Best answer
Cement backer board is mainly used as a sub-surface for tiling. Cement backer board is often used as a tile base on plywood or OSB subfloor. Cement backer board on concrete as a subfloor or underlayment is usually not recommended or needed. In most cases, you can apply tile directly to the concrete.
Can you use 1/4 inch cement board on floors?
Floors. Both 1/4- and1/2-inch cement board are appropriate for floors. To install cement board on floors, cement board manufacturers mandate a 5/8-inch plywood subfloor or OSB underlayment. They also require a 3/4-inch subfloor where tile size exceeds 12 inches.
Are cement tiles waterproof?
There are so many practical reasons to choose cement tiles for the floors and walls in your bathroom, but there are also so many ways to use them. ... The shower is the perfect place to use cement tiles for bathroom. The water-resistant tiles will keep the floor and walls dry while adding serious style.
Can you just paint cement board?
Do not paint a cement board unless you have thoroughly cleaned it first, or you may have problems with adhesion. ... Unlike standard cement, which is not an ideal surface for paint adhesion, fibrous cement boards contain pores that soak in the adhesives within the paint, making the finish much more durable.
Can you put cement board over concrete?
Technically, cement board can be laid over a concrete slab as the base for a tile installation. ... A better solution is to prepare and resurface the concrete slab so that it can accept thin-set adhesive or a mortar base onto which to lay tile.
Can cement tiles be used in a shower?
The most common question is, "Can I use them in my shower or bath?" The answer is definitely, "Yes!" Cement tiles can also be used in wet areas such as the bathroom floor, shower floor, shower wall, steam room or sauna. ... However, do not confuse encaustic cement tile with encaustic tile.
Do you have to use thinset under cement board?
No Thinset underneath the backer board “The thinset goes ON TOP of the cement board to stick the tiles!” ... Cement board is a different product and it needs to be installed in its own way. Additionally, screws don't take the place of thinset either.
Do you need to waterproof cement board in a shower?
Cement board is not waterproof. Hardibacker is not waterproof. Tile and grout are not waterproof. Cement board will not fall apart when exposed to water.
Are cement tiles good for bathroom floors?
“Cement tiles can be used on the floors and walls in the kitchen, living room, foyer, dining room, bathroom, and laundry room," says Melanie Stephens, director of design and marketing at Granada Tile.
Can you use cement tiles in a shower?
The most common question is, "Can I use them in my shower or bath?" The answer is definitely, "Yes!" Cement tiles can also be used in wet areas such as the bathroom floor, shower floor, shower wall, steam room or sauna.
...
However, do not confuse encaustic cement tile with encaustic tile..
Do you need a vapor barrier behind cement board?
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.
Related Question Answers

MadScientist
ProfessorDo you need green board behind cement board?
Because cement board can be used either for floors or walls, the surface below the cement board will vary: ... In such wet areas, never install cement board directly over drywall or green board. Instead, first, remove the existing surface material, then install the cement board over the studs and membrane, as applicable.

Jörg W Mittag
ProfessorDo you need to put a vapor barrier behind cement board?
You should NOT place a vapor barrier BEHIND the backer board. Where, pray tell, would any such collected vapor/water go? Answer:There's nowhere proper for such moisture to egress. The current best practice is to place waterproofing OVER the backetboard and just UNDER the tile.

Slava Fomin II
ProfessorWhat do you put behind cement board in shower?
Cement Board and a Liquid Membrane No plastic sheeting goes behind the cement board.
A liquid waterproofing membrane, such as RedGard or Hydro Ban, is applied to the cement board and allowed to cure.
Then, tile is installed over the membrane..

Umar.H
ProfessorCan you tile directly onto cement board?
Cement backer board is often used as a tile base on plywood or OSB subfloor. Cement backer board on concrete as a subfloor or underlayment is usually not recommended or needed. In most cases, you can apply tile directly to the concrete. Manufactured veneer stone is another use for cement backer board.

Jarek Tkaczyk
ProfessorDo you put cement board under a shower pan?
Once the subfloor of proper thickness is properly installed then you can apply cement board directly to the subfloor material. ALL CEMENT BOARDS MUST be installed in a fresh bed of thinset. ... If you want the cement board under the shower tray then do so - doesn't matter.

LppEdd
ProfessionalDo you need to waterproof concrete bathroom floor?
If the bathroom floor is either concrete or compressed fibre cement sheet flooring then there is no requirement for full waterproofing of the floor and the extent of floor waterproofing will depend on whether it has a bath with a shower over it or the shower recess is enclosed with a shower screen.

Anuj TBE
ProfessionalCan you do polished concrete in bathrooms?
A complete warm, cream bathroom (including the walls, floor and sink) can be made entirely of concrete. Whether you're building or renovating a laundry, toilet, shower or bathroom, for a high-gloss, low-maintenance finish, concrete polishing is the answer – it's a fine, no-wax flooring material.

Jeff Foster
ProfessionalCan you glue stone veneer to cement board?
What can I put stone veneer on for an interior application? For interior applications, stone veneer can be installed over cement board, drywall, and all of the above.

Brian Bi
ProfessionalCan you put cement board over tile?
Cement board forms a durable, stable base for tile, and it has no organic materials (unlike drywall, greenboard, or plywood) so it is not prone to mold, rot, shrinkage, or decomposition due to moisture. Ceramic tile laid over cement board is one of the most durable floor or wall surfaces you can install.

Jeroen Steenbeeke
ProfessionalCan you put cement over silicone?
Yes, silicone will stick to cement board.
In fact I highly recommend that you use cement board such as 'Durock' as your backer board.
Use proper screws.
Such as the specific cement board screw..

Cooper
UserCan you put Venetian plaster in a bathroom?
ROCKCOTE Venetian Plaster is suitable for walls in wet areas but NOT suitable in showers, bath tubs, hand basins, floors, splash-backs or bench tops. Wet areas are defined as areas within a building, supplied with water from a water supply. They include bathrooms, laundries and toilets.

Andreas
UserHow do you cut and install cement board?
Lay your cement board flat, and draw a line with a carpenter's pencil where you intend to cut. Place a straightedge along the line and drag either a drywall utility knife or a scoring tool against it. Repeat your cuts two to three times to make them deeper, which will make snapping the board easier.

Simeon Visser
UserHow do you cut cement board around a toilet?
You can also use a carbide tipped cutting tool similar to a utility knife to cut the cement board. Use a compass to draw the hole and use the cutting tool to score the board on both sides, then pop it out with a hammer.

Patrick Hund
UserDo I have to use cement board under Wall Tile?
In short, tile and grout are not inherently waterproof. ... Cement backer board is often used as a tile base on plywood or OSB subfloor. Cement backer board on concrete as a subfloor or underlayment is usually not recommended or needed. In most cases, you can apply tile directly to the concrete.

Xeoncross
UserDo you have to replace cement board under tile?
Undamaged cement backer board does not need to be replaced.
...
It is difficult to remove tile from a cement backer board, and even more difficult to avoid damaging the board in the process.
Since backer board is relatively inexpensive, it's not normally worth the time and labor it would take to remove the tile to save it..

Nathan H
GuestDo you have to waterproof a concrete bathroom floor?
If the bathroom floor is either concrete or compressed fibre cement sheet flooring then there is no requirement for full waterproofing of the floor and the extent of floor waterproofing will depend on whether it has a bath with a shower over it or the shower recess is enclosed with a shower screen.

wsl
GuestDo you leave a gap between cement board?
Stagger all HardieBacker cement board joints. Do not align with subfloor joints. Never allow all four corners of boards to meet at one point. We recommend an 1/8 in gap between board edges.

vitaliis
GuestDo you need plywood under cement board?
The Surface Below the Cement Board Flooring: For ceramic tile floors, the cement board usually rests on a plywood subfloor (minimum 5/8-inch-thick exterior-grade plywood or OSB). ... In such wet areas, never install cement board directly over drywall or green board.

Tim Roberts
GuestDo you need vapor barrier behind cement board?
If it's a cement board, you need a vapor barrier, because cement retains moisture, which means the wood next to it is always damp.

David Schwartz
GuestDoes cement board need to be sealed?
While you don't always need to seal backer board, it sometimes make sense to do so. If you are installing backer board in an area that will be subject to a great amount of moisture, like in a shower, then it makes sense to put a waterproofing sealer on it.

Gary Archer
GuestDoes silicone stick to cement board?
Yes, silicone will stick to cement board. In fact I highly recommend that you use cement board such as 'Durock' as your backer board. Use proper screws. Such as the specific cement board screw.30 Sep 2015

Wesley Murch
GuestCan I use cement board for shower floor?
Do not use cement board on its own. Your shower will leak and you will be tearing it out within a year.

Tamas Czinege
GuestWill silicone adhere to cement board?
Yes, silicone will stick to cement board. In fact I highly recommend that you use cement board such as 'Durock' as your backer board. Use proper screws.

CherryDT
GuestCan I plaster over tiles bathroom?
Applying plaster over tiles Sometimes, you may want to plaster bathroom walls over existing tiles. In this case, you need to fill the gaps between the tiles to create a uniform, flat surface. To do this, you should cover the tiled wall with a non-shrinking, adherent substrate plaster.

Mads Hansen
GuestDo I need cement board for kitchen backsplash?
But for a tile backsplash, if your wall is good and plumb, without any major ridges or problems, you don't always need to use a backer board, often you can just apply thinset to the walls and put your tiles in place.

Christopher DuBois
GuestDo I need cement board for tile floor?
If you're working over a wood subfloor, cement board is the right choice for your tile base. No matter what you're told at a home center, it's not a good idea to install tile directly over plywood, especially in a damp area like a bathroom.

MatPag
GuestDo you put cement board under bathtub?
You don't need any cement board under the tub. It is far more important to have a sturdy layer of ply under the tub.

Marlon Abeykoon
GuestCan you install cement board over drywall?
Because cement board can be used either for floors or walls, the surface below the cement board will vary: ... In such wet areas, never install cement board directly over drywall or green board. Instead, first, remove the existing surface material, then install the cement board over the studs and membrane, as applicable.

Ganesh
GuestShould I put plastic behind cement board?
No plastic sheeting goes behind the cement board. A liquid waterproofing membrane, such as RedGard or Hydro Ban, is applied to the cement board and allowed to cure. Then, tile is installed over the membrane.

Ben Butterworth
GuestCan you put cement board on metal studs?
Cement backerboard is perfect for wet and high-moisture applications, such as kitchens and bathrooms, where you'll typically install the panels over a moisture-resistant drywall or plywood sheathing. Cement backerboard mounts to metal stud framing using the same procedure as wood framing.

Rotem
GuestCan you put cement board on the floor?
Cement board is a type of underlayment that is now standard for most tile installations, but particularly for floor tile.
The primary benefit of cement board is that it doesn't break down or expand or warp if it gets wet.
This is a distinct advantage over plywood and drywall..

poke
GuestDo you have to put Thinset under cement board?
No Thinset underneath the backer board “The thinset goes ON TOP of the cement board to stick the tiles!” ... Cement board is a different product and it needs to be installed in its own way. Additionally, screws don't take the place of thinset either.

hiro protagonist
GuestHow do you fix cement board to floor?
cement board screws spaced every 4 in. 4. Tape the seams Lay cement board fiberglass mesh tape over all the seams (it's sticky on one side). Use a wide putty knife or a flat trowel to spread thin-set mortar over the tape, making sure to knock down any ridges or high spots.

The Alpha
GuestShould I put cement board under tub?
You don't need any cement board under the tub. It is far more important to have a sturdy layer of ply under the tub.

dominicoder
GuestShould I put Thinset under cement board?
Embed the cement board in latex-modified thin-set mortar The main reason for using thin-set between the cement board and the subfloor isn't as much for bonding as it is for even, void-free cement board support throughout the floor. ... Then spread thinset mortar with the flat side of a 1/4-in.

Tyler McHenry
GuestShould you put a vapor barrier behind cement board?
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.

peirix
GuestWhat do you put on seams of cement board?
Use special mesh tape on seams Cut drywall to fill in between the existing wall or ceiling and the cement board. Screw the drywall to the studs. Cover all of the corners, joints and seams, including the joint where drywall and cement board meet, with the fiberglass mesh tape.

peirix
GuestCan you make a shower pan with cement board?
Do not use cement board on its own.
Your shower will leak and you will be tearing it out within a year..

Uri
GuestDo you have to glue down cement board?
You cannot put a cement backer board over that. You need to put a layer or plywood, minimum 5/8 IIRC, over those boards, then mortar the backer to the plywood. Those 1x8 boards won't give a solid foundation and will flex. Over time, that will cause tile to pop loose or crack.

Waldi
GuestShould I plaster before fitting bathroom?
When tiling a bathroom 'floor to ceiling' there is no point in plastering out the boards prior to tiling.In fact, it will reduce the amount of tile weight the plasterboard will hold, and it is advisable to leave fresh plaster to dry for 4 weeks before tiling, ensuring you a very long wait!

trashgod
GuestWhat kind of paint do you use on cement board?
Acrylic paintFor cement boards that have already been primed, 100% acrylic exterior paint is recommended. Acrylic paint is the best choice for cement board. It's especially important if you are working with new cement board to avoid oil-based primer.

Roman Elizarov
GuestDo you have to put cement board under tile?
In short, tile and grout are not inherently waterproof. ... Cement backer board is often used as a tile base on plywood or OSB subfloor. Cement backer board on concrete as a subfloor or underlayment is usually not recommended or needed. In most cases, you can apply tile directly to the concrete.

Noah Stahl
GuestDo you need to waterproof cement board in shower?
Cement board is not waterproof. Hardibacker is not waterproof. Tile and grout are not waterproof. Cement board will not fall apart when exposed to water.

l0b0
GuestCan I just screw down cement board?
Put thinset beneath your backerboard. And put your dog out. Once you have the area fully covered with thinset you can lay your backerboards into the bed of thinset and screw it down. DO NOT use drywall screws!

Muhd
GuestDo you need to use thinset under cement board?
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.

FrVaBe
GuestWhat do you cut cement board with?
The simplest way to cut cement backer board is to score the surface and snap the sheet along the scored line, similar to the way you'd cut drywall. In fact, you can use a drywall utility knife to score backer board, but a better option is a carbide-tipped scoring tool.

Matchu
GuestShould I put cement board under tile?
If you want to replace an old, cracked tile floor or other type of flooring with new ceramic tile, it's absolutely imperative that you create a solid setting base for the new tile. If you're working over a wood subfloor, cement board is the right choice for your tile base.

Betamos
GuestHow often do you screw cement board?
every 8 inFasten HardieBacker cement board with specified nails or screws (as listed in “Materials Required") every 8 in over the entire surface. Keep fasteners between 3/8 in and 3/4 in from board edges and 2 in from board corners.

Malachi
GuestWhat do you attach cement board with?
In general, 1 1/2-inch galvanized nails will hold the board firmly in place. For flooring or wall installation, some builders choose to apply a thin layer of thinset mortar under the cement board to prevent any shifting or expansion. Even if you use this extra adhesive, you should still apply the nails or screws.

Mo.
GuestWhat do you put on concrete floor before tiling?
Level. Use floor leveling compound for large holes or flaws in your cement floor. The compound is a cement-based material that is thick enough to stay where it needs to be, but also flows well to fill in depressions to ensure your floor is flat.