James Hardie says the newly released waterproof version of its HardieBacker 500 Cement Board is the first of its kind.
HardieBacker Cement Board with HydroDefense Technology features waterproof composition throughout, passing ANSI 118.10 for waterproofness. It was designed to “protect tile installations and wall cavities from moisture penetration, eliminating the need to spend extra time applying waterproof coating across the entire surface area of your wall project,” the company says.
Professionals will still need to waterproof joints and fasteners, and some applications, such as shower pans, may still require additional waterproofing due to local building code requirements. But overall, the waterproof quality of the new board is designed to save professionals on installation time.
Boards are composed of 90 percent Portland sand and cement and contain no glass fibers or fillers. They come in a 36-inch-by-60-inch size, with a thickness of 0.42 inch and a weight of 2.6-pounds. James Hardie says the boards cut easily with a hand tool and clean with minimal dust and debris. They are also rated ASTM E136 non-combustible.