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I’ve been giving some tips on bathroom renos, but I didn’t get too deep into the particular materials you should use. One of them, which is taking the renovation world by storm, is a new form of tile substrate called Kerdi-Board.

Image: David Hunter / Flickr

I know – this doesn’t sound like the most exciting product out there. But just as drywall and asphalt tiles have revolutionized how we renovate the walls and roofs of our homes, Kerdi-Board has the potential to do the same for the tiled areas.

The key thing about Kerdi-Board is that it provides a water-proof, level substrate for the application of tiles. Rather than worrying about adding masonry to a room as a setting for your tiles (such as often happens in bathrooms), you can just apply Kerdi-Board directly to wood framing the way you would with drywall. You add some flexible material to cover the joints, and then apply the tiles and mortar over it, and you are done. The board is also rigid enough and there are versions that are thick enough that you can use it as a structural material by itself.

The other major benefits of the product is that it is lightweight, and it can be cut very easily. You can create new pieces by using a sharp knife, as you would drywall. It also doesn’t produce dust when you cut it. The board is attached to the wall with screws. The board even has printed grids on it to aid in tile application.

You can also use it for kitchen applications. If you would like to add a tiled countertop to your kitchen, you can attach Kerdi-Board to your cabinet tops, and then put tiles on top of the board. The simplicity and versatility of the product enables you to use it in many places.

The Kerdi-Board is not yet available in Canada – yet. It is of German design, and it has only recently become available in the UK. However, with its popularity spreading, it should become available in Canada in the next few months. If you can’t wait, you can visit this website and see its use in action.

Heleen Jacobsen
Broker of Record with InfoMarket Group GMAC Real Estate
www.infomarketgroup.com