Be sure to figure the height of your tile backer board to be a minimum of 6 feet above the shower floor. This will keep you from having any moisture problems with your drywall. You may want to add in some waste for missed cuts.
Walls: Use 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch-thick cement board, not 1/4-inch. The extra thickness is needed when spanning the studs and it provides a solid base for the tile. Countertops: 1/4-inch, 1/2-inch, or 5/8-inch-thick panels are all suitable for countertops.
These third-party tests prove that PermaBASE WP Waterproof Cement Board is an effective solution for creating moisture-resistant shower enclosures that will last for many years.
A moisture barrier of 4 or 6 mils thick plastic is put over the wall studs. This is an efficient, low-cost, and popular application. The cement board is then placed over the plastic ing. It is then screwed to the wall studs, and a roll-on waterproofing membrane is put over the tile backer board.
Provide a 1/4 in. clearance gap between the floor, tub or shower receptor base and the cement board. Do not place cement board into the shower pan mortar bed.
If it's a cement board, you need a vapor barrier, because cement retains moisture, which means the wood next to it is always damp.
FAQ about cement backer board underlayment
Most commonly, cement board underlayment comes in two sizes: 1/4 and 1/2 inch. While either size can be used on a floor the 1/2 inch is the only size recommended for walls. Further, 1/4 inch typically works best for most flooring transitions.
Cement Board and a Liquid Membrane
In this application, cement board is installed directly onto the studs. No plastic sheeting goes behind the cement board. A liquid waterproofing membrane, such as RedGard or Hydro Ban, is rolled onto the cement board and allowed to cure. Then, tile is installed over the membrane.
Don't use paper-faced backer board, i.e., paper-faced drywall, behind seamed tub and shower enclosures. Use an alternate approved product such as fiber-cement, fiber-reinforced gypsum, glass mat gypsum, or fiber mat-reinforced cementitious backer panels.
Doing this will require that you remove the existing surface material before installing backer board over the studs. Cement board can also be used on countertops when laying tile. However, the process will involve using an extra sheet of backer board. Never use standard screws when installing cement board.
Screws & Cement Boards: Best Practices
For thick or heavy metal fixtures, you'll need 1 ⅝‑inch concrete board screws. If you're using galvanized nails, a general 1 ½‑inch galvanized nail should hold the concrete board firmly in place. Make sure the screw head is slightly indented into the cement board.
Cement boards may be classified as water resistant as they are not affected by water exposure; however, they do allow penetration and passage of water and water vapor. To waterproof cement boards, a liquid or membrane waterproofing material is applied over its surface.
To attach the cement board to the studs, you'll need special 1-1/4 in. cement board screws (see Fig. B). These screws have a coating to resist corrosion, a special wide head with cutting flutes and hi-low threads for a strong grip. If you can't find them at a home center, call tile specialty stores.
When sheetrock is used in the shower area it will most likely fail due to the fact that it is moisture resistant and not water proof. Once water infiltrates under the tile sheetrock becomes susceptible to water damage and may crumble.
Even if there is no huge water leak such as from a hole in the roof, the steam and moisture of showers, bathtubs, and boiling pots can potentially affect the structure and safety of a house or building. This is why vapor barriers are needed in areas that are more moisture-prone.
However, many manufacturers including, both Durock and Hardiebacker not only recommend that you use thinset under their backerboard, but they specify it and will void the warranty on their product if it's not used.
Hardiebacker is significantly lighter than Durock and WonderBoard, leaving this the lightest out of the bunch. How light it instantly makes it one of the most popular brands on the market. Since there isn't any glass mesh in it, unlike Durock, it makes the job much smoother and even minimizes the cleanup.
Hardie Backer 1/4 in. Cement Board is a cement backerboard designed for use with floors and countertops. Works under interior floors to provide a solid foundation for tile, vinyl, wood and other flooring.
What is a shower tile backer board? A shower backer board can act as a waterproofing barrier in between your shower and the wall. Traditional shower wall boards are made out of Portland cement, and they also come along with fiberglass reinforcements.
Sheet Membranes
They are one of the best options due to their ease of installation and durability. If you're looking for one of the best waterproofing membranes for shower (both walls and floor), have a look at our shower waterproofing membrane WATER-STOP.