Use and Care Guide

28
Can DensShield
®
Tile Backer be used in residential steam rooms?
Yes. But follow the specific installation recommendations below:
1. Do not install a vapor barrier behind DensShield
®
Tile Backer.
2. Apply DensShield Tile Backer to all wall and ceiling surfaces that will constitute the steam room using
corrosion-resistant fasteners 69 (152 mm) o.c. along all framing members. All parts of the steam room
shall be tiled. Caution: Exposing materials such as wallpaper, joint compound, drywall or untiled
DensShield Tile Backer panels may result in unsatisfactory performance of these materials.
3. Tape all corners and joints with a self-adhering fiberglass
mesh tape and embed with a latex modified thin set mortar.
Spot fasteners that were incidentally countersunk and other
surface deformations.
4. Roller apply a liquid waterproofing material such as LATICRETE
®
9235 Waterproofing Membrane, or equal, directly over the
entire DensShield Tile Backer surface covering all fasteners,
corners and joints. As an alternative to taping corners and
joints in step 3, corners and joints may be finished with a
liquid membrane manufacturer’s taping procedures for
vertical surface. See manufacturer’s directions.
5. Seal around all penetrations and where DensShield Tile Backer
meets dissimilar materials with a flexible silicone sealant.
6. Apply tile with a latex modified thin-set mortar per
manufacturer’s recommendations.
7. Use flexible sealant as grout in all corners.
8. Use unfaced fiberglass insulation in wall cavity to retard heat.
If using kraft-faced insulation, cut 49 (102 mm) slits in kraft
paper every 39 (76 mm) in both directions.
LIMITATION: Residential applications only. No larger than
48 sq. ft. (4.5 m
2
).
Operation and Maintenance–The steam generation unit
should be timer-controlled to avoid incidental lengthy exposure.
Maintenance of grout and caulking of corners due to movement
should be performed when required.
DensShield
®
Cement Fiber Fiber
Features/Benefits
Tile Backer Backer Cement Backer Gypsum Panel
Suitable for wet areas (meets 2012 IRC and IBC codes) YES YES YES only IRC
Protects wall cavity from moisture intrusion
without additional vapor barrier
YES NO NO NO
Built-in surface moisture barrier YES NO NO NO
Superior fire resistance YES NO NO NO
Lighter weight (depending on panel thickness) YES NO NO NO
Non-abrasive to tubs, shower pans and other fixtures YES NO YES YES
Easy to fasten YES NO NO NO
Cuts easily, cleanly with standard utility knife YES NO NO NO
Accepts mortars/mastic for tile installation YES YES YES YES
Available in 329 x 58 (813 mm x 1,524 mm),
48 x 58 (1,220 mm x 1,524 mm) and
48 x 88 (1,220 mm x 2,438 mm) panels
YES NO NO YES
Compare DensShield
®
Tile Backer to Competing Tile Backer Substrates
12 DENSSHIELD Questions & Answers
Residential Steam Room
Wood or Metal Studs
Insulation Detailed by Architect
DensShield
®
Tile Backer
Bonded Vapor Barrier Membrane;
Perm Rating of less than 1 Water and Vapor
Flexible Sealant
Ceramic Tile
Latex-Portland Cement Mortar Bond Coat
Insulation Detailed by Architect
DensShield Tile Backer on Wood
or Metal Studs
Bonded Vapor Barrier Membrane;
Perm Rating of less than 1 Water and Vapor
Flexible Sealant
Reinforced Mortar Bed
Shower Pan
Sloped Fill Under Shower Pan
Slope Ceiling 2( per foot
Slope to Drain