Stone & Tile Industry NewsIndustry Insights

USG Corp. Delivers High-Performance Lightweight Backer Board System

CHICAGO, IL -- USG Corporation (USG), an industry-leading manufacturer of building materials and innovative solutions, announced the launch of USG Fiberock® Brand AquaSmart™ Tile Backerboard -- the latest innovation in its growing portfolio of high-performance tile backer solutions. Designed for contractors who want a better way to waterproof tile installations, Fiberock AquaSmart Tile Backerboard is lighterweight, clean-cutting and engineered for high performance in wet and dry areas.

“AquaSmart Tile Backerboard is a smarter way to achieve waterproof installation without all the extra weight, mess and material cost verses traditional tile backers,” said Anson Johnson, vice president, Gypsum Materials, USG Corporation. “We listened to the needs of pros who are looking for easier more cost-efficient installs and developed a panel that delivers just that.”

Developed through USG’s building science expertise, Fiberock AquaSmart Tile Backerboard is a monolithic gypsum fiber panel that is waterproof when tested in accordance with ANSI 118.10 (Section 4.5), meeting the needs of tile and flooring contractors seeking efficiency and durability without sacrificing performance.

Unlike traditional waterproof panels, AquaSmart Tile Backerboard features a proprietary homogenous composition that is waterproof not just on the surface, but throughout the entire backerboard. This allows it to meet stringent hydrostatic pressure testing with no visible penetration over 48 hours.

Key features include:

Waterproof to its core: Uniform composition is durable, with no surface facer to scratch, tear or delaminate
Easy to cut, carry and install: A lighterweight alternative to traditional tile backerboard that cuts clean, with less mess
Less total material cost: Treat only the seams and fasteners to complete waterproof installation
0.42-inch panel thickness: Designed for easier handling and improved compatibility with modern substrates
Application versatility: For use under tile, stone, vinyl, hardwood, laminate and carpeting -- its smooth surface can even be painted for seamless wall transitions in wet areas
Superior tile bond strength: Suitable for floors, walls and countertops in both wet and dry environments

“The tile industry has been waiting for this type of innovation,” said Johnson. “We’re helping professionals and DIYer’s alike trade heavy cumbersome solutions for something smarter. And at a more competitive cost to achieve waterproofness, AquaSmart Tile Backerboard just makes sense.”

USG Fiberock AquaSmart Tile Backerboard officially became available nationwide June 1, 2025.