how to install cement board on walls

Before you start tiling your shower or bathroom wall, you need to install a cement board substrate. Proper installation of cement board substrate is essential for any wall installation, and the average homeowner can complete the project with relative ease. By following the steps in this article, you can lay cement board on your walls like a pro.

WHAT IS CEMENT BOARD USED FOR? Cement board is often used as a support or substrate for walls or floors.Cement board is almost always used as a support or substrate for walls or floors.Cement boards are also used on the exterior of the building to help protect the building from water and the environment. Cement board is more stable and waterproof than gypsum board, so it is used in most applications where water will form.

DO YOU NEED TO USE CEMENT BOARD ON BATHROOM AND SHOWER WALLS? Cement board should always be used for shower walls because of its excellent moisture resistance, impact and strength. Cement board should always be used when making bathroom walls. However, Gypsum Board can also be used on bathroom walls is 1. You are not tilling the walls and 2. A lot of water is not anticipated.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS Required Items

Cement Board(Square footages based on your application)
Cement Board Screws(Rock-on, Backer-on, etc.)
Alkali Resistant cement board tape.
Thinset Mortar
Drill
Putty knife Trowel

We may start the installation process now that we are aware of what cement board is, why it must be used for shower and bathroom wall installations, and the materials and tools needed for installation.

CEMENT BOARD INSTALLATION STEPS

Plan Out Your Cement Board Layout

Before you start laying concrete slabs on your walls, take some time to think about your slab layout. First, make sure all cement board edges fall between the studs. If not, install additional studs or brakes as needed.

To make the installation process simpler, you should also use as many whole sheets of cement board as you can. The better off you are with fewer cuts required. Snap a chalk line if necessary to facilitate visualization. To obtain a solid sense of the arrangement, dry fit as needed.

To cut the cement board, use a utility knife and a straight edge to score the board.

Use a ruler and utility knife to mark the edge of the cement board

The edge of the cement board sheet should be scored using a utility knife and a straight edge.

Cut the mesh’s reverse side with a utility knife, then snap the cement board along the cut line.

Safety Advice: Silica, which is dangerous if inhaled, is present in cement board dust. When cutting cement board, make sure to wear a respirator, and whenever possible, try to reduce dust.

Screw Cement Board Sheets to the wall

When placing cement boards on the wall, you should leave a slight gap between each board and the surrounding walls. Do not force cement sheets together. This is to take into account expansion and contraction.

In order to prevent four corners from ever touching, space cement board joints apart by at least 16 inches. Make sure that the cement board joints do not line up with any of the floor’s cement board joints (if applicable). Once your cement board sheets are in place, use the unique cement board screws to secure the sheets to the studs.

Fasteners should be spaced 6 inches apart for ceilings and 8 inches apart for walls (on center). Around the edge and wherever a stud is located behind the sheet of cement board, fasteners should be screwed in. Using this technique, keep installing cement board sheets until the entire wall is covered.

Setting Up the Cement Board on the Wall Before Screwing it in

Use Screws Designed Specifically for Cement Board.

For walls, attach cement board to studs every 8′′ O.C.

Tape The Cement Board Joints With Fiberglass Mesh Tape

After all the cement boards are installed, you need to stick alkali-resistant fiberglass mesh tape at the joints of the cement boards. If possible, use adhesive fiberglass mesh tape so that it can be easily attached to the seam and held in place.

At any joints or intersections, make sure the fiberglass mesh tape is slightly overlapping.

To all cement board joints, apply fiberglass mesh tape.

Tape made of fiberglass mesh for cement board joints

Fill Cement Board Joints With Mortar

Once the fiberglass mesh is fully laid, mix some thin grout and apply it to the joints using a putty knife or trowel.

Be sure to fill all joints with grout and cover all the fiberglass mesh tape you previously applied. When the grout dries, be sure to “feather” the grout across the fiberglass mesh to make sure there are no large lumps.

For all intersections and joints between cement board, keep applying mortar, filling the joints and covering the fiberglass mesh tape.

Making the cement board wall into a cohesive whole with the fiberglass mesh tape and thinset mortar will boost its overall strength. To further ensure that there is no water infiltration point at the joints, tape the seams and add cement to the junction.

Apply thinset mortar to the joints in your cement board after mixing.

Apply mortar using a putty knife or trowel to the cement board joints.

Allow Mortar To Dry and Prepare For Tile Installation

At this point, you have finished the cement board on the wall. Allow time for the cement board to dry (usually 24-48 hours). When the grout dries, you can start laying the tiles, which will look like this:

Allow the mortar used in the joints of the cement board to dry.

Image of Bathroom Walls with Tile Applied