Durock is a brand of cement board that is used as an underlayment for tile. The reasons why durock is used are because once it is screwed or nailed to the wall, it will not move and create cracks in your tile grout. It can also be substituted with cement backer board, which is just as strong, but less expensive.

How do you know if you need to use durock? Any time you are applying tile to any surface that flexes, you should always apply durock first. This includes shower floors and walls, countertops, and even backsplashes.

Why use durock? Durock is the best choice to protect against mold because it has a waterproof coating on one side and a rough side for the thinset to adhere to. It is also very durable and easy to work with.

When should you apply durock? If you are tiling your shower, apply the durock first before building your shower pan or curb. Durock can be applied directly over top of drywall or greenboard (also known as moisture resistant drywall), but not over kitchen backsplash tile or bathroom wall tile. You must remove the old tiles first if they are uneven or

Durock is a brand of cement board that is used as an underlayment for tile and natural stone in wet areas. Durock and other brands of cement board offer a solid base for tile and are resistant to water damage, mold growth and cracking. Cement board will not rot from exposure to water like drywall or plywood will.

Wrong Way: If you do not apply durock to your walls before tiling, your walls will be susceptible to mold growth and/or cracking over time. Water can penetrate through your tile grout lines and into the porous drywall or plywood behind it. In addition, if you have not applied durock, you could be setting yourself up for cracked tiles over time. Drywall is flexible and moves with the house structure when there are temperature changes or vibrations exerted on the house; this movement can cause tiles to crack.

1. When should I use durock?

Any time you are tiling over drywall or plaster in a wet area, you need some type of barrier between the tile and the wall/floor substrate. This is why we use durock (or other cement board products) on bathroom walls, shower floors and kitchen backsplashes.

2. Do I need to use durock for tile floors?

No, generally not unless you are tiling a bedroom or living room floor where there may be radiant heat in the subflooring. In most cases, cement boards are not required for ceramic tile floors.

3. Do I need to use durock for outdoor tiles?

No, not in most cases, though this does depend on the installation location and climate in your region. For example, if you live in a hot and humid climate where tiles will be exposed to direct sunlight (like Florida) it’s recommended that you use a thin set mortar with a latex additive to help mitigate cracking due to temperature changes. In cool and dry climates where tiles will be shaded from direct sunlight (like Colorado), thin set mortar without latex can be used since it is slightly more durable than mortar with latex additives.

4. How do I install

Since the early 1970’s, Durock has been America’s most trusted cement board. And for good reason: it is made from cement, sand and cellulose fibers for an incredibly strong and stable base that won’t warp or swell like wood. Durock is also ideal for wet areas: it’s waterproof and mold resistant, making it the perfect choice for shower surround walls and ceilings.

But Durock isn’t just a great product; it’s a system of products that work together to give you a watertight, durable finish. In fact, over 40% of all tile installed in North America is installed over Durock. Here are the 10 secrets to achieving 100% waterproof, long-lasting results with Durock cement board:

1. Use only Durock brand products (Durock cement board, Durock Glass-Mat Tile Backerboard, etc.).

2. Use the right kind of screws – 1-1/4″ dia.,

“Durock”, cement board, is a product that I prefer over green board (aka: “drywall”) when it comes to use as a shower substrate. This is not to say that it is free of problems, but rather that it has some advantages and only a few disadvantages.

The main reason I like durock better than green board for a shower is because it does not have the paper covering that can absorb moisture and rot out. However, the installation of durock requires extra attention.

You must use a product called “red guard” on the seams of the durock before proceeding with tile application. The red guard acts as a vapor barrier on top of the durock, keeping moisture from seeping through the seams and down into your walls.

Another thing you must do when using durock in an area where water may contact it, whether in your shower or kitchen backsplash, is to seal all edges with silicone. This will add years to the life of your work by preventing water from seeping behind your tiles, which would eventually cause damage to the walls or floor structure below.

1. Apply Durock with the longer dimension vertical. This helps prevent cracking and increase the flexural strength of the durock.

2. Don’t apply Durock over foam plastic insulation or foam sheets unless they are covered with a gypsum sheathing. They may not be strong enough to carry the weight of the Durock and mortar required for proper installation.

3. Install Durock on top of wood studs with the long dimension perpendicular to wood studs. This will cause less taper at joints, which increases the strength of joints, and reduces cracking potential.

4. Check surface conditions before applying tile adhesive – If your wall is not flat, then consider using a flexible adhesive instead of a hard set cement based mortar type adhesive.

5. For best results, use some kind of backerboard when installing tile in wet areas such as showers and tub surrounds, etc… Durrock is water resistant, but not waterproof (nothing is).

1. Durock is a cement board that can be used for flooring and tiling, just like in the kitchen or bathroom.

2. Cement can be applied over any surface, including wood studs and plywood floors.

3. Using cement board on the subfloor will create a more durable surface for tile .

4. The most common use of durock is as a wall material before applying tile in the shower or tub area.

5. Durock comes in 3/8 and 1/2 inch sheets and should be cut with a handsaw or utility knife to fit the application area.

6. The cut edges must be finished with fiberglass mesh tape to prevent cracking when using thin set mortar over it. If using thinset, you must apply it over the tape while wet so it will adhere properly to the edges of the cement board and not lift off during the setting process.

7. Some installers use durock as a base under flooring as well as walls because of its durability and strength when used correctly.

8. When installing cement board over a wooden floor, it is best to use 1/2 inch thick sheets instead of 3/8 inch sheets because they are stronger and