Laying Down Cement Board

[Warstud]

I'm in the process of laying down some cement board in my bathroom but I can't decide which is the best way to go about it. You may have to re-draw this on paper. But the Cement Board is 3' x 5'.

From the picture below and starting at the top and working clockwise
Replace 1cm with 4'
Replace 3cm with 5' 2"
Replace 2cm with 2' 5"
Replace 1cm with 32"
Replace 3cm with 6' 5"
Replace 4cm with 8'

 

[dbias]

Which direction do the floor joists run? its overkill but i like to make major seams in the cement board meet on a floor joist.

 

[Warstud]

They run vertical to the picture with planks running 45 deg and I just put plywood over those

 

[hatt]

I'd start by notching out the 4"x12" off a full piece in the corner. Assuming I read your measurements correct.

Or get a 4x8 sheet of board.

 

[Warstud]

There's only one size ..... 3' X 5'

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I would start at the top of the "L" and run pieces as follows:
2 pcs 4x3
1 pc 4x2
1pc 32" x 2'5"

If this layout causes an underlayment seam to match up with the cement board, then do the bottom L first and offset the other pieces as necessary to avoid cement board and underlay seams coming together. Tape off all seams and you are ready for your flooring.

 

[greenjp]

It doesn't really matter where the seams on the cement board line up relative to the subfloor. It's not structural at all. Whatever makes for the easiest cuts & least waste, which it looks like JayhawkRoy is proposing. Just do a good job with the mortar bed underneath, follow the manufacturer's instructions for the screws, and tape the seams and it'll be fine.

 

[maxdustington]

Originally Posted by dbias
Which direction do the floor joists run? its overkill but i like to make major seams in the cement board meet on a floor joist.
That's not overkill, that's good craftsmanship.

Why are you putting cement board on the floor, anyway?

 

[Warstud]

"

 

[Warstud]

Originally Posted by JayhawkRoy
I would start at the top of the "L" and run pieces as follows:
2 pcs 4x3
1 pc 4x2
1pc 32" x 2'5"

If this layout causes an underlayment seam to match up with the cement board, then do the bottom L first and offset the other pieces as necessary to avoid cement board and underlay seams coming together. Tape off all seams and you are ready for your flooring.

I like your idea and I'll go with it. Thank you for your time.

 

[marine65]

If you are installing ceramic tile you would be better off with wire lath.
Cement board is old tech.

 

[greenjp]

Originally Posted by marine65
If you are installing ceramic tile you would be better off with wire lath.
Cement board is old tech.

Not sure wire lath (in a mud bed presumably?) is less "old tech" than cement board. Probably more work and harder for a DIY. IMO something like Ditra or Stratamat are "new" tech and probably easier and better performing.

jeff

 

[marine65]

Originally Posted by greenjp
Originally Posted by marine65
If you are installing ceramic tile you would be better off with wire lath.
Cement board is old tech.

Not sure wire lath (in a mud bed presumably?) is less "old tech" than cement board. Probably more work and harder for a DIY. IMO something like Ditra or Stratamat are "new" tech and probably easier and better performing.

jeff


I work for a flooring company that does nothing but new construction
We do about 800 houses a year and a 100 or so commercial projects and never have a tile issue thats wire lath related.
Think about that.

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted by greenjp
Originally Posted by marine65
If you are installing ceramic tile you would be better off with wire lath.
Cement board is old tech.

Not sure wire lath (in a mud bed presumably?) is less "old tech" than cement board. Probably more work and harder for a DIY. IMO something like Ditra or Stratamat are "new" tech and probably easier and better performing.

jeff



+1 on using ditra. You can even get the ditra used with heated flooring.

 

[greenjp]

Originally Posted by marine65
Originally Posted by greenjp
Originally Posted by marine65
If you are installing ceramic tile you would be better off with wire lath.
Cement board is old tech.

Not sure wire lath (in a mud bed presumably?) is less "old tech" than cement board. Probably more work and harder for a DIY. IMO something like Ditra or Stratamat are "new" tech and probably easier and better performing.

jeff


I work for a flooring company that does nothing but new construction
We do about 800 houses a year and a 100 or so commercial projects and never have a tile issue thats wire lath related.
Think about that.

I never said there was anything wrong with it - some old methods stick around for a reason. Just that to call cement board old school in comparison to wire lath is a curious remark. And for a presumed noob like the OP I'm not sure a labor and skill intensive method is a good recommendation. Any of these, properly implemented over a suitable subfloor, is going to be fine. So it's the other factors such as skill, experience, time, funds, etc that come into play.

jeff