According to the installation instructions from riad tile their cement tile can be installed on drywall or cement backer board.
Cement tile wall installation.
Away from edges to avoid breakage.
Place special 1 1 4 in.
Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor.
Hold the sheet above the tub shoulder with 1 4 in.
However unlike the concrete substrate required for floors your encaustic cement tiles can be installed over drywall plaster cement block and cement backer board for moist areas.
Any cracked surfaces must be scraped smooth and patched.
Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage.
Once the cement is dry apply the bonding agent that should give the surface a rough texture.
Cement board screws every 8 in.
Cement board to the back wall.
If using backer board be sure to follow the installation.
The first step to installing cement tile on your wall is to prepare the wall for the tile.
Along each stud but 1 in.
Next draw even and properly spaced horizontal and vertical lines to serve as your guide when placing the tiles.
You ll want a flat smooth and dry surface completely free of any loose coatings paint.
Cement board is the best thing to use in a shower installation and even makes sense if you are installing a backsplash close to a sink.
Walls require just as much care under your tiles as the floor prep we ve just outlined.
Drive screws flush with the surface of the board being careful not to break through mesh.
Find the center of your wall and use a carpenter s level to mark intersecting plumb vertical and level horizontal lines.
This will ensure that the tiles will stick to the wall better because unlike floor tile installation vertical tiles might slide as you work.