How Do You Install A Backerboard For Ceramic Tile Floors?
Although a solid concrete substrate is the ideal surface for installing ceramic tile, you can modify existing wood substrates to accept ceramic tile by covering them with a rigid material such as backerboard. Of the three types of backerboard–cement fiber, glass mesh and latex cement-coated foam core board–the cement fiber backerboard has the best water resistance and is the best choice for bathroom and kitchen applications. Learn how to install backerboard correctly so that your finished ceramic tile will remain free of cracked grout lines and broken tile. Select the correct backerboard for your application. Herbert Tennant of Habitat Modifications Inc. recommends using ½-inch backerboard for floors. Inspect the existing substrate for loose areas. Secure the substrate by nailing or screwing any loose areas. All nails or screws in the existing substrate should be flush or slightly below flush before installing backerboard. Nail or screw any existing fasteners that are above flush. Sw
