DUROCK Brand 3-ft x 5-ft x 1/4-in Waterproof Cement Backer Board 1.0 Sheets

Charlotte Wood Middle School, Danville, California

It was 1991, and our company was framing the entire middle school. The Charlotte Wood Middle School was built out of Douglas Fir Lumber, Pressure Treated Plates, and different kinds of Plywood. I negotiated a contract with a lumber mill in Oregon to provide all the dimensional lumber for the project. I had lumber being delivered from their mill for months. GREAT PROJECT! Rick Aguilar - Cost Estimator

Overview

• What It Is

  • DUROCK Brand 3-ft x 5-ft x 1/2-in Waterproof Cement Backer Board:

    • Brand & Type: DUROCK Brand, Cement Backer Board.

    • Size: 3 feet x 5 feet.

    • Thickness: 1/2 inch (12.7 mm).

    • Waterproofing: Provides superior water resistance, making it ideal for wet areas.

    • Material: Cement and glass-mesh reinforced construction for durability.

    • Applications:

      • Tile substrate for floors, walls, and countertops.

      • Ideal for bathrooms, showers, kitchens, and laundry areas.

    • Performance:

      • Resists moisture, mold, and mildew.

      • Won’t warp, swell, or deteriorate when exposed to water.

    • Workability:

      • Easy to cut with a utility knife and install with common tools.

      • Can be scored and snapped for custom fitting.

    • Tile Bonding: Provides a stable surface for thin-set mortar and tile adhesion.

    • Fire Resistance: Non-combustible, offering added safety.

    • Sheet Quantity: Sold in 1.0-sheet units (each sheet covers 15 sq. ft.).

  Key Features & Performance

  🔑 Key Features

  • Waterproof Protection – Designed to resist water penetration, ideal for bathrooms, showers, kitchens, and other wet areas.

  • Durable Construction – Cement and glass-mesh reinforcement provide long-lasting strength and stability.

  • Tile-Ready Surface – Excellent bonding surface for thin-set mortars and tile adhesives.

  • Fire Resistant – Non-combustible material for added safety in residential and commercial installations.

  • Easy to Work With – Can be scored and snapped with a utility knife for quick, clean cuts and simple installation.

  • Versatile Applications – Suitable for floors, walls, countertops, and ceilings.

  ⚡ Performance

  • Moisture & Mold Resistant – Won’t swell, warp, or disintegrate when exposed to water, reducing the risk of mold or mildew.

  • Dimensional Stability – Maintains shape and strength even under extreme conditions.

  • Heavy-Duty Load Capacity – Supports ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles without compromising performance.

  • Smooth Installation – Creates a flat, stable base that ensures professional-quality tile finishes.

  • Long-Term Reliability – Proven performance in wet and high-stress environments.

  Best Uses:

  🛠️ Best Uses

  • Shower Walls & Tub Surrounds

    • Perfect for wet areas where moisture protection is critical.

    • Provides a stable, waterproof surface for tile installation.

  • Bathroom & Laundry Room Floors

    • Ideal underlayment for tile flooring in high-humidity areas.

    • Prevents swelling or warping compared to plywood or drywall.

  • Kitchen Backsplashes & Countertops

    • Creates a durable, heat- and water-resistant base for tile finishes.

  • Fireplace Surrounds

    • Non-combustible properties make it safe for use around heat sources.

  • Commercial & Residential Applications

    • Trusted for both heavy-duty commercial installs and home renovation projects.

  • Wall & Ceiling Panels in High-Moisture Zones

    • Suitable as a substrate wherever humidity and water exposure are concerns.

  ✅ In short: This board is best wherever tile meets water or heat — showers, bathrooms, kitchens, and fireplaces.

  Practical Project Ideas for Homeowners:

  🏠 Practical Project Ideas

  • Shower Remodel

    • Replace old drywall with cement board to create a waterproof base for new tile.

    • Add built-in niches or shelves with DUROCK as the foundation.

  • Tub-to-Shower Conversion

    • Use cement board as the wall backing to ensure long-term water resistance when converting to a walk-in shower.

  • Bathroom Floor Upgrade

    • Install DUROCK under ceramic or porcelain tile to prevent cracking and protect against moisture damage.

  • Kitchen Backsplash

    • Build a durable and heat-resistant surface for tile or stone backsplash installations behind stoves and sinks.

  • Outdoor Kitchen or BBQ Area

    • Use as a fire- and weather-resistant substrate for stone veneer, tile, or stucco finishes.

  • Laundry Room Floor Protection

    • Reinforce the flooring beneath tile to handle spills, humidity, and heavy appliances.

  • Fireplace Surround

    • Create a non-combustible, tile-ready surface for a modern fireplace makeover.

  • Basement Finishing

    • Install behind tile or stone in damp basements where moisture resistance is essential.

  ✨ These projects not only improve functionality and durability but also boost home value by adding professional-quality finishes.

• Why Choose - DUROCK Brand 3-ft x 5-ft x 1/2-in Waterproof Cement Backer Board?

  1. Water / Moisture Resistance

     • Very low water absorption helps protect against moisture damage.

     • Designed for wet locations like showers, tub surrounds, laundry rooms, and other high-humidity areas.

  2. Mold & Mildew Resistance

     • Formulated to resist mold/mildew growth compared to gypsum/drywall materials.

  3. Durability & Structural Strength

     • Reinforced with fiberglass mesh (in many versions), which increases rigidity and helps prevent cracking or crumbling.

     • EdgeGuard™ feature (on certain product versions) to prevent edge spin-out and damage at cut edges.

  4. Fire & Safety Performance

     • Non-combustible cementitious material; does not burn, softens, or deteriorate under heat like organic boards might.

  5. Versatility & Wide Range of Applications

     • Safe for both interior and exterior use (depending on local codes and proper installation).

     • Can be used behind tile, stone, thin brick, for both walls and floors, and in many wet or humid areas.

  6. Long Warranty & Product Support

     • USG offers warranties (e.g. for water penetration defects) on many DUROCK boards, giving added confidence in performance over time.

  7. Reliable Tile Bonding & Finish Quality

     • Provides a solid backing for tile or stone, improving adhesion and reducing failures (tile loosening, grout cracking) over time.

  8. Cost / Value Balance

     • While not the cheapest material, its long-term durability, reduced maintenance, and performance in wet areas often give better value over time versus cheaper, weaker alternatives.

  ⚠️ Things to Know / Caveats

  To get the benefits, certain installation best practices are important:

  • The board is water durable but not fully waterproof on its own. If used in wet rooms (like showers), you’ll likely need additional waterproofing membranes or sealants to protect adjacent materials.

  • Because of its density and material, it can be heavy and a bit harder to cut than drywall; good handling, correct tools, and proper fasteners are needed.

  When This Board Really Shines

  • In Wet Environments

    • Showers, tub surrounds, steam rooms, and laundry areas where constant moisture would destroy drywall or green board.

    • DUROCK resists water damage, swelling, and deterioration.

  • Under Heavy Tile & Stone

    • Perfect when installing ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone where weight and rigidity are critical.

    • Prevents tile cracking by providing a strong, stable substrate.

  • High-Heat or Fire-Exposed Areas

    • Around fireplaces, wood stoves, or outdoor kitchens where non-combustibility is a must.

  • Flooring with High Traffic

    • Bathrooms, entryways, or mudrooms where durability and moisture protection are key.

    • Adds strength to floor assemblies under tile.

  • Outdoor or Semi-Exposed Projects

    • Covered patios, outdoor kitchens, and exterior wall sections where weather resistance is required (with proper finishing).

  • Long-Term Renovations

    • Remodels or upgrades where homeowners want peace of mind knowing they won’t need to redo work because of hidden water damage.

  👉 In short: This board shines most where water, weight, or fire would make other materials fail. It’s the go-to choice for bathrooms, kitchens, fireplaces, and outdoor builds that demand strength and longevity.

Ask Rick, example:“What’s the best Gypsum Board for this application? or “ When should I use fire-rated (Type X) drywall?”

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