Tile Underlayment Membrane Vs Backer Board

Membrane faced board only.

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. Concrete backer board has a solid concrete core and both sides are faced with fiberglass. 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. Concrete backer board durock and wonderboard which is the standard material for tile underlayment.

Georgia pacific s densshield is one such product. 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. 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.

It s waterproof which makes it ideal for wet. 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. Secondly once the self leveler is dry you can adhere tile directly to it. 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 following backer boards are commonly used for tile flooring in wet or dry areas over wood subfloors. The question is which will be a more effective sidekick in your fight to keep your floor tile victorious. 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.