You need near 100% contact between the hardibacker and the underlying plywood, or the hardibacker will flex and cause your tiles to pop or crack. The thinset and mesh tape are to strengthen the seams. Scoop up thinset on the flat edge of a 1/4-inch, square-notched trowel and spread the thinset across the plywood. Jeff, thanks for responding. Joint compound or thinset?? I guess the assumption is that once adhered, the Hardibacker and tile are essentially one unit. Also, it makes sense. Also, one tile guy told me the only seams requiring taping are the corners. By continuing to browse this site or use this app, I agree the Houzz group may use cookies and similar technologies to improve its products and services, serve me relevant content and to personalise my experience. references USG Corporation: Durock Cement Board Next Gen National Gypsum: Permabase Cement Board Glenda Taylor Glenda Taylor is a contractor and a full-time writer … Answered. Using thinset mortar and special tape to seal the seams between the sheets is also necessary. What cars have the most expensive catalytic converters? To test if the thinset is still viable to use, test it with your finger. If not, throw it out and start a new batch. Installing hardibacker on floor. If there is an area where Hardibacker will show it's weakness it's in the seams, but as long as you take the time to tape them and thinset them there is little to be … Hardibacker wants their product thinset and attached if it’s going to have tile installed over it. HardieBacker® cement board is made better to install better and perform better. It can make the difference between cracked or intact tiles over the joints. Which side do I lay the the against? Can you use 1/4 Hardibacker shower walls? I always use 1/4" trowel for all my … Do you need to waterproof cement board before tiling? That long term flexing can lead to problems down the road. B. bob bob ... Is it ok to use mesh tape and thinset to bond the corners after the board is primed? Many thin-sets have latex and polymer additives in them designed to increase bonding strength. Sometimes tiles will pop loose where there's movement. HardieBacker® cement board is made better to install better and perform better. That should be a big enough deal to make taping worth the effort. Use extra fasteners on seams that are separating. Hardie backerboard will not seal out moisture completely, nor will thinset or grout. Hi, I am re-doing my shower. It is simply put in place to eliminate voids beneath your backerboard. This QEP Backerboard Seam Tape Roll is self adhering to reduce application time. I recommend using 100% silicone for this. Although most backerboards currently available won’t fall apart when exposed to moisture and are somewhat water-resistant, they aren’t waterproof. The amount of thinset you need is calculated by the square footage of the floor or wall, the size of the tile, and the size of notched trowel you use to spread it. Can you change your mind after signing a tenancy agreement? Keep in mind, that tiling board seams are not like dealing with drywall...it doesn't need to look pretty and the tape doesn't need to be embedded fully, it will be when you add the thinset and tile. IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY CARE ABOUT ITS STRUCTURES...people give they're lives for the sake of this country...it's a disgrace to not spend a few miserable bucks for the sake of it. What is Hardibacker used for? All the manufacturers installation instructios say is to: Apply a supporting bed of mortar or modified thinset to subfloor using a 1/4" square-notched trowel. Shame, shame, for building disposable housing. That’s why it was named the most preferred brand of backer board by tile installers and contractors, according to the 2019 Tile and Stone Report conducted by ClearSeas research in partnership with the National Tile Contractors Association … All Hardi seams are tapped with thinset. Provide support behind seams that run parallel to wall framing. When I mentioned this as a problem, that was his reply. I have the HardiBacker board up and the seams are taped and mudded with alkali resistant mesh tape and thin-set. So I'll mesh and thinset the backer board at all joints and at angled conjunctions, silicone the tile. Many thin-sets have latex and polymer additives in them designed to increase bonding strength. Thinset mortar is commonly used for setting ceramic tile. This should not be that difficult. I've never used it in any bath/kitchen remodel I've done and have never had a call back in years. I have Hardibacker. Taping hardibacker seams after priming with Redgard. In my limited tiling experience, I followed the instructions exactly. Sheets of HardiBacker cement tile-backer are cut to fit, then fastened with thinset mortar and special screws. I heard a reply that modified thinset should not be used because if you tear the floor out, it will be hard to get the backerboard up. • Apply a supporting bed of dry-set mortar or modified thinset to plywood with a 1/4 in square-notched trowel. Do I need to waterproof shower walls before tiling? Can you use joint compound on Hardibacker? If the thinset sticks to your finger, it should still stick to the surface being tiled. 2 Answers. HOA Dilemma - What Color Hardie Board Should We Pick? We installed .5” HardiBacker around the tub, posted off the top of the tub flange 1/8”. It'll keep the cement board from moving up and down. The idea is the hardibacker and the tile are one layer, together. Can be used for seaming most types of cement backer board and tile underlayment. Plan the installation so the last column of tiles overlaps the joint between the cement board and the greenboard if possible. Also, one tile guy told me the only seams requiring taping are the corners. Make sure to tape seams and corners according the manufacturer recommendations. The manufacturer says to use mortar or modified thinset with 1/4" trowel. Click to see full answer Moreover, what tape do you use for Hardibacker? Only make enough thinset that you can use within 20-30 minutes. Whether you’re laying down a new tile floor or installing a shower, you may use a sheathing material such as backerboard. The thinset and mesh tape are to strengthen the seams. In most cases, you can apply tile directly to the concrete. Sometimes it allows an unimpeded way for water to get behind the board and into the wall. I heard a reply that modified thinset should not be used because if you tear the floor out, it will be hard to get the backerboard up. width leaves a smooth surface for spreading mortar, thinset or mastic Cement backer board on concrete as a subfloor or underlayment is usually not recommended or needed. If I use modified, is that technically a better beefy cement board installation? The first coat of RedGuard is applied. It is also used to set porcelain tile and natural stone tile. NEVER under or over cement board on a floor. (I haven't used any full strength RedGard yet). Once laid into the thinset bed the floor becomes a solid, fully supported substrate for your tile – that’s what you want. the backer has been down about four weeks and it was put down with roofing nails along with thinset. cement backer board fine You need near 100% contact between the hardibacker and the underlying plywood, or the hardibacker will flex and cause your tiles to pop or crack. Does anything go? The thinset doesn’t need to bond to the plywood. If you are going to tile over the cement board, you should tape the seams. I actually had a GC say this to me about two years ago. To test if the thinset is still viable to use, test it with your finger. At least that part is correct, but that was about it. Apply it just like masking tape and it will stick to the drywall until you apply thinset for the tile installation. Sealing Backerboard Seams . Can be used for seaming most types of cement backer board and tile underlayment. Thinset or mortar (or thinset mortar, thinset cement, dryset mortar, or drybond mortar) is an adhesive made of cement, fine sand, and a water retaining agent such as an alkyl derivative of cellulose. It's just IMPOSSIBLE to make a tile floor last more than a couple of years! Fiberglass mesh for added strength. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 4 of 4 Posts. I'm figuring that the slow dry time and water-sensitivity won't matter here, especially because it will be a week between the time I lay the backer and the time I start to tile. What's the difference between Koolaburra by UGG and UGG? It's used to bond ceramic or porcelain tile and cement backerboard.) Spread the mortar in a thin layer over the joints and seams of the hardie board using even strokes to create a … That long term flexing can lead to … … Currently, Hardibacker calls for either 1/4" thinset, or 5/32" mastic underneath. Cover an area large enough to place the first backer board sheet. All seams have been taped and filled with thinset mortar. It's a big debate in the industry. Step 4. Fasten the backer board to the floor using proper nails or screws as recommended by the manufacturer every 8 around the perimeter and all supporting the studs. If you just want to leave the corners untreated that will probably be fine, because that seam won't split the center of a tile. The Floor Elf: Installing Cement Backerboard for Tile in a Shower ; Fasten HardieBacker cement board with specified nails or screws (as listed in “Materials Required") every 8 in over the … Use backer board screws for the best installation. Make sure to tape seams and corners according the manufacturer recommendations.