Whether you're renovating a Silver Lake bathroom, prepping a restaurant kitchen in Downtown LA, or tiling a backyard ADU out in the Valley, a solid substrate is where every lasting tile job begins. Our 1/4 in. cement backerboard gives Los Angeles contractors and DIYers a moisture-resistant, tile-ready surface at a price that works whether you need one board for a single vanity or a full pallet for a jobsite.
What is cement backerboard?
Cement backerboard is a rigid panel made from roughly 90% Portland cement and sand — no fillers, no abrasive aggregate. Unlike drywall or plywood, it won't swell, rot, or feed mold when it gets wet, which is exactly why it's the industry-standard base for tile in showers, floors, and countertops. This 3 ft. x 5 ft. sheet is 1/4 in. thick and weighs about 28.5 lb, so it's light enough to handle on your own but strong enough for both commercial and residential work.
Why 1/4 in. backerboard for Southern California projects
The 1/4 in. profile is the go-to when you need a tile-ready surface without raising floor height — ideal for floor tile over a stable subfloor, countertops, and backsplashes where a thicker board would throw off your transitions. It's moisture and fire resistant, bonds tightly with thin-set for excellent adhesion, and cuts clean with a simple score-and-snap. For LA's mix of older homes and fast-turn commercial builds, that combination of low profile and durability is tough to beat.
Key features at a glance
- 90% Portland cement and sand — no fillers or abrasive aggregate
- Moisture and fire resistant; rated for use in wet areas
- Excellent thin-set adhesion for tile that lasts
- Score-and-snap cutting with a utility or scoring knife
- 3 ft. x 5 ft. x 1/4 in., about 28.5 lb per board
- Approved for commercial and residential applications
1/4 in. vs. 1/2 in. HardieBacker: which board do you need?
The right thickness depends on where the board is going. Reach for the 1/4 in. board to keep floors and counters low-profile; step up to the thicker 1/2 in. HardieBacker board when you're building out walls or want extra rigidity underfoot. Here's how the two compare:
| Spec |
1/4 in. Backerboard |
1/2 in. HardieBacker |
| Thickness |
1/4 in. |
0.42 in. (1/2 in. nominal) |
| Board size |
3 ft. x 5 ft. |
3 ft. x 5 ft. |
| Weight |
~28.5 lb |
~41 lb |
| Price |
$14.56 |
$18.89 |
| Best applications |
Floors, countertops, backsplashes |
Floors, walls, countertops, backsplashes |
| Cutting |
Score and snap |
Score and snap |
| SKU |
320477 |
018803 |
Still weighing your options? Browse the full cement board selection to compare every size and brand we keep in stock.
Best uses: floors, countertops & backsplashes
This 1/4 in. board earns its keep anywhere you're setting tile over a stable substrate: bathroom and kitchen floors, tiled countertops, and backsplashes. Because it shrugs off moisture, it's a smart pick for LA's wet zones — shower areas, laundry rooms, and outdoor kitchen counters. Always confirm local building codes for waterproofing before you start, since the City of Los Angeles and surrounding municipalities can have specific requirements for wet areas.
How to cut and install cement backerboard
One reason pros keep this board on the truck is how fast it goes down. Mark your line, score it a few times with a carbide scoring knife, and snap — no dust storm and no wet saw needed for straight cuts. Set the board in thin-set, fasten with backerboard screws, tape the seams, and you're ready to tile. It pays to keep a few full sheets and offcuts on hand, since the 3 ft. x 5 ft. size covers ground quickly. Round out your material list from our drywall and boards collection.
Buy cement backerboard in Los Angeles
Supply Ontime stocks 1/4 in. cement backerboard for pickup and delivery across Los Angeles, so you can grab exactly what the job calls for without a big-box runaround. Add the board to your order below, and check our Product Guides for more how-tos on tile prep and building materials.
