Using self-leveling underlayment takes careful prep work. x 60 in. Manufactured by Schluter Systems, Kerdi Board is a multifunctional tile underlayment and construction panel, that can also be implemented for forming bonded waterproof assemblies with tile coverings. Thanks Paul! The Kerdi is essentially replacing the backerboard. craft paper or plastic is great if the inspector wants it but it is (should be) doing nothing for a tub surround that has HB/redgard/thinset/tile. When I tried putting up the first sheets, which were only 36" x 39", and even though I had SOAKED the hardi, to the point water was pooling on the floor, the thinset was already drying before I got the Kerdi up, and I couldn't get it to adhere properly no matter how hard I tried. However, a cement board is generally easier and less expensive to replace if a repair is needed. Not to mention, its warrantied by Schluter, giving you the ultimate peace of mind. It also helped me to work in smaller sheets. We apply the thinset the recommended trowel, can't remember what size off the top of my head, in small sections and by the time my husband hands my the piece of membrane the thinset is not skinned over but certainly dry. Removing bathroom tile from cement backerboard, Transition from KERDI membrane backed, to not backed. One thing I do like fibercement (Hardie) for is when I need thin strips of cement board. Using modified thinset on KERDI can be tricky and in some cases, it can cause issues. All shower/tub areas should have concrete board (I prefer hardiboard). If I go the kerdi membrane route, do I still need to tape the joints before installing the kerdi membrane . If you can paint a wall, you can use RedGard. Finally, make sure to select a thinset that is appropriate for the job, check the manufacturers recommendation, and always follow the instructions on the product label. This allows the cement to properly hydrate, resulting in a strong, dense bond coat. What is a word for the arcane equivalent of a monastery? I would fear leaks in all corners of this shower. Once the primer is completely dry, use a roller or brush to apply a coat of your chosen KERDI membrane adhesive over the entire surface of the wall, overlapping the edges slightly for full coverage. Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. Cement board is a good, reliable backer board that works well on both floors and walls. RedGard can be applied to cement board panels in two ways: Roll it on the wall with a 3/4-inch nap roller or spray it on the wall. It is important to waterproof Hardie board to make it more water-resistant, as well as to protect the materials from the elements. He would take his rough opening measurement and subtract the thicknesses of the tile, the cement board, and in his unique install method the purpleboard. Hardibacker is a VERY "thirsty" material that sucks the moisture out of the mortar VERY quickly and I don't like it. If he did the framing for the shower, then in order to measure for it correctly, he would need to know how thick the tile is so that he can avoid exactly this problem. Kerdi's systems are fairly reputable. You'll know the RG is dry when it turns reallllly dark bright red as opposed to the pinkish color when applied. Here are the fundamentals of tile installation over cement board. Will be doing a bathroom gut and will be laying durock cement board over plywood sub floor. I have used kerdi, and I have applied it over cement board. When applying the thin-set, it should be applied in such a way that it fully fills any empty space between the Tile and Schluter product and is solid enough to support the weight of the tiles being installed. Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. . Yes, it is possible to put Kerdi over regular drywall. I used to "trust" the Kerdi and drywall until I had a shower that the valve broke inside the wall cavity four years after being put in. It may take more than 1 beer:). I hope you made the guy flood test his work prior to tiling the shower floor. Though, each product comes with its own individual characteristics, and pros and cons. More waste, yes, but I think you have to have a LOT of practice to hang those huge sheets like mongo does. What to use to flatten and prep wall before installing Schluter Kerdi membrane for tiling? True cement board (Durck, Wonderboard) is my first choice as a tile or Kerdi backer. Hardie board is a cement-based siding product that is water-resistant, but not waterproof. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. We store towels, medicine, toiletry supplies, first-aid gear, massage devices, facial steamers, spare Painting your garage is a great way to improve the look of the space and make the walls easier to clean. When screwed to the framing, thin strips of cement board fracture more easily than thin strips of fiber-cement. Step 1: Measure the area. Furthermore, if another trade, such as the shower glass installers, makes a mistake then you'll be . ), Schluter SET, ALL-SET, FAST-SET or an unmodified thin-set mortar is recommended. How did this project turn out? Once all that is completed and the Aquadefense has dried, you can install your tile with a polymer modified mortar meeting the ANSI requirements of A118.4 or A118.11. Greenboard is the same as regular drywall. For all the substrates listed in this Handbook (e.g., gypsum board, cement backerboard, etc. A place where magic is studied and practiced? If a pipe or faucet ever leaks in the wall this will ruin your shower. Cement board is known to be very heavy and somewhat difficult to cut. Kerdi Board is also significantly lighter in terms of weight than cement board, meaning they can be transported and lifted into place with ease evening hauling five panels at a time should be no problem. First Kerdi can be installed on drywall or cement board. We are DIYers who have already remodeled one bathroom successfully, but this is our first time using The Schluter shower system. Our thinset was more watery than the videos, but it still managed to dry out quickly, even in the time it takes to apply the small corners in our shampoo niche. After priming, use an approved adhesive to adhere the KERDI membrane to the drywall, making sure the edges are well sealed and joints are tight.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'remodelormove_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_12',156,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-medrectangle-4-0'); A successful installation of KERDI requires well-prepared surfaces and a proper application, so take the time to properly prime the drywall before installation. True cement board (Durck, Wonderboard) is my first choice as a tile or Kerdi backer. Look at it this way; Withe Kerdi, you either trust it or you don't. I have corrugated metal shower surround & grab bars. Schluter-KERDI is a pliable, sheet-applied, bonded waterproof membrane and vapor retarder with limited crack-bridging capabilities. However if installed on drywall it is only protecting one side. If cement board had been used, most likely the damage would have been much less that what I have to deal with now. Drywall under Kerdi would have been a better choice. Installation instructions vary depending on the type of Kerdi membrane being used, but typically the membrane is applied directly to a clean, dry plywood surface that is free from dust, dirt, and other debris. Probably the simplest way is to caulk the gap with 100% silicone or a urethane sealant. ), Schluter SET, ALL-SET, FAST-SET or an unmodified thin-set mortar is recommended. 4. If you can avoid that, the demo would be ~easy enough to maybe have some friends who'd work for beer come over and help you knock it out. Plus, if you use the mold and moisture resistant drywall, it will be extra insurance against mold. The Kerdi-Line prefab pans and drains make me feel way more comfortable with the waterproofing. Ultimately, the decision between a Schlter system or a cement board comes down to the particular application and the goals the user has for the floor system. I used this to seal a 3 1/2 by 6 1/2 foot shower with 7 foot walls. No, that doesn't sound right. Redgard is a similar product. The main types of cement board you could encounter are Fibre Reinforced Cement (FRC) board and gypsum board. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'remodelormove_com-leader-2','ezslot_21',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-leader-2-0');Once the seams are sealed, lay down a waterproof coating to the floor and walls of the shower space. I think I'll try using the thinned mixture of Redgard and then try the Kerdi membrane again. Preparing drywall for KERDI membrane requires a few important steps to ensure a successful application. The back side of the drywall fails and it is just as bad or worse than if it had an issue on the tile side. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Jun 21, 2017. Schluter SET, ALL-SET, FAST-SET or an unmodified thin-set mortar must be used to construct all KERDI seams to ensure watertightperformance of the system. To prevent those movements from transferring to the tile floor, consider installing an uncoupling membrane between the concrete and tile surfaces. Hardi is definitely a "thirsty" substrate but will work, even without a primer of RedGard. Thinset with a latex acrylic modifier is best for interior projects, but if youre installing outdoors, you should use thinset with a polymer modified (PM) compound for greater moisture resistance. Problem with very thick cement board/ tile/bullnose edge, Steam Shower Slip Joint Detail - The secret is in the boarding stage. http://www.schluter.com/schluter-us/en_US/Shower-System/KERDI-SHOWER-KIT/Schluter%C2%AE-KERDI-SHOWER-KIT/p/KERDI_SHOWER-KIT, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. I trust it and have never had a callback. What I would be most scared off is the fact that no inside or outside corners appear to have been used. Yes, Schluter membranes can go over cement board. When it comes to using thinset with Schluter products, the Schluter-Systems website recommends using unmodified thin-set mortars specifically designed for use with Schluter membranes. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. Once this is done, continue the installation by following the directions for the particular Kerdi product being used. Also, apply the acrylic mastic between the Create curved designs around pipes or columns using the vertically-grooved KERDI-BOARD-V, or use L-shaped KERDI-BOARD-E panels to enclose similar. This will include installing its components, such as drain plate and drain collar, as well as Kerdi Band for further protection of seams and corners. First, felt paper is stapled to the floor and covered with expanded metal lath. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'remodelormove_com-box-3','ezslot_2',173,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-box-3-0');Yes, you can put Kerdi membrane over cement board. With that said, the key benefits of Kerdi Board include: While cement board may be the most common and widely-known tile substrate, Kerdi Board is giving it a run for its money. This will help protect the cement board from water damage, and is often a specific type of coating designed for use with cement boards. Once the wall is prepped, use a primer that is compatible with the KERDI membrane so that it will properly adhere to the wall. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Hardie board is thirsty, but that's way too fast. Seems like I've been using the full measure of water the bag calls for, plus about 10%.-50 lbs of thinset at a time is too much for an amatuer. Any competent tile contractor would float the wall in mortar giving you a stronger, level, perfectly flat, and square surface to properly install tile. Cement board, Wedi board, Kerdi board, Hardibacker, Densshield, Durock, Permabase, or Wonder board . ", Signed,Never Hung Kerdi A Day In Her Life. When cleaning thinset off of Schluter membranes, the manufacturer recommends using a wet sponge and taking care to avoid any scoring or inconsistencies on the surface of the membrane.