Do you need vapor barrier behind cement board in shower?

If it’s a cement board, you need a vapor barrier, because cement retains moisture, which means the wood next to it is always damp. It does retain moisture, but the advice given by others here is to move the waterproofing between the tile and cement board with products like Redguard or Ditra.

Do you need a vapor barrier behind Hardie board?





Depending on your local building authority having jurisdiction (the AHJ) over your building codes, vapor barriers are almost always required, whether your builder uses James Hardie products or some other, inferior product.

What goes behind backer board in shower?

Don’t use paper-faced backer board, i.e., paper-faced drywall, behind seamed tub and shower enclosures. Use an alternate approved product such as fiber-cement, fiber-reinforced gypsum, glass mat gypsum, or fiber mat-reinforced cementitious backer panels.

What do you put behind a shower wall?

Rigid air barrier materials for use behind showers and tubs include fiber-cement, fiber-reinforced gypsum, glass mat gypsum, or fiber mat-reinforced cementitious backer panels.

Is RedGard a vapor barrier?

It bonds directly to clean metal drains, PVC, stainless steel and ABS drain assemblies and can be used as a slab-on-grade moisture vapor barrier under all types of floor coverings. RedGard® is a liquid-applied elastomeric waterproofing material that cures to form a monolithic membrane.

How do you vapor barrier a shower wall?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: If vapor barrier is already installed use duct tape to tape barrier to one liner. This still allows any possible moisture buildup to weep intubated.

Does a shower need a vapor barrier?

They are required beneath your shower pan and behind your shower walls. Moisture barriers can be made of polyethylene or a membrane that is rolled directly onto the drywall. No matter what they are made of, without them, your shower is subject to moisture damage.

What type of drywall goes behind a shower?

Green. Green drywall is a type of drywall that’s mold resistant and is used in applications where moisture can be an issue—so most commonly, bathrooms. To maximize the mold resistance, use mold-resistant drywall mud, aka joint compound. Green drywall generally costs about 20% more than regular drywall.

Do you put drywall behind a shower surround?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: I do this behind the enclosure all the way up to get myself a nice level wall. And it works perfect and I get no water penetration ever in my bathtubs.

Do you need waterproof membrane on cement board?



First, you should provide a waterproof/resistant membrane against the wood studs before installing the concrete backer-board to protect the wood studs from moisture absorbed through the backer-board.

Do you put drywall behind cement board?

(Some cement board products may not require the underlying membrane if the seams are properly waterproofed.) In such wet areas, never install cement board directly over drywall or green board. Instead, first, remove the existing surface material, then install the cement board over the studs and membrane, as applicable.

What do you do with a gap between tub and cement board?

Technically, after the tile is installed over the backer board that gap between it and the tub ledge should be filled with an ASTM C920 sealant (caulking e.g. silicone). Although some say you should have weep holes along this gap so any water behind can weep out into the tub.

How thick should cement board be for shower walls?



1/2″

The minimum recommended thickness for the shower wall is 1/2″ because like some of the other boards, they become far too flexible at thicknesses below 1/2″.

What is the best backer board for a shower?

Cement board is a good, reliable backer board that works well on both floors and walls. Keep in mind that most tile setters err on the side of caution and brush a waterproofing membrane on top of cement board when it is in wet areas like showers or tub surrounds.

Can I use 1/4 inch cement board for shower?

1/4″ hardibacker alone is an unsuitable substrate for shower wall tile. If it were attached to properly waterproofed drywall, plywood, or plaster it would be fine. Think about it, one wayward elbow, knee, or hip bump and you may get flexion which would cause the grout (or tile) to crack.

Does shower pan liner go behind backer board?



The wallboard must be installed 1/8 inch above the shower pan. If the shower pan is not in place, the wallboard height must be guessed, which can lead to inaccuracies and an expansion gap that is too large or too small.

How do you waterproof cement board for a shower?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Use painters tape to protect the tub from the silicon and the waterproofing. Next fill the gaps between the cement board and the tub with silicone. Then allow it to dry before you begin the next.

Do you waterproof under a shower base?

In bathrooms, all timber floors including particleboard and plywood are to be fully waterproofed over their entire surface area, excluding the area under a preformed shower base or built-in bath, whether the shower is enclosed or not.

Can Hardie backer board be used in a shower?

Installing cement backerboard is one of the more popular choices for a shower wall substrate. Cement backerboards include Hardiebacker, Durock, Fiberboard, wonderboard, and similar products. These materials bridge the gap between expense and effectiveness.

Is Hardibacker better than durock?



HardieBacker is also the go-to choice when it comes to countertops and tile. Durock is too abrasive and can damage vinyl, porcelain, and enamel. HardieBacker does not contain any course materials, so it is the preferable choice. It has a warranty that extends over the use of vinyl tile applications.

Can you use green board for shower walls?

Green board can be used for showers, but it must have a waterproof membrane installed on top of it to make it waterproof. It’s best to use waterproof board for shower walls instead of drywall. Use green board for ceilings and non-shower walls in your bathroom.