Tile Backer Board

If you are looking for a cost-effective and convenient building material that will make your tiling and flooring projects go smoother and faster, then the tile backer board or cement board, is what you need. MGN Builders Merchants offers a selection of cement backer boards, the current selection includes a 12mm cement board and a 6mm cement board.  We also stock the insulated tile backer boards, just browse our range online.

What is cement board? 

A cement board is also referred to as hardiebacker or tile backer board, it is a type of moisture-resistant backer board made of cement and reinforcing fibres. 

What do you use cement board for?

The boards are predominantly used in bathrooms and wet rooms also utilised as insulation boards, as their application results in a reduction of heat loss. The cement boards are commonly used along with the underfloor heating system. The primary purpose of a hardiebacker board is sub-surface or backing for tiling. The key principle of the panels is to provide a strong base for almost any project you are undertaking creating an even surface for you to tile onto.

The boards are water-resistant therefore typically used in areas prone to water exposure and where the protection is essential, typically on plywood or OSB subfloors. The cement backer board will serve as backing protection that protects the surface from mould and mildew development due to prolonged exposure to moisture.

How to cut cement board?

The hardiebaker board is very easy to instal, but there are situations where you will need to cut the board to the desired size, so here is the advice we would like to give to MGN customers. 

The best and most recommended way to cut the backer board is to cut using a carbide-tipped scrolling tool where you would score the surface and snap the board along the line exactly the same way as you would cut drywall. This cutting process will produce a lot of dust so it is recommended to be done in a well-ventilated area.