When it comes to installing tiles in a home or commercial space, choosing the right backer board is a crucial step in ensuring the longevity and performance of your tiled floor or wall. Tile backer boards serve several essential functions, from providing a stable surface for your tiles to be installed onto, adding strength or depth to your substrate, and ensuring proper moisture protection. In this guide, we'll explore the various options for tile backer boards and help you make an informed decision for your tiling project.

The Role of Tile Backer Board

Tile backer boards play a crucial role in tile installation, particularly in wet or high-moisture areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and showers. Their primary functions are as follows:

1. Substrate Support: Tile backer boards provide a stable and rigid surface for the tile to adhere to. This is important to prevent the tiles from cracking or shifting over time.
2. Moisture Resistance: In areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms and showers, tile backer boards are designed to resist the penetration of water. This helps prevent water damage and mold growth behind the tiles, and is especially effective when used with waterproofing solutions or tanking kits.
3. Durability: Backer boards are typically made from materials like cementitious board or waterproof foam core. They are chosen for their durability, ensuring the longevity of the tile installation.
4. Thermal Insulation: In some cases, backer boards can provide a degree of thermal insulation, helping to keep floors or walls warm, which can be especially important in cold climates.
5. Sound Insulation: Some backer boards also have sound-dampening properties, making them useful for reducing noise in areas where this is a concern.
6. Fire Resistance: Certain types of backer boards are fire-resistant, which can be important in applications where fire safety is a concern.
7. Easy Installation: Backer boards are relatively easy to install. They are available in various sizes and can be cut to fit the specific space. They often have grids or guides on the surface to assist with proper tile placement.
8. Compatibility: Backer boards are compatible with a variety of tile adhesives and can be used with different types of tiles, including ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone.

Types of Tile Backer Boards

There are several types of tile backer boards available, each with its own characteristics and suitability for specific applications. Here are some common types of tile backer boards:

1. XPS Tile Backer Board
   XPS boards are a fantastic choice if you're looking to enhance the energy efficiency of your space. These boards not only provide the stability and moisture resistance needed for tile installations but also offer insulation benefits. Here's why they are worth considering:
   • Energy Efficiency: Floor insulation boards help keep your space warm in the winter and cool in the summer, potentially reducing your energy bills.
   • Easy Installation: They are typically easy to install and can be used on various subfloor types.
   • Moisture Resistance: Many floor insulation boards also come with moisture-resistant properties, ensuring your subfloor stays dry.
2. Fibre Cement Board
   Fibre Cement Backer Boards are another popular choice of backer board, from brands such as Cembloc, No More Ply, and JamesHardie. They are sturdy, moisture-resistant, and ideal for bothroom floor and wall installations. However, they can be heavy and may require additional support. They combine the strength of cement with the versatility of wood fibers. Consider using fibre cement boards for these reasons:
   • Excellent Stability: These boards are incredibly stable, preventing tile movement and cracking.
   • Moisture Resistance: Fibre cement boards are resistant to moisture, making them ideal for wet areas.
   • Fire Resistance: They have inherent fire-resistant properties, adding an extra layer of safety to your space.
3. Branded Tile Backer Boards
   We stock Tile backer boards from well-known and trusted brands such as Premtool Tile Backer Board, Jackoboard and Kerdi Board, which are all renowned for their durability and moisture resistance. These boards are commonly used for both floor and wall tile installations.
   Some other trustworthy and reliable brands of tile backer board that we stock at Pro Tiler Tools are:
   • Wedi Board
   • Marmox Tile Backer Board
   • Hardie Backer Board
   • No More Ply
   • Warmup Insulation Boards
   • CemBacker Backer Board
   • Aquapanel Board
   • Tilemaster Delta Board
   
   Here are some reasons to opt for our branded tile backer board options:
   • Superior Strength: Tile backer boards offer excellent support for your tiles, especially in high-traffic areas.
   • Moisture Protection: They provide reliable moisture protection, making them ideal for bathrooms and kitchens.
   • Easy to Cut and Install: Tile backer boards can be cut to size, making them suitable for custom projects.
   
   Don’t forget supporting materials to help efficiently and effectively fit your tile backer board:
   • Tile Backer Board Adhesive
   • Tile Backer Board Fixings:
     • Backer Board Tape
     • Backer Board Washers
     • Backer Board Screws
   
   Read More:
   • Your Tiling Tools Essentials
   • 9 Essential Tools for Tilers

Choosing the Right Backer Board

Selecting the right backer board depends on several factors:

1. Assess Moisture Levels: Determine the moisture levels in the area where you plan to install tiles. Is it a dry area, moderately wet (e.g., kitchens), or high moisture (e.g., showers or steam rooms)? The level of moisture exposure will significantly influence your choice.
2. Consider Substrate: Assess the existing substrate. Is it a wood subfloor, concrete, or an existing tile surface? Some backer boards are better suited for specific substrates.
3. Tile Type and Size: Consider the type and size of the tiles you plan to install. Larger and heavier tiles may require a sturdier backer board.
4. Durability: Evaluate the durability requirements for your project. For high-traffic or heavy-use areas, like commercial spaces, you may need a more robust backer board.
5. Weight-Bearing Capacity: Assess the weight-bearing capacity of your floor or wall. Some backer boards are lighter and may be better for upper floors, while others provide better support for heavy tiles and traffic.
6. Installation Location: Determine if the installation is indoors or outdoors. Exterior applications typically require a different backer board due to exposure to the elements. Determine if the installation area is prone to moisture or requires insulation. For wet areas, prioritise moisture-resistant options like fibre cement board or decoupling membranes.
7. Insulation Needs: Consider whether you need thermal or sound insulation. Some backer boards offer insulating properties.
8. Budget: Your budget is a significant factor. Some backer boards are more expensive than others. Consider your project budget and choose a suitable option.
9. Fire Resistance: In some applications, fire resistance may be crucial. Certain backer boards offer this feature.

All tiling tools from Pro Tiler Tools can take your tiling projects to a new level of precision and professionalism. We understand the importance of achieving a high-quality finish with your tiling projects, so we want to ensure that you’re able to produce outstanding results with our tools and materials. We also value quality customer service, and offer a speedy next-day delivery service on the majority of products, delivering directly to your door so that you can fulfill projects quickly and efficiently for all of your customers.

Should you need any tiling advice or support with your order, don’t hesitate to contact us via email at [email protected] or give us a call at 01604 859800.