Floor Tile Backer Board Installation

According to backer board manufacturers and tile setters installing backer board directly over an old solid wood subfloor is risky for a couple of reasons.

Floor tile backer board installation.

Cutting fastening and taping and mudding. In this video i ll show you how to install hardie backer board to prepare a floor for tile. To achieve the ideal flat surface most contractors rely on the backer board cement backer board is a thin layer of concrete designed to be setting surface upon which tile can be installed. I m using a 6 inch galvanized metal flashing screwed into the backer board and on the back into the densglass with drywall.

Install a cement based backer board following the manufacturer s instructions. When installing floor tile or any tile for that matter the most important aspect of the installation is always the preparation. Floor tiles should be installed over smooth flat surfaces. Don t skip this.

Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor. Use a polymer modified thin set a type of mortar to attach the backer board to the subfloor. First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood. Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas.

This guide will teach you how to properly lay cement backerboard and use mortar to secure and level your subfloor before installing tile. Congratulations you now have a perfect floor for your perfect tile installation. Installing backer board involves three main steps. Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water.

Installations for floor tile and other horizontal surfaces like countertops require an extra step of applying thin set tile adhesive to the wood subfloor before laying down the cement board sheets. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water. The backer board comes in different sizes and you will pick the right one depending on the type of floor you are installing. Not using mesh tape on the seams of your cement board installation.

Some backer boards will have the fastener locations printed on the board. This provides a solid surface under the tile that prevents flexing that could lead to cracking.