What's the best way to cut cement board?
Lay your cement board flat, and draw a line with a carpenter's pencil where you intend to cut. Place a straightedge along the line and drag either a drywall utility knife or a scoring tool against it. Repeat your cuts two to three times to make them deeper, which will make snapping the board easier.
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.
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.
How to Cut Cement Board - YouTube
The Best Ways To Cut Cement Backerboard - YouTube
To best attach cement boards to your project fixtures, you should use screws designed specifically for concrete board installation. When you buy cement board, the manufacturer may provide these screws with your purchase. If not, look for screws that are finished with a special coating that resists corrosion.
How to cut cement board with a multi-tool - YouTube
Cement board has a smooth face and a rough one, and the rough face should be facing out if you're using mortar or thinset to adhere the tiles. Tile mastic, on the other hand, sticks better to a smooth surface, so the smooth side should be facing out if that's what you're using to adhere the tiles.
You don't want to use regular drywall screws for cement boards. They can corrode, they can break down the edges of the boards, and they won't drive in flush properly. Use ITW's ROCK-ON and BACKER-ON screws instead.
Cement board attached to plywood or similar underlayment will hold with only 1 1/4-inch screws; for thick or heavy metal fixtures, use 1 5/8-inch screws. In general, 1 1/2-inch galvanized nails will hold the board firmly in place.
Can I cut cement board with a hand saw?
While power saws make it a lot easier, it is possible to cut cement boards by hand.
A: You can cut cement backer board with a circular saw or grinder equipped with an abrasive or diamond blade. A reciprocating saw with an abrasive blade will also do the trick, and so will a backerboard scoring knife, which works like a standard razor knife but with a carbide cutting edge.
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.
- Lay your cement board flat, and draw a line with a carpenter's pencil where you intend to cut.
- Place a straightedge along the line and drag either a drywall utility knife or a scoring tool against it.
HOW TO CUT CEMENT BOARD WITHOUT DUST - YouTube
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.
HOW TO CUT CEMENT BOARD WITHOUT DUST - YouTube
How to Cut and Install Fiber-Cement Siding | This Old House - YouTube
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.
A: You can cut cement backer board with a circular saw or grinder equipped with an abrasive or diamond blade. A reciprocating saw with an abrasive blade will also do the trick, and so will a backerboard scoring knife, which works like a standard razor knife but with a carbide cutting edge.