do I really need to apply thinset under wonderboard before srewing it down?

Answer 1

yep. trowel out your thinset, lay down the wonderboard, tap it out nice and flat and level. let the thinset set up, the screw it down with backerboard screws. this gives you a better substrate, and will help prevent cracks in the future.

Answer 2

I'd say that all these answers are right...depending on WHERE you are putting the wonderboard. The thinset and wonderboard both are unnecessary if you are putting the tile on a concrete floor, as I did in my hallway. Thinset under wonderboard is an excellent precaution if you are putting it on an upstairs bath or a kitchen countertop or a wood subfloor. It not only helps to even-out and flatten the wonderboard, it also provides an extra seal for moisture just in case and does prevent the tile from cracking later when the wood beneath gives with temperature changes. I always put the screws in while the thinset is still relatively wet so it will give and flatten more as I screw them in. My floors were wavy, it helped enormously to do it this way. Countertops I do it automatically...and I mix my grout with latex compound rather than water then grout FAST and wipe it off FAST because it dries VERY fast....the latex seals out the water, repels stains and cleans up after a kitchen accident with no problem.

Answer 3

Well, if you use the thinset, the store just made a little more profit. I lay tile on good solid wooden structures without wonderboard, but I do use thinset.

Answer 4

Hello, I'm a professional tile installer. I would and do recommend that you place thinset under your tile backerboard. Whether you are sticking to a wall or sticking to a sub floor. The thinset gives the "hardibacker" a nice bed to sit on, it helps out with the inperfections your sub floor may have. The screws just hold it inplace. If you have any further questions, let me know and I will be glad to answer them. Here's my email address, [e-mail]. Good luck.

Answer 5

It all depends on the angles and the depths your off. You don't want a wavy floor do you? Level your floor first, figure out where your off and snap lines. If your off that much, whatever you think you can live with, then don't use it. My floor was way off all over, I used thin set but, I've been in the business for many years and have a low tolerance so, when I finished it was as level as a pool table.
Thinset is needed on concrete if the concrete is unlevel or off, cracked, chipped, etc.

Answer 6

I never heard of that before, i've laid a lot of tile over wonderboard and have never put thinset before the board.........Jack

Answer 7

I Was one of flooring specialist for Home Depot. Debbies_h... Is Corect. But one more thing to think about wheter you think you need to or not. I you don't use the Thinset per/ Manufactures Guidlines It will VIOD the waranty. and theres no sweet talking them.Either you do it right be covered or do it wrong and be S.O.L (Sh** out of Luck) Plain and simple. Your call.

Answer 8

the thinset fills in any gaps between board and subfloor to keep from squeeking as you walk on it

Answer 9

The adhesive is what actually holds the board down. The screws just hold it place while the adhesive dries. I would do both, otherwise the board may bow out at a later date.

Answer 10

Wonderboard