Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - showet tile install question

Hello all,

I'm going to tile the walls around my tub. I plan on using HardiBacker 500 1/2" backer board secured to the 2x4 framing.

I noticed that the Hardibacker does not have any tapered ends, i.e. drywall.

What is the best method for blending these edges with the drywall that will be butting up against it? Should I just treat it as if it was a standard drywall seam?

The seam between the hardibacker and the drywall should be outside the tiled area, correct? If yes, how far outside?

Thanks,

Steve

Run your tile past the backer board/drywall seam, such that your tile covers all the taping that was done to the seam. You can tape the seam using the same thinset mortar you will be using to secure the wall tile inside the shower. Do not use mastic to mount the tiles inside the shower.

Thanks Brew!

Do I need to mount the backerboard, apply tape and thinset to the seams, and then wait for those seams to set/dry? Or can I do the tile at the same time?

I've also seen reference to using a water barrier sheet behind the backerboard.... is this really necessary? What should I use?

Steve

Hi Steve

Poly moisture barrier goes behind the backerboard. When I do these we square out our framing, put up poly, hang cbu, tape & mud seams the first day. Next day set tile, depending on complexity or size of job, sometimes grout that afternoon.

Good luck & let us know how the shower turns out.

Thanks awesomedell.

That's sounds like a good plan. I'm assuming 'cbu' is an acronym for the backerboard, correct?

-Steve