Use and Care Guide

MoISturE protEctIoN
16
I have been told by professional installers that DensShield
®
Tile Backer can provide a true
moisture-resistant envelope by using flexible sealant in corners where adjacent DensShield
Tile Backer panels come together. Is this true?
Yes. By caulking the intersecting corners of DensShield Tile Backer panels and around a tub base or shower
pan with flexible sealant, a moisture-resistant envelope can be established. The sealant should be applied
to the DensShield Tile Backer corners PRIOR to taping the joints. This “caulk” joint should be as small as
possible and should not spread over the face of DensShield Tile Backer panels because not all setting mate-
rials will adhere to a flexible sealant.
17
Must an additional moisture barrier be supplied and installed when using DensShield Tile
Backer panels?
No. The grey face (tile side) of DensShield Tile Backer has a heat cured acrylic coating which is a built-in
moisture barrier and vapor retarder so that no additional moisture barrier is required. In fact, an additional
moisture barrier to the back side of DensShield Tile Backer is NOT recommended. Prior to the tile installation
it is permissible to apply a fluid applied membrane to the face of DensShield Tile Backer for enhanced
moisture resistance.
tILINg
18
Are special tile setting materials needed to work with DensShield Tile Backer panels?
No. DensShield Tile Backer requires the same type of setting materials as any other backer board. No
special mastics or thin-sets are required. To set tile, use a latex portland cement mortar, or other products
recommended by the mortar manufacturer. Follow the tile setting manufacturer’s instructions for applying
tile setting material. Dry-set or thin-set latex-modified mortars are most commonly used with DensShield
Tile Backer and cement backers. Use only latex-modified mortars in floor applications.
19
How well do different setting materials bond with the grey DensShield Tile Backer
panel coating?
DensShield
Tile Backer performs equal to or better than cement boards and fiber cement backers with
all popular setting materials.
DensShield
®
Tile Backer
is ideal for bathrooms,
showers, floors, kitchens
and other wet, high
humidity areas.
8 DENSSHIELD Questions & Answers