Tile backer boards - help me choose

[Snowbeetle]

Hi there, 


I am plodding on with my self-build bungalow barn conversion (which I have posted about before but I'm not a prolific poster), and am getting ready to board out the walls in the bathroom. I have already had some good pointers on here when I came across tile backer boards as opposed to  marine plywood. I have read some more around the subject and it seems tile backer boards are the way to go. 

However, there are so many makes out there and I am finding it hard to sort out the various features and benefits and not having used them before am starting to meet myself coming backward in google! I've found these brands:

Wedi

Jackoboard

Marmox

BAL board (MgO) 

Delta board

Kerdi schluter

Orbry

Dukkaboard

 

(I have ruled out hardiebacker and aqua panel)

 

Some seem to suggest they are water resistant rather than waterproof, some need sealing after they are put on the walls some don't. Basically I'd like to know your experience, pros and cons, of these cos I can't try them all out unfortunately and an internet picture and marketing information only gets you so far. 

TIA

 

[Russell griffiths]

I’m in the same boat, have a quick look at prices, I think some must be made with gold particles glued together by a unicorn. 

Im also looking at siniat aqua board. 

 

[Snowbeetle]

I have looked at prices and the differences don't seem to be enough (and depending where you order from not much at all) to choose. Or one is more expensive (kerdi) but then you don't have to cover it in sealant so probably balances out - haven't priced that up, it was starting to get too many variations. I need a spread sheet... and some spread sheet skills. ?
I am hoping to order soon as it seems many (most?) are coming from EU and will probably cost more if I don't get a wriggle on. 

[wozza]

I used Abacus elements boards (same as Wedi etc) - why? Because they were on a mega cheap offer at the time (got them from Rubber Duck Bathrooms, but came direct from Abacus)

 

You can get the stainless steel fixing washers cheap from ebay

Edited December 14, 2020 by wozza

[Snowbeetle]

Bargains are always welcome - were you pleased with the quality when they came?

[wozza]

4 minutes ago, Snowbeetle said:

Bargains are always welcome - were you pleased with the quality when they came?

 

Yes - very good cant fault them, I have never used any other type, but when I compared the Abacus to Wedi (in a tile shop) there was no difference.

 

I used the 900 x 2400 x 12mm boards in the wet areas, and MR plasterboard everywhere else.

Edited December 14, 2020 by wozza

[Mr Punter]

Having got the guys to use both the XPS type and the Hardie backer cement board type in the past, I would go for the XPS based ones as they seem far easier to handle, cut and fit.

[Russell griffiths]

The jacoboard stuff looks half price to the abacus stuff, but I might not have found any good pricing on the abacus. 

 

I have the jacoboard coming in at £13.2 a m inc vat. 

 

Whats that like. 

Edited December 14, 2020 by Russell griffiths

[nod]

6 hours ago, Snowbeetle said:

Hi there, 


I am plodding on with my self-build bungalow barn conversion (which I have posted about before but I'm not a prolific poster), and am getting ready to board out the walls in the bathroom. I have already had some good pointers on here when I came across tile backer boards as opposed to  marine plywood. I have read some more around the subject and it seems tile backer boards are the way to go. 

However, there are so many makes out there and I am finding it hard to sort out the various features and benefits and not having used them before am starting to meet myself coming backward in google! I've found these brands:

Wedi

Jackoboard

Marmox

BAL board (MgO) 

Delta board

Kerdi schluter

Orbry

Dukkaboard

 

(I have ruled out hardiebacker and aqua panel)

 

Some seem to suggest they are water resistant rather than waterproof, some need sealing after they are put on the walls some don't. Basically I'd like to know your experience, pros and cons, of these cos I can't try them all out unfortunately and an internet picture and marketing information only gets you so far. 

TIA

 

We’ve stop using Hardy backer 

We use the yellow gypsum Out performs most Much lighter and cheaper and can be cut with a Stanley knife or hand saw 

Can be D&D But needs a knocking fixing also 

[Russell griffiths]

@nod is that the siniat stuff, I’m looking at one that’s an orange/ yellow colour called aqua board. 

It can be taped and jointed outside the shower area for painting over. 

[wozza]

I think that @nod is referring to this stuff - Glasroc H TileBacker (british-gypsum.com)

[Russell griffiths]

12 minutes ago, wozza said:

I think that @nod is referring to this stuff - Glasroc H TileBacker (british-gypsum.com)

Perfect cheers, I hadn’t even started on British gypsum. 

[nod]

7 hours ago, Russell griffiths said:

Perfect cheers, I hadn’t even started on British gypsum. 

No problem 

They are also better to tile on 

With no need to seal prior to tiling 

[Onoff]

Just now, nod said:

No problem 

They are also better to tile on 

With no need to seal prior to tiling 

 

D'you mean no tile primer needed?

[nod]

11 minutes ago, Onoff said:

 

D'you mean no tile primer needed?

Yes 

no need One side is ivory backed 

Starting to sound like a BG rep ?

[Onoff]

49 minutes ago, nod said:

Yes 

no need One side is ivory backed 

Starting to sound like a BG rep ?

 

Thanks.

 

Would you ever tank onto them for a wet room or are they inherently waterproof?

 

Presume you use a particular BG compound at the joints?

[Russell griffiths]

What do you do at the floor joints @nod 

[Snowbeetle]

 

3 hours ago, Onoff said:

 

Thanks.

 

Would you ever tank onto them for a wet room or are they inherently waterproof?

 

Presume you use a particular BG compound at the joints?

website says water resistant not waterproof so maybe not ideal for tanking without additional protection

 

[Gone West]

5 hours ago, Onoff said:

Would you ever tank onto them for a wet room or are they inherently waterproof?

 

Presume you use a particular BG compound at the joints?

From their Glasroc White Book :-

 

Perimeter and junction sealing
Designers must give consideration to the precautions necessary
at junctions to ensure that moisture is not allowed to penetrate
or collect. Cut edges of boards must be appropriately sealed and
waterproofed at abutments.
Waterproof sealant should be used around baths or shower trays,
between the wall surface and the floor at the base of partition or
wall lining, to prevent any possible moisture being absorbed by the
board core.
Tanking systems
In extreme moisture environments, the exposed surfaces of
Glasroc H tilebacker should be treated with a suitable tanking system.
Continuity of linings
All partitions and wall linings should be complete. There should be
no omissions to board linings, e.g. behind baths.

 

[SiBee]

I am no expert and have no specialist knowledge but I do have access to trade tilers through work. Now I would not pay these guys to work on my own properties but I always ask them questions as they get trade info quicker. They tend to use the cheapest and whats easiest to get hold of as most of their customers would know no different and given the option would not pay extra for quality.

For my own bathrooms I used Marmox and Orbry boards based on cost, availability, board size.i.e these came in 2400m Lens so great for stud walls. Wickes have a range in stock and tbh, it all looks very similar. Fantastic to tile to, easy to handle/level/cut/fix. The cement based backer boards come in smaller sizes and are heavy, horrible to cut (dust!).

I would find a good deal on the board size/thickness required rather than sticking to a particular brand. If I wiped the print off the boards I have I would not be able to tell the difference.

Some suppliers sell on Am***n, you might get a deal on delivery?  

[Snowbeetle]

That's great SiBee - thanks for that

[larry]

I had some STS Backer Board delivererd from Wickes recently at £8.50 per 1200x600 sheet. Looks basically the same as Marmox and another non-brand one I've tried, except black in colour. I can see it's no longer on this offer however.

 

Also a huge recommendation for Sikaflex adhesive/sealant for sealing edges behind the boards (before the tape). Amazing stuff. 

[larry]

Just now, larry said:

I had some STS Backer Board delivererd from Wickes recently at £8.50 per 1200x600 sheet. Looks basically the same as Marmox and another non-brand one I've tried, except black in colour. I can see it's no longer on this offer however.

 

Also a huge recommendation for Sikaflex adhesive/sealant for sealing edges behind the boards (before the tape). Amazing stuff. 

 

Oh and I have mixed this with a Schulter niche - which does seem to have a slightly different construction. However I can't see it is any more or less waterproof/durable. 

 

Used some non brand stuff for a downstairs shower a year ago and it's been fine since then (though the real question I suppose is what it's like in 10 years!)

[Pocster]

Delta board . Not particularly cheap but not shchulter pricing . Water resistant rather than waterproof . Light weight and easy to cut . Buy the fixing off eBay much cheaper .

Edited December 15, 2020 by pocster