Best answer
Because cement board can be used either for floors or walls, the surface below the cement board will vary: Flooring: For ceramic tile floors, the cement board usually rests on a plywood subfloor (minimum 5/8-inch-thick exterior-grade plywood or OSB).
Do I need to seal cement board before tiling?
Contrary to popular thought, tile and grout are not waterproof, and some moisture will penetrate even if sealant is used. ... However, if you choose to use concrete backerboard, which is much stronger and more durable than gypsum board, a water vapor membrane must be placed underneath it or a sealant applied on top of it.
Do I need a vapor barrier behind cement board in shower?
Moisture barriers stop that water or vapor from getting any farther and potentially rotting your studs, the drywall or greenboard installed behind the enclosure. They are required beneath your shower pan and behind your shower walls.
Do you need to waterproof cement board before tiling?
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.
Do you need to prime cement board before tiling?
Do I need to prime HardieBacker® board before I tile onto it? No. HardieBacker tile backerboard is ready to tile once installed, just wipe down with a damp sponge to remove any dust prior to tiling.
Is cement board needed for floor 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.1 Dec 2019
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.
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.
How long should cement board screws be?
Cement board attached to plywood or similar underlayment will hold with only 1 1/4-inch screws; for thick or heavy metal fixtures, use 1 5/8-inch screws. In general, 1 1/2-inch galvanized nails will hold the board firmly in place.
Can I put plywood over concrete floor?
Plywood-on-slab. Place a 6-mil polyethylene vapor retarder directly over the concrete. Lay 3/4-inch plywood sheets opposite to the direction of the finish flooring, leaving a 1/4-inch gap between panels to eliminate squeaking. Fasten the plywood to the concrete using powder-actuated fasteners or concrete nails.
Related Question Answers

Mohamed-Yousef
ProfessorDo I need to waterproof cement board in shower?
Here's what the TCNA handbook has to say about the matter: “A waterproof membrane or vapor retarder membrane must be specified to prevent moisture intrusion and protect adjacent building materials.” ~B412 Bathtub or shower with prefabricated receptor. Cement board or Fiber-cement board.

Kévin Chalet
ProfessorDo you need plastic behind cement board?
Their online instructions/diagrams show no use of a vapor barrier. You should, so that any moisture that gets behind the cement board runs into the tub or shower instead of into your wall cavity (causing rot or mold/mildew).

Mark Baker
ProfessorCan 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.

Claudio Redi
ProfessorDo 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.

squiguy
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.

Sean Patrick Floyd
ProfessionalDo 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.

Lukasz Szozda
ProfessionalIs Thinset under cement board necessary?
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.

Ganesh MB
ProfessionalCan I use 1/4 cement board on 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.

Quintin Robinson
ProfessionalDo 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.

glytching
ProfessionalCan I use plywood for a concrete form?
Plywood is economical to use for wall and floor forms; however, plywood used for this purpose should be made with waterproof glue and marked for use in concrete forms. Plywood is warp-resistant and can be used more often than other lumber.

Lance Pollard
UserCan I use plywood for concrete forms?
Nearly all types of plywood panels can be used in concrete-forming, from common roof and wall sheathing to sanded panels.

hardillb
UserCan you use cement board as a subfloor instead of plywood?
No. You will need actual subfloor (3/4 osb or ply) below the cement board to support it. And you'll only need cement board if you're laying tile. Cement board alone will be far to soft, among other problems.

Abdulla Thanseeh
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.

Willem Van Onsem
UserDo I need cement board for stone veneer?
Natural stone veneer is heavy and should not be installed over drywall; cement backerboard or masonry applications are recommended.

Radesh
UserDo I need to prime cement board before tiling?
Do I need to prime HardieBacker® board before I tile onto it? No. HardieBacker tile backerboard is ready to tile once installed, just wipe down with a damp sponge to remove any dust prior to tiling.

trashgod
GuestDo 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..

Seva Alekseyev
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.

Waiski
GuestDo you need 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..

BЈовић
GuestDo you need to waterproof concrete floor?
Floors of concrete or compressed fibre cement sheet flooring are required to be water resistant. Timber floors including particleboard plywood and other materials require waterproofing of the whole floor. Walls are to be water resistant and junctions to be waterproofed.

Kirill Rakhman
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.

devserkan
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.

Forrest
GuestDoes Loctite Power Grab work on cement board?
It will bond to drywall, plaster, vinyl cove base, polystyrene, polyurethane foam covings, PVC (rigid plastic), stainless steel, glass, wood, plywood, stone, brick, concrete, chip board, ceramics, foam board, cork, and carpet.

Richard Cook
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

Altareos
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.

Stijn de Witt
GuestWhat thickness cement board should I use?
Half-inch cement backer board is ideal for most tiling jobs, including walls, floors, countertops, and ceilings.
For flooring, the backer board should be installed over a 5/8-inch thick OSB or plywood base..

Gryphius
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.

Andrzej Doyle
GuestHow do I attach concrete board to plywood?
Position each piece of backer board in the thin-set, press in place, and attach using special backer board screws on the spacing recommended by the backer board manufacturer.
Cover the joints in the backer board with fiberglass tape embedded in thin-set adhesive and allow to set before tiling..

talves
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.

Ehab Ibrahim
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.

DRAX
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.

Boris Pavlović
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.

CBroe
GuestCan I reuse cement backer board?
Undamaged cement backer board does not need to be replaced. If tile has not been attached directly to the backer board, and it has not been dented or punctured, it can be reused without any special preparation.

Guy
GuestCan you floor level on cement board?
A self leveling compound can be applied to most types of subfloor materials. You can apply self leveling compound to plywood, osb, concrete, cement board, hardibacker and many other types of subfloor materials. You can also use self leveling compounds when installing tile over top of an existing tile installation.

Jesse Wilson
GuestCan you use 1/4 cement board on 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.

Peter Smit
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.

Mayur Gajra
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.

p.campbell
GuestIs Durock cement board non-combustible?
This DUROCK® cement board is a non-combustible, water and mold-resistant panel designed for use under tile, in shower areas, and readily applied over ...

davidcondrey
GuestDo I need DPM on concrete floor?
Do I need a DPM under laminate flooring? Simply put yes. In order to prevent damp rising through the concrete floor and causing issues, a DPM should be used under all final floor types including wood flooring, laminate, vinyl and floor tiles.

Somesh Kumar
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.

iconoclast
GuestHow do you thinset cement board?
Scoop up thinset on the flat edge of a 1/4-inch, square-notched trowel and spread the thinset across the plywood. Cover an area large enough to place the first backer board sheet. Apply another layer of thinset over the first, using the square-notched edge of the trowel.

rsp
GuestWhere do you put cement board in a bathroom?
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.

Tanmoy
GuestDo I need to waterproof concrete floor before tiling?
Cement is actually a very porous material and can easily absorb water. Therefore, any concrete that may come into regular contact with water, such as under tile or for a pool, will need to be waterproofed. If cement is not waterproofed, it can cause issues with the mortar used between the tiles.

mcsoini
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.

mkrieger1
GuestDo I need cement board under floor tile?
If you're working over a wood subfloor, cement board is the right choice for your tile base. ... Because plywood expands and contracts beneath the ceramic tile, grout and tile failure (loose tiles and cracked, crumbling grout) is just a matter of time.

sarnold
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.

Arvind Kumar Avinash
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.

Alireza Ahmadi
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.

OhhhThatVarun
GuestHow many bags of cement do I need for a shower pan?
Building a mud shower is really hard work. This one required 300 lbs (dry) of cement and sand. Another 300 lbs of cement board for the walls. More hundreds of lbs of tile, thinset and grout.

ivg
GuestHow many bags of plaster do I need for a room?
Well if you go by the spec a bag of Multi and Board finish will cover 10.25-75 m2 at a coverage of 2mm on Plaster board. As the manufacturer will tell you this is, of course, just a guide.

janneb
GuestIs cement board stronger than plywood?
Cement backerboard is more stable than plywood in high humidity and other wet environments. It won't swell and buckle the way that plywood does, so it's safe to use in mudrooms and bathrooms where things like spills and puddles are normal, as well as in areas with high levels of moisture in the air.