Cement Board For Fireplace Tile

It s typically available in 1 2 in.
Cement board for fireplace tile. Durock brand cement board with edgeguard offers architects builders and tile contractors a strong water durable tile backerboard for floors walls countertops tub shower areas and exterior finish systems. Cement backer board is commonly used to form a base for ceramic tile. We ended up going with 1 4 inch thickness but it also comes in 1 2 inch. Hardiebacker is a brand name for a line of fiber cement boards used in construction projects.
I used cement board as the ship lap because cement board is fire resistant. Because cement backer board is porous thinset grout and mortar adhere well to it. Cut the cement board pieces to size. Fiber cement is a versatile backing material that works well in a number of different applications including some projects involving fireplaces.
Measure the fireplace surround with a measuring tape. Thick 3 x 5 ft. You must use a fire resistant material around your fireplace. You can not use wood to ship lap on your fireplace that is a fire hazard.
It s also heavy and smells kinda icky when you cut it just so you know ahead of time. Cement board forms a durable stable base for tile and it has no organic materials unlike drywall greenboard or plywood so it is not prone to mold rot shrinkage or decomposition due to moisture. Castable refractory cement tub chips cracks and holes in fireplace masonry chips cracks and holes in fireplace masonry are no problem for rutland castable refractory cement. Cement board cement board is the most durable trouble free tile backer for tub surrounds showers floors and all other wet areas.
It isn t waterproof but absorbs moisture well and is a great support for tiles. Also called a cementitious backer unit or cbu. Place a straight edge along the areas of the cement board that must be cut. Its made from cement and sand and is reinforced by fiberglass mats on both sides so it s impervious to water.
The 1st piece in the photo below. First cut a header piece the width of your entire space. Cement board is a combo of cement and fibers that usually comes in 3 5 foot sheets. Just add water to the dry mix apply and set cement dries as hard as fire brick.
Proper installation for fireplace tile cement board step 1. Ceramic tile laid over cement board is one of the most durable floor or wall surfaces you can install.