Cement board has a smooth side and a rough side. Face the rough side out if you will be using thin-set mortar adhesive to install the tile but the smooth side out if you will be using latex mastic.
Is there a front and back on cement board?
Cement board manufacturers imprint a gridlike pattern on one surface of the board. Also, cement board typically has a label or manufacturer sticker on the front of the board. The back of cement board is plain, has no manufacturer-defining stickers and is void of the front-featured grid.
Does it matter which side of cement board faces out?
No, it doesn't matter. Regardless of which side faces out during installation, you can expect the same great performance that has made USG Durock® Brand Cement Board the preferred choice of professionals and do-it-yourselfers for decades.
Is there a front or back side to Hardie board?
Which side goes up, smooth or rough? Either is acceptable, but we recommend that the smooth side with the nailing pattern of every 8" on center go up.
How do you install Hardie backing board?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7gnqTEH-6U
Does Hardie backer need to be staggered?
Stagger all HardieBacker cement board joints. Do not align with subfloor joints. Never allow all four corners of boards to meet at one point. We recommend an 1/8 in gap between board edges.
Does it matter which side of Hardibacker faces out?
Which side goes up, smooth or rough? Either is acceptable, but we recommend that the smooth side with the nailing pattern of every 8" on center go up. What subfloor should HardieBacker® cement board be installed over?
Which side of 1/4 Hardibacker faces out?
Face the rough side out if you will be using thin-set mortar adhesive to install the tile but the smooth side out if you will be using latex mastic.
Do you leave a gap between Hardie board siding?
Run the siding to the HardieTrim® board leaving a 1/8 in. gap between the siding and trim. The bottom of the siding should be kept even with the bottom of the trim, or if desired, the trim may extend below the bottom of the siding. But the siding should never hang below the trim.