Preparing Backer Board For Floor Tile

Cement backer board can provide a solid flat surface to install tiles on if you have a wood subfloor.

Preparing backer board for floor tile. If needed cut the backerboard to fit in small spaces or around obstructions. It will break or dislodge if the surface bends under the load. Backer boards provide a perfectly level surface to tile on to allowing for more weight up to 200kg per m 2 than a regular plastered wall available in a range of sizes 4 50mm thick some boards also have insulation and sound proofing properties. Place the first sheet of backer board on the mortar.

Measure the work area and cut your boards to fit. To cut a backer board mark the board score it with a. Score the board with a utility knife then cut it using a jig saw with a carbide blade. Start working on the corners for easier installation.

Scoop out a good amount of the mixture and transfer it to the notched trowel. Leave a 1 8 inch gap between the boards. Second the strength of wood boards isn t always consistent. Cut backer boards to fit the perimeter of the room using a circular saw.

A plywood subfloor must be structurally sound and able to support the installation. The tape will help disperse any movement of the boards and decrease the probability of popping or cracking tiles along the seams. The backer board comes in different sizes and you will pick the right one depending on the type of floor you are installing. 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.

Use 1 1 4 inch screws for 1 4 inch backerboard. Walk gently on the panels as you begin to screw the backer board into the subfloor using special backer board screws. The backerboard should completely cover the subfloor joints. You don t need to use a backer board in the entire bathroom just in the wet shower area.

First changes in humidity make solid wood shrink swell and cup more than plywood. Dry fit cement backer board along the floor perpendicular to the subfloor boards. Step 3 install the cement backer boards. 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.

Install the backer board. Tile floors are heavy and tile is a hard material. Begin the application of the mortar on a small portion of the floor. In some cases you can attach the backer board joints using 2 wide glass fiber mesh cementitious alkali resistant backer unit reinforcing tape see product instructions usually needed for wide areas.

Prepare the thinset according to the manufacturer s instructions and mix it well in a container. Do a dry run and lay the backerboard down to fully cover the area you plan to tile. Floor tiles should be installed over smooth flat surfaces.