6/17/23, 7:23 AM How To Choose The Right Backer Board For Your Tiling Project - Tile Mountain

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6/17/23, 7:23 AM How To Choose The Right Backer Board For Your Tiling Project - Tile Mountain

How To Choose The Right Backer Board For Your

Tiling Project
Tile Mountain October 6, 2020 0 Comments

Whether you’re tiling a wall, floor, shower enclosure, splashback or wetroom, the effectiveness of
any tile installation depends quite a lot on the type of substrate you’re tiling onto. If the surface
that is having tiles attached directly to it is uneven, not level, has dents and depressions, or is too
porous then this can have an adverse effect on not only the finish of the project but its durability
and longevity too. Plaster, plywood and MDF are all susceptible to various external influences
including water damage, warping and structural failure. One surefire way to avoid all these things
however is to use backer boards as your substrate. Here’s our handy guide on how to choose
the right backer board for your tiling project.

What Are Backer Boards?

In the simplest of terms, backer boards are prefabricated sheets (commonly constructed from
cement-based materials) that are attached to walls and floors to form a sturdy base onto which
tiles can be laid. They usually come in two different thicknesses – 6mm and 12mm – with the
former generally used for flooring installations and the latter for walls.

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6/17/23, 7:23 AM How To Choose The Right Backer Board For Your Tiling Project - Tile Mountain

What Different Types of Backer Board Are Available?

Whilst all backer boards essentially serve the same purpose, there are some slight variation
between the different types available:

Cement Backer Board

Cement backer board (also called cement board), is probably the most commonly used backer
board for use in ceramic and porcelain tile installations. Constructed primarily of cement and
reinforced with fiberglass, this type of board is waterproof and so is mostly used for tiled shower
surrounds and enclosures, wetrooms and floors in areas exposed to direct water. No More Ply is
a popular brand of cementitious backer board.

Fiber Cement Board

Fiber cement board (also called fiber board), is constructed from Portland cement mixed with
sand and cellulose fibers. Fiber board is recommended for floor tile installations as the make-up
of the board helps adhesives to bond with the board itself. Fiber cement board is most commonly
available in 1200×800 sized sheets and in 12mm and 6mm variants. One of the most well-known
manufacturers of this type of board is James Hardie who produce the HardieBacker range of
cement boards.

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6/17/23, 7:23 AM How To Choose The Right Backer Board For Your Tiling Project - Tile Mountain

Polystyrene-Based Insulation Board

This type of board is not strictly a backer board, although it is designed to be tiled directly onto
and is lightweight yet sturdy. The main selling point of this type of board however is their heat
conducting and waterproofing properties – they’re ideal for use with underfloor heating and are
often the choice for wetrooms and commercial applications such as pools, spas and steam
rooms. Norcros Pro Board is a popular product within this category.

Glass Reinforced Cement Sheets (Mat Gypsum Board)

This type of backer board is constructed from water-resistant gypsum that has been treated with
silicone and reinforced with fiberglass mats on the surface of each side. This type of backer
board is lighter than cement board and is intended for use in areas that are susceptible to being
exposed to water. 

Water-Resistant Drywall

Another that is not considered backer board, water-resistant drywall can still be tiled on directly
and is acceptable for use in areas where occasional splashes may occur but which are otherwise
dry. Water-resistant drywall is less expensive than cement or gypsum backer board, but it can be
easily damaged by water ingress and so shouldn’t be used in areas that are subjected to direct
water over a long period of time.

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6/17/23, 7:23 AM How To Choose The Right Backer Board For Your Tiling Project - Tile Mountain

Which Type of Tile Adhesive Should Be Used When Tiling Onto Backer Boards?

As backer boards are essentially separate block panels attached to a substrate (such as flooring
joists) they’re subject to slight movement. As such, when installing ceramic, porcelain or natural
stone tiles directly onto them you should always opt for a flexible adhesive such as Mapei
Keraquick. Some backerboard manufacturers also produce flexible adhesives designed
specifically for use with their backer board products – No More Ply Adhesive being one example.

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6/17/23, 7:23 AM How To Choose The Right Backer Board For Your Tiling Project - Tile Mountain

Are There Any Special Considerations To Be Made When

Using Backer Boards?
Other than ensuring you’re using a type of backer board that is suitable for the type of installation
you’re carrying out, there’s not much else to take into account. If deploying backer boards in wet
areas you should always ensure that you make any joints watertight using waterproof joint tape
such as HardieBacker Fibatape.

It’s also worth remembering that some types of backer board require priming ahead of
installation – always check the manufacturer’s instructions before starting a job. Finally, it is
sometimes worth investing in the cutting tools some manufacturers produce for use with their
backer boards – products such as the HardieBacker Score & Snap Knife make cutting boards to
size a lot easier. For thicker/denser boards an angle grinder may be required.

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6/17/23, 7:23 AM How To Choose The Right Backer Board For Your Tiling Project - Tile Mountain

Backer Boards Are Load Bearing, So How Much Of  A Load

Can Each Type Support?
Each backer board will have this information either embossed or printed on the boards
themselves or on the packaging, so always check the limitations of your particular board before
installing. Generally speaking though, the loads for each board are similar to the below:

If you have any further questions about backer boards and their installation then please don’t
hesitate to get in touch with our friendly customer services guys either via the LiveChat function
or by calling 01782 223 822 – they’ll be more than happy to help with any queries. For more
installation advice on all aspects of tiling then head over our Help Centre section – it’s packed full
of help and advice and useful hints and tips!

Tile Mountain
Here at Tile Mountain, we not only have a huge range of tiles to suit every purpose, we also have a
wealth of tiling knowledge gained from over 30 years in the tile industry, (which we’ll do or best to
share with you across these very pages).

Whether you’re looking for the perfect tiles for your next home improvement project, are searching
for some style inspiration, or simply need a bit of help and advice, you’re in the right place.

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6/17/23, 7:23 AM How To Choose The Right Backer Board For Your Tiling Project - Tile Mountain

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Help Centre, Installation Advice

TAGS

Backer Boards, Installation Advice, Tile Installation, Tiling Accessories, Tiling Tools

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