Home & Garden

Is there such thing like 3/4" cement board?

  • Last Updated:
  • Jul 21st, 2021 11:08 am
Tags:
[OP]
Deal Addict
Jun 27, 2015
2281 posts
437 upvotes
East York, ON

Is there such thing like 3/4" cement board?

My google fu is letting me down, I can't find this at the big box stores.
Otherwise I might need to shim or use two layers across the entire wall, one layer of 1/4" and another one of 1/2".
Is that an option?
I need to do this because the edge of the shower base that is under the shower head needs to sit 1/4" farther than I expected in order for the drain opening to be perfectly centered on the floor drain. It could be even less that this the error is not that large, I am still thinking whether I should go with the cement board over the shower flange or on top of it and let the tile cover it like this guy is doing it



He is using Aquadefense. I would use that and add plastic sheeting behind the cement board just to stay safe
Sig abuse not tolerated on RFD - mods
19 replies
Member
Jul 31, 2017
422 posts
509 upvotes
Toronto
They sell it in the US but I haven't seen it here in any big box stores. Probably easier and cheaper to get 1/4" or 1/8" ply ripped to 1 1/2" wide and build out the studs rather than hanging two layers of board.
Member
Mar 24, 2009
221 posts
180 upvotes
KW
I’ve never seen 3/4 cement board.

If my tiles aren’t sealed properly….I want to know ASAP. Putting on a membrane on allows for water to seep in behind quietly for a prolonged period of time. Meaning you won’t know of a problem until lots of tiles fall off.
[OP]
Deal Addict
Jun 27, 2015
2281 posts
437 upvotes
East York, ON
raptormaniac wrote: I’ve never seen 3/4 cement board.

If my tiles aren’t sealed properly….I want to know ASAP. Putting on a membrane on allows for water to seep in behind quietly for a prolonged period of time. Meaning you won’t know of a problem until lots of tiles fall off.
And if they are failing how are you going to know?
Are you totally against any for of water proofing?
The old tiles were slapped on drywall and there was plastic sheets behind ....not a lot of damage from water but the tiles did start comming off
Sig abuse not tolerated on RFD - mods
[OP]
Deal Addict
Jun 27, 2015
2281 posts
437 upvotes
East York, ON
BoatyMcBoatface wrote: They sell it in the US but I haven't seen it here in any big box stores. Probably easier and cheaper to get 1/4" or 1/8" ply ripped to 1 1/2" wide and build out the studs rather than hanging two layers of board.
I built support for the shower glass panels. If I do that I will have to add plywood there as well
Would you recommend ply instead of ripping 2x4" with a table saw?
Sig abuse not tolerated on RFD - mods
Member
Jul 31, 2017
422 posts
509 upvotes
Toronto
CuriousC wrote: I built support for the shower glass panels. If I do that I will have to add plywood there as well
Would you recommend ply instead of ripping 2x4" with a table saw?
Ripping a 1/4" off a probably twisted and knotty 2x4 multiple times is just hassle especially if it isn't perfectly straight and wane free. You can have the store do it on a panel saw and have no issues.
[OP]
Deal Addict
Jun 27, 2015
2281 posts
437 upvotes
East York, ON
BoatyMcBoatface wrote: You can have the store do it on a panel saw and have no issues.
I doubt they will...I know there is a limited number of free cuts
I don't mind paying for if it is a decent price
Sig abuse not tolerated on RFD - mods
Member
Jul 31, 2017
422 posts
509 upvotes
Toronto
CuriousC wrote: I doubt they will...I know there is a limited number of free cuts
I don't mind paying for if it is a decent price
A sheet of ply is about $40, you probably have less than 10 studs so 10 total cuts. I think the first four cuts are free and usually a $1 each after that. So maybe $46 total to rectify the issue.
Deal Addict
Jan 21, 2011
1284 posts
682 upvotes
GTA
Can you sister some 2x3 to existing studs?
[OP]
Deal Addict
Jun 27, 2015
2281 posts
437 upvotes
East York, ON
BoatyMcBoatface wrote: A sheet of ply is about $40, you probably have less than 10 studs so 10 total cuts. I think the first four cuts are free and usually a $1 each after that. So maybe $46 total to rectify the issue.
If that is the price I will definitely consider that
Sig abuse not tolerated on RFD - mods
[OP]
Deal Addict
Jun 27, 2015
2281 posts
437 upvotes
East York, ON
lamin wrote: Can you sister some 2x3 to existing studs?
not sure how that would help...like creating a second stud that can be pushed inward toward the center of the room ?
Sig abuse not tolerated on RFD - mods
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Oct 19, 2008
7338 posts
2928 upvotes
Whitby
CuriousC wrote: not sure how that would help...like creating a second stud that can be pushed inward toward the center of the room ?
Yep....stud would be 1/2" in or whatever you require.
Deal Addict
Jan 21, 2011
1284 posts
682 upvotes
GTA
I thought you needed them to come out 1/4” or so. You bring them out 1/4” and then screw your 1/2” material to the new studs.

Your drywall can rest on top of shower base edge, but you need the back of tiles to be past that same edge. Depending on your waterproofing method, you can waterproof the base edge to bottom of wall material.
[OP]
Deal Addict
Jun 27, 2015
2281 posts
437 upvotes
East York, ON
Zamboni wrote: Yep....stud would be 1/2" in or whatever you require.
This is very tempting and very smart...problem is that I have pipes there (supplies and drains and then the support for the shower glass panels. These support will have to be brought in the same plane with the studs that support the tiles support board anyway

In some areas I already have two or even three studs put next to each other because there was a partition wall there and for some reasons they needed these where the partition wall was
I am afraid that my walls will be way to overloaded with these - furring strips seems to be a decent solution excepting the fact that they will be required to have a variable thickness as my studs are already out of alignment
Sig abuse not tolerated on RFD - mods
Member
Mar 24, 2009
221 posts
180 upvotes
KW
CuriousC wrote: And if they are failing how are you going to know?
Are you totally against any for of water proofing?
The old tiles were slapped on drywall and there was plastic sheets behind ....not a lot of damage from water but the tiles did start comming off
I’m not anti water proofing. I’m you don’t need it everywhere. Each situation is unique. I don’t use blue/green board. We use cement board or dense shield. That provides a decent amount of protection.

As far as tiles falling off. My jobs. Hasn’t happened…yet. I tell customers if they ever see grout coming apart to fix ASAP….usually an indicator.
Deal Addict
Jan 21, 2011
1284 posts
682 upvotes
GTA
When doing renovations, sometimes you have to make things work with what you have. Standard practice would be to just screw drywall to the studs and call it a day. Some guys would sister another stud to the existing stud, but none of those seem to be able to work for you.

Another option is to replace studs and or shift the wall, decide what works best for you. I would prefer not to use metal in a shower, but if it’s sealed properly should not be a problem.
[OP]
Deal Addict
Jun 27, 2015
2281 posts
437 upvotes
East York, ON
I will go with the furring method as that seems the cleanest to me.
Sig abuse not tolerated on RFD - mods
Jr. Member
Sep 12, 2017
192 posts
135 upvotes
Half inch of mold resistant drywall on the studs. Quarter inch cement board on top. Gets your 3/4" build out at the least cost method.

CHM.

Top