Wall Backer For Shower Tile

Remove all shower accessories and hardware.

Wall backer for shower tile.

Whether it s a wall floor or countertop tile installation using the right substrate is crucial for preventing cracks and breaks in the tile and grout. Measure the work area and cut your boards to fit. Tile needs to be installed on a backer board to keep the assembly stiff otherwise the assembly will flex at the grout joints allowing water to seep behind the tile and rot the substructure. Some homeowners believe that painting or priming plywood will render it suitable to use as shower tub backer board.

Leave the shower pan in place if possible covering it with a blanket or towel to prevent damage. You don t need to use a backer board in the entire bathroom just in the wet shower area. Choose a backer board that s the same thickness as the drywall so you have a seamless transition from one to the other. The first step of understanding how to tile a shower is preparing your work area.

To cut a backer board mark the board score it with a knife and snap it along the cut. Here s how to choose the best tile backer board for your project. But with many non organic shower backer boards available as alternatives there is little reason to use greenboard. Cement backer board comes in two standard thicknesses 1 2 inch and 1 4 inch.

A successful tile installation depends largely on the type substrate the tile is adhered to. The only area a topical waterproof membrane makes any sense is installed over a sloped mud pan run up the wall a few inches and wrapped over the shower damn step. Plywood alone cannot be used as a substrate under tile in showers. The amount of water that seeps through the tile and grout and backer board of a shower wall is minuscule.

Cover the wall studs in plastic sheeting cut down to size with a utility knife to act as a moisture barrier for the wall studs behind the backer board. This is not true. Backer board is the best substrate for tile.