Schluter system

9/12/2008 at 12:52:05 PM

Hi Susanne. I myself stay away from cement board for 1 reason- the cement board will hold water, so if there is a moisture problem, you may never know about it as the cement board will not break down (like drywall) & let you 'see' that there is a problem. I have seen this cause substantial damage behind the walls to studs/subfloors, etc, just from small leaks.

I pefer a product called 'Denseshield'. It comes in 32"x60" & 48"x96" sheets & is 1/2" thick. It cuts & installs like drywall (though very dense, hence the name i suppose) but unlike cement board, it has a 'watershed' on 1 side.

On most of my shower reno's, I reccomend an acrylic or marble shower pan to all my clients- its an easy sell when you explain to them the work to keep the grout lines on a tile shower base clean & leak free. Most pans have a drywall or tile lip on them. Once the pan is in place, you install 'Denseshield' tile backer, then cover the seams/corners with a waterproof tape, install tile/grout/silicone and you're done, at about 1/3 or less the price of Schluter. I pay on average $17 per 32/60 sheet, requiring 5 sheets for a 32"x60" shower stall. 1 word of caution- if installing on an exterior wall, remove existing vapour barrier as Denseshield has v.b. on it. Hope this helps.

9/28/2008 at 1:00:37 PM

For my clients I recommend Denshield as well. Denshield Gold is rated for outside. In BC where there is a lot of leaky Condo/ houses It is recommended by several reno companies , tile companies I have worked with.

We just took off a clients bathroom walls for her reno & she had cement board & 2 l small leaks we had to replace studs due to damage.

Colleen Skystone Decorating & Design

11/11/2008 at 6:52:54 PM

Bill is giving you good advise and I use the same products. The board is made with a silicone base!