Do you nail or screw cement board?
Fasten the backer board to the floor using proper nails or screws, as recommended by the manufacturer, every 8″ around the perimeter and all supporting the studs. Keep fasteners between 3/8″ and 3/4″ from sheet edges and 2″ in from sheet corners.
How do you screw cement board?
Drill a small hole in one end of a scrap of wood, attach it to the cement board at the center of the circle, screwing through the cement board into the work surface below. Then screw in a “cutter” screw where you want the circle to be scored, for example, 2 in. from the center for a 4-in. hole.
How is cement board installed?
Instructions
- Plan the Installation. Make a rough plan for the cement board sheet layout, based on the area to be covered and the size of the cement board sheets.
- Mix and Apply the Mortar.
- Install the First Sheet.
- Add Subsequent Sheets.
- Make Cement Board Cuts.
- Install the Remaining Sheets.
- Tape and Mud the Joints.
Does cement board need to be waterproofed?
So, if you’re looking for durability and strength, concrete backer–board will probably be your choice. First, you should provide a waterproof/resistant membrane against the wood studs before installing the concrete backer–board to protect the wood studs from moisture absorbed through the backer–board.
Can you use cement board in a shower?
Cement Board and a Sheet Membrane
Kerdi can also be installed directly over standard drywall in a shower because, when installed correctly, it creates a continuous waterproof barrier.
Do I need a vapor barrier behind cement board in shower?
You still need a vapor barrier with cement board, although in this case the barrier can go behind the board. Cement board is heavy enough and breathable enough to take the moisture without a problem. By having the vapor barrier behind the cement board you stop the moisture going further into the wall.
How do you waterproof cement board in a shower?
How thick should cement board be for shower walls?
The minimum recommended thickness for the shower wall is 1/2″ because like some of the other boards, they become far too flexible at thicknesses below 1/2″. Foam shower tile backer boards are generally about 4x the cost of cement board.
Can I use deck screws for cement board?
It’s best to use the cement board screw, but a deck screw will do just fine. Use screws designed for cement board like Rock-On screws. They start easier than drywall screws in CBUs. They’re easier to use, don’t rust as easily and hold better.
Does it matter which side of cement board faces out?
No, it doesn’t matter. Regardless of which side faces out during installation, you can expect the same great performance that has made USG Durock® Brand Cement Board the preferred choice of professionals and do-it-yourselfers for decades.
Do you have to tape cement board before tiling?
If you are going to tile over the cement board, you should tape the seams. If you just want to leave the corners untreated that will probably be fine, because that seam won’t split the center of a tile.
Can I use drywall mesh tape for cement board?
What Tape To Use Where The Drywall Meets Cement Board. When dealing with a scenario where the drywall and the cement board meet, you can use fiberglass mesh tape. In this instance, you use a setting type compound for joints and apply the mesh tape to the compound.
Do you need to use RedGard over cement board?
As long as it’s Cement Board & not some crappy “almost” cement board stuff. You really don’t need the RedGard, but the more protection the betterso go for it. And yes, you can do the boards beforehand. But, hit the filled seams & screws (your weak points) as soon as a panel is ready to give it some time to setup.
What is the best backer board for a shower?
Cement board is a good, reliable backer board that works well on both floors and walls. Keep in mind that most tile setters err on the side of caution and brush a waterproofing membrane on top of cement board when it is in wet areas like showers or tub surrounds.
Can I tile directly on plywood?
While tile can be laid on plywood, do not install tile directly onto the plywood subfloor itself. Use intervening layers of two sheets of plywood.
Which is better durock or Hardibacker?
Durock is a reliable cement product that contains glass mesh. It is the heavier of the two materials, which means it is more difficult to use and maneuver. HardieBacker is much more light, and it is also the best selling brand of cement board available. It is much cleaner because it does not have any glass in it.
Do you install backer board before shower pan?
It requires no mud job or waterproofing membrane, but it does require direct access to the studs of the shower. This will create a small lip at the bottom of the shower walls where tiles or an acrylic surround would bump out, leaving a gap. Therefore, the pan must be installed first.
Do I have to put Thinset under Hardibacker?
Not only is thinset a critical component underneath cement board but the other critical component is the fasteners. And you won’t have the fasteners if you are trying to install it over concrete. On the bright side, there are some options for concrete subfloors.
Should durock go under shower pan?
The durock website says to put durock on the floor, nothing about not using it under the shower. You should be installing tongue and groove at this point glued and nailed to the floor joists. The glue is mandatory to prevent squeaks in the floor. The tongue and groove aspect is designed to allow the proper spacing.

David Nilsen is the former editor of Fourth & Sycamore. He is a member of the National Book Critics Circle. You can find more of his writing on his website at davidnilsenwriter.com and follow him on Twitter as @NilsenDavid.