Before laying the next tile in your home improvement project, make sure you won't have to undo and repeat the job. The surface you're installing tiles on must be up to the job.
Key to any successful tile installation is choosing a strong, uniform surface that provides moisture durability so the integrity of the wall or floor will still stand up to moisture.
At one time, the top choice for tile substrate construction was trowel-applied portland cement, but it can be both difficult and time consuming to install. Fortunately, there is an alternative that provides virtually the same levels of water durability and structural stability as portland cement, yet can easily be installed by a remodeling contractor or proficient do-it-yourselfer: cement board panels.
The panels, called Durock® Cement Board, are manufactured by USG, a leading building products manufacturer. They consist of a core of portland cement with a glass fiber mesh embedded in front and back surfaces and along one edge. The boards are available in 1/2-inch and 5/8-inch thicknesses for floor, wall and countertop applications, and 5/16-inch thick for floors and countertops only.
The panels are nailed to wood studs using hot-dipped galvanized roofing nails or are screw attached with special 11/4-inch wood screws.
Once the panels are attached, the joints are treated with glass fiber mesh tape and organic adhesive or latex-fortified mortar (depending on the bond coat being used for the tile) to form a continuous surface that is ready to accept tile.
Free Brochure
You can get a free, helpful, illustrated brochure that provides step-by-step instructions for installing cement board panels and ceramic tile.
