More than one-third (37 percent) of respondents chose HardieBacker cement board as their preferred backer board for floor and wall tile installations, making it the highest overall ranked product among the following manufacturers:

• USG (22%)
• Georgia-Pacific (10%)
• National Gypsum (8%)
• Custom Building Products (8%)

"When we developed HardieBacker cement board, we wanted a product that was made better, to install better and perform better than any other backer board on the market," said John Dybsky, senior marketing manager at James Hardie. "The survey results back this up, and show that we have consistently provided installers with an underlayment that delivers exceptional performance for their customers."

The study focuses on all major types of tile and stone installation products, ranging from backer boards for floor and wall tile to organic adhesives. Conducted biennially, James Hardie has remained the preferred backer board brand among tile installation contractors since 2007.

Available in ¹/₄- and 0.42-inch boards, HardieBacker cement board is a mold-resistant substrate specifically designed to protect the integrity of tile installation in floors, walls, counters and wet areas. HardieBacker cement board's unique cement formulation and structure make it the ideal combination of strength, uniform composition and performance, while remaining one of the lightest cement boards available. It also passed both ASTM mold and mildew resistance tests with perfect scores.

For more information about HardieBacker, visit www.hardiebacker.com.