Buying Guide

HardieBacker
®
Cement Board with
HydroDefense
™
Technology
HardieBacker
®
500 Cement
Board
HardieBacker
®
Cement Board
Thickness 0.42" 0.42" 1/4"
Ideal For Walls Walls Floors
PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS WHY IT MATTERS
WATER PROTECTION
Resists moisture Inhibits the damaging effects of water
MoldBlock
®
Technology Protects the board from mold & mildew growth
100% Waterproof
Eliminates the need of manually waterproofing
the whole board
Waterproof composition throughout board
Protect the investment with confidence –
100% waterproof throughout the board
MATERIAL CONSTRUCTION
90% Portland cement & sand Provides long lasting durability
No abrasive aggregate or filler, glass-fiber free
Uses high quality ingredients that
stand up over time
Cuts clean: minimal dust & debris Cut indoors, no power tools needed
Score & Snap cut capability with handtool Significantly less dust than other boards
Color indicator (red/pink color)
Quickly identifies the smooth side
to be positioned "out"
EZ Grid
™
surface
Grid on board for straight cuts and a fastener
pattern to facilitate fastening to subflooring
CREDENTIALS
UL Greenguard
®
Gold Certified
†
Low chemical emissions promote healthier
indoor air quality
ASTM E136 non-combustible
Safe material that will not ignite or burn
when subjected to heat or fire
Passes ANSI A118.10 testing
Meets industry standards to protect
wall cavity from moisture penetration
Flexural strength (psi) Greater protection against cracked mortar & tile 1700 1700 2100
Compressive strength Provides solid foundation for tile installation 6500 6500 7000
SIZES
3 ft. x 5 ft.
Sized to a standardized tub/shower enclosure;
can be handled by one person
4 ft. x 8 ft.
Aligns with 16" on-center studs;
same dimension as standard drywall sheets
* According to the 2019 Tile and Stone Installation Contractor Market Study conducted by Clear Seas Research in partnership with the NTCA and TILE Magazine. **HZ10 Areas include: Alabama,
Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas. HZ10 also includes portions of: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington.
For further details, see jameshardiepros.com/explore/the-hardiezone-system. †UL Greenguard Gold Certified for residential or commercial use including schools and healthcare facilities.
© 2020 James Hardie Building Products Inc. All Rights Reserved. TM, SM, and ® denote trademarks or registered trademarks of James Hardie Technology Limited. HB2005 05/20
Tile Backer Board and Flooring
Underlayment Comparison Chart
Cement Board
PREFERRED
BY PROS
*
CHOICE
WHERE TO USE WHY IT MATTERS
APPLICATIONS
Interior
Showers/tub enclosures
Works great in areas prone to moisture
including: kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms,
mudrooms, basements
Also use as an underlayment for all tile, vinyl and
wood flooring applications
Walls
Ceilings
Floors
Countertops
Back splash
Fireplace
Exterior
ONLY IN
HZ10 ZONES**
BBQ & grill islands
Provides rigid framework for custom designed/built
outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and fire tables.
Creates a structure to adhere stone, brick, synthetic
or natural stucco
Fireplaces & fire tables
(above ground)