How Thick Should Backer Board Be For Wall Tile

Cement board cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas.

How thick should backer board be for wall tile.

For countertops use 3 4 inch plywood beneath the backer board. For flooring the backer board should be installed over a 5 8 inch thick osb or plywood base. The industry standard is to use 1 2 inch thick backer board on wall tile installations such as a tub surround. The cement board both walls and floor will get redgard before tile.

Tile backer boards like hardibacker board wonderboard permabase and durock cement backer board installs. Thick 3 x 5 ft. The exception to this rule allows 1 4 inch cement board on walls only where there is minimum 5 8 inch exterior grade plywood sheathing or oriented strand board osb subfloor. In this highly convenient inexpensive and popular application a moisture barrier of 4 or 6 mil thick plastic is installed directly over the wall studs.

1 4 inch 1 2 inch or 5 8 inch thick panels are all suitable for countertops. Use 1 2 inch or 5 8 inch thick cement board not 1 4 inch. Then the cement board is installed on top of the plastic sheeting. Is it okay to use 1 4 thick cement board as a backer or is 1 2 preferred.

Screws secure the cement board to the wall studs. For example for strength reasons manufacturers mandate 1 2 inch and 5 8 inch board on walls. It s typically available in 1 2 in. Maximum stud spacing on walls is 16 inch off center.

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 and tile magazine. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water. The extra thickness is needed to span the studs and provide a solid base for the tile. Tile is laid onto the cement board with thinset mortar or mastic.

Cement fiber or similarly reinforced backer board comes in standard 1 4 inch and 1 2 inch thicknesses. By the way you want 1 2 inch thickness for wall backer board. And for walls and ceilings apply 1 2 inch or 5 8 inch backer board screwed directly to the wall studs or joists.