Do I need Hardibacker under tile? For tile, yes. If you aren't doing tile, no. Go with the hardie, well worth the extra money. the hardie backer install requires that if you are installing floor tile on it over a wood framed floor you need to spread a special mortar under the board.
Full Answer
Can you lay tile without backer board?
As long as a concrete slab is very flat and contains no cracks, tile can be installed directly on top, using thinset as the adhesive, allowing you to skip the backer board layer.
Do you put cement board under tile floor?
What you need for a tile base. If you want to replace an old, cracked tile floor or other type of flooring with new ceramic tile, it's absolutely imperative that you create a solid setting base for the new tile. If you're working over a wood subfloor, cement board is the right choice for your tile base.
Is tile underlayment necessary?
When you are tiling, the ground underneath your tiles needs to be well prepared. You achieve this by providing a protective layer of underlayment on top of it. A cement board or backer board is the best for this purpose. The boards protect against moisture in flooring materials.
Can tile be laid on plywood?
Tile can be laid on plywood. But do not install tile directly on the plywood subfloor itself. Use an intervening layer of a sheet of thinner plywood.
Can I just screw down cement board?
Do not use drywall screws as they are not recommended to be used to hold the backer board in place. All of your backer board pieces should be cut before they are placed on the floor. Along the perimeter, screws should be installed at least ½ inch from the edge, but no more than 2 1/4 inches.
What can I use instead of backer board?
If you are good with a trowel and understand how to set up and use screeds as a guide for leveling or forming the mortar, pouring a traditional mortar bed may be a good alternative to tile backer board, especially on uneven or sloping floors.
What should you put down before tiling a floor?
5:0918:58Installing TILE FLOOR for the FIRST TIME How To Lay Tile FloorYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo deal with this you need to cover the subfloor with either cement board or use an uncouplingMoreTo deal with this you need to cover the subfloor with either cement board or use an uncoupling membrane which is what I went with this orange plastic sheeting called Detra is made by Schluter.
What goes between tile and subfloor?
Exterior plywood is an acceptable underlayment for tile and is preferred to interior-grade plywoods because the bonding adhesives used are waterproof. If water seeps through the tile installation to the underlayment, it will not cause the wood to swell, as happens with interior-grade plywood.
What do you put down under ceramic tile?
Install a cement-based backer board following the manufacturer's instructions. This provides a solid surface under the tile that prevents flexing that could lead to cracking. Backer board panels typically measure 3-feet by 5-feet and can be trimmed as needed.
Can you use 1/4 inch cement board on floors?
1/4" USG Durock® cement board is an ideal substrate for floor and countertop ceramic tile installations. The 1/4" thickness helps eliminate transition trim when abutting carpet or wood flooring and minimize level variations with other finish materials.
Does tile go directly on subfloor?
While you can lay tile directly over a concrete slab using thin-set adhesive, don't make the mistake of applying tile directly to a plywood subfloor. No matter how firm the subfloor; the plywood will expand and contract at a different rate as the tile, causing cracks to develop in the grout lines or tiles over time.
Can I use plywood instead of cement board?
Generally speaking, if you are laying tile on top of it, then cement board is the better option. However, for wood and other types of floors, it is plywood that is generally the preferred choice.