Tile Underlayment Membrane Vs Backer Board

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.

Tile underlayment membrane vs backer board.

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. Secondly once the self leveler is dry you can adhere tile directly to it. 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. The following backer boards are commonly used for tile flooring in wet or dry areas over wood subfloors. 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. You shouldn t add any backer board over the top of it.

Georgia pacific s densshield is one such product. Custom s fiber reinforced levelquick is another. Membrane faced board only. The question is which will be a more effective sidekick in your fight to keep your floor tile victorious.

Concrete backer board has a solid concrete core and both sides are faced with fiberglass. Uncoupling membrane cementboard has replaced a manually applied mortar bed to emerge as the standard underlayment for a tile floor. One type of tile backer board is made with a water resistant facing on both sides of the board.