Tile Backing Types
Hardboard Backing
3/16" thick - makes a 1/4” thick tile (5.9mm)
Ideal for low-moisture areas including Kitchen Backsplashes, accent walls, Fireplace surrounds, low-moisture Office and Commercial Spaces, and countless Decorator projects.
Our most common backer choice, it's important to note that the 3/16" thick hardboard backer is almost entirely concealed behind the stainless steel sides of our tiles, as our tiles have Fully-Formed Turned Edges (we bend the heavy-duty, thick gauge stainless steel 90 degrees on each side to form the tile shape and use the backers to fill the void for easier installation), so our tiles have the same 1/4" thickness as ceramic or porcelain tiles.
The Hardboard we use is actually Eucaboard, which is made with eucalyptus wood fibers tempered by coating with a thin layer of linseed oil and baking at a high temperature to polymerize the oil. This provides more water and impact resistance, hardness, rigidity and tensile strength.
Hardboard, also called high-density fiberboard, is a type of fiberboard, which is an engineered wood product. It is similar to particleboard and medium-density fiberboard but is denser and much stronger and harder because it is made out of exploded wood fibers that have been highly compressed. It differs from particle board in that the bonding of the wood fibers requires no additional materials, although resin is often added. Unlike particle board, it will not split or crack. It is used in construction and furniture.
Aqua-Tough Fiberock
1/4" thick – makes a 3/8” thick tile (6.6mm)
Ideal for HIGH-Moisture areas such as: Commercial Kitchens and Bathrooms, Outdoor Kitchens and Walls, Showers, Bathrooms, and Outdoor Fireplaces and Firepits. Also good for mixing with other thicker, natural tile products (similar thickness and sets with the same mastic).
Popular with Commercial Projects, it's important to note that the 1/4" thick fiberock backer is NOT entirely concealed behind the stainless steel sides of our tiles. Our tiles have Fully-Formed Turned Edges (we bend the heavy-duty, thick gauge stainless steel 90 degrees on each side to form the tile shape and use the backers to fill the void for easier installation), but the fiberock does protrude approximately 1/8" from behind our tiles, so the side profile WILL SHOW the fiberock backers. This usually isn't a problem, as if the tiles are going in an area with moisture high enough for the need of fiberock, then grout (non-sanded, of course) will be required as well to fully seal out the moisture, and therefore trim pieces will be needed. We offer trim pieces, and Schluter is always a good option for trim pieces as well.
While grout is NOT required for our tiles, it is highly recommended if using our tiles (or any tiles) in high-moisture areas (kitchen backsplashes are not considered high-moisture). If using grout with our tiles, please use non-sanded grout, as the sand in traditional grout will SCRATCH the tiles!
Fiberock is manufactured from an environmentally sustainable, specially engineered combination of synthetic gypsum and cellulose fibers. It has an integral water resistant composition that offers durability, superior performance, and exceptional tile bond. Fiberock is engineered to meet water-, mold- and indentation-resistance under or behind the tile. Fiberock is made from 95% recycled material and has earned independent certification from Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). SCS is the leading national testing company to evaluate manufacturer’s environmental claims. Fiberock is also ideal for truly wet locations like shower surrounds and for locations where a thin-set/mastic material is used for bonding tile and stone surfaces to a substrate.