Best Cement Backer Board for DIYers
Cement backer board is the waterproof, stable substrate that tile bonds to in showers, tub surrounds, floors, and countertops. It will not rot, swell, or break down like drywall when wet, which is why it is required under wet-area tile.
What to look for
- ·Use cement board (or a foam tile backer) under tile in showers, tub surrounds, and floors; never tile directly over regular drywall in wet areas.
- ·Common thicknesses: 1/2 inch for walls and showers, 1/4 inch for floors and countertops over a sound subfloor.
- ·Set it in thinset and fasten with backer-board screws, tape and mud the seams, and add a waterproof membrane in showers.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| HardieBacker Cement Board | Editor's pick | $12 to $18 per sheet | The trusted all-around board |
| USG Durock Cement Board | Editor's pick | $12 to $18 per sheet | Heavy-duty wet areas |
| GoBoard Foam Tile Backer | Editor's pick | $25 to $45 per sheet | Waterproof, lightweight showers |
| PermaBase Cement Board | Best value | $11 to $16 per sheet | Value reinforced board |
| USG Durock Next Gen | Best value | $12 to $17 per sheet | Easier-handling value |
| WonderBoard Lite | Best value | $10 to $16 per sheet | Value lightweight board |
| Store-Brand Cement Backer Board | Budget pick | $9 to $14 per sheet | Budget tile substrate |
| Backer Board (1/4 inch Floor) | Budget pick | $9 to $13 per sheet | Budget floor underlayment |
| Fiber-Cement Underlayment Board | Budget pick | $8 to $13 per sheet | Lowest-cost stable base |
Editor's pick
HardieBacker Cement Board
$12 to $18 per sheet
A leading cement backer board that is smooth, easy to cut and screw, and resists mold, with EZ Grid lines for fastening. The pick for floors and walls.
Best for: The trusted all-around board
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
USG Durock Cement Board
$12 to $18 per sheet
A strong, widely used cement board for showers, floors, and counters, with a durable aggregated core. The pick for heavy-duty wet-area tile.
Best for: Heavy-duty wet areas
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
GoBoard Foam Tile Backer
$25 to $45 per sheet
A lightweight, waterproof foam backer board that cuts easily and needs no separate membrane in showers when seams are sealed. The pick for fast, waterproof shower builds.
Best for: Waterproof, lightweight showers
Typically available at Home Depot, Tile suppliers.
Best value
PermaBase Cement Board
$11 to $16 per sheet
A quality cement board with a reinforced edge for easy handling and fastening at a value price. A solid value for floors and walls.
Best for: Value reinforced board
Typically available at Lowe's, Tile suppliers.
USG Durock Next Gen
$12 to $17 per sheet
A lighter, easier-to-cut version of Durock with the same durability, at a fair price. A strong value that is friendlier to handle.
Best for: Easier-handling value
Typically available at Home Depot.
WonderBoard Lite
$10 to $16 per sheet
A lightweight cement backer board for floors, walls, and counters at a value price. A dependable mid-value pick widely stocked.
Best for: Value lightweight board
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Budget pick
Store-Brand Cement Backer Board
$9 to $14 per sheet
A basic cement backer board for tile substrate on a budget. Heavier and rougher to cut, but a low-cost, code-appropriate base for wet-area tile.
Best for: Budget tile substrate
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Backer Board (1/4 inch Floor)
$9 to $13 per sheet
Thin 1/4-inch cement board for floor and countertop tile over a solid subfloor at a low cost. A budget staple for keeping floor tile stable and crack-resistant.
Best for: Budget floor underlayment
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Fiber-Cement Underlayment Board
$8 to $13 per sheet
A fiber-cement underlayment panel for a stable, water-durable tile base on a budget. Basic but effective for floors when set in thinset.
Best for: Lowest-cost stable base
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Frequently asked
What is cement backer board for?+
It is the rigid, water-durable substrate that tile is set onto in wet and high-use areas: shower walls, tub surrounds, bathroom and kitchen floors, and tile countertops. Unlike drywall, it does not rot, swell, or disintegrate when exposed to moisture, so tile stays bonded and the wall stays sound.
Cement board or green/purple drywall behind tile?+
For showers, tub surrounds, and floors, use cement board (or a foam tile-backer like GoBoard), not moisture-resistant drywall. Green or purple board resists humidity but is not for direct water exposure behind shower tile. Backer board plus a waterproof membrane is the durable, correct system for wet areas.
What thickness backer board do I need?+
Use 1/2-inch board for walls and shower/tub surrounds, and 1/4-inch for floors and countertops installed over a solid subfloor (set in thinset). The thinner board keeps floor height down while adding a stable, crack-resistant tile base.
How do I install cement backer board?+
On floors, spread thinset, lay the board, and fasten with backer screws; on walls, screw it to studs. Leave small gaps, then tape the seams with alkali-resistant mesh tape and thinset. In showers, add a waterproofing membrane (liquid or sheet) before tiling. Cut it by scoring and snapping or with a carbide blade.
Do I need to waterproof over backer board in a shower?+
Yes. Cement board is water-durable but not fully waterproof on its own, water can pass through to the framing over time. In showers, apply a waterproofing membrane (like RedGard or a sheet membrane) over the backer board, or use an integrated waterproof board system, before setting tile.
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