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Hardy board VS Cement board for bathroom tub area

BTRY B 529th FA BN

BTRY B 529th FA BN

Lifer
I've been fixing up a bathroom taking my time with it. I have the tub installed and the plumbing and electrical work in place. Now I'm about to put up the drywall etc. What would be better for the bathroom tub area? Hardy board or Cement board? This is for a rental and the longer lasting the better ...
 
If you're using tile (i.e. shower, tube, etc) then you're going to want to install a cement tile backer board. Durock is a well known product.

If you're just painting the drywall (i.e. rest of the bathroom), then use a mold/water resistant panel. If you can find one that's combined with an abuse-resistant board (since it's a rental) that would be the best of both worlds.

EDIT (with links):

Moisture/Mold board that is abuse resistant: http://www.usg.com/sheetrock-mold-tough-ar-firecode-core.html

Durock:http://www.usg.com/durock-cement-board.html

It looks like Durock & Hardy Board are the same things, a cement based underlayment.
 
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Hardiboard is a much more precision cut sheet, and is easier to score and cut. It doesn't have the fiberglass mesh in it and won't chip away on the ends as much as wonderboard/durock. But it also isn't as thick as wonderboard so depending on what you have to butt it up against it might be a little thin.

It's more expensive though. Around $15 for a 3x5 sheet of the 1/2". Durock is like $9 for the same thing.

My Dad is a mason and has done tile for years and swears by durock/concrete board/wonderboard whatever you call it and thumbs his nose at Hardiboard. I've used both and the Hardiboard is easier to work with in my experience.
 
roguerower said:
If you're using tile (i.e. shower, tube, etc) then you're going to want to install a cement tile backer board. Durock is a well known product.

If you're just painting the drywall (i.e. rest of the bathroom), then use a mold/water resistant panel. If you can find one that's combined with an abuse-resistant board (since it's a rental) that would be the best of both worlds.

EDIT (with links):

Moisture/Mold board that is abuse resistant: http://www.usg.com/sheetrock-mold-tough-ar-firecode-core.html

Durock:http://www.usg.com/durock-cement-board.html

It looks like Durock & Hardy Board are the same things, a cement based underlayment.
Click to expand...

Used something very similar to Durock in my own bathroom. Works great.
 
vi edit said:
Hardiboard is a much more precision cut sheet, and is easier to score and cut. It doesn't have the fiberglass mesh in it and won't chip away on the ends as much as wonderboard/durock. But it also isn't as thick as wonderboard so depending on what you have to butt it up against it might be a little thin.

It's more expensive though. Around $15 for a 3x5 sheet of the 1/2". Durock is like $9 for the same thing.

My Dad is a mason and has done tile for years and swears by durock/concrete board/wonderboard whatever you call it and thumbs his nose at Hardiboard. I've used both and the Hardiboard is easier to work with in my experience.
Click to expand...

Hardibacker comes in both 1/4" and 1/2" thickness. The 1/2" is what you use on walls. I never score and snap hardibacker, I use a sheer. While a nice way to cut the stuff, it's not worth buying for one project.
 
I like the hardiboard, but because it's thinner, I felt more comfortable putting drywall behind it before installing it. (Not sure if that's necessary or not.) It seemed like a less messy, more precise, albeit slightly more expensive option. For the final results though, I don't think there's much of a difference between the two, but don't have the experience to say so with any certainty.
 
One is a Brand name, the other a generic term that also describes the composition of the first.
So, one could say "Yes" in answer to your question(s).
Thank you.
 
Firetower said:
I would go with a waterproof membrane such as this: http://www.schluter.com/8_1_kerdi.aspx


There is install instructions on their site with recommended backerboard. cementboard/ no mold
Click to expand...
Want it done right, do it like Mike!

I would do something like that, too. I'd hate knowing that if (or when) some cracking happens to the mortar over time I could possibly get wetting issues. With a water proof membrane it just doesn't matter.
 
AlienCraft said:
One is a Brand name, the other a generic term that also describes the composition of the first.
So, one could say "Yes" in answer to your question(s).
Thank you.
Click to expand...

Incorrect. They are very different materials. Hardibacker isn't as fragile as Durarock or the other cement boards.
 
Doppel said:
Want it done right, do it like Mike!

I would do something like that, too. I'd hate knowing that if (or when) some cracking happens to the mortar over time I could possibly get wetting issues. With a water proof membrane it just doesn't matter.
Click to expand...

If you want the best system go old school. Wire and mortar over #15 felt paper. I've pulled out showers that were over 60 years old with no detectable leakage.
 
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