Choosing the right tile backer board is not a simple decision. Pay attention before making a final decision that impacts longevity, durability, and appearance of tiling projects.
But the question is how to choose best option for kitchen back splash, bathroom wall, or flooring tiling.
Are you looking to make your home tiling more prestigious by look and durability? Then you should know which backer board is right for you. Although there are 2 best options DensShield and Durock, we will help you to make final choice.
It’s a time to do a comparative analysis of DensShield vs Durock. Let’s delve into the details.
Importance of tile board
First of all you need to know the importance of tile board. Tile backer not only gives your home an aesthetic look but also provide moisture moisture-free foundation to your dream home.
Imagine you choose an inappropriate backer board for your home renovation. Do you know what will happen? It can result in mold growth, floor cracking and lead to a waste of money.
So the best way to get the answer of your problem is to understand your problem. For this, acknowledge your desired location and requirements, then check out the available options and pick the most suitable one.
DensShield Unveiled
DensShield is a product of Georgia-Pacific, a company that is known for its wood and gypsum products. This is a valuable addition in the board backer tiling market that meets all standards of ASTM and fulfills today’s needs.
If you want to make your home renovation more durable, then you must pay attention to moist surfaces like bathrooms and kitchens. DensShield gypsum-made tile backer board is specially designed for wet surfaces.
With mat facer and acrylic coating, DensShield is easy to adhere and long-lasting in moist environments. Due to ir light weight and easy-to-cut properties, DensShield is considered user-friendly.
Its moisture resistance ability makes it ideal for any surface exposed to water. DensShield meets the ASTM mold resistance standards. Its gray shade color makes it best against mold and mildew. Gypsum core composition prevents the growth of mold and mildew.
Durock’s Legacy
Durock is from USG Corporation, a well-known company with a good reputation in the building materials industry. The aim is to launch a product that’s suitable for interior and exterior heavy-duty requirements.
For professionals, Durock, with its cement core and a blend of glass mesh, Portland cement, and aggregated materials is a perfect option. It shares the moist resistance feature with DensShield but has no ability to stand against mold and mildew.
The absence of organic material in Durock lowers the risk of mold growth. With strong Edge Guard technology Durock supports heavier tiles and stones. The large textured surface makes Durock favorable for professional builders and architects.
From water repulsion to combustion free ability, you can get durability by using a Durock board band. You can use it on walls, ceilings, and floors of bathroom or kitchen.
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A Deep Dive into Differences: Densshield vs Durock
So choosing the right tile backer is essential for your dream home longevity, appearance, and ease. This money saving decision comes with 2 prominent names DensShield and Durock.
Each has its own pros and cons. But before you dive into a final decision you must know the key differences between these 2 choices.
Let’s explore DensShield vs Durock
1. Material Composition:
DensShield is primarily a composite of gypsum, that make it lighter and moist resistant. This consists on glass mat facer and acrylic coating that makes it suitable for regular walls.
On the other hand, Durock consists of a cement core that is moist repulsive and ensures rugged durability in most challenging environments. It is best to use in heavy-duty applications where strong durability is needed like ceiling and floor.
2. Areas of Application
DensShield is suitable for residential settings like bathrooms and kitchens. However, as per requirement, can be used in commercial spaces, but keep in mind it’s not strong like Durock.
Durock, due to a strong durable nature, opts for exterior applications and commercial settings. The sturdy nature makes it appropriate for flooring as well.
3. Recyclability
Recycling is an important factor that makes the difference between these two choices: DensShield vs Durock. Durock, due to its cementric nature, is easy to crush and repurpose. That plays a role in the global economy.
On the other hand, DensShield components like glass mat and gypsum core not easy to repurpose. So in this way, Durock offers more recycling and less waste than DensShield.
4. Moisture Resistance:
DensShield is the winner in case of moisture resistance. It not only acts to resist moisture but also fends off mold and mildew. By meeting the ASTM mold resistance standard, it provides an extra protection layer.
Durock has weak water resistant as it’s not inherently waterproof. Therefore it must need additional support like waterproofing membrane for highly moist environments project.
5. Mold Resistance
As we already discussed the composition of DensShield vs Durock. DensShield with gypsum core and fungicide properties stop the growth of mold and mildew. This makes it useful for damp environments.
Similarly Durock offers natural resistance to mold but cannot act as anti-mold like DensShield. Rather than this can be a breeding ground for both mold and mildew.
6. Ease of Installation:
In comparison of Densshield vs Durock, DensShield might have a slight edge in this area. It has a bit smoother surface. It’s less messy to deal with due to less crumbling. The lighter weight nature makes it easy to cut for DIY projects and ideal for quick renovation projects.
Durock needs more effort to handle but provides a strong bonding surface for tiles. It consists of a pocketed texture surface. Due to heavy weight and a sturdy nature it requires more labor to handle. Because its suitable for commercial settings so in respective space can meet requirements.
7. Durability and Strength:
When comparing Densshield vs Durock, both are durable and strong. But due to surface texture the Durock is more durable in strength. It doesn’t mean DensShield is the worst in durability. It totally depends upon the location where you want to use.
DensShield has less life span than Durock. But, it can provide good longevity if installed properly. On the other hand, Durock, due to cementitious nature, is a strong asset of durability.
For common spaces like floor you should prefer Durock while on the bathroom walls give priority to DensShield.
8. Cost Implications
Cost is extremely important when comparing Densshield vs Durock. The initial cost of both products is actually the same. But the difference comes in more frequent replacement. Yes replacement!
DensShield require more frequent replacement due to which it adds additional cost. While Durock is durable enough that it can stand for long time. So, no need to replace it frequently. This maintenance and replacement cost makes Durock the winner over DensShield.
9. Installation
DensShield is easy to install due to its lighter weight nature. You can install it easily with dry wall screws.
While Durock due to cement based backer board, requires special cement board screws for installation.
Real-world Applications: Feedback
On the basis of DensShield vs Durock respective features both DensShield and Durock are praised equally. In real-world applications and analysis homeowners and professionals share their feedback.
For DensShield, its easy to use nature and moisture resistance nature makes it effective in residential settings. On the other hand, people praise Durock for durability and heavy duty handling in commercial setting and flooring.
Weighing the Pros and Cons: Densshield vs Durock
To ease you in your decision we enlist pros and cons of both DensShield and Durock. This will help you better understand which backer board is suitable for your specific tiling project.
Advantages of DensShield
- Easy to install
- Moisture Resistant
- Mold resistant (meet ASTM standard)
- Use for common places
- Lighter weight and versatile board
- User friendly acrylic surface
Disadvantages of DensShield
- Requires careful sealing
- Cannot recycle
- Not ideal for heavy duty
- Cost over time
Advantages of Durock
- Sturdy and Highly Durable
- Cost effective solution
- Easy to recycle
- Wide Range of Applications
- Ideal for heavy-duty applications
Disadvantages of Durock
- Requires specific screws for installation
- Requires additional waterproof support
- Energy-intensive manufacturing
Final Take Away
We have just completed the comparative analysis of Densshield vs Durock. Both DensShield and Durock have a strong case in their respective areas. Are you still confused which is best for you? Then the bonus tip to make a final decision is to know the specific needs of your project.
All properties of DensShield like lightweight, moisture resistance and easy to handle properties make it the best option where the requirement is water proofing. So in residential settings like bathrooms and kitchens try DensShield.
On the other hand, Durock with durability make it the perfect option for heavy-duty applications.
For any repairs, installations, builds, or questions; We recommend you to hire a professional. Find A Pro Near You Here!
FAQs- Densshield vs Durock
Is DensShield as good as cement board?
DensShield tile backer is equally good as cement board. It is the best option for kitchen, bathroom, floor, shower or any place where the humidity is high. The Only difference is durability. It is not strong enough that it can compete in commercial settings.
What is the best shower backer board?
The gypsum made glass board is a suitable option for shower. DensShield is good example in price to opt for bathroom.
Which is better: backer board or cement board?
Backer board is easy to cut and can use to block leakage and prevent water damage. It is easy to install but provides less structural support than cement board.
