To achieve the ideal flat surface most contractors rely on the backer board cement backer board is a thin layer of concrete designed to be setting surface upon which tile can be installed.
How to install wonderboard for tile floor.
Lightly dampen panels with sponge or cloth.
2 use a thin set mortar and spread with a notch trowel see trowel for correct size based on tile dimensions.
If you re installing tiles or stonework on the floor on walls or on a countertop you need an underlayment of concrete board for stability and moisture protection and wonderboard fits the bill.
Cement board commonly sold under trade names such as durock hardiebacker and wonderboard is now the standard underlayment used for ceramic porcelain or stone tile laid with thinset mortar adhesive cement board is used for most floor tile and has all but replaced plywood and drywall backer materials for wall tile applications in wet areas like showers and tub surrounds.
Install the tile or stone.
When installing wonderboard lite in wet areas such as showers nail or staple 15 pound roofing felt or 4 mil polyethylene sheeting the to the studs first.
Concrete expands and contracts and that type of movement can also crack the tiles and the grout.
3 press tile firmly into place in a perpendicular motion.
The backer board comes in different sizes and you will pick the right one depending on the type of floor you are installing.
Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water.
However you re not out of the woods.
Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage.
Floor tiles should be installed over smooth flat surfaces.
Fasten the panels onto the studs using the same 1 8th inch spacing as a floor installation.
Wonderboard is a popular brand of fiber cement backer board.
Or you can apply redgard waterproofing and crack prevention liquid to the face of the wonderboard.
Tile backer boards like hardibacker board wonderboard permabase and durock cement backer board installs.
When installing a ceramic tile floor on a concrete subfloor you don t have to worry about flexing as long as the concrete slab is at least 1 1 8 inch thick which most slabs are.
1 clear all debris from wonderboard lite and vacuum to eliminate excess dust or dirt.