What is HardieBacker used for?

Hardie® Backer cement board is a tile underlayment made to use on walls, with floors and countertops. Works as a tile backerboard and as an underlayment for tile, vinyl and wood flooring. 0.42" cement board is made of 90% Portland cement and sand, resists damage from moisture and provides excellent tile adhesion.

What's the difference between cement board and Hardibacker?

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. It allows for a smooth job with minimal mess. As a bonus, HardieBacker board has an EZ Grid pattern so you can cut perfect lines.

Is Hardie cement board waterproof?

HardieBacker® Cement Board with HydroDefense™ Technology is a long-lasting, waterproof solution for walls, floors, and countertops. WEIGHT: 2.6 lb/sq.

Can I tile directly on Hardibacker?

Once HardieBacker has been installed in a wet room you will need to tank the area to ensure the room is fully waterproof. Various methods, such as a liquid membrane (BAL Waterproof Plus Kit, Laticrete Hydro Han) or a matting system (Topps Waterproof Matting) can be used and should be applied before tiling.

Is cement Backerboard necessary?

Whenever you're laying tile on a wood subfloor, you need to first install cement backer board. Backer board prevents leaks and water damage that could harm your flooring and the structure of your home.

5 reasons to choose Hardie Backer Boards

Can I just screw down backer board?

Screw and Joints

Do not use drywall screws as they are not recommended to be used to hold the backer board in place. All of your backer board pieces should be cut before they are placed on​ the floor. Along the perimeter, screws should be installed at least ½ inch from the edge, but no more than 2 1/4 inches.

Do you nail or screw Hardie board?

Fasten HardieBacker sheets with proper nails or screws (as listed in ''Materials Required'' in the backer installation instructions) every 8'' around the perimeter and all supporting studs. Keep fasteners between 3/8'' and 3/4'' from sheet edges and 2'' in from sheet corners.

Do I need thinset under Hardibacker?

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.

Do you have to tape seams on Hardibacker?

For tile backer boards such as Durock, Wonderboard, Hardiebacker, Permabase, and others the seams between the board need to be treated with 2-inch alkali-resistant mesh tape. Then a coat of thinset gets flat troweled over the seam. What this does is tie the two boards together and help prevent flexing.

Is Hardibacker good for shower walls?

1/4" hardibacker alone is an unsuitable substrate for shower wall tile. If it were attached to properly waterproofed drywall, plywood, or plaster it would be fine. Think about it, one wayward elbow, knee, or hip bump and you may get flexion which would cause the grout (or tile) to crack.

Can Hardie board be used in a shower?

Installing cement backerboard is one of the more popular choices for a shower wall substrate. Cement backerboards include Hardiebacker, Durock, Fiberboard, wonderboard, and similar products. These materials bridge the gap between expense and effectiveness.

Do I need to seal Hardibacker?

Hardiebacker (James Hardie): the use of a waterproof membrane, vapor barrier or vapor. retarding membrane is optional unless the local building code requires it.

What is Backerboards used for?

Backer board is a substrate material for tile. Unlike plywood and other wood substrates that can warp, backer board is hard and flat, so it won't buckle. Its stability allows you to adhere tile using a thinset mortar, making it relatively easy to create a tile surface that's level and consistent.

Do you need Hardie board for tile?

There is no need to install backer board on a concrete substrate—ceramic tile can be applied right over concrete, provided the surface is flat, smooth, and free of significant cracks.

What is the best backer board for tile?

Can you put Hardie board over plywood?

Use minimum 1/2 in exterior grade plywood or equivalent, positioned across the wood cabinet. Space between plywood supports is not to exceed 16 in on center. Do not align HardieBacker cement board joints with plywood joints.

How do you attach Hardie to wood?

Can you drill a hole in Hardie board?

HardiePlank is available as ready-to-paint or with a color layer. Although the siding does not require drilling pilot holes, you may need to run wire or cable through the siding, necessitating drilling a hole.

Do you need to pre drill Hardie board?

Nailing Basics

Fiberboard cement siding can be hand-nailed, but because it's so much harder and more brittle than wood, you have to predrill holes near any edge. You can save yourself a bunch of time by using a pneumatic coil siding nail gun.

Can you glue backer board to drywall?

While it might sound like a good idea to install cement backer board over drywall before tiling the shower, the reality is that the drywall should be removed beforehand in most instances.

Can you tile directly to plywood?

Tile can be laid on plywood. But do not install tile directly on the plywood subfloor itself. Use an intervening layer of a sheet of thinner plywood.

Can Hardie board be used as a subfloor?

Installing HardieBacker Cement Board to a wooden subfloor is as simple as that! HardieBacker Cement Board can be used with nearly any kind of tile, whether ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone.