Should you use cement board for a bathroom floor?

Author: Rickey Becker  |  Last update: Friday, October 10, 2025

In contrast, cement boards are highly resistant to water, making them an excellent choice for areas with frequent exposure to moisture, like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. They won't deteriorate or expand like plywood, and you won't have to deal with a potential mold problem.

Do I need cement board for a bathroom floor?

Cement board is necessary. If you don't put cement board and you want to change the tile down the road, you're also replacing the subfloor.

What is the best material to put on the bathroom floor?

The best flooring options for bathrooms are floors that can withstand moisture and humidity, aren't slippery when wet, are easy to clean, and comfortable underfoot. In terms of withstanding moisture and humidity, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), vinyl roll, and porcelain or ceramic tile are the best bathroom flooring options.

What is the best board for a bathroom floor?

Plywood is the correct substrate for a bathroom floor really - it has the best moisture resistance. While, ideally, your subfloor shouldn't actually get wet, there is always a puddle that seeps past a compromised mastic joint or something somewhere that gets it wet eventually.

Where to use cement board in bathroom?

This makes it an excellent choice for both floor and wall tile installations and tile countertops. Due to its water-resistant properties, cement backerboard is ideal for use in areas prone to moisture exposure: Bathroom walls, floors, and ceilings. Shower surrounds.

Schluter ditra vs Cement board

Is plywood or cement board better for bathroom floor?

Plywood may be the more budget-friendly option, but it is less moisture-resistant and stable than cement board. Cement board is better for areas with movement, water exposure, and subfloor imperfections, like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. But plywood is an acceptable choice if your subfloor is dry and stable.

Can I tile directly onto cement board?

Can I Tile Directly Onto Cement Board? Yes, cement board is the perfect base for tiling, as it's waterproof and provides a smooth, even surface that won't be disturbed by moisture.

What thickness cement board for bathroom floor?

Cement board is substrate made of cement and fiber. It comes in ¼” to ½” thickness and it is used as an underlayment for wall tile. Floor istallation requires that the total thickness of the substrate must be minimum of 1¼ “ prior to setting tile as per the TCNA / Tile Council of North America.

What floor board to use in a bathroom?

Luxury vinyl click

It's water and heat resistant, making it the ideal choice for a humid environment. Choose from a variety of styles, including mosaic, stone tile, and parquet wood effect. There's nothing worse than getting out of a warm bath or shower and feeling the cold contrast of a chilly floor.

What's the difference between cement board and backer board?

Glass Reinforced Cement Sheets (Mat Gypsum Board)

This type of backer board is lighter than cement board and is intended for use in areas that are susceptible to being exposed to water.

What is the most popular flooring for bathrooms now?

Ceramic tile is one of the most popular flooring options for bathrooms. It offers a clean, classic look that's also extremely durable, waterproof, and stain-resistant. When choosing a tile floor design, consider color.

What is the best bathroom flooring to prevent mold?

Waterproof vinyl flooring is engineered to be completely impervious to water, meaning spills and splashes stay on the surface and don?t seep through to the subfloor, where mold can thrive.

What cement sheet for bathroom floor?

BGC Durafloor™ 19mm Compressed Cement Sheet Flooring is superb for Interior wet areas such as Bathrooms and Laundries.

What is better than cement board?

Mat-faced gypsum cover boards are increasingly used as a cement board alternative because they are lighter and easier to install. There are also performance enhancing benefits that mat-faced gypsum cover boards have over traditional cement alternatives.

Can you just screw cement board to the floor?

Embed the cement board in latex-modified thin-set mortar

Then spread thinset mortar with the flat side of a 1/4-in. notched trowel and use the notched edge to “comb” the mortar. Embed the cement board and screw it to the underlayment with special 1-1/4 in. cement board screws spaced every 4 in.

Do I need a moisture barrier and a bathroom floor?

Regardless of your environment, you should consider using a moisture barrier in basements and crawlspaces as well as beneath flooring and behind the drywall in high-moisture places like kitchens and bathrooms. It's better to be safe than sorry when moisture damage could put your home's structural integrity at risk.

What is the best thing to put on the bathroom floor?

Unsurprisingly, your bathroom floor will have to deal with a lot of splashes, spills, humidity, and temperature changes. For this, there are really four types of bathroom flooring that win out: vinyl, LVT, water resistant laminate, and traditional stone tiles.

What is the best material for a bathroom subfloor?

Cement board is best suited for: Ceramic and Porcelain Tile: Cement board is specifically designed to be a moisture-resistant substrate for tile in high-moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

What board should I use for bathroom?

Unlike Plasterboard, Villaboard™ Lining is inherently resistant to moisture damage and rot. It won't deform or lose its structural integrity when exposed to moisture, which can help to reduce the extent of damage and resulting repair costs in the event of accidents.

How thick should a bathroom floor be?

As a rule, floor tile is typically 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick. Wall tile tends to be thinner and available in squares (3 inches to 6 inches). Mosaic tiles are usually the smallest tile, available in 2-inch squares.

What kind of backer board for bathroom floor?

Cement Backer Board

It's resistant to water, mold and rot, making it ideal for wet areas. It's also a good option for heavy-traffic areas due to its sturdy composition. It's also suitable for both floors and walls, making it a versatile and affordable option.

Can you put cement board directly on studs?

Affixing cement boards on walls uses the same techniques as flooring, but the biggest difference is it does not need a layer of mortar behind the cement board. It is screwed directly into the wall studs.

Should I use cement board in the bathroom?

In general, cement boards are a highly moisture-resistant building material that can withstand the damp conditions found in bathrooms and showers, where water can accumulate and seep into the walls over time.

What board to use for a bathroom floor?

Backer boards serve as a stable and moisture-resistant surface to support and protect tiles from damage and moisture-related issues. As a result, they are commonly used in wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and showers, as well as for exterior applications.

Do I need to waterproof my cement board before tiling?

One thing to remember about cement board is that it can be highly absorbent. Without any moisture-resistant properties, it may cause mold and fungal growth if not covered with a waterproof layer before adding tile – especially in areas of high moisture, such as bathrooms.

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