How do you cut dura-rock concrete board?

Question

Getting ready to lay it in a new shower,will tile over it.I have a sheet rock knife,sheet rock saw,wet tile saw,and a diamond blade on my 4" grinder.What do I use to make a clean edge?

Answer 1

You can score and pop it with a sheet rock knife.

Coach

Answer 2

Use a utility knife. Any type of saw will work with the right blade, but they sure do make a mess. Dust, everywhere! Always try to butt the factory edges together and put your cuts next to the walls or outside edges. You'll be spreading mortar or adhesive over the dura-rock anyway. Make sure your fasteners are all the way embedded also. And make sure and sweep and vacuum the area before you start to spread your adhesive and lay the tile. One little piece of cement board in the adhesive could cause you alot of trouble down the road. Good Luck.

Answer 3

1/2" dura-roc is hard to score with a razor, but backer-board 1/4" is much easier.

check to see which one you should be using, then get an old carbide blade on 7 1/4" saw or less and cut and you were cutting wood. You needn't be to precise as you are filling with grout anyway. Where goggles and cut outside, otherwise if you have strong hands and the knowhow to score and cut, use a razor.

I think you'll find the 1/2" is a chore for a razor....to each his own.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do you cut dura-rock concrete board?
Getting ready to lay it in a new shower,will tile over it.I have a sheet rock knife,sheet rock saw,wet tile saw,and a diamond blade on my 4" grinder.What do I use to make a clean edge?

Answer 5

There is a special tool that scores concrete board. It has a carbide tip, and you score the board, snap it like drywall, then cut the fiberglass mesh with an utility knife. If you want a cleaner edge you can clean it up with a tile rubbing stone. Typically you use the stone to clean up the edge of stone, but it will work for this. Another option is use your grinder with a diamond blade. Makes a hell of a mess, so use a dust mask, and cut outside. But the grinder does make the cleanest cut.

Answer 6

Cutting straight lines use a razor knife or the knife made for hard boards that has a hooked carbide tooth for a blade. When cutting circles for fixtures, either use a roto-zip or similar or a jig saw.

I wouldn't use a circular saw to cut straight lines because of the mess the dust makes. I mean everywhere! If you're doing the cutting outside you can use a circular saw but be sure to use a good mask , goggles and wear a hat!!

Answer 7

Hello Duke,

Well dura-rock can be cut with a utility knife however for a really clean cut use your diamond blade on the grinder and make sure you use a dust mask trust me you will thank me later.

Answer 8

There is a tool that I found in the Tile section of my local lowe's that has two carbide teeth on it. It takes the place of a standard steel bladed sheet rock knife. It is extremely durable and perfect for cutting that product. with this carbide tool you simply cut the Dura-rock the same way you would cut sheetrock with sheet rock knife.

Answer 9

Sounds like we're working on the same project this weekend. We're using a circular saw with an old blade with carbide tips. The site below has more installation info under "literature and videos" that we've found helpful.

Answer 10

the easiest way is 4 u to usa a standard utility knife. a sharp one. just score it as u would a regular sheet of drywall but theres a certian side u score it on. score the side where u can see the fiberglass mesh, which is also the front side of the bord. the smoothe side is most commonley mistaken for the face but it is not!!!