Tile Underlayment Membrane Vs Backer Board

Uncoupling membrane cementboard has replaced a manually applied mortar bed to emerge as the standard underlayment for a tile floor.

Tile underlayment membrane vs backer board.

The following backer boards are commonly used for tile flooring in wet or dry areas over wood subfloors. Membrane faced board only. Just reading the definitions alone doesn t provide too much of a difference as both uncoupling mats and backer board are used to prep the subfloor to help prevent loss of bond. Two common types of underlayment are ditra a flexible plastic decoupling membrane explained later and cementitious backer units also known as cbus cement board or cement backer board.

Georgia pacific s densshield is one such product. You shouldn t add any backer board over the top of it. It s waterproof which makes it ideal for wet. Concrete backer board durock and wonderboard which is the standard material for tile underlayment.

Backer board is a thin layer of concrete that has fiberglass mesh on its sides and is used under the tile to provide a firm and even surface for the tile to adhere to. Custom s fiber reinforced levelquick is another. Concrete backer board has a solid concrete core and both sides are faced with fiberglass. In many ways however an uncoupling membrane such as schluter ditra is an even better backing material for reasons other than the fact that it doesn t raise the height of the floor as much as cementboard.

The facing serves as an integrated waterproofing membrane so you don t need to install a separate layer of plastic behind the tile backer or a sheet membrane over the backer. This is the industry standard most preferred by construction pros when installing ceramic or porcelain tile backer board comes in four foot by eight foot and three foot by five. Ardex liquid backer board is an example of a self leveler that doesn t need reinforcement.