Use and Care Manual
SUBSTRATE, BUILDING PANEL, BONDED WATERPROOFING
Schluter
®
-KERDI-BOARD-KIT combines all
of the necessary components to waterproof
the walls of your bathtub and acrylic shower
base using waterproof building panels. The
kit includes ½" x 48" x 38" (1.25 cm x 122
cm x 97 cm) KERDI-BOARD waterproofing
panels, KERDI-BAND, pipe and mixing
valve seals, screws and washers, plus 290
ml of KERDI-FIX sealant in bright white.
The KERDI-BOARD-KIT provides enough
KERDI-BOARD to cover up to 101 ft²
(9.4 m²) of wall area.
Material Properties and
Areas of Application
KERDI-BOARD is made from extruded
polystyrene foam, with a cement-free
reinforcement layer laminated to both sides
and an anchoring fleece webbing. The surface
of the board has gridlines consisting of 3/8"
x 3/8" (10 mm x 10 mm) squares printed on
one side.
KERDI-BOARD is waterproof and vapor-
retardant and can withstand all chemical
stresses that typically occur in conjunction with
ceramic tile coverings. KERDI-BOARD may be
used in bonded waterproofing assemblies
where required.
KERDI-BOARD is completely flat and will
not warp, even with one-sided exposure to
temperature and moisture fluctuations. It will
not rot or decay.
KERDI-BOARD can be used in a multitude
of interior applications. In special cases, the
suitability of the material must be verified based
on the anticipated chemical and mechanical
stresses. The information provided below is
intended as general guidelines.
Structures on which KERDI-BOARD is to be
installed must be stable and meet any other
project-specific requirements.
Select a suitable material thickness if using
KERDI-BOARD for the construction of free-
standing partition walls, shelving, or similar
structures, and use reinforcement profiles as
necessary. Arrange supports made of KERDI-
BOARD at regular intervals consistent with
conventional building practices.
Select the material thickness and installation
method depending on the evenness of
the substrate. KERDI-BOARD can be spot-
bonded to walls to correct substrate variations
or fully embedded in thin-set mortar where
walls are sufficiently even and plumb.
KERDI-BOARD should be stored flat. In case
of outdoor storage, protect the material from
direct sunlight and weather exposure.
Installation
Fully embedded KERDI-BOARD
Any board thickness suitable
1. Remove all surface contaminants from the
substrate that may weaken the bond.
2. Apply thin-set mortar to the substrate and/
or onto KERDI-BOARD with a notched
trowel. The mortar must bond to the
substrate and mechanically anchor the
fleece on the KERDI-BOARD surface.
3. Apply the panels to the wall and firmly press
them in place to ensure full coverage.
4. Tightly abut the individual panels and align
them appropriately.
5. The tiles can be installed immediately using
Schluter SET™, Schluter ALL-SET™,
Schluter FAST-SET™ or unmodified thin-
set mortar. Choose a notched trowel to
match the tile format, and back-butter the
tiles, if necessary, to attain full coverage.
Note: If the bond between the thin-set
mortar and substrate is questionable,
additional mechanical attachment with the
KERDI-BOARD-ZSD anchors or KERDI-
BOARD-ZT washers and corresponding
screws is required. Fasteners are installed
after the thin-set mortar has hardened.
Note: See section “Waterproofing” on
the use of KERDI-BOARD in bonded
waterproofing assemblies.
Spot-bonded KERDI-BOARD
Minimum board thickness = 3/8" (9 mm)
1. Remove all surface contaminants from the
substrate that may weaken the bond.
2. Place spots of thin-set mortar on the
KERDI-BOARD panel or substrate
in intervals of approx. 12" (30 cm).
The mortar must bond to the substrate
and mechanically anchor the fleece on the
KERDI-BOARD surface.
3. Apply the panels to the wall, firmly press
them in place, and align them with a
straight-edge or level.
4. The tiles can be installed immediately using
Schluter SET™, Schluter ALL-SET™,
Schluter FAST-SET™ or unmodified thin-
set mortar. Choose a notched trowel to
match the tile format, and back-butter the
tiles, if necessary, to attain full coverage.
Note: If the bond between the thin-set
mortar and substrate is questionable,
additional mechanical attachment
with the KERDI-BOARD-ZSD anchors
or KERDI-BOARD-ZT washers and
corresponding screws is required.
Fastener locations must coincide with
mortar spots. This may be ensured by
making holes in the KERDI-BOARD at the
desired fastener locations prior to applying
mortar spots. Fasteners are installed after
the thin-set mortar has hardened.
Note: See section “Waterproofing” on
the use of KERDI-BOARD in bonded
waterproofing assemblies.
Use of KERDI-BOARD on wood or
metal framing
Minimum board thickness = 1/2" (12.5 mm)
for studs spaced at 16" (40.6 cm) o.c.; 3/4"
(19 mm) for studs spaced at 24" (61.0 cm)
o.c.
1. KERDI-BOARD can be mounted vertically
or horizontally on wood or metal
framing with appropriate screws (i.e.,
coarse thread wood screw for wood
studs and self-tapping for metal studs)
and corresponding KERDI-BOARD-ZT
washers.
2. The selected screws must be of sufficient
length to reach a depth of at least 3/4"
(20 mm) in wood studs and at least 3/8"
(10 mm) in metal studs. The maximum
allowable on-center fastener spacing is
12" (30 cm) for walls and 6" (15 cm) for
ceilings. Screws may be placed between
2
1
Using the desiccant method at 100°F (38°C) and 90% RH
2
Per International Building Code Requirements, contact Schluter
®
-Systems for more information
3
Specific building categories, contact Schluter
®
-Systems for more information
4
Porcelain tile used as thermal barrier over 1/2" (12.5 mm) -thick KERDI-BOARD on wood framing
12.1 Schluter
®
-KERDI-BOARD
Property Method Value
Water vapor permeance ASTM E96
1
0.36 perms - 1/2" (12.5 mm)
Thermal resistance (R-value) ASTM C518
R 9.1 – 2" (50 mm)
R 2.2 – 1/2" (12.5 mm)
R 0.9 – 3/16" (5 mm)
Service temperature range -58°F to 158°F (-50°C to 70°C)
Flame spread/smoke developed
ASTM E84
CAN/ULC S102.2
Pass
2
Pass
3
Thermal barrier evaluation NFPA 286 Pass
2,4