Wall Tile Over Greenboard

Spread a inch layer of the tile mortar over the entire greenboard piece.

Wall tile over greenboard.

Greenboard is a term that s occasionally used for a type of drywall that is used for walls in damp but not wet zones in a building. Water is the bane of drywall s existence as it turns drywall into a gooey mass that falls apart if sufficient water is present. Builders often use this as an enclosure wall if its tiled over. This surface will be the foundation which holds your beautiful backsplash together over the years and a crumbling foundation will shorten the lifespan.

Use the flat edge of a notched trowel to create a flat coat. One word of caution though. Screws secure the cement board to the wall studs. Tile is laid onto the cement board with thinset mortar or mastic.

Sometimes builders used greenboard in bathrooms next to showers and sinks. Greenboard is a kind of water resistant drywall. In this highly convenient inexpensive and popular application a moisture barrier of 4 or 6 mil thick plastic is installed directly over the wall studs. For example if the tiles are 4 inches tall then the line should be 4 1 4 inches off the floor.

Originally greenboard was used as a direct backer board for ceramic tile in highly wet areas such as showers or bathtubs but this usage began to be phased out in the 1990s. However it is not a good substrate for tile because it s softer and more flexible than regular drywall. Draw a level horizontal line along the bottom of the greenboard wall with your pencil and level. Mount it over an existing layer of wall to refresh the look and hide old blemishes.

Then the cement board is installed on top of the plastic sheeting. The top objective is to create a smooth and uniform surface on the drywall for the tile to be evenly placed. Lumps and bumps lead to misaligned tiles. The reality of tile installation is that tiles contain cement which naturally breathes in and out and contains and expels moisture over the course of its life.

This will provide an extra bonding layer between the tile and the greenboard which is important to avoid gaps or bumps in the tile. It also makes an ideal choice for walls with a subtle curve to them because the thin design makes it easier to manipulate the material. Start installing the tile while this coat is still wet. Greenboard drywall definition.