Tile Underlayment Membrane Vs Backer Board

Membrane faced board only.

Tile underlayment membrane vs backer board.

It s waterproof which makes it ideal for wet. The question is which will be a more effective sidekick in your fight to keep your floor tile victorious. 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. 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.

Georgia pacific s densshield is one such product. One type of tile backer board is made with a water resistant facing on both sides of the board. Concrete backer board has a solid concrete core and both sides are faced with fiberglass. Ardex liquid backer board is an example of a self leveler that doesn t need reinforcement.

You shouldn t add any backer board over the top of it. 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. 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. 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.

Concrete backer board durock and wonderboard which is the standard material for tile underlayment. Custom s fiber reinforced levelquick is another. Secondly once the self leveler is dry you can adhere tile directly to it.