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Can I just screw down backer board?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 25, 2026

Screw and Joints

Do not use drywall screws as they are not recommended to be used to hold the backer board in place. All of your backer board pieces should be cut before they are placed on​ the floor. Along the perimeter, screws should be installed at least ½ inch from the edge, but no more than 2 1/4 inches.

Can you just screw down cement board?

Doing this will require that you remove the existing surface material before installing backer board over the studs. Cement board can also be used on countertops when laying tile. However, the process will involve using an extra sheet of backer board. Never use standard screws when installing cement board.

Can you screw cement backer board?

Cement board attached to plywood or similar underlayment will hold with only 1 1/4-inch screws; for thick or heavy metal fixtures, use 1 5/8-inch screws. In general, 1 1/2-inch galvanized nails will hold the board firmly in place.

Can you install backer board without Thinset?

However, many manufacturers including, both Durock and Hardiebacker not only recommend that you use thinset under their backerboard, but they specify it and will void the warranty on their product if it's not used.

Can you screw tile backer board?

Apply a gap filing bed of tile adhesive using a 6mm notched trowel, the 6mm HardieBacker board should be slowly embedded into the wet adhesive with a sliding motion, firmly and evenly. The boards are fixed to the subfloor surface using a minimum of 12 screws into the board (4 rows of 3).

40 related questions found

How do you secure tile backer board?

Use a 5-8mm trowel to apply a layer of flexible tile adhesive on to the base floor. Place the Thermopanel down on the adhesive and push firmly down.

Can I tile directly on Hardibacker?

The Hardibacker will be fine to tile straight onto.

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

The best approach when installing cement board or other tile backer around a tub is to keep the cement board out of the lip area. Apply it to the wall with the bottom edge about 1/4 in. above the lip of the tub. Then apply a generous amount of thin-set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1/8 in.

Do you have to tape cement board before tiling?

If you are going to tile over the cement board, you should tape the seams. This should not be that difficult.

Do you have to use backer board when tiling a floor?

On a plywood subfloor, you need either a layer of cement backer board or an underlayment membrane, like Custom Building Products' Wonderboard and RedGard, between the subfloor and tile for the thin-set adhesive to achieve a good bond.

Can you screw down no more ply?

Cutting Boards NoMorePly Boards can be easily cut by scoring one side with a scoring knife, then snapping over a block. For curves and shapes use tile nippers. Screw down firmly using 8 x 25mm NoMorePly screws.

Can drywall screws be used for cement board?

You don't want to use regular drywall screws for cement boards. They can corrode, they can break down the edges of the boards, and they won't drive in flush properly. Use ITW's ROCK-ON and BACKER-ON screws instead.

How do you secure cement board?

Use nails or screws as temporary spacers to create a 1/8-in. gap between sheets of cement board. When you squeeze the thin-set mortar into this gap, it will lock the two sheets together and strengthen the seam. Finally, leave extra clearance around each piece by deducting about 1/4 in.

Can you walk on cement board after installation?

This is normally 12 hours but may be up to 24 hours in some cases. After the mortar is dry the backer board is ready to receive the mortar for the tile.

Do you have to waterproof cement board?

Most concrete backer-boards on the market today are not water-resistant, but all are waterproof. Since many people confuse the terms, it is a common misconception that this is the best material for use inside a shower or tub area.

What's the best way to cut cement board?

Lay your cement board flat, and draw a line with a carpenter's pencil where you intend to cut. Place a straightedge along the line and drag either a drywall utility knife or a scoring tool against it. Repeat your cuts two to three times to make them deeper, which will make snapping the board easier.

How do you fill gap between cement board and drywall?

For best results getting a good finish between cement board and drywall, use a setting-type joint compound. This product produces a better finish over mesh tape than all-purpose joint compound. Apply 2–3 coats of joint compound to the seam between wall boards. Wait at least 24 hours between coats of joint compound.

How many screws do you need for backer board?

Q: How many screws do I need to put into a sheet of cement board? We recommend referring to the cement board manufacturers guidelines for screw pattern. In floor applications, screws should be placed every 8″”. You will use approximately 55 screws per 3′ x 5′ cement board and 91 screws per 4′ x 8′ cement board.

Do I need to Prime tile backer board?

1. Do I need to prime HardieBacker® board before I tile onto it? No. HardieBacker tile backerboard is ready to tile once installed, just wipe down with a damp sponge to remove any dust prior to tiling.

What goes behind cement board in shower?

Use an appropriate waterproof or moisture-resistant backing material behind grouted tile or stone or segmented plastic or fiberglass tub and shower surrounds. Appropriate materials include cement board which has a cementitious core and glass mats on both sides to strengthen the board.

What kind of screws do you use for backer board?

The Backer-On 1-5/8 in. Cement Board Screws are designed for attaching HardieBacker or equivalent fiber cement backerboard to wood or light gauge steel studs.

Which side of cement board faces out?

Cement board has a smooth face and a rough one, and the rough face should be facing out if you're using mortar or thinset to adhere the tiles. Tile mastic, on the other hand, sticks better to a smooth surface, so the smooth side should be facing out if that's what you're using to adhere the tiles.

Can you install tile directly on concrete board?

You can install the tile directly on the concrete. You can install a CBU or cement board on the concrete, then the tile on top of that. Finally, you can use an uncoupling membrane between the tile and the concrete.

Can you tile straight onto plasterboard?

Can I tile directly onto plasterboard? Yes. You can tile directly onto plasterboard, just make sure to use an acrylic-based primer. Once the primer is dry, you can then apply a powdered adhesive.

How do you screw Hardie backer board?

Using the screw pattern as a guide, fasten your HardieBacker Cement Board with nails or screws every 8” on center over the entire surface. 4. Keep screws between ⅜” and ¾” from board edges and 2” from board corners.