However, a cement board is generally easier and less expensive to replace if a repair is needed. I appreciate your help and your quick response. Kerdi membrane prevents water damage and mold development. They are available in thicknesses of 3/16, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1-1/2, and 2 (5, 9, 12.5, 19, 25, 38, and 50 mm). Can be cut to size easily using a utility knife. Installation; As the GoBoard is very lightweight, it becomes easy to . Thanks Paul! We think it is the cement board (Durock) sucking the moisture out of the unmodified thinset. Drywall under Kerdi would have been a better choice. I guess that why it was so frustrating that cement board is just sooo thirsty. This makes Kerdi Board suitable for a wide variety of interior applications, including kitchen countertops. Like cement board, the boards are heavy and hard to cut. Any recommendations? I'm guessing he put a 2x6 across for the curb? After today's tutorial, you'll gain the confidence to transform your old bathroom into a new space. It's a lightweight polystyrene board faced with Kerdi that comes in various thicknesses that you can use in place of drywall or cement board. It allows you to easily and quickly create tile-ready elements in bathtub surrounds and platforms, vanities, showers, shelving, and much more. This is often accomplished by filling any holes and cracks in the wall with appropriate spackling or patching material. Firstly, it is important to ensure the wall is adequately prepared and that it is smooth, flat and free of defects. Kerdi does admit that you can use cement board. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Will add it in. It is also widely available and a relatively inexpensive option approximately $10 for a 3-foot by 5-foot sheet. Any competent tile contractor would float the wall in mortar giving you a stronger, level, perfectly flat, and square surface to properly install tile. Why are Suriname, Belize, and Guinea-Bissau classified as "Small Island Developing States"? Schluter approves their waterproof Kerdi membrane over drywall. It's still applied to cement board. This flexible polyethylene layer is easy to install and can protect the tile from both cracking and moisture. You still use metal lath, but then mix bags of powder and pour the soupy mix onto the floor. Since the existing wall board will be removed, I'd prefer to go a little extra and install a water proof cement board type base so the tile has a solid substrate even if it were to get wet, such as from a plumbing leak, or from infiltration on an exterior wall (as unlikely as that might be). When it comes to using thinset with Schluter products, the Schluter-Systems website recommends using unmodified thin-set mortars specifically designed for use with Schluter membranes. When doing so, it is important to ensure that the drywall surface is clean and free of dust, grease, and loose paint. Kerdi's systems are fairly reputable. Once the primer is completely dry, use a roller or brush to apply a coat of your chosen KERDI membrane adhesive over the entire surface of the wall, overlapping the edges slightly for full coverage. When installing Schluter Kerdi Membrane over cement backerboard: Should I use Alkali Resistant Mesh Tape and thinset on the seams of the backer board (for long term durability to prevent each board moving independently thus preventing cracking) prior to installing the Kerdi membrane. Then you can apply a thin layer of KERDI-FIX to the board, the membrane over top, and use a rolling pin to press it down and ensure a secure bond. You absolutely need to include some sort of substrate (cement board, green board, regular drywall) with the Schluter-Kerdi waterproofing kit. Project Type: Tile / Category: Bathroom. It only takes a minute to sign up. This will include installing its components, such as drain plate and drain collar, as well as Kerdi Band for further protection of seams and corners. The grid lines on the surface are incredibly helpful for installation and making neat cuts. Do new devs get fired if they can't solve a certain bug? Since the existing wall board will be removed, I'd prefer to go a little extra and install a water proof cement board type base so the tile has a solid substrate even if it were to get wet . Sure, you can do it.just be sure to "spritz" or wet the hardi thoroughly before.it's pretty "thirsty.". On a vertical surface, very little moisture . Both may be effective substrates, but Kerdi Board boasts significant advantages. Slap it up comb it out, leave every ridge tall and perfect. With that said, the key benefits of Kerdi Board include: While cement board may be the most common and widely-known tile substrate, Kerdi Board is giving it a run for its money. Once you have selected the right sealer, follow the manufacturers instructions and apply a generous, even coat over the entire surface of the Hardie board. When installation is done properly, Kerdi membrane offers a waterproof barrier that can protect the plywood below from moisture. Euler: A baby on his lap, a cat on his back thats how he wrote his immortal works (origin? Here is a video off the Schluter-Kerdi website that describes how to apply the waterproof membrane on top of the substrate (gypsum board in this case): http://www.schluter.com/schluter-us/en_US/Shower-System/KERDI-SHOWER-KIT/Schluter%C2%AE-KERDI-SHOWER-KIT/p/KERDI_SHOWER-KIT. See the foam bench and the corners. see Prop 65 WARNINGS. We installed cement board on the walls, and today when we attempted to apply the Kerdi membrane we could not get it to adhere. We waterproof the outside the hardiboard in 99% of the install with something like redgard. In order to determine which tile underlayment is right for your project, you need to know which issue youre trying to solve whether its preventing subfloor cracks from transferring to the tile, soundproofing, moisture protection, or providing more rigidity to the tile. In the worst case, it's OK to cut the Kerdi, remove the damaged section, scrape up the thinset from the areas, and set a new piece of Kerdi. Sheets of glass mat gypsum are made from water-resistant silicone-treated gypsum, reinforced on both sides by fiberglass mats. Yeah it seems that the only products that will be compatible with cement board and the kerdi membrane are bostik ditra-set and schluter all-set (or one of schluters other products). While cement board may be the most common and widely-known tile substrate, Kerdi Board is giving it a run for its money. The tub flange can really be a pain in the butt when installing a tile tub surround. The manual can be found here: http://floorelf.com/waterproof, I would say unless you are experienced in working with Schluter-Kerdi waterproofing membrane kit, then I would say work with an easier waterproofing approach, either liquid waterproofing or a combination of liquid and traditional waterproofing (plastic covering the wood frame). Problem with very thick cement board/ tile/bullnose edge, Steam Shower Slip Joint Detail - The secret is in the boarding stage. 173 upvotes. My idea is to block in and install the tub in the existing corner, erect the new wet wall, and use hardi-backer to shim the wall out over the tub flange, then apply kerdi over the whole thing.Does kerdi take offense at being installed over hardi? I ended up putting up a thin, skim-coat of thinset all over the hardi board, letting it dry, and then putting up the kerdi. Blocking should be constant across this area when openings are larger than your fist. I want to mount a cast iron bathtub, but not pull down my 1905 plaster and lath. Your air bubbles will travel along the valleys you've made, and it's way better if you only have to move them 20 inches to the nearest edge rather than all the way from the ceiling to the floor [Again, Mongo can, but he has mad skills].-Not paying attention to the principle of bedding top down, center out. Your email address will not be published. The Kerdi-Line prefab pans and drains make me feel way more comfortable with the waterproofing. Yes, you need waterproofing behind shower tile. Cross your fingers and hope it's all OK. Not the best Kerdi Showcase. Hello D Zak! "..2) the kerdi band isn't stuck flat -- the edges in some spots are wavy. And how do you keep too much water from interfering with the adhesion in the second scenario?Thanks!! Step 7: Cut the Tile. Ultimately, the decision between a Schlter system or a cement board comes down to the particular application and the goals the user has for the floor system. And we are using a drippy mixture, it slides off the trowel. Ratings (91) (5) (91) (3 . Yup! Schluter says that the Kerdi membrane and tile can be installed over standard gypsum wall board without any problems. For all the substrates listed in this Handbook (e.g., gypsum board, cement backerboard, etc. To get the most protection from the cement board, it should be installed in a way that ensures it is waterproof, in addition to being secured properly with the right adhesive and screws. What? A hundred times better to have too much before you comb than too little. I've never had a failure. Kerdi Board as a whole is much easier to install than Cement Board. The main types of cement board you could encounter are Fibre Reinforced Cement (FRC) board and gypsum board. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. The type of bonding mortar used to apply KERDI must be suitable for the substrate and must penetrate and engage the membrane fleece. She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. Even the tiling subs have moved away from mortar walls because of the labor cost and lack of craftsmen in the industry. I used 1/2 Hardibacker board over the studs and then used the Kerdi membrane over the Hardi. For the floor I make a dry mix mud base and then the Kerdi membrane. But there are downsides. The core isnt waterproof, but it can withstand getting wet without falling apart, so even if your waterproofing system leaks, the board will stay intact. Cement board (cbu) is not waterproof, but is not damaged by being wet. I also used the Kerdi drain. The cement board needs to be clean, free of debris, and dry. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Additionally, a liquid water-resistant membrane should be applied over all surface areas before installation.
Learn about the options in exterior siding before you choose, Before you pick up a single tile, pull from these tips for expert results, Slip resistance, curves and even the mineral content of your water all affect which tile is best for your shower, We help a Houzz user ask all the right questions for designing a stylish, practical and safe shower bench, This isn't a light DIY project: You'll need heavy-duty tools and plenty of protection for your home and yourself, In steamy quarters, tile needs to stand up to all that water and vapor in style. No, that doesn't sound right. Keep in mind that most tile setters err on the side of caution and brush a waterproofing membrane on top of cement board when it is in wet areas like showers or tub surrounds. Once all that is completed and the Aquadefense has dried, you can install your tile with a polymer modified mortar meeting the ANSI requirements of A118.4 or A118.11. Out of curiosity, why are any of you suggesting backerboard at all? Waterproofing cement board is relatively simple and there are several different waterproofing products available. When screwed to the framing, thin strips of cement board fracture more easily than thin strips of fiber-cement. 120 sq feet including the floor. Using self-leveling underlayment takes careful prep work. The Kerdi membrane should be applied with the standard procedure, using a hogg brush or a notched trowel to spread the thin-set mortar and a roller to ensure appropriate adhesion. When I do another shower I'll use real cement board, not Hardi-board. Overall, putting Kerdi over regular drywall can be done, with the proper steps in place to properly install the membrane and its components. The use of modified thinset adhesive could result in an inadequate bond and could lead to possible delamination. Should I redo this wall to avoid a mold sandwich? Schulter Ditra is manufactured by Schluter Systems and is a 1/8 thick polyethylene uncoupling membrane that is specifically designed for tile installations. What was the indicator that let you know that spritzing was not enough, and that you needed to 'sponge' the Hardi? There is definitely skill & planning required to doit right. To prevent those movements from transferring to the tile floor, consider installing an uncoupling membrane between the concrete and tile surfaces. Cement board is typically used in wet areas, such as bathrooms and areas with a lot of moisture, because it is waterproof and provides a level of protection from water damage and long-term moisture exposure.