People prefer to add waterproof shower walls to protect them from water and heat-related damage. You can add them with glue and studs, depending on their manufacturing materials.
Can You Glue Shower Walls to Cement Board? You can glue shower walls to a cement board using latex-based adhesives, polyurethane-based glue, water-based dispersion adhesives, Thin-set mortars, tile adhesive mats, mastic, cement-based adhesives, and epoxy mortar. You should check the material of shower walls, the texture of adhesives, and the curing time while using them.
People prefer to glue shower walls instead of using screws and nuts because these can damage the backing material during drilling and is a hectic procedure. You should also check if the glue is suitable for the cement board.
What type of glue can you use to add shower walls to a cement board?
You can use various gluing materials to add shower walls on cement boards. In addition, you can select adhesives that are compatible with wall materials and cannot damage them.
Latex-based adhesives
Latex-based adhesives are used for plastic, acrylic, and fiberglass walls because of their sensitive material. These do not contain harsh chemicals that cause burning and warping of these delicate materials.
The main component in these types is the latex which gives the sticky properties. You can purchase their cartridge from the market and load them in the glue gun.
These provide strong adhesiveness and are safe for the environment. In addition, these are made of natural elastomers and are suitable for the bathroom.
Polyurethane based
You can also use polyurethane adhesives if walls are made of plastic and other waterproof materials. These are hard and rubbery in texture, similar to epoxy.
These come in lighter shades, and you cannot see any transition in wall color after adding them. In addition, these contain polymers and long-chain molecules that form a strong bond on the applied surface.
These can easily stick with cement boards and provide strong adhesion. In addition, these are waterproof; water cannot decrease their flexibility and cause the shower walls to come off.
The curing time of these glues is also less, and you can use the bathroom within an hour after their application.
Water-based dispersion adhesive
Several water-based dispersion adhesives are available in the market, and you can select them for acrylic, polystyrene, and PVC shower surrounds.
These are in liquid form when you keep them at room temperature. The substrate provides the binding action when water evaporates from them.
These glues provide adhesion with porous as well as non-porous materials. I prefer to add them because they are environment friendly and take less time to dry.
In addition, these are cost-effective, and their price tags are less relative to other sticky materials.
Thin-set mortar
Thin-set mortar is the best material when adding tiles, ceramic, and stone-type shower walls to a cement board. These are non-porous and heavy materials requiring good adhesion for proper fastening.
These are made of cement, sand particles, and derivatives of cellulose. These are also known as mortar in the market and are specifically used for heavy tiles adhesion.
It is a heat and waterproof material, and you can easily take a bath in warm water. Steam released from warm water cannot lose its grip and flexibility.
Moreover, it also resists water-related damage and mold growth.
Tile adhesive mats
You can also use the tile adhesive mats as a lightweight material for shower walls. These are not suitable for heavier tiles because gluey material is not strong and cannot hold heavy weights.
The adhesive mats contain adhesion on both sides and are secured with paper. You can use them by removing the protective paper from the strips.
Remove the strip from both sides and attach one side to the shower wall and the other to the cement board.
Sometimes these are not suitable for humid areas because they can lose their stickiness during exposure to steam and water.
Mastic glue
Mastic glue provides high-level adhesion, and people use them in constructing procedures. For example, you can attach ceramic tiles with cement boards with these adhesive materials.
These are the thick liquid that is available in caulking tubes. Mastic is not suitable for shower areas because it always remains wet.
Mastics can survive better in dry and damp areas only. This is because it contains silicone sealants that form flexible bonds with different materials but are not long-lasting when the environment is wet.
These are ready-to-use products; you do not have to mix them for their application. However, the curing time is slightly more than other products because of their liquid consistency.
Cement based adhesives
Cement-based adhesives are good for the stone, and porcelain-based tile material is for shower walls. These provide quicker adhesion than the grouting material.
Long-term water exposure can damage the grouting materials, but these can last longer, and water cannot affect their texture.
It creates a fast and permanent bond on the cement boards. The tiles cannot come off from the backing material because of their strong adhesion.
Heat cannot affect them, and they cannot lose their flexibility.
Epoxy mortar
Epoxy mortar is different from thin-set mortar because of their ingredient. Different polymers combine together and form a thick epoxy mortar paste.
These contain epoxy resins, mineral fillers, additives, and binders. These are ideal for wet areas because of their waterproofing texture. You can use this to glue the shower wall in your bathroom.
It does not shrink and crack easily, along with temperature changes in the bathing area. However, it needs careful handling during application because its fumes are toxic.
These are not prone to discoloration and mold growth because of their strong chemical bond.
How do you glue shower walls to a cement board?
Prepare the cement board surface for the installation of shower walls on them. Remove the debris, dirt, and sand residues from them for better adhesion.
Cut the tiles and plank strips according to the required size. Fill the caulking gun with cartridge strips and load them to apply to the cement boards and wall materials.
Apply the gluing material on both surfaces and quickly bind them. Press it against the baking material for strong adhesion. Leave it for a few minutes to hours, depending on the adhesive products you use for the installation process.
Avoid taking showers during the directed time because it can damage the materials. Instead, clean any excess material from the sides using the soapy mixture and cloth.
Things to consider while selecting glue to add shower walls to a cement board
You have to consider several factors while gluing shower surrounds to cement boards. Check the material of the walls while selecting an adhesive for them.
You can use latex and polyurethane-based for plastic, vinyl, acrylic, and fiberglass materials because these do not contain any harsh chemicals that cause their shrinking and warping.
I prefer to check the adhesives’ consistency and use those with thick textures instead of liquid material. The liquid ones do not provide a strong bond and drip down during application.
Purchase high-quality glue from a well-recognized brand so they can bond strongly with different materials. Read the curing time from the given label and select the ones with the minimum curing time.
Related Articles:
