Backing board for half tiled wall

[AlexJones]

Hi All

I have a question about backer board vs moisture resistant plasterboard for a non-wet zone wall in my bathroom. The back wall of my bathroom has a window, with a wall hung toilet. I was going to tile half the wall, then have it plastered for the top half so the window returns will be plastered as well etc. (so far it’s just stud work, with the window but toilet has not yet been installed).

Can I lay plasterboard for the whole wall get it skimmed then tile onto it, or would it be better to put down some sort of backer board (say marmox multi board or similar), and then tile straight onto the backer board, then get the top half skimmed?

I assume if I were to lay backer board and got the top section skimmed (few mm), plaster would apply and adhere just as well to the backer board as plasterboard?

 

[macten]

What size and type tile you using?

 

[AlexJones]

I’m using porcelain - 370mm by 750mm

 

[macten]

Too heavy for skim so you will need to tile then get the top skimmed or once it's boarded out do your set out for the horizontal and put a line on where the top row will finish and get the plasterer in first - they tend to make a mess!

I only use pb on walls (tanked in wet areas) unless it's a wetroom build

 

[AlexJones]

ok thanks for the response, I assume when it comes to tiling backer boards would be recommended over plasterboard due to the weight of the tiles (British gypsum says you can tile straight to the boards - but wondered if that’s advisable considering it’s just a paper face).

 

[macten]

unskimmed pb can take 32 kg/m2- so absolutely fine for your porcs.
Backerboards can take more weight but you're not fitting thick heavy stone.

 

[AlexJones]

Ok good to know thanks again for the help on this.

Alex

 

[White Room]

Get the plasterer to feather out the finish just below the tile line.

 

[AlexJones]

What about tiling and the plasterer finishing to the trim line? Although I suppose the trim could get a bit messy in terms of the exposed clean edge.

 

[AlexJones]

Following of from that is trim commonly added post plastering, or is it sometimes added pre plastering - for example in my situation where you have a 50/50 split of tiles and plaster. Can you get a clean trim line if the plasterer feathered into it, and if you covered it in say some sort of tape?

 

[White Room]

Plastering first makes life so much easier....