Cement Board Vs Drywall For Tile

Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas.

Cement board vs drywall for tile.

With consistent exposure to moisture drywall can become rotted and need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water. 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 also comes in panels but that s where its similarity to drywall ends.

Screws secure the cement board to the wall studs. It provides a strong base on which to install tile and stone. 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. Tile is laid onto the cement board with thinset mortar or mastic.

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. 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.

Greenboards or blueboards on the other hand are types of drywall. 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. It was developed to replace lath and plaster construction.

Cement board meanwhile comes in panels that are similar to that of drywall but that is where the similarities will end. This product resists direct moisture making it a top choice for installation in areas of high humidity. It is made of cement water silica limestone flour and fibers such as kevlar or fiberglass for increased strength. At some point along the wall the cement backer board will meet with the drywall used in the rest of the room.

Essentially drywall is gypsum pressed between two sheets of paper. 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. I d like to get as close as possible to matching the height of the existing tile. Thick 3 x 5 ft.

It s typically available in 1 2 in. Rotted drywall can also lead to a buildup of mold and mildew which is what leads to dirty tiles. Then the cement board is installed on top of the plastic sheeting.