How to install tile backer boards

Backer board is a building material especially suited as a tiling base for tiling wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and showers. This is because it is resistant to permanent water damage and does not need to be treated before tiling. Due to its water-resistant properties, tile backer boards are often used as an alternative base to plywood and plasterboard.

Installing tile backer board is a relatively easy process and it can be installed directly onto masonry walls, stud walls and onto wooden or timber flooring. There are various types and brands of backer board available but at Topps Tiles we stock two of the leading brands, HardieBacker and Wedi.

Tile backer boards have been specially designed for tiling projects, offering a sturdy and stable surface to place tiles on. Unlike plywood or plasterboard, tile backer boards are water resistant, making them ideal for spaces that are prone to water exposure, such as wet rooms or bathrooms. 

Tile backer boards play an important role in the tile installation process and for this reason, it is important that they are installed correctly. To help you achieve this, here are our tips for fixing tile backer boards in various spaces:

Backer boards are a convenient option if you wish to tile onto timber floors. There are a variety of tile backer boards suitable for timber floorboards and floors. For instance, 6mm HardieBacker boards are usually used for internal floors, whereas, the 12mm boards are used when additional height is needed. It’s important to note that HardieBacker 6mm and 12mm are not structural support products.

Here are our steps for installing tile backer boards on timber flooring:

1. Remove any debris or dust from the timber floor to ensure it is clean and smooth.
2. Remove and fix any floor damage such as uneven, warped or loose floorboards if required. To avoid excessive flex which can lead to tile cracks, make sure:
- To use 15mm WBP plywood or minimum 18mm T&G flooring grade chipboard
- That the floor does not deflect more than L/720 in regard to the natural stone and L/360 in regard to the ceramic tiles and porcelain
- Ensure that the spacing between the joists does not exceed 600mm centres.

3. Measure and mark the backer boards. If needed, tile backer boards can easily be cut using a scoring knife.
4. Stagger the board joints in a brick pattern, ensuring that they do not align with subfloor joints and that all corners of the boards never meet at one point.
5. Fill any gaps of 3mm or more between the wall edges and the floor, they should be filled with a suitable moisture resistant sealant.
6. Apply a gap filing bed of tile adhesive using a 6mm notched trowel.
7. Slowly embed the tile backer board into the wet adhesive with a sliding motion, firmly and evenly.
8. Fix the backer boards to the subfloor surface using a minimum of 12 screws into the board (4 rows of 3).
9. Ensure to keep fixings between 15mm from board edges and 50mm from board corners.
10. Once secured, cover the joints with alkaline-resistant tape and then feather the tile adhesive to leave a 150mm wide joint.
    
    If you are planning on tiling with a cementitious-based tile adhesive, prime the face of the board with one coat of tile primer.

Tile backer boards are a popular choice for masonry walls as they offer a stable and suitable surface for tiling.

There are a variety of tile backer boards suitable for masonry walls, including 6mm and 12mm HardieBacker cement boards. HardieBacker is a popular choice as it can take up to 200kg of tile hanging weight per m2 so almost any tile can be fixed.

To ensure that you correctly and successfully install tile backer on a masonry wall, follow this step-by-step guide on how to install tile backer (such as HardieBacker) on masonry walls:

1. Remove any debris or dust from the masonry wall to ensure it is clean and smooth.
2. Remove all dry lining.
3. Measure and mark the backer boards. If needed, tile backer boards can easily be cut using a scoring knife.
4. Place three vertical, 10-12mm, beads of high strength cartridge adhesive evenly down the back of the board and press firmly against the wall.
5. Stagger the board joints in a brick pattern.
6. Fasten the backer boards with 9 (6mm x 60mm) stainless steel screws into brown wall plugs. Screws should remain 100mm from the top and bottom edges and 50mm from the left and right edges. Ensure you do not overdrive the screws and the screw remains flush with the front of the board.
7. Once secured, cover the joints with Alkaline-resistant tape and feather the tile adhesive to leave a 150mm wide joint.
8. When tiling with a cementitious-based tile adhesive, prime the face of the board with one coat of tile primer. No priming is required when using a ready-mixed adhesive such as BAL White Star.

For further guidance, here is a video on how to install HardieBacker onto a masonry wall:

Tile backer boards can be installed over plaster or plasterboard. There are a variety of tile backer boards suitable for overboard plaster or plasterboard, including 6mm HardieBacker cement board. To ensure that you correctly and successfully install tile backer over plaster and plasterboard, follow this step-by-step guide for installing tile backer boards over plaster or plasterboards:

1. Locate any existing studs with a stud finder and mark the plasterboard or plaster.
2. Measure and mark the backer boards. If needed, tile backer boards can easily be cut using a scoring knife.
3. The boards may be installed either vertically or horizontally ensuring all vertical joints are made on the centre of the studs.
4. Leave a 3mm between the floor and wall edges, this should be filled with a good quality silicone sealant.
5. Fix stainless steel screws (a minimum of 45mm in length) at 200mm centres and mechanically fix every 200mm down each stud. Keep fixings 15mm from board edges and 50mm in from sheet corners.
6. Once secured, cover the joints with alkaline-resistant tape and feather the tile adhesive to leave a 150mm wide joint.
7. When tiling with a cementitious-based tile adhesive, prime the face of the board with one coat of tile primer. No priming is required when using a ready-mixed adhesive such as BAL White Star

For further guidance, here is a video on how to install HardieBacker over plasterboard:

Tile backer boards are commonly used on stud walls and they can be an alternative to plaster or plasterboard.

In the context of stud walls, cement backer boards, like 12mm HardieBacker are popular types of board used. This type of backer board can support up to 200kg, far exceeding the 20 to 32kg load-bearing capacity of plaster and plasterboard.

Here are our steps for installing tile backer boards on stud walls:

1. Ensure the studs are set at a maximum 600mm and that the framing is structurally sound with no damage.
2. Measure and mark the backer boards. If needed, tile backer boards can easily be cut using a scoring knife.
3. The boards may be installed either vertically or horizontally ensuring all vertical joints are made on the centre of the studs.
4. Leave a 3mm gap between the floor and wall edges, this should be filled with a good quality silicone sealant.
5. Secure the tile backer boards by using 35mm HardieBacker screws at 200mm centres and mechanically fix every 200mm down each stud.
6. Keep fixings 15mm from board edges and 50mm from sheet corners. Ensure you do not overdrive the screws and the screw remains flush with the front of the board.
7. Once secured, cover the joints with alkaline-resistant tape and feather the tile adhesive to leave a 150mm wide joint
8. When tiling with a cementitious-based tile adhesive, prime the face of the board with one coat of tile primer. No priming is required when using a ready-mixed adhesive such as BAL White Star.

For further guidance, here is a video on how to install HardieBacker on stud walls.

Tile backer boards are water resistant, making them ideal for wet rooms. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to install tile backer boards in wet rooms:

1. Ensure the surface you wish to place the backer boards is clean, dry, and free from any debris or dust.
2. Measure and mark the backer boards, if needed, score and snap the boards using a scoring knife.
3. Position the backer board on the wall, ensuring that you leave a 3mm gap between the floor and wall edges. Fill these gaps using a good-quality silicone sealant.
4. Fix stainless steel screws (a minimum of 45mm in length) at 200mm centres and mechanically fix every 200mm down each stud.
5. Once secured, cover the joints with alkaline-resistant tape and feather the tile adhesive to leave a 150mm wide joint.
6. Tank the area to ensure the room is fully waterproof. Various methods, such as a liquid membrane (like BAL's Waterproof 1C) or a matting system can be used and should be applied before tiling.

The process of removing backer board will create a lot of dust and debris, for this reason, it is essential to wear the appropriate safety gear (safety glasses, dust mask and gloves).

Here are our steps for removing tile backer board:

1. Clear the area around the backer board, ensuring that no furniture is on the board.
2. Put on your safety glasses, gloves, and dusk mask.
3. Remove any fixtures (i.e. skirting boards) attached to the wall or floor near the backer board.
4. Look for any nails or screws securing the backer board and use a hammer or drill to remove them.
5. Beginning at a corner or an edge, use a pry bar or another lifting tool to get under the board and gently lift it. Work your way along the edges, gradually lifting and removing the board. Be careful not to damage the subfloor or wall while doing this.
6. Repeat the previous step until all the backer boards have been detached from the surface.
7. Once you have removed the backer board, appropriately dispose of it.
8. Clean the area, ensuring that any remaining debris has been disposed of.