Tub Surround Backer Board

Install the first full sheet of cement board lengthwise against the back wall long edge of the tub.

Tub surround backer board.

The dense gray material is very heavy so use the smaller size for replacing tub walls. The types that are the most difficult to install tend to work fine and are fairly economical. Hold the sheet against the wall and insert 1 4 inch spacers to keep the cement board 1 4 inch. Thick 3 x 5 ft.

Apply it to the wall with the bottom edge about 1 4 in. When the bathtub is installe. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water. The panels are nasty to handle because of their sharp edges so wear heavy leather gloves.

The best approach when installing cement board or other tile backer around a tub is to keep the cement board out of the lip area. Loctite powergrab 10 fl. Cement board cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas. Greenboard is ok for regular walls in a bathroom but doesn t really add anything that proper priming and painting would but for a shower tub surround use cement backerboard.

It is designed to bond most plastic surround tubs to waterproof drywall wood sanded tile board and ceramic tile. Greenboard is just regular drywall with a coating. It s typically available in 1 2 in. When it comes to installing a tile backer board the easiest to install is usually the worst choice or most expensive option.

I often get questions on what sort of tile backer board to use for showers and tub surrounds. To do this you need backer board that is 1 2 inch thick or to build up a thinner board with. In this case the backer board you use on the tub surround needs to transition to the drywall evenly. Then apply a generous amount of thin set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1 8 in.

Proper way to install backer board in tub area no matter what the board is made of it should not sit on top of the tub flange.