Deciding on Between Cement Board and Waterproof Tile Wall Backer Board for Your Shower
Have you ever seen a development venture that failed as a result of the installer used low cost supplies as a result of "nobody was going to see them anyway?" That is the form of silly considering which may trigger the present proprietor to have complications, coronary heart aches, and less money in their financial institution accounts.
Tile bathe enclosures have been broadly used for years however attributable to decrease quality backer boards have change into a nightmare for some homeowners. Waterproofing problems have precipitated complete showers to be ripped out to the naked studs on account of inferior merchandise getting used within the authentic installation. Doing the challenge right the first time requires choosing the best tile backer board. Here's 5 points to information you through this course of:
Level 1 - Decide if you'd like the least price or very best quality material - When you're in your home for the long run (and many of us are actually with the depressed actual estate market) choose quality over the initial buy costs. The least value tile backer materials is cement board (which is water-resistant) vs. a water-resistant extruded polystyrene board. Though the waterproof board is dearer it can prevent against future costly water harm problems.
Step 2 - Ask if you'd like your bathe water-resistant or waterproof - For the reason that conventional cement board is fabricated from a skinny layer of mortar sandwiched between sheets of fiberglass mesh it's water-proof and requires additional steps or materials to make it waterproof (you would need to either add a vapor barrier inside the board or a waterproofing material over the cement board). The extruded polystyrene wall system consists of Styrofoam brand insulation core coated on both sides with a fiberglass mesh and a polymer-modified resin which makes it a hundred% waterproof with none extra steps.
Point three -Think about who can be installing the wall board? Cement board is time consuming to install, messy (quite a lot of mud is kicked up when you lower it with a specialised carbide jigsaw blade) and again breaking (a 3' x 5' sheet weighs forty five to 60 lbs). Alternatively three' x 5' x ½" polystyrene boards weigh a bit below 9 lbs, might be reduce with a carpenters knife and create just about no mess or waste. If you're paying for labor to put in these boards you may save loads with the polystyrene wall panels as a result of it's quick to install. However when you're a do it yourselfer you may find it difficult to do the lifting, setting of the heavy cement boards which may make the polystyrene system a most popular option.
Level 4 - Identify in the event you want any recessed (in wall) shampoo/cleaning soap niches or nook/bench seats - For small bogs recessed cleaning soap and shampoo niches can make your stall more purposeful (for the reason that cabinets aren't sticking into the bathe space) and improve safety (by lessening slippery supplies overflowing onto the bathe floor). For larger showers a nook or bench seat can present luxurious and security because you're be capable of sit all the way down to shower and shave. Your number of wall backer board could make a giant difference on how easy or exhausting it is to make a water-tight area of interest or seat.
Cement board niches require custom framing, custom cutting, and thoughtful waterproofing strategies to ensure the sides and corners don't retain any water. You'll be able to get rid of this additional time and waterproofing worries by choosing prefabricated expanded or extruded polystyrene niches and seats. With these methods you should buy normal niches and seats that require no special construction framing methods (saving you time and problem) and they're waterproof proper out of the box.
Level 5 - Get help - In the event you're unsure of the fitting wall board alternative get assist from a knowledgeable lavatory transforming contractor or wall backer board supplier. Be certain that to start with the tip in mind (i.e. design your shower earlier than starting development). Do your Internet research and ask plenty of questions before buying.
Now that you simply're geared up with these 5 points you are in your approach to beginning your dream tile shower.
