When should I use hardy board on the floor? Many people wonder this when they are in the process of some kind of home remodel. Hardy Board plays a big role in doing a remodel the right and best way.
If you are wanting to install tile in your home, such as ceramic, porcelain, granite, marble, or any kind of stone, using hardy board is vital to insure that your new flooring will last a life time. James Hardie only requires that you install a quarter inch hardy board on your sub-floor before installing tile. However, it is vital to any warranty that your subfloor is at least 3/4″ thick and is an exterior grade plywood.
If your home does not meet these requirements, it is important that you fix this before installing your hardy board. Although Hardy board is strong, it is only strong if it is supported well from underneath. A weak subfloor will allow your hardie board to flex and move causing the tile or stone floor to shift. Over time, your new tile floor will crack, come up, and break way prematurely.
Once you have met the requirements for your subfloor it is time to install the hardie board.
- Measure each room you plan to hardy back.
- Add your total square footage and buy the amount of hardy board you need accordingly.
- Cut the jambs of the door ways so that the hardy board will slide underneath.
- Start dry laying hardy board on the floor trying to get it to fit in the room like a jigsaw puzzle, making sure to stagger the seams.
- Anywhere a full piece will not fit, measure and cut a piece to fit.
- Pull the hardy up one room at a time
- Spread a multi purpose thinset on the floor with a 3/8″ trowel
- Lay the hardy board on top of the thinset while it is still wet.
- Screw or nail the hardy board 8 inches apart in every direction making sure to get the edges and corners well.
- Tape and float your seams using a 2 inch fiberglass mesh tape and thinset, similar to how you float drywall. This is required for your James Hardie warranty.
- Install your tile!
These are very basic guidelines to installing hardy board. Keep in mind that hardy is not light by any means, so make sure you do not attempt this task without help. This is at least a two man job.
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