineral based pre fabricated wall unit usually 1 4 inch or 1 2 inch thick and 3 feet by 5 feet long. Cement board and plastic sheeting. There are other brand names of polystyrene backerboard as well as other materials to choose from including cement backerboard.

In this highly convenient inexpensive and popular application a moisture barrier of 4 or 6 mil thick plastic is installed directly over the wall studs. Cement board is easily cut with a hand saw or a power saw. I use 15 lb felt with 100 overlap over the studs on walls. Here is how i do the wallboard.

Greenboards or blueboards on the other hand are types of drywall. Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas. Screws secure the cement board to the wall studs. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water.

I have been using various types of 1 2 cement board on tub and shower walls and 1 4 fiber cement boards on bathrroom floors with 1 8 inch gap. Cement backer board comes in two standard thicknesses 1 2 inch and 1 4 inch. Cement boards are made up of cement and glass fibers. It was developed to replace lath and plaster construction.

If you see your contractor do this stop him. It is made of cement water silica limestone flour and fibers such as kevlar or fiberglass for increased strength. Then the cement board is installed on top of the plastic sheeting. Any of them can work well if properly detailed.

These are available in 4 8 foot and 3 5 foot sheets that are either 1 2 inch or 1 4 inch thick. It s typically available in 1 2 in. Cement board is porous so grout and mortar adhere to it well. The industry standard is to use 1 2 inch thick backer board on wall tile installations such as a tub surround.

Wonderboard is used specifically. All of these backerboard options have advantages and disadvantages.