Cement Board Vs Drywall For Tile

Cement backer board is a mineral based pre fabricated wall unit usually 1 4 inch or 1 2 inch thick and 3 feet by 5 feet long.

Cement board vs drywall for tile.

It provides a strong base on which to install tile and stone. It is made of cement water silica limestone flour and fibers such as kevlar or fiberglass for increased strength. Thick 3 x 5 ft. Cement board is a very hard panel formed by cement slurry and reinforced fiberglass mesh.

It gets its name from the telltale color of the paper facing on the front and back. Cement board also comes in panels but that s where its similarity to drywall ends. It was developed to replace lath and plaster construction. This product resists direct moisture making it a top choice for installation in areas of high humidity.

With consistent exposure to moisture drywall can become rotted and need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Cement board meanwhile comes in panels that are similar to that of drywall but that is where the similarities will end. Tile is laid onto the cement board with thinset mortar or mastic. These are available in 4 8 foot and 3 5 foot sheets that are either 1 2 inch or 1 4 inch thick.

At some point along the wall the cement backer board will meet with the drywall used in the rest of the room. Rotted drywall can also lead to a buildup of mold and mildew which is what leads to dirty tiles. It s typically available in 1 2 in. Cement boards are made up of cement and glass fibers.

This video transition between cement board and drywall joint or how to tap drywall and cement board joint or tapping cement board and sheetrock shows the tra. Essentially drywall is gypsum pressed between two sheets of paper. If i thinset the cement board down using a 1 4 x 1 4 trowel and screw it every 8 will the thinset end up being 1 8 thick. In this highly convenient inexpensive and popular application a moisture barrier of 4 or 6 mil thick plastic is installed directly over the wall studs.

Screws secure the cement board to the wall studs. The core of the green board drywall is a thicker and more resilient version of the drywall s gypsum core which allows it to withstand indirect moisture applications such as the humidity in a bathroom or near a laundry room. This joint needs to be flush and smooth in order for the tile or other wall covering to be installed correctly and to create a professional finished appearance. Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas.

Green board drywall is water resistant not waterproof. On top of the 2 6 will be 3 4 subfloor thinset cement board redgard thinset tile. Then the cement board is installed on top of the plastic sheeting.