Aquapanel or Hardibacker

[DS Tiling]

I am looking to strengthen an 18mm chipboard substrate to take 333x333mm travertine. I would normally use 12mm aquapanel spf'd and screwed for such a job but was thinking of trying the 6mm Hardibacker to reduce the height a bit. I am slightly nervous of the thin hardibacker and don't want a failure as travertine requires good preperation. Has anyone used the 6mm hardibacker spf'd and glued and how rigid was it or should i just stick with the Aquapanel.

Thanks

 

[grumpygrouter]

Ive used it but not really for strengthening a floor, more to bridge over 2 different substrates before tiling. It is quite a dense substance but as for adding extra strength, I don't know how much it would give. part of the Hardie literature states

Ensure the floor satisfies requirements of local building codes and does not deflect more than (length of floor/360). Excessive flexing may cause tiled floor to crack.

This says to me it doesn't add strength to the floor, just gives a good surface to tile onto.

Grumpy

 

[DHTiling]

When sticking these type of boards down..it is advisable to use rapid setting adhesives..this will aid in the fast tracking of the tiling.......

 

[grumpygrouter]

Don't think you would substitute if for ply though would you Dave?

Grumpy

 

[DHTiling]

Depends upon the substrate russ.......deflection and that.........

 

[grumpygrouter]

...as a strengthener to reduce deflection?

Grumps

 

[DHTiling]

A bed of adhesive and 12mm hardie backer is a very strong duo.....6mm, i would use if substrate was strong.....

 

[DS Tiling]

I agree with the 12mm+ addy but wasn't so sure about the 6mm. The hardie literature sort of covers itself by adding the bit about the substrate being rigid. I think I will stick with the aquapanel on this ocassion or ply it but would be tempted to go for the 18mm ply which is even more height. Can't find a flexural strength figure for the hardie. Anyway many thanks best go spend some time with the Mrs.

Cheers for input.

 

[grumpygrouter]

It is interesting to note that 6mm hardie is more dense than 12mm!

Grumpy

 

[DHTiling]

Russ...if you pick up a sheet of 12mm compared to 6mm you will know what i mean..........

 

[grumpygrouter]

I know where you are coming from Dave. Just find it a bit funny thats all that they make 2 products, one for walls and one for floors where the wall product gives more strength to the floor than the "proprietory" product.

Ply is much simpler to understand, thicker means stronger.:yes:

Grumps

 

[White Room]

6mm hardie backer laid down fast set with extra sbr mixed in and then screw to floor board's, It won't be going anywhere.

 

[grumpygrouter]

Not suggesting it would, Whitebeam, just wondering about deflection reduction to stop tiles cracking if the floor bounces!

Grumpy

 

[White Room]

I find in most small area's there's usually very little deflection but the larger area's for tiling, say, large kitchen's with some deflection then ply may be the one to use, The one's builder's prepare for me allway's use ply.

 

[Northern Bird]

Hi all,

6mm Hardiebacker is fine to use on the floor and is used in millions of homes in America (can you guess its the rep speaking.)

We would recommend a fast flex adhesive to put under the board and a fast flax on top as well.

 

[grumpygrouter]

Hi all,

6mm Hardiebacker is fine to use on the floor and is used in millions of homes in America (can you guess its the rep speaking.)

We would recommend a fast flex adhesive to put under the board and a fast flax on top as well.

Just to clarify, do you mean a flexy rapid set adhesive?

Grumpy

 

[Northern Bird]

Sorry I am not 100% on actual name the notes I have from BAl is when they checked for their own records to make sure it all worked ok they recommend fast flex adhesive on the 6mm and the 12mm you can use a flexible, single part or a cement based with additives.

For Dunlop this is a 2 part rapid flexible.

Are these the adhesive brands you use?

If not I can try to speak to the other companies.
----
We have produced the 12mm Hardiebacker for use on the walls as this can fit in with 12mm plasterboard as we know most tilers will not do the whole bathroom in backer.

The 6mm has a 3mm notched bed of adhesive underneath and again ontop.

 

[DS Tiling]

I had presumed as the 6mm boards were being advertised for floor use that they would be denser and more rigid than the 12mm boards. From the above that doesn't appear to be the case. Aquapanel provides a flexural strength figure for their board. It would be helpful to have these figures for all boards so a like for like comparison could be achieved of how rigid the boards are in comparison to each oher.

 

[Northern Bird]

I had presumed as the 6mm boards were being advertised for floor use that they would be denser and more rigid than the 12mm boards. From the above that doesn't appear to be the case. Aquapanel provides a flexural strength figure for their board. It would be helpful to have these figures for all boards so a like for like comparison could be achieved of how rigid the boards are in comparison to each oher.

DS, I havent got that on my laptop but I will ask our technical guy and find out and post back. He doesnt work weekends do I am afraid it will be monday.

Does anyone elase have any questions I can help with?

 

[grumpygrouter]

I had presumed as the 6mm boards were being advertised for floor use that they would be denser and more rigid than the 12mm boards. From the above that doesn't appear to be the case. Aquapanel provides a flexural strength figure for their board. It would be helpful to have these figures for all boards so a like for like comparison could be achieved of how rigid the boards are in comparison to each oher.

6mm boards are, in fact, more dense than 12mm, it says so in their literature. However, I don't think it is as rigid as the 12mm.

Grumpy

 

[Northern Bird]

Let me get you an exact figure from our tech guy. You may as well abuse the rep while you have me here

 

[DS Tiling]

That would be helpful Norhern, flexural strength in N/mm2 if possible.

Thanks

 

[Northern Bird]

Saturated 8.3MPa
Equilibrium 13MPa

The conversion is 1:1 so the same figures in N/mm²

Does this help guys!

 

[DS Tiling]

Thanks for doing that Northern. Are the figures for the 6mm or 12mm boards?

 

[quick draw macgraw]

All this talk is making me nervous as i'm going to be laying 6mm hardi down on floorboards in a couple of weeks time.

:whatchutalkingabout

 

[Northern Bird]

You have nothing to worry about, is the first time you are doing it?

PM where you are in the country and if you want I can have a chat with your rep and get them to walk you through it. What have you used before?

 

[Fekin]

Right, for those who first lay a bed of flexi adhesive then lay the board onto the adhesive bed, then screw down, do you let the boards \ adhesive set before lumbering onto the boards to screw down or what ?

 

[DHTiling]

Yes!!!!!!!

 

[Northern Bird]

Thanks for doing that Northern. Are the figures for the 6mm or 12mm boards?

Sorry for the late answer. The figures were requested for 6mm

 

[newboy]

That's better McKay!!!

 

[newboy]

Better McKay!!!