Schluter Kerdi-Board vs. Laticrete Hydro Ban Board --- Pros and Cons of Using Foam Tile Backer Board

The new way of installing tile is using foam backerboards that are easier to cut, carry, and install than traditional cement backerboards like Hardibacker, Durock, and Wonderboard. But are these expensive, lightweight, and waterproof foam backerboards really worth it? In this video, I show the two most widely used and popular foam backerboards; Schluter Kerdi-Board and Laticrete Hydroban Board. These tile backerboards are on component in a tiled shower system that also includes drains, banding, membrane, and other tile setting materials. Both of these wallboards can be used as part of a lifetime system warranty.
Watch the video to see which one performs best. It will also answer many of the common questions that beginner tilers and DIY'ers have about using these expensive products. Before you buy, I suggest you watch this video!
For old video from 2012 on Kerdi-Board installation and wet shimming techniques:
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[camarenwalker]

I’ve probably watched every tile video you’ve made, and I feel like I’ve gotten to the season finale of a amazing show. Thank you so much for all you’ve done. I’m a first time DIY(er) and I now have the knowledge of what material and products to buy to renovate my shower. My biggest fear was having water damage down the road, but through all your teachings I’m confident I will have an amazing finished product because what you have shown me.

[TheBlindSwordsman]

Seems like I'll be buying Hydroband!! Thanks for the demonstration.

[leroiobi]

Love this guy and his honest reviews. We get taken by dishonest marketing for inferior products while solid products get put to the back shelf because of their lack of scheming advertisements. Honest videos like this help tremendously in making the right choice and preventing costly disasters that stay hidden behind walls until it is too late.

[icttile]

love the vids man, im a tile contractor outta the wichita kansas area and the amount of knowledge you bring to the table for the rest of us pros is amazing. i watch you and a few others and you guys really pave the way for the tile industry in my opinion, keep up the great work man!

[sk]

Great video! Huge fan of hydroban. Im a developer and Gc and have been using it for 2 years now and have not had any problems. Such an upgrade from cement board. Lighter weight, easier to install, easier to waterproof, you dont have the unlevel edgeguard seams to deal with, and its also better for work conditions since you're not breathing in the cement board dust while cutting. Will never go back!

[randyrey]

WOWOWOW! Laticrete board for the WIN!!! SO glad I saw this. I always had my doubts about foam board flexing and destroying a beautiful tile job. Lesson Learned. Thank you!!

[rileylewis]

Hydroban board has been my favorite and still my go to, my wife loves to help me waterproof we are big fans of Laticrete products

[superarmygirl]

So thankful for your videos. I have been watching a lot of Kerdi videos, in studying how to replace my shower with a tile shower. I was drawn in by the simplicity and now I see the defaults. So thankful I caught your videos before I bought all the materials and ended up with a costly leak. The weight of the tiles just didn’t seem like it could be sustained by a foam board, again thank you for your honesty!

[Elephantstuff]

You’re a great teacher and love the testing in this video. We appreciate the content.. great job 👏

[pcphilanthropy]

You’ve been a huge help with our bathroom remodels and making sure our tile contractor isn’t cutting corners. Keep up the fantastic work man

[tedspens]

Moving forward I'll be using Laticrete Hydro Ban Board for all my shower builds and for my new furniture dolly skateboard.

[ThaoNguyen-qqzg]

Thanks for the video. I know those boards are expensive to cut up for a video. Appreciate it

[Pjeski]

Ok I’m sold on the laticrete board. My back thanks you for this video, I was planning on the old school durarock. But not now.

[toyashields]

Doing my first DIY project and will use Hydroban thanks to your videos! Great content. God Bless!

[jeffdeluca]

Yes, thank you for the comment on the safety glasses. 👍 You're good at your trade and many newbies will mimic what you do. Thank your

[jamesmackenzie]

Love watching your videos when I get home from work. Cheers mate👍

[jeremycripe]

Just want another shout out for Go Board! Love this stuff!

[andrewk-majordochomerepair]

I see Kerdi board being stocked and advertised and used on various home improvement or renovation channels everywhere with only a few Wedi board. Have not seen this product but for tile in a bathroom with its greater durability and lower vapor permeable rating, thanks to your video I would almost advise against using the popular Kerdi board over the other systems. However, for flooring, the roll is still great as a decoupling membrane.

[bertolife]

Good job wearing safety glasses Issac 😂

[maxpower]

I'm not complaining about you not wearing glasses chipping tile. You know better. I'm going to chuckle if you get crap in your eye at this point.
You explain your job very well and edit good videos