We've diy'ed a lot of apartments bath remodels (approx 10). Before we wouldn't waterproof over cement board. My dad helped us tile and that just wasn't a thing. Most were tile around tubs. We did a lot of research when putting in a shower pan and now use the paint on water proofer in all future projects. Also please dear God don't let them grout the corners, should be silicone matching the grout. Answer from blacklaceelderberry on reddit.com
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › USG-Durock-Brand-1-2-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Cement-Board-with-EdgeGuard-172956 › 304217914
USG Durock Brand 1/2 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Cement Board with EdgeGuard 172956 - The Home Depot
February 20, 2025 - /Cement Boards · /USG Durock Brand Cement Boards · Hover Image to Zoom · +3 · (1747)Questions & Answers (444) 6 Months Everyday Financing** available on purchases of $299 or more.Apply Now · Strong, water-durable and mold-resistant tile ...
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USG
usg.com › content › usgcom › en › resource-center › faqs › 564.html
Should USG Durock® Brand Cement Board Panels be waterproofed in wet area use?
Back to the site · Success! Your password has been updated. Back to the site ... The only noncombustible structural panel for Types I and II construction. ... For most interior applications, Durock® Brand Cement Board Panels are not affected by water and do not need to be waterproofed.
Discussions

Do you need to waterproof durock/cement board before tiling in shower/bathroom?
We've diy'ed a lot of apartments bath remodels (approx 10). Before we wouldn't waterproof over cement board. My dad helped us tile and that just wasn't a thing. Most were tile around tubs. We did a lot of research when putting in a shower pan and now use the paint on water proofer in all future projects. Also please dear God don't let them grout the corners, should be silicone matching the grout. More on reddit.com
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May 21, 2021
Shower Wall Backerboard
That material should be fine. My beef with this is that he didn’t waterproof it. Only the screws and seems… I’ve never seen anyone do that. Do the whole thing or don’t do it at all… but just do the whole thing. More on reddit.com
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October 17, 2023
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USG
usg.com › content › usgcom › en_CA_east › blog › top-10-faqs-2022.html
You Asked, We Answered: Top 10 FAQs from 2022 | USG
January 31, 2023 - For most interior applications, Durock® Brand Cement Board Panels are not affected by water and do not need to be waterproofed; Durock® is water durable but not waterproof. If you’re looking for added protection to water sensitive material behind the Durock®, you may consider adding a ...
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USG
usg.com › content › usgcom › en › products › floors-tile › tile-prep › cement-board-backer-board › durock-glass-mat-tile-backerboard.221863.html
Durock™ Brand Glass-Mat Tile Backerboard | USG
Durock™ Glass-Mat Tile Backerboard consists of a treated water-resistant gypsum core that is covered with a coated fiberglass mat facer and back and has a proprietary surface making it ideal for use in wet areas as a tile substrate. Durock™ Glass-Mat Tile Backerboard combines the tile bond ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/homeimprovement › do you need to waterproof durock/cement board before tiling in shower/bathroom?
r/HomeImprovement on Reddit: Do you need to waterproof durock/cement board before tiling in shower/bathroom?
May 21, 2021 -

We're currently having our bathroom remodeled and the contractors have put up durock/cement board everywhere they're going to tile. In the shower pan they put a rubber liner and what I'm assuming is concrete on top of that. But everywhere else they just have the cement board, on the shower walls, the floor, around the tub, etc.

I'm a bit worried because everything I've seen or read says that you have to water proof everything somehow, but it doesn't seem as if they are going to (they're about to start tiling). A former contractor friend I talked to yesterday claims he never used to water proof beyond the shower pan basically.

So, will the durock/cement board + thinset and tile on walls and floor be enough? Or should I insist on them doing more to water proof it before tiling?

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Amazon
amazon.com › USG-DUROCK-Waterproofing-Membrane-RETARDER › dp › B085GLD7G7
USG DUROCK 3.5 Gallon Liquid Waterproofing Membrane and Vapor RETARDER: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement
The USG Durock Brand Liquid Waterproofing and Crack Isolation Membrane is an acrylic polymer based product for both commercial and residential tile and stone applications. Suitable substrates include concrete, masonry, cement backerboard, gypsum-fiber panel and gypsum-based cement topping.
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Lowe's
lowes.com › flooring › flooring tools & supplies › tile tools & supplies › backer board
DUROCK Brand 3-ft x 5-ft x 1/4-in Waterproof Cement Backer Board 1.0 Sheets Lowes.com
December 2, 2021 - USG Durock Brand cement board with EdgeGuard offers architects, builders and tile contractors a strong, water-durable tile base for tub and shower areas. Also an ideal underlayment for tile on floors and countertops in new construction and ...
Find elsewhere
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DIYTileGuy
diytileguy.com › durock-cement-board-waterproof
Is Hardibacker and Durock Cement Board waterproof?
February 14, 2017 - JavaScript is disabled in your browser · Please enable JavaScript to proceed · A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › USG-Durock-Brand-1-2-in-x-3-ft-x-5-ft-Cement-Board-with-EdgeGuard-172954 › 304163165
USG Durock Brand 1/2 in. x 3 ft. x 5 ft. Cement Board with EdgeGuard 172954 - The Home Depot
February 20, 2025 - /Cement Boards · /USG Durock Brand Cement Boards · Hover Image to Zoom · (1725)Questions & Answers (440) 6 Months Everyday Financing** available on purchases of $299 or more.Apply Now · Strong, water-durable and mold-resistant tile backerboard ...
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Lowe's
lowes.com › flooring › flooring tools & supplies › tile tools & supplies › backer board
DUROCK Brand 3-ft x 5-ft x 1/2-in Waterproof Cement Backer Board 1.0 Sheets Lowes.com
December 2, 2021 - USG Durock Brand cement board with EdgeGuard offers architects, builders and tile contractors a strong, water-durable tile base for tub and shower areas. Also an ideal underlayment for tile on floors and countertops in new construction and ...
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USG
usg.com › content › usgcom › en › products › floors-tile › tile-prep › cement-board-backer-board › durock-cement-board-with-edgeguard.170215.html
Durock® Brand Cement Board with EdgeGuard™ | USG
Durock® Brand Cement Board with EdgeGuard™ offers architects, builders and tile contractors a strong, water-durable tile backerboard for floors, walls, countertops, tub, shower areas and exterior finish systems. Durock® Brand Cement Board with EdgeGuard™ offers enhanced, proprietary edge ...
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Menards
menards.com › main › building-materials › plywood-panel-products › tile-backer-board › durock-reg-1-2-x-3-x-5-cement-board › 172954 › p-1444445401131-c-5704.htm
DUROCK® 1/2 x 3' x 5' Cement Board at Menards®
DUROCK® 1/2 x 3' x 5' Cement Board
Durock® cement board is a strong, water-durable tile base for walls, floors, countertops, tub, and shower areas. The high flexural strength of Durock® resists bending to prevent finish cracking, making it the perfect choice. Durock® is designed for direct application of porcelain tile, ceramic tile, stone, and thin brick used for exterior applications.
Price   $16.97
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Tile This
tilethis.com › collections › all products › usg durock liquid waterproofing & crack isolation membrane
USG Durock Liquid Waterproofing & Crack Isolation Membrane
USG Durock Liquid Waterproofing & Crack Isolation Membrane
USG Durock™ Brand Liquid Waterproofing & Crack Isolation Membrane is a high-performance, ready-to-use acrylic polymer-based membrane designed for interior tile and stone installations. Engineered for use over properly prepared substrates—including concrete, cement board, and masonry—this low-permeance membrane delivers exceptional waterproofing and anti-fracture protection up to 1/8" substrate movement. Its quick-drying formula and compatibility with ANSI A118.10 and A118.12 make it a professional-grade choice for wet area applications like showers, steam rooms, and backsplashes. Key Features
Price   $44.90
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National Gypsum
nationalgypsum.com › homepage › ngconnects › blog › why use waterproof cement board
A Complete Guide to Waterproof Cement Board
March 12, 2025 - In general, cement boards are a highly moisture-resistant building material that can withstand the damp conditions found in bathrooms and showers, where water can accumulate and seep into the walls over time.
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Lowe's
lowes.com › flooring › flooring tools & supplies › tile tools & supplies › backer board
DUROCK Brand 3-ft x 5-ft x 5/8-in Waterproof Cement Backer Board 1.0 Sheets Lowes.com
May 29, 2025 - Shop DUROCK Brand 3-ft x 5-ft x ... board offers architects, builders and tile contractors a strong, water-durable tile base for tub and shower areas. Also an...
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USG
usg.com › content › usgcom › en › blog › usg-durock-brand-cement-board-installation-tips-guide.html
USG Durock® Brand Cement Board with EdgeGuard™ Installation Tips | USG
April 15, 2025 - Water durable and mold resistant with better tile bond than fiber-cement boards or other substrate surfaces, USG Durock® Brand Cement Board with EdgeGuard™ Cement Board is an outstanding backerboard for a wide variety of reasons.
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Redblock Industries
redblockindustries.com › home › blog articles › shower remodel › cement backer board for showers – busting the myths
Cement Backer Board for Shower - Busting all the Myths
October 11, 2025 - These panels can be very similar in price to the traditional style of cement backer board for showers (Durock), or as much as 1.5x the cost. Examples are Hardibacker by James Hardy and Fiberock by USG and Allura Fiber Cement Backer
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USG
usg.com › content › usgcom › en › resource-center › faqs › 567.html
Can USG Durock® Brand Cement Boards be used in gang showers, saunas, and steam rooms?
The only noncombustible structural panel for Types I and II construction. ... Yes. Water does not affect the USG Durock® Brand panels themselves; however, because water could affect other materials, TCNA Handbook Guidelines recommend the use of a waterproof membrane in wet areas.
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › USG-Durock-Brand-1-4-in-x-3-ft-x-5-ft-Cement-Board-with-EdgeGuard-170215 › 304218901
USG Durock Brand 1/4 in. x 3 ft. x 5 ft. Cement Board with EdgeGuard 170215 - The Home Depot
February 20, 2025 - /Cement Boards · /USG Durock Brand Cement Boards · Hover Image to Zoom · +3 · SHOP BLACK FRIDAY DEALS · (1736)Questions & Answers (444) 6 Months Everyday Financing** available on purchases of $299 or more.Apply Now · Strong, water-durable and ...