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. This product resists direct moisture making it a top choice for installation in areas of high humidity. Essentially drywall is gypsum pressed between two sheets of paper. These are available in 4 8 foot and 3 5 foot sheets that are either 1 2 inch or 1 4 inch thick.

It is made of cement water silica limestone flour and fibers such as kevlar or fiberglass for increased strength. 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. Greenboards or blueboards on the other hand are types of drywall. Green board drywall is water resistant not waterproof.

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. At some point along the wall the cement backer board will meet with the drywall used in the rest of the room. 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. 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. Cement boards are made up of cement and glass fibers. 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.

Cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas. On top of the 2 6 will be 3 4 subfloor thinset cement board redgard thinset tile. 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 board meanwhile comes in panels that are similar to that of drywall but that is where the similarities will end. It was developed to replace lath and plaster construction. Thick 3 x 5 ft. Cement board also comes in panels but that s where its similarity to drywall ends.

It gets its name from the telltale color of the paper facing on the front and back. Tile is laid onto the cement board with thinset mortar or mastic. Cement board is a very hard panel formed by cement slurry and reinforced fiberglass mesh.