HOW TO INSTALL MAGBACKER
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Materials & Tools
  • Adhesive, mortar (latex or acrylic modified, organic
    or dry set thinset, complying with ANSI A1118.4.
  • Cement base, rapid setting patching compound
    approved by the flooring manufacturer for Vinyl and Resilient Floor Installation.
  • Caulk and caulk gun
  • Drill, drill bits and hole saw bits
  • 2” high strength alkali- resistant glass mesh tape
  • #8- I-1/4’’ min. corrision resistant ring shank screws
  • 1/4” Square notch trowel
  • 4” drywall knife
  • Hammer
  • Level
  • Key saw or jig saw
  • Tape measure
  • Safety glasses
  • NIOSH approved dust mask
  • Scoring tool, utility knife
  • Sponge, squeegee
  • Straight edge
  • Circular saw with carbide tip blades
  • Snips, snapper shears
  • MagBacker panels
SAFETY
  • MagBacker is a very environmentally friendly,
    healthy and safe product.

  • MagBacker contains no gypsum, no added urea
    formaldehyde, paper facing, Portland based cement or any “detectable respiratory airborne silica” Due to the “fine inherit dust” generated when cutting with power tools, wearing safety glasses and a NOISH approved dust mask is recommended. MagBacker is mold and mildew resistant.

STORAGE & HANDLINg

  • Store panels in a flat and dry environment.

CUTTING

  • Three ways to cut:
    1. Utility knife score with straight edge guide
    and snap
    2. Snips, snapper shears, or circular saw with carbide tip blade
    3. Cut out holes using utility knife, key saw or
    jig saw.

Floor Installation
Counter Top Installation

  • Use a minimum 1/2” type I exterior plywood equivalent placed on the cabinet top with plywood supports spaced not to exceed 16” O.C.
  • Layout keeping a 1/8” space between panel edges, perimeter and cabinetry.
  • Ensure Magbacker panel ends are not aligned with plywood joints. Offset the joints.
  • Apply a support bed of mortar or modified thin set to the plywood base, fasten to the cabinet top using a 1/4” square notch trowel.
  • Embed MagBacker panel evenly in mortar. keep a 1/8” space off the room perimeter, between panels and next to cabinetry.
  • Fasten MagBacker using #8,1-1/4” minmum corrosion resistant ring-shanked screws every 8” O.C. in the interior of the panel, 4” O.C. around the panel edges placing the screws 2” from the panel corners and between a minimum of 3/8” and 3/4” maximum from the panel edges.
  • Set fasteners “slightly” countersunk into the panel surface. Repeat the process for the next panel.
  • When all panels have been installed, fill seams/ joints with same mortar used to bond the tile.
    Embed 2” high strengh alkali-resistant glass mesh tape to seams/joints and apply a light skim coat on the mesh and level.
  • Proceed with tile installation in accordance with the tile manufacturer installation instructions and in
    reference to ANSI A108.4 or ANSI 108.5.


Vinyl & Resilient Floor Installation

  • Crawl space requirements or suspended wood subfloor must have a minimum of 18” clearance between ground level and floor joists, with a minimum 6 mil vapor barrier completely covering the ground.
  • Ensure the existing subfloor is ‘free of defects” and “structurally sound”. Replace any damaged or warped subfloor panels.
  • Subfloor fasteners must be countersunk in the subfloor.
  • Make sure the subfloor surface is smooth, dry, flat and clean of any debris, grease, paint, etc. All uneven seams/joints must be sanded flat.
  • Layout to ensure the MagBacker panel joints are installed perpendicular to the subfloor joints and are offset by a minimum of 8.” Factory edges “butt lightly” next to each other in the body of the floor and cut panel edges are faced toward the wall. Do not leave a 1/8” gap between the panels.
  • Layout to not allow all four corners to meet at one point. Keep a 1/8” space around the perimeter and cabinetry. Install with smooth side up.
  • Using 7/8” long galvanized 1/4” crown staples, fasten every 4” O.C. in the interior of the panel, 2” O.C. around the panel edges placing the staples 2” from the panel corners and a minimum 3/8” and 3/4” maximum from the panel edges.
  • Fasteners crowns must be flush with or slightly countersunk a maximum of 1/16” below the panel surface. After the panels have been fastened, lightly sand the panel seam/joints to ensure they are flat and level with the panel surface.
  • Thoroughly clean panel surface and remove ALL debris.
  • Use a wide flat trowel & a cement base rapid setting patching compound recommended by the floor covering manufacturer.
  • Apply a skim coat to all seam/joints, dents, hammer marks, etc. Do not build a ridge at the seams but feather out several inches on both sides of the seams. More than one coat may be necessary for a smooth surface. After complete drying of patch, lightly sand where needed to achieve a smooth surface.
  • The installed panel surface must be free of debris, any oil, grease, house hold chemicals, etc. All seams must be flat, smooth and dry before installing the floor covering.
  • Offset the floor covering seams from the MagBacker panel seams.
  • Install floor covering in accordance with the adhesive and the floor covering manufacturer install instructions.

  • Crawl space requirements: Suspended wood subfloor must have a minimum of 18” clearance between level and floor joists with a vapor barrier (min. 6 mil) completely covering the ground.
  • Use a minimum 5/8” exterior grade plywood or 23/32” OSB subfloor with type 1 exposure or better complying with local building codes and ANSI A108.11.
  • Floor must be engineered not to exceed L/360
    deflection criteria and L/720 for natural stone.
    When installing natural stone always consult Marble Institute of America Handbook & always follow flooring manufacturer installation instructions.
  • Floor joist spacing should not exceed 16” O.C.
  • If renovating, make sure existing subfloor is “free of defects.” Replace damaged or warped subfloor panels.
  • Make sure the subfloor surface is dry, smooth, flat and clean of any debris. Layout to ensure the Magbacker panel joints are staggered and do not align with the subfloor joints.
  • Layout and do not allow all four corners of the panels to meet at one point.
  • Layout allowing a 1/8” space between panel edges, perimeter and cabinetry.
  • Apply a support bed of latex mortar thinset to the subfloor using a 1/4” square notched trowel.
  • Embed MagBacker panel evenly in mortar.
  • Fasten MagBacker using #8, 1-1/4’’ minimum corrosion resistant ring shank screws every 8” O.C. in the interior of the panel, 4” O.C. around edges, placing screws 2” from panel corners and a minimum 3/8” and 3/4” max from the panel edges.
  • Set fasteners “slightly” countersunk into panel surface.
  • Repeat the process for the next panel.
  • When all panels are installed, fill seams/ joints with same mortar used to bond the tile.
  • Embed 2” high strength alkali resistant glass mesh tape to seams/joints & apply light skim coat on mesh and level.
  • Proceed with tile installation in accordance with tile manufacturere installation instructions and in reference to ANSI A108.4 or ANSI 108.5.


Wall Installation

  • Ensure framing is structurally sound, in compliance with local building codes and ANSI A108.11.
  • A minimum of 2”x4” wood studs or 20 gauge steel studs spaced a maximum of 16” O.C. straight & aligned.
  • Additional blocking may be required for fasteners attachment & strength in the corners of showers & baths.
  • Panels can be installed “horizontally or vertically.”
  • Check local building codes regarding installation of a vapor barrier.
  • Leave a 1/8” gap between the floor, tub or shower pan and fill gap with water proof caulk.
  • Fasten MagBacker using #8, 1-1/4” minimum corrosion resistant ring shanked screws every 8” O.C. in the interior of the panel, 4’’ O.C. around the panel edges placing the screws 2” from the panel corners and between a minimum of 3/8” and 3/4” maximum from the panel edges.
  • Set fasteners “slightly” countersunk into the panel surface. Repeat the process for the next panel.
  • When all panels have been installed, fill seams/ joints with same mortar used to bond the tile.
  • Embed 2” high strengh alkali-resistant glass mesh tape to seams/joints and apply a light skim coat on the mesh and level.
  • Proceed with tile installation in accordance with the tile manufacturer installation instructions and in reference to ANSI A108.4 or ANSI 108.5.