installing hardibacker over particle board

Cover the glass fiber tape with mortar and then level for smooth walls to finish the job. If there are sparse areas, fill again until a substantial seam is constructed. To create seamless joints, carefully pre-fill all the joints when you seal the inside and outside corners, and then add the glass fiber tape over the top. The cement boards are cut to size and then installed to the studs in the walls rather than attached with adhesive or mortar. Hanging Durock is similar to the process of hanging drywall or sheetrock boards.

If you choose not to use spacers, still insert shims under the row of tiles by the bathtub to make a caulk joint for an extra tight seal.

Tile spacers help maintain uniformity in installation. Laying tile down as you go, slide, then push the tile into place to avoid overfill. When you are ready to lay the tiles, apply the mortar or adhesive with a notched trowel in small increments. Fasten the board down by using the appropriate nails or screws. When attaching the subfloor and cement board, be sure to leave a small gap when fitting ends together. If using mortar, use a ¼” square-notched trowel to lay the Durock. If using adhesive, take care to utilize a ⅝” V-notched trowel for the job. To correctly install the Durock in preparation for a tile floor, begin by adding adhesive or mortar to the back of the subfloor. The thicker choice is ideal because floors are under daily pressure from high traffic and water contact. Laying Durock for tile floor starts with choosing the thicker option for the cement board. Cleaning as you go will make the work area safer. Use the wood rasp to smooth the edges and make the attachment more seamless.īefore going any further, clean up any dust or debris accumulated in the area. Step 4: Follow-Up and Clean-upĪfter cutting or snapping, the edges of the Durock may be jagged or uneven. If you routinely DIY projects, a standard size hole-saw bit is worth the purchase and is useful in many different applications. An alternative is to buy a hole-saw bit in the size you need for the fixture, attach it to a power drill, and make the cut that way. You can mark and score the areas that need to be removed for fixtures and then punch them out by hand or with a hammer. However, for thicker floor pieces, it is more efficient to use a circular saw to make light work of the process.įor cut-outs, the options are similar. Step 3: Cutting Optionsįor thinner pieces of Durock, like those for walls and ceilings, you will likely be able to score the cement sheet with your utility knife and then snap the pieces off as you need. Take measurements for the appropriate sizing and mark where to cut in pencil.

Will it be for the wall, the floor, or the ceiling? Once you have determined the purpose, lay your cement boards to take accurate measurements. First, decide what purpose your Durock is fulfilling.

Installing hardibacker over particle board