Fit your circular saw with a carbide-tipped wood-cutting blade (view example on Amazon), choosing one with as few teeth as possible in order to minimize the amount of dust given off as you saw. Operate your circular saw as you typically would, pushing it slowly and evenly through your cement backer board.
One of the easiest techniques used to cut cement backer board is to score the sheet and then snap it along the cut line. Lay your cement board flat, and draw a line with a carpenter’s pencil where you intend to cut. Circular saws, while more often used to cut wood, can also make quick and clean cuts in cement board-and are often conveniently on hand in the workshops of DIY-savvy homeowners.
No matter what, whenever you install backer board, you’re going to have a variety of cuts to make, and you might start googling “How to cut backer board”, “Cutting Hardie backer”, or “How to cut concrete board.” There are plenty of different ways to cut this type of board, ranging from very easy to very precise. When installing cement board around a toilet, faucet, or other pipe fittings, you may discover that you don’t know how to cut a hole in a cement board. Cement backer board comes in several thicknesses, much like drywall, and is generally made in thicknesses of 1/4″, 7/16″, 1/2″, and 5/8″. You’ll use the thinner boards in areas like countertops.You’ll use the thicker boards behind the shower and kitchen walls. Cement backer board usually comes in one of two sizes: 3’x5′ and 4’x8′. It’s relatively inexpensive for most DIY jobs around the house. For example, a 3’x5′ sheet of 1/4″ backer board runs around $10, and the same size in the 1/2″ thickness runs around $14. Conclusion.
A 3 x 5-foot sheet of 1/4-inch backer board costs between $9 and $11; the same-size sheet in 1/2 inch costs about $12 to $14. The one challenge DIYers face when working with cement backer board is how to cut the rock-hard panels. The simplest way to cut cement backer board is to score the surface and snap the sheet along the scored line, similar to the way you’d cut drywall. The backer board will fracture along the holes and the circle of backer board will break free.
Straight cuts in cement backer board can be made using a circular saw. Cement backer board can be cut with a carbide-tipped scoring tool, just score and snap the sheet, similar to cutting drywall. Be sure to wear eye goggles and a dual-cartridge respirator when cutting backer board.
what circular saw blade to cut cement board Related Question:
What kind of blade do you use for cement board?
Use a carbide-tipped wood-cutting blade to minimize dust. Cement is a very hard material, so you’ll need to use a blade that can handle the material. Carbide-tipped wood-cutting blades have fewer teeth than other circular saw blades and the carbide can withstand the strain of the cement.
What is the best saw blade for cutting Hardie board?
what is the best saw blade for James hardie siding? For a larger project, use a fiber cement saw blade with polycrystalline diamond tips; if you’re installing Hardie siding on a shed or other small building you can use a fiber cement saw blade with carbide tips.
What is the best way to cut cement backer board?
Score-and-Snap The simplest way to cut cement backer board is to score the surface and snap the sheet along the scored line, similar to the way you’d cut drywall. In fact, you can use a drywall utility knife to score backer board, but a better option is a carbide-tipped scoring tool.
Why should you not cut cement board with a circular saw indoors?
Using a handheld circular saw to cut fiber‑cement board can generate respirable crystalline silica dust. When inhaled over time, the small particles of silica can irreversibly damage the lungs.
Can I cut cement board with a circular saw?
Circular saws, while more often used to cut wood, can also make quick and clean cuts in cement board—and are often conveniently on hand in the workshops of DIY-savvy homeowners.
Can you cut Hardie board with a circular saw?
You can use a jigsaw, table saw or circular saw, or another tool, as long as it’s equipped with the right kind of blade. Once prepared, cut the Hardie board as you would any other material. Mark your line; align the board against the guard as needed and slowly but firmly make the cut.
What is a Hardie blade?
Overview. Diablo HardieBlade™ is the only approved PCD (PolyCrystalline Diamond) tipped fiber cement blade recommended by James Hardie Building Products. Diablo Fiber Cement Blades generate up to 50% less respirable dust*, while delivering the longest life in all fiber cement materials.
Can you cut durock with a circular saw?
A circular saw with a carbide-tipped woodcutting blade is the best tool for the job. Opt for a blade with as few teeth as possible. Unlike cutting wood, the less teeth, the less dust when cutting Durock.
Can you cut cement board with a tile saw?
Method Four: Cut with an Angle Grinder or Tile Saw If you have a wet saw for cutting tile, you could use this for cutting your Hardie board, as the abrasive blade is constantly bathed in water, resulting in a clean cut with no dust.
Do you need to wear a mask when cutting Hardie board?
There’s no need to use respirators or tents when cutting fiber cement products. OSHA states that using readily available tools can eliminate the need to use respirators, and reduce or eliminate other requirements.
What is the best way to cut durock?
To cut DUROCK Next Gen Cement Board, measure the desired size on the board and mark on the front and back with a pencil. Score with a utility knife, cut through the glass-fiber mesh then snap the board to size. Smooth edges with wood rasp. Wear a dust mask and eye protection.
What can I cut cement board with?
Cement backer board can be cut with a carbide-tipped scoring tool, just score and snap the sheet, similar to cutting drywall. But since I had several cuts to make, I decided to use power tools.
Can you cut cement board with utility knife?
You can cut a cement board by hand if you mark the cutting portion with a pencil and use a utility knife to cut through. A utility knife is the best option for cutting cement boards, second only to a scoring knife.5 days ago
Which is better durock or Hardibacker?
Durock is too abrasive and can damage vinyl, porcelain, and enamel. HardieBacker does not contain any course materials, so it is the preferable choice. It has a warranty that extends over the use of vinyl tile applications.
Which side of cement board faces out?
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.
