Foam Tile Backer Board Vs Cement Board

Just reading the definitions alone doesn t provide too much of a difference as both uncoupling mats and backer board are used to prep the subfloor to help prevent loss of bond.

Foam tile backer board vs cement board.

First it s super lightweight compared with the rest. Backer board cement board comparison review written by fred daues on january 4 2013 in wedi shower systems this review was done to test the performance of 3 different cement boards for ceramic tile installation. The biggest disadvantage will be the cost. Backer board is a thin layer of concrete that has fiberglass mesh on its sides and is used under the tile to provide a firm and even surface for the tile to adhere to.

All of these backerboard options have advantages and disadvantages. In showers the standard substrate is tile backer also called cement board or cement backer board. Lighter in weight than cement board. Hardibacker is the best known fiber cement board fiber cement board.

Fiberock is another popular product in this category. Easier to cut and fasten than cement board. It s a sort of gray beige colored board and is available at any hardware box store. There are other brand names of polystyrene backerboard as well as other materials to choose from including cement backerboard.

Fiber cement board and cement board are closely related. Foam core tile backing board has two big advantages over other backer boards. Xps foam boards like jackoboard marmox weidi etc or cement boards lile hardie no more ply etc with tanking where applicable or plasterboard just to throw it in there tanking where needs be. Synthetics kirdi board and similar products tend to run on the expensive side.

Will soften if water seeps through joints or gets behind the waterproof surface. Fiberglass mats irritate bare skin. The wedi backer board hardibacker and wonderboard. The synthetic foam will last longer than traditional concrete and produce significantly less dust when cutting and installing.

And second since it s foam the board is super easy to cut with just a utility knife. Can t support all types of floor tile see product specification sheet. Ceramic and porcelain tile more than almost any other surface material needs a stable flat flex free substrate. Dont know how you would put this thing to a vote maybe admin coould help out with that one.

In addition because showers. Any of them can work well if properly detailed. Even the slightest amount of movement in a building structure can telegraph to the tile and crack it. You ve probably heard of hardiebacker tile backer board.