I'm working on my first bathroom renovation and have installed 1/2" Hardie board around the shower area. However, I've noticed that where the Hardie board meets the 1/2" Sheetrock, the Sheetrock is about an 1/8" higher than the Hardie board. Do I need to adjust the Hardie board, or can I just use thinset to compensate when I install the tile? What about feathering the thinset when taping? Any tips or advice would really help!
2 Answers
You can definitely tile over that seam between the Hardie board and the drywall. Just make sure to use enough thinset to fill in the height difference. And remember to install a tile edge during the tile process, not after—it's a common mistake to forget that!
When you mention a 'tile edge', are you talking about something like a Schluter trim?
I had a similar issue where I created a wide mortar joint between the Hardie board and the drywall. I left about 1/8" gaps to let the mortar bond better and then applied the first coat with a 6-inch knife. After it cured, I used a 10-inch knife for a smoother transition. Also, a tip—mist the Hardie board just before tiling, since it can absorb moisture from the mortar.
I used a marble pencil instead of the standard metal edge with gray color pencil on white tile, and people have been complimenting it! Just want to ensure you know there are great options out there.