Skip to Content

Can You Put Cement Board Over Drywall? (Read This First!)

Need to cover up drywall repairs but don’t know how? There’s no need to worry – we’ve got your back.

It will not take us long to learn everything there is to know about cement board and drywall. Over drywall, you might want to use a cement board. Let’s find out if you are capable of doing that.

Putting cement board over drywall

Cement boards should never be used to cover drywall. The cement board is not designed to be used over drywall. Additionally, it consists of different types of materials that are not compatible with drywall. Furthermore, mold can easily develop in drywall due to water penetration.

A cement board is a type of drywall that is lightweight, easy to install, and requires no special tools or labor. However, it is not suitable for use over drywall. There are some reasons why you cannot put cement board over drywall and here are some of them.

The cement board is not waterproof:

The first thing you need to know is that cement boards are not waterproof. The cement board will easily soak up water if there is moisture accumulation on it, so it will cause a lot of damage to your drywall if there is moisture accumulation on it.

Secondly, water can seep through the cracks in the cement board and flood your home with moisture if there are any leaks in the construction.

Cement boards may fail over time:

Cement boards can also fail over time, which is another reason why they should never be used as a replacement for drywall. The result of this is that the boards may start to crack or crumble over time, which can result in serious structural problems in the house.

Not designed to be used as a sealant over drywall:

The cement board is not designed to be a sealant over drywall. The reason behind this is that if you use it this way, there’s a higher chance that it will cause you to experience water damage. Using cement board as a sealant can also lead to moisture infiltration.

Two materials have a different moisture content:

As drywall is made of materials with high moisture content, it cannot be used as a sealant over other materials. In contrast, drywall is made of materials that have a lower moisture content than other building materials.

So, even if water were to accumulate on the surface of your drywall, there is less likely to be any damage caused to your drywall as a result.

Can cause damage to the drywall, ceilings:

Water can damage your drywall and ceilings if it accumulates on cement board surfaces. As a result, you may face many problems, including expensive repairs or even the need to remove your ceiling entirely.

Is it possible to install a ¼ cement board over drywall?

Yes, it is possible to install a ¼ cement board over drywall. ¼ sized Cement boards are typically lightweight and easy to move. The expansion joint compound must be specially designed for this application to work properly.

To prevent moisture from entering and damaging the underlying wallboard, you should seal the edges of the cement board with aluminum tape or stucco finishes.

It is still important to keep in mind that there are some precautions that you should take when installing a 1/4 cement board over drywall. As a first step, you should make sure that the weight of the boards is evenly distributed.

To prevent them from pulling down on the underlying drywall due to their weight. Moving or repositioning the boards should also be done with caution. They appear to be bumped or moved incorrectly.  In some cases, they can damage the boards.

Can you use cement board tape and screws on drywall?

As a rule of thumb, cement board tape and screws are typically not recommended for use on drywall. The reason for this is that the adhesive used in these products can damage your wall finish and paint as well as the adhesive used in the products.

In addition, these tapes are often made with more pounds per linear foot than average. In some cases, they may not be able to withstand heavy loads or repeated applications to a large area, especially under heavy loads.

Instead of using drywall anchors or wall clips, you may want to consider using one of the following. The products in this category have been specifically designed for use with drywall and will be able to hold your board in place without damaging it in any way.

What do you put over drywall?

Depending on the type of look and feel that you are looking to achieve, there are several different types of materials you can use over drywall. The following are a few of the most common choices:

Compound:

A joint compound specifically designed for drywall use. Besides being made with high-quality materials, its adhesive will not damage the paint or finish on your wall, since it is made with high-quality materials.

Spackle:

The purpose of this type of filler is primarily to fill in gaps and cracks that will occur in the drywall as a result of cracks and holes. As it comes in a variety of colors, it can be applied using a spackling machine or trowel, and it can be applied to a variety of surfaces.

Mastic:

Typically, mastic is used to seal joints between boards and walls. It is usually used to seal joints between boards and walls.

Different types, grades, and formulations of the product are available, and you can spray the sealer on the surface that you want to seal or brush it on the surface that you want to seal.

Veneer:

Wood veneers are laminated to sheets of drywall after they have been treated and treated.

By doing this, you can create a material that looks and feels just like real wood but can be painted or stained to suit your tastes and preferences in terms of color or style.

Painted wood:

You can buy pre-painted panels of wood or hire a contractor to paint the surface of your wall. Changing the look and feel of your room completely and permanently is a great option. In comparison to other types of wall coverings, it is more expensive.

How do you replace drywall with cement board?

Even though cement board isn’t the best material for drywall. However, you are still able to use cement board as a replacement for drywall. The following is a guide on how to replace drywall with a cement board in your home.

Cut old drywall:

Use a handsaw or a saw to cut the old drywall panels to the size you require. You will need to make sure that the panels are cut in such a way as to fit neatly together when you are putting them back on the wall after you have repaired them.

Remove the old drywall:

Use a hammer and a chisel to remove the old drywall panels. To ensure that your new cement board is properly secured, try to save as much of the underlying wall framing as possible.

Prepare new cement board:

Using a handsaw or a saw, cut the fresh cement boards to the desired size using a saw. Ensure that you cut them in a way that will allow them to fit neatly together when you are reinstalling them on the wall once you have trimmed them.

Attach new cement board:

Using a mixture of mortar and screws, attach the new cement boards to the wall by using a mixture of mortar and screws. To ensure that the boards are securely attached to the wall, you should make sure that you use enough screws to hold them in place.

Replace the trim:

It is important to replace any wall trim that has been damaged or is missing. This will help to complete the look of your new cement board installation. You may also want to paint the exterior of your new cement board installation to create a uniform appearance.

Final touch:

Finally, you may want to consider applying a finish to your cement board installation after it has been installed. A polished appearance can be created by protecting the boards from moisture and discoloration.

Final Thoughts

Cement boards should not be used over drywall. Both of these materials have different levels of moisture. Cement board is not designed for use over drywall. Using them can cause damage to drywall, even ceilings. Therefore, it is best to use mastic, spackle, and compound over drywall.