Installation Instructions

©2009 Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. 2/09 GP-TM Lit. Item #532245.
Dramatically Outperforms DensShield® Tile Backer is 30% lighter than the leading cement
board brands (1⁄29 comparison). DensShield provides excellent
Other Tile Substrates

H
undreds of millions of square feet of Georgia-Pacific
DensShield® Tile Backer have been installed with virtually
no claims. DensShield is a substrate that, when properly installed,
is virtually unaffected by water or moisture, making it excellent
for protecting both tile installations and stud cavities. DensShield
is composed of a proprietary, water-resistant treated core that is
covered front and back with figerglass mats. The coated fiberglass
mats are permanently integrated with the core during manufacturing
preventing delamination problems. On the face side of DensShield
is an exclusive heat-cured acrylic coating which stops moisture
at the surface and retards vapor transmission, protecting the
wall cavity and floor substrate from moisture intrusion.
Unlike cementitious backer boards, DensShield Tile
Backer does not require an additional
moisture barrier.
dimensional stability and strength so it can be installed parallel or
at right angles to framing in wall and ceiling applications.
DensShield is the first and only tile backer listed as a GreeNguard
microbial resistant product by a leading third-party organization,
Greenguard Environmental Institute. This listing means
DensShield, which features fiberglass mats instead of the paper
facings used on the surface of traditional gypsum tile backers,
resist mold growth. The microbial resistant test is based on
ASTM Standard D 6329-98, a testing standard set by ASTM
International, which develops testing guidelines and procedures
for building materials, products, systems, and services.

6
Reasons
to Use DensShield® Tile Backer

1 Excellent substrate for floors,

walls and countertops

2 Built in moisture barrier—

stops moisture at the surface

3 Mold-resistant—when tested,
as manufactured, per ASTM D 3273

4 Scores and snaps easily

with a standard utility knife

5 46% faster to install than

cement board—NAHB study

6 Lifetime Limited Warranty when used in

 residential tile installations and a 20-year limited
warranty when used in commercial applications*. Visit our Web site at www.DensShield.com for complete DensShield information
*See warranty for complete terms, conditions and limitations. or call 1-800-225-6119 for product warranty information.
2
Primary Uses Fastener Guide Chart
DensShield® Tile Backer is excellent for tile and non-tile Application Fastener Min. Length Spacing
installations in wet and non-wet applications, in areas of high
Walls & Galvanized 1 69 o.c. along
humidity and in fire-rated assemblies. It is ideal for tile walls, Ceilings roofing nail 1 ⁄29 framing
ceilings, countertops and residential and light commercial floor Buglehead, rust
applications in high moisture areas. Walls &
Ceilings resistant, coarse 1 69 o.c. along
thread, sharp 1 ⁄49
DensShield panels provide an excellent backer for sidewalls and (wood frame) framing
point screw
ceilings in bathtubs and shower installations, where it provides
an even, solid substrate for tile. DensShield may also be finished Buglehead, rust
Walls & thread, sharp
with paint or wallpaper for non-tile areas that require superior Ceilings point rust 11⁄49
69 o.c. along
fire and moisture resistance. Both 1⁄49 and 1⁄29 DensShield Tile framing
(metal frame) resistant drywall
Backer can be used in floor applications. Both of these thicknesses screw
passed the Robinson Floor Test, the industry standard floor test Galvanized 89 o.c. in both
Floors 11⁄49
for light commercial ratings. The Robinson Floor Test (ASTM C 627) roofing nail directions
is designed to determine how a tile assembly holds up under Buglehead, rust
resistant, coarse 1 89 o.c. in both
extreme wear and weight conditions. DensShield achieves the Floors 1 ⁄49
thread, sharp directions
same light commercial rating as cement and fiber cement backers. point screw
DensShield Tile Backer is for interior applications ONLY. 1
⁄49 crown,
29 o.c. on
Floors corrosive 7
⁄89 edges/49 o.c.
Materials Needed (1⁄49 only) resistant chisel
in field
DensShield panels come in a variety of sizes point staples
Note: For walls, fasteners should penetrate at least 3⁄49 into wood framing.
• for walls and ceilings, use 1⁄29 or 5⁄89 Type X thickness
• for countertops and floorings, use 1⁄49 or 1⁄29 thickness
• no additional moisture barrier needed Tub/Shower Sidewalls or Ceilings
• 29 glass fiber mesh tape Walls or Ceilings
• flexible sealant/caulk Position DensShield® Tile Backer panel next to framing with the
• latex portland cement mortar or Type I Mastic. coated (grey) face away from studs. Cut panel to required size
and make cutouts. Fit ends and edges closely.
DensShield may be cut by scoring and snapping or by sawing,
working from the grey face side. Board may be installed either
parallel or perpendicular to framing for both wall and ceiling
applications.
• Steel or wood framing should be spaced no greater than 169
o.c. without blocking, 249 o.c. with blocking when using 1⁄29
DensShield, or 249 o.c. with 5⁄89 DensShield Fireguard® Type X.

4 5
• Fasteners should be spaced 69 o.c. for walls and ceilings. Bathtub or Shower Receptor
Drive fasteners flush with coated surface. Do not countersink. Apply DensShield® Tile Backer either horizontally or vertically on
See Fastener Guide Chart on previous page. walls as shown in DS001.
• DensShield® Tile Backer has a built-in moisture barrier. Do not Leave a 1⁄89 gap between DensShield and the tub deck and
use additional moisture barrier. completely fill the space between tile and tub with a flexible
• 29 10 x 10 glass fiber mesh tape–embed in a skim coat of sealant/caulk.
material used to set tiles on all joints and corners that are to
DS003 DensShield® Tile Backer
receive tile. Caulk or seal penetrations and abutments to
Tiles
dissimilar materials.
Flexible Sealant/Calk Tile Adhesive (Latex Thinset Mortar or Mastic)

DS001 DensShield® Tile Backer Fastener

Fiberglass Mesh Tape

DensShield Tile Backer Flexible Sealant into 1⁄89 min. gap

Tile Mastic or Thin Set Wood or Minimum 20-Gauge Metal Framing
Tiles
Bathtub

Flexible Sealant/Calk Fireproofing when required (by other trades)

Bathtub
Wood or Minimum
20-Gauge Metal Framing
Pre-Formed Shower Pan
Leave a 1⁄89 gap between DensShield and the tub deck and
Shower Pan completely fill the space between tile and tub with a flexible
Install DensShield on walls according to assembly DS001. sealant/caulk.
Note: Shower pan or rubber membrane must be adequately
DS004
sloped to the open drain or weep hole detail to permit proper
water drainage. Leave a 1⁄89 gap between DensShield and the DensShield® Tile Backer
shower pan. (DensShield must not be used in shower curbs. Tile Mastic or Thin-Set
DensShield panels can be installed in the shower pan if part
of an approved system.) Tiles

DS002 Tiles Flexible Caulk into 1⁄89 min. gap

®
DensShield Tile Backer
Flexible Sealant/Calk Wood or Minimum 20-Gauge Metal Framing
Sloped Mortar Bed Shower Pan
Sloped Rubber Membrane
Crushed Stone
Weep Holes

6 7
Floors Residential & Light Commercial
Residential & Light Commercial Floors
1 1 ®
⁄49 and ⁄29 DensShield Tile Backer can be used as a tile
substrate in floor tile applications for residential and light
commercial use as defined in the Handbook for Ceramic Tile
Installation, published by the Tile Council of North America.
Laminate DensShield panels, coated side up, to subfloor using
a latex portland cement mortar liberally applied with a 1⁄49
square-tooth notched trowel.
• Embed DensShield into mortar while still pliant (do not
exceed open time)
• Butt DensShield panels tightly together
• Stagger DensShield joints over subfloor joints
• Fasten DensShield panels to subfloor (see Fastener Guide
Chart on page 5)
• Avoid nailing into floor joists on new construction to prevent
nail pop-ups
• Space fasteners no greater than 89 o.c. in both directions
• Drive fasteners flush with the surface — do not countersink
• Apply 29 10 x 10 fiberglass mesh tape over joints. Embed
with latex portland cement mortar.
Apply flooring-grade tile with latex portland cement mortar.
Full-thickness thresholds should be used and butted against the
DensShield panels flush with the tile surface. Important: For
residential applications, use a 29 x 29 or larger floor-grade tile.
• Use latex portland cement floor grout (ANSI A118.6).
• DensShield is not to be used in conjunction with passive solar
heat systems or in heated flooring systems that are consistently
over 120˚ F.
• DensShield is not to be used in shower curbs.
• DensShield panels can be installed in the shower pan if part of
an approved system.
Latex Portland Cement Mortar per ANSI A118.4
DS005
Tiles
DensShield® Tile Backer
Base Minimum 5⁄89 Plywood
Floor Joists 169 o.c.
8 9
Fastener Guide Chart
Minimum Minimum
Subfloor Thickness Joist Spacing
5
⁄89 Plywood Sturd-I-Floor®* 169 o.c. joists
5 ®
⁄89 Plywood Sturd-I-Floor * 19.29 o.c. engineered lumber
7 ®
⁄89 APA Rated Sturd-I-Floor 249 o.c. engineered lumber
*3⁄49 OSB is acceptable.
Countertops Residential
Countertops
Plywood must be installed flat and level. Framing spacing should
not exceed 249 o.c. Install minimum 1⁄29 exposure 1 plywood on
top of supports spaced a maximum of 249 o.c. Provide support on
overhangs on cantilever counters to prevent movement.
Apply leveling bed of latex portland cement mortar to plywood
using 1⁄49 notched trowel.
Laminate clean, dry DensShield® Tile Backer to base (grey side
up) and fasten every 69 to 89 o.c. in both directions into plywood
while leveling bed is still fluid. Use either 11⁄49 galvanized roofing
nails or 11⁄49 rust-resistant drywall screws. Stagger joints of
DensShield panels with those of the plywood base.
Butt DensShield joints tightly. Tape all joints and corners using
29 wide self-adhering fiberglass mesh tape. Embed tape with
latex portland cement mortar (ANSI A118.4).
Install tile, expansion and control joints and grout in accordance
with ANSI A108. Use latex portland cement mortar to set tile.
DS006 Latex Portland Cement Mortar
Tiles
DensShield® Tile Backer
Base Minimum 1⁄29Plywood
Framing Support
One Coat Float Tile Assembly
DensShield® Tile Backer can be installed as a baseboard for a
traditional reinforced floated wall tile system attached to the
framing. DensShield panels may be hung either vertically or
horizontally for wall applications.
• Grey coated side should always face out, away from the studs.
• Framing should be spaced no greater than 169 o.c.
• Attach DensShield panels spacing fasteners 69 o.c. along studs
for wood or metal framing.
• For tub and pre-formed shower pans, leave a 1⁄89 to 1⁄49 gap
above the lip; fill with flexible sealant.
• For shower pan receptors with membranes, the lath membrane shall
be installed in a weather board fashion over the pan membrane.
• Attach membrane and lath per lath and membrane manufac-
turers’ guidelines. Apply mortar bed per TCNA assembly W231.
Membrane (ANSI A-2.1.8) shall be installed such that water is
continually sloped toward the drain.
DS007
1
⁄29 or 5⁄89 DensShield® Tile Backer
Tile Adhesive (latex thinset mortar or mastic)
Tile
One Coat Float System
Hydro-Guard ONE® Membrane with
Fabric at 90o angle and drain
1
⁄49 gap & Flexible Sealant
Sloped Underlay Mortar Bed, reinforced
Crushed Stone or Tile
Drain
Subfloor

1
⁄29 or 5⁄89 DensShield Tile Backer
Tile Adhesive (latex thinset mortar or mastic)
Tile
Shower Pan Liner
One Coat Float System
Sloped Underlay Mortar Bed, reinforced
Crushed Stone or Tile
Drain

Subfloor
1
⁄49 gap & Flexible Sealant

10

Sales Information and Order Placement
U.S.A. Midwest: 1-800-876-4746
West: 1-800-824-7503
South: 1-800-327-2344
Northeast: 1-800-947-4497
CANADA Canada Toll Free: 1-800-387-6823
Quebec Toll Free: 1-800-361-0486
Technical Information
Georgia-Pacific Gypsum Technical Hotline
U.S.A. and Canada: 1-800-225-6119
www.gpgypsum.com
TRADEMARKS
DENSSHIELD and the GEORGIA-PACIFIC logo are trademarks owned by or licensed to
Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC. MER-KRETE and HYDRO-GUARD ONE are trademarks owned
by Mer-Kote Products, Inc. STURD-I-FLOOR is a trademark owned by APA-The Engineered
Wood Association. TCNA Logo is a trademark of Tile Council of North America. USGBC and
related logo is a trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used
by permission.
UPDATES AND CURRENT INFORMATION
The information in this document may change without notice. Visit our website at
www.gpgypsum.com for updates and current information.
LIMITATION OF REMEDIES AND DAMAGES
Unless otherwise stated in our written warranty for these products, our sole liability for any
product claim shall be limited to reimbursement of the cost of repair or replacement of
the affected product, up to a maximum amount of two times the original purchase price
for the affected product. We shall not be responsible under any circumstances for lost profits,
damage to a structure or its contents, or indirect, incidental, special or consequential
damages. Claims shall be deemed waived if they are not submitted to us in writing within
ten (10) days after discovery of a product defect/circumstance giving rise to a claim.
CAUTION: For product fire, safety and use information, go to gp.com/safetyinfo.
HANDLING AND USE
CAUTION: This product contains fiberglass facings which may cause skin irritation. Dust
and fibers produced during the handling and installation of the product may cause skin,
eye and respiratory tract irritation. Avoid breathing dust and minimize contact with skin
and eyes. Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and eye protection. Always maintain
adequate ventilation. Use a dust mask or NIOSH/MSHA approved respirator as appropriate
in dusty or poorly ventilated areas. For additional product fire, safety and use information
go to www.gp.com/safetyinfo or call 1-800-225-6119.
FIRE SAFETY CAUTION
Passing a fire test in a controlled laboratory setting and/or certifying or labeling a product
as having a one-hour, two-hour, or any other fire resistance or protection rating and,
therefore, as acceptable for use in certain fire rated assemblies/systems, does not mean
that either a particular assembly/system incorporating the product, or any given piece of
the product itself, will necessarily provide one-hour fire resistance, two-hour fire resistance,
or any other specified fire resistance or protection in an actual fire. In the event of an
actual fire, you should immediately take any and all actions necessary for your safety and
the safety of others without regard for any fire rating of any product or assembly/system.
Información de ventas y tramitación de pedidos
EE.UU Medio Oeste: 1-800-876-4746
Oeste: 1-800-824-7503
Sur: 1-800-327-2344
Noreste: 1-800-947-4497
CANADÁ Gratis en Canadá: 1-800-387-6823
Gratis en Québec: 1-800-361-0486
Información técnica
Línea de atención telefónica de
Georgia-Pacific Gypsum
U.S.A. and Canada: 1-800-225-6119
www.gpgypsum.com
MARCAS COMERCIALES El logo de Georgia-Pacific y todas las marcas comerciales
son propiedad o se encuentran bajo licencia de Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC. La marca
GREENGUARD INDOOR AIR QUALITY CERTIFIED es una marca de certificación registrada
utilizada bajo licencia a través del GREENGUARD Environmental Institute. DRYVIT y
GENESIS son marcas comerciales de Dryvit System Inc. STO FLEXYL es una marca comercial
de Sto Corporation. PARFLEX es una marca comercial de Parex. LATICRETE es una marca
comercial de Laticrete Intl. MER-KRETE HYDRO-GUARD 2000 y HYDRO-GUARD ONE son
marcas comerciales de Merk‑Kote Products Inc. NOBLESEAL TS es una marca comercial
de Noble Company. “USGBC” y su correspondiente logotipo es una marca comercial del
U.S. Green Building Council y se utiliza con su permiso.
ACTUALIZACIONES E INFORMACIÓN ACTUAL La información incluida en el
presente documento puede ser modificada sin que medie notificación. Visite nuestro
sitio web www.gpgypsum.com para obtener actualizaciones e información reciente.
LIMITACIÓN DE RECURSOS Y DAÑOS A menos que se establezca lo contrario en
nuestra garantía escrita con respecto a estos productos, nuestra responsabilidad exclusive
en relación con los reclamos por productos se limitará a reembolsar el costo de la reparación
o reemplazo del producto en cuestión, hasta un máximo de dos veces el precio de compra
original del mismo. No tendremos responsabilidad alguna bajo ninguna circunstancia
por las ganancias perdidas, daños a una estructura o su contenido o daños indirectos,
fortuitos o especiales. Los reclamos se considerarán rechazados si no los remiten a nuestras
oficinas dentro de un plazo de diez (10) días a partir del descubrimiento del defecto/
circunstancia del producto que originó el reclamo.
PRECAUCIÓN: Para obtener información sobre incendios, seguridad y utilización del
producto, visite gp.com/safetyinfo.
MANIPULACIÓN Y USO PRECAUCIÓN: Este producto contiene recubrimiento de fibra
de vidrio que puede ocasionar irritación en la piel. El polvo y las fibras producidas
durante la manipulación y la instalación del producto pueden provocar irritación de la
piel, de los ojos y de las vías respiratorias. Evite respirar polvo y minimice el contacto con
la piel y los ojos. Use camisa de manga larga, pantalones largos y protección en los ojos.
Mantenga siempre una ventilación adecuada. Utilice una máscara para polvo o un
respirador aprobado por la NIOSH/MSHA, según corresponda, en zonas con polvo o
poco ventiladas. Para obtener información adicional sobre incendio, seguridad y uso del
producto, visite www.gp.com/safetyinfo o llame al 1-800-225-6119.
PRECAUCIÓN CONTRA INCENDIOS Pasar una prueba contra incendios en un
laboratorio controlado y/o certificar y etiquetar un producto como de resistencia al fuego
de una hora o de dos horas o cualquier otra resistencia al fuego y nivel de protección y,
por lo tanto, como aceptable para ser utilizado en ciertas ensamblajes/sistemas con nivel
de inflamabilidad no significa que una ensamblaje/sistema específica que incorpora el
producto necesariamente proporcionará una resistencia al fuego de una hora, de dos horas
o alguna otra resistencia al fuego o protección en un incendio real. En caso de incendio,
debe tomar de inmediato todas las medidas necesarias para su seguridad y la de otros
con respecto al nivel de inflamabilidad de cualquier producto o estructura/sistema.