DENS BOARD

Question

How imperative is it that DENS board is installed with the yellow side against the studs? We only noticed the 'Tile other side' writing on the sheets after installation... Please help ASAP!

Z · Answer

Though I'm not a professional we have installed quite a bit of tile in our home. From that experience I'd say that yes, it is important if this area will be a 'wet' area as the side meant for tiling is a moisture barrier. 
 @Miriam, can you think of anyone here that is knowledgeable in tiling to be sure if I'm correct on this?

Hamtil Construction LLC · Answer

Rebecca, the board is faced with fiberglass on both sides, so in theory it might be ok. I really can't say for sure, though, and the instructions do call for the gold side to face the studs. I would suggest to follow the manufacturers instruction and redo it. DensArmor is cheap compared to a failed tile job later.

Hewitt Remodeling Services LLC · Answer

Rebecca, It is best to remove the board and install it as per the directions. Although the inner core is designed to be moisture proof, the gray side is a special acrylic moisture barrier designed to be installed on the 'wet-side'. Installing the board backwards is similar to wearing a lined raincoat inside-out.
I suppose you could leave it the way it is and apply a moisture barrier like 'red-guard'...but that isn't cheap and defeats the purpose of using the DenShield Tile Backer board to begin with. Tim

Miriam Illions · Answer

Thanks for alerting me @Z Rebbeca, I hope this works out for you. :(

KMS Woodworks · Answer

Rather than 'dense Shield' I would go with hardibacker....it is completely water proof..not just resistant...front back inside and outside.

Dense shield just has a 'water resistant' skin. The core is still gypsum...which if exposed to water will still turn to mush. I have seen small samples of Hardibacker sealed inside a container of water that were many years old...not one single bit of damage.

Rebecca Ellis · Answer

Thanks guys for your help! We talked to someone at Home Depot who suggested Durock Cement board is the same as Hardibacker. Any thoughts?

Z · Answer

Thank you @Miriam  for alerting the experts. I was pretty sure I was right, but wanted to check with the guys that do this professionally too. Although I have to say my hubby and I do allot of research before we do any project around our home. We always use Hardibacker as @Kevin recommended. For us, nothing else is good enough.

Z · Answer

Sorry I was interrupted while writing Rebecca. Durock Cement board is NOT the same as Hardibacker.

Hewitt Remodeling Services LLC · Answer

Rebecca,
As Becky mentioned, hardibacker and cement board (i.e.: durock) are not the same. However, they are both acceptable products used to back tile. As much as I shake my head at times regarding the technical background of some of the help at the big-box stores, perhaps that is what the 'someone at HD' meant.

Z · Answer

Thanks @Hewitt. I guess the best way to see the difference is ask the clerk to show you both. I know all the HoDe stores near us carry both. The cement board is often chippy on the corners which right there tells me it wouldn't be as user friendly as the Hardibacker. It kind of sort of looks like gray MDF.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

Durock is a lighter weight version of Wonder Board. Both of those products are fiberglass skinned with a cement type 'core'. The reason I do not like them for showers is that the core tends to crumble and leave gravel like bits everywhere. Hardibacker cuts much cleaner ( I use a thin blade diamond wheel in a grinder). Hardibacker is like a compressed set of cement with very fine fibers.

I have used Wonder board in my cabin under the floor tile..but the reason there was to increase the Thermal mass for the passive Solar design ( wonder board is about 45 pounds per 3 x 5 sheet.

There is another product called Rhino Board which is pretty much the same as hardibacker but I have only seen that in 1/4' thick.

Alone Eagle Remodeling, LLC. · Answer

Hardibacker is not a good product to use in wet locations imo. When it gets wet or attacked with moisture, it will peel apart like cardboard and absorb mold and mildew. If you place a piece of Hardibacker in a bucket of water for a week, it will break down. Here's a picture of Hardi on a bathroom floor where there was a toilet leak... we tore it out for the homeowner and replaced with Noble Seal TS over the sub floor. A huge piece of subfloor needed replaced around the toilet because of the mold. The Hardi is leaning on the wall and you can see how the mold absorbed into it.
 
As for the shower. Here are some options:
*call the manufacturer first. You may be able to cover the board the way it is with Red Guard, Kerdi, Noble Seal etc...
*Tear down and start over. Use Durrock or the same board with the right side out.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

The denseboard must be installed according to manufacturer's directions as the surface that accepts the tile is treated with a waterproofing coating. HOWEVER all is not lost. You can fasten a waterproofing membrane over the incorrectly installed material and your back in business. Schluter Kerdi would need to be applied over the surface then tile over that. Just be sure you use the correct thin set material that they suggest. http://www.schluter.com/8_1_kerdi.aspx

Houseworks Unlimited, Inc. · Answer

It looks like I'm going to have to agree w/ Woodbridge again (another similar post) on the Schluter system. They have specific seals to go over the tub filler, tub/shower valve and shower head arm. You will need a UN-modified thinset mortar. Nothing with Poly in it. You will use the same thinset to set the wall tile with.

FloorNerd · Answer

Denshield is a waterproof core laminated on each side with a fiberglass based face. It is installed like drywall except you need to run a bead of silicone between the sheets to waterproof the seams. You then need to use fiberglass mesh tape over the seams. It does not require a moisture or vapor barrier behind the sheets. When properly installed Denshield is an adequate tile substrate for shower walls and relatively affordable compared to alternative methods.

FloorNerd · Answer

What you have is densgaurd which the tile goes on gray side of the board!!! Yes reverse the board.

FloorNerd · Answer

You do not need to use kerdi on either the dens guard or shield as both are pretty much water proof to a certain % they both are not recommend in steam showers.

FloorNerd · Answer

You don't need to put kerdi over either board type as there waterproof to a certain %. They are not recommend for steam showers and floors.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Mark the densguard is water resistant. Not water proof. You need to use a water proofing membrane with that product. The joints will need to be sealed as does the fasteners.

FloorNerd · Answer

Thanks Woodbridge, there are a number of these Boards that I think all do different things. I've used densshield once with no issues and both sides are laminated fiberglass which to my knowledge is water proof or resistant but not from steam. I guess the best way is to redguard or hydroban these products regardless for extra insurance.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

My thoughts are the seams are not moisture resistant. Thus the need to add that additional layer of protection. While the boards themselves are, as soon as you put a screw into them you break the seal. I used the dens armor plus in all my baths I do. and I use the membrane before I tile on the walls. Never had a call back. I have not used a cement board in years.

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