The Board Below The Floor Tile

Install a cement based backer board following the manufacturer s instructions.
The board below the floor tile. Diyers should steer clear of mortar beds opting instead for backer board or one of the other types of tile underlayment discussed below. This is a distinct advantage over plywood and drywall. When it absorbs liquid it swells. So with tile the liquid in the thinset is absorbed by the particle board which causes it to swell and the tile floor is uneven and cracks.
Cement board also provides an additional layer over a plywood or particleboard subfloor adding stiffness to the tile. This provides a solid surface under the tile that prevents flexing that could lead to cracking. Installing tile raises the surface level of the floor. Cement board is a type of underlayment that is now standard for most tile installations but particularly for floor tile.
Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor. It is generically called cement board or backer board or it can also be referred to by one of the common brand names such as densshield hardiebacker and wonderboard. Find backer board at lowe s today. Do it yourselfers can use either 1 2 or 1 4 inch cement board in certain applications while other scenarios mandate 1 2 inch board.
Tile flooring is water resistant and durable when combined with backer board which is impervious to moisture and helps create a flat base. Use a polymer modified thin set a type of mortar to attach the backer board to the subfloor. Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water. Cement based backer board.
Now largely regarded as the very best underlayment for ceramic tile in any application floors walls and countertops cement based backer board goes by many names. The primary benefit of cement board is that it doesn t break down or expand or warp if it gets wet. Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage.