Tile Bathtub Surround Backer Board

Backer board is a cement or cement and fiber based board used as a substrate for tile and stone installations.

Tile bathtub surround backer board.

Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water. Fill the gap between the tile and the tub with caulk. It s typically available in 1 2 in. Use a waterproof caulk between the tub flange and the back of the backer board.

It is made of moisture resistant gypsum but it also has a waterproof coating on its face. It is water resistant and won t swell if it comes in contact with water through a. The best approach when installing cement board or other tile backer around a tub is to keep the cement board out of the lip area. Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas.

Apparently usghas entered this space also. The ideal underlayment for ceramic tile is cement backerboard which comes in 1 4 and 1 2 inch thick panels measuring 3 x 5 feet and 4 x 8 feet. Either stopping the cement board above the tub flange or alternately shimming it out and dropping it down near the tub would both be good options. This product has taken the place of green board.

4 8 amp tabletop tile saw ideally you would leave 1 8 inch gap which would then have sealant applied to it. In part 2 i am showing step by step installation of tile backer board cement board around standard 60 tub in smaller bathroom. Thick 3 x 5 ft. The dense gray material is very heavy so use the smaller size for replacing tub walls.

The panels are nasty to handle because of their sharp edges so wear heavy leather gloves. Like sheetrock it s easy to install and very economical. Above the lip of the tub. Then apply a generous amount of thin set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1 8 in.

Apply it to the wall with the bottom edge about 1 4 in. The facing serves as an integrated waterproofing membrane so you don t need to install a separate layer of plastic behind the tile backer or a sheet membrane over the backer. Use an alkali resistant mesh tape and seal all backer board vertical seams with portland based thinset mudded smooth like drywall joint compound. Georgia pacific s densshield is one such product.

Membrane faced board only.