When building a shower or a kitchen, it’s normal to come across scenarios where the Kerdi board meets the drywall. For many builders, it can be confusing how you can transition between these two materials. After all, they are all built differently.
If you have found yourself in the above scenario, here is an in-depth guide on transitioning from Kerdi board to drywall.
How to Create the Perfect Transition Between Kerdi Board and Drywall?
Transitioning from Kerdi board to drywall is easy, and you only need some Kerdi Band and drywall mud. Here is how you should go about it.
Step 1: Cover the Seam Between Kerdi Board and Drywall
Before you even create a seamless transition between these two materials, you must cover the seam. When fitting the Kerdi board, you must have cut and removed some parts of the drywall.
No matter how careful you were, it’s normal for there to be a gap once you are done installing the Kerdi board.
This seam must be covered. And the best way to do that is by cutting a small piece of the Kerdi board and fitting it on that seam.
The reason this seam ought to be covered is so that it can create an anchor or support for the Kerdi band we are going to install later. Therefore, cut a strip of Kerdi board and fit it into the seam. Ensure that it’s fastened to the wall.
Step 2: Apply Drywall Mud
Once the seam is fully covered, you need to apply drywall mud. The purpose of drywall mud here is to fill in the groove on the seams. It also creates a smoother finish while allowing you to tape over the drywall and Kerdi board transition.
When applying drywall mud, you must ensure that every area of the transition is covered from top to bottom. Spread the drywall mud evenly until it’s smooth. And without using up more time, proceed to step three.
Step 3: Fit the Kerdi Band Tape on the Transition
To wrap up your transition, apply the Kerdi Band tape on the seam. Make sure it’s bonded and well attached to the drywall mud, and that’s it. You will have successfully created the perfect transition from Kerdi board to drywall.
If you follow the above instructions carefully, no one will even realize there is a transition between these two materials. From there, you can tile or paint over the transition and finish your project.
Can Water Leak through the Kerdi Board and Drywall Transition?
No, it won’t. However, your bathroom setup will be a key determining factor. When building a shower or kitchen, you use a Kerdi board because it is waterproof.
If you use both Kerdi board and drywall, the part with the latter material won’t be heavily exposed to moisture. Take modern bathrooms, for example.
When creating the above transition, the side with the Kerdi board should be the one that is exposed to moisture because it is waterproof.
The other side with drywall should be moisture free. The transition should be strategically placed on the moisture-free side.
Assuming you want to install a shower door, it should be before the transition and on the side of the Kerdi board.
You don’t have to worry about leaks when you create such a setup. You should also not forget that your transition features Kerdi Band, which is waterproof.
Can You Create a Transition by Overlapping Kerdi Board Over Drywall?
It’s possible because the Kerdi board can be installed over drywall. But it’s not recommendable because the transition won’t be flush.
If the transition features Kerdi board slightly overlapping drywall, it won’t be level. Even if you apply the drywall mud, it will be evident that the two panels were incorrectly joined together.
The best transition is to join the seams with a tin strip of Kerdi board, drywall mud, and Kerdi band.
Can You Tile Over Kerdi Board and Drywall Transition?
As long as the transition has been perfectly constructed, you can tile over it. You can even paint over it. The only problem that would have occurred is if the seam had been left open.
If you had tiled over it, water could leak past the Kerdi board, and your waterproofing attempts would have been futile.
If you find yourself dealing with an open seam between Kerdi board and drywall, do not be tempted to tile over it. You will be concealing an entry point for moisture and water.
Do I Need a Stud Behind the Kerdi Board and Drywall Transition?
Absolutely. One of the challenges you may face when creating a smooth transition from Kerdi board to drywall is when there is no stud behind it.
The problem here would be that there won’t be an anchor point for the Kerdi board strip to be attached to.
You can rely on drywall mud to hold the Kerdi board when it cures. But it won’t be structurally strong. As you plan how you will create this transition, ensure there is a stud on the frame behind it.
Drywall Tape vs. Kerdi Tape: Which is the Best Option for this Transition?
The Kerdi band is the preferred tape in this scenario because it is waterproof. Drywall tape can create a smooth finish.
However, when exposed to moisture, it won’t stand a chance. When assembling material for creating this transition, make sure that you use the Kerdi band.
Is It Okay to Install the Bathroom Door on the Kerdi Board and Drywall Transition?
Do not install the door on this transition. The best place to do that would be on the Kerdi Board. A Kerdi board to drywall transition is quite vulnerable.
The excess weight of the door can make it weaker. To avoid any risk of damage, keep the door a few inches from the transition.
What If the Kerdi Board to Drywall Transition is in a Corner?
Another challenge you may encounter when building a Kerdi board to drywall transition is if it’s located in a corner.
The best approach here is to use a corner bead, preferably the one from Schluter. The corner bead will help strengthen the transition between these two materials. You can go ahead and apply drywall mud on the overlapping seam.
Please note that it’s impossible to avoid an overlapping seam in this scenario. Then proceed to apply the Kerdi Band and ensure it touches both sides of the transition.
Regarding the corner bead, you can use one from any company. But it’s a good idea to stick to those made by Schluter, called Profiles.
You will have to be very careful when applying drywall mud to a transition located in a corner because any buildup can be challenging to smoothen out once you are done.
Can I Avoid a Transition by Replacing Drywall with Kerdi Board?
Yes, you can, but it will be expensive and time-consuming. Whether you are building or renovating a shower, you are obviously working with a budget.
If you don’t want to deal with transitions, that would mean you have to rip out all the drywall and replace it with Kerdi Board.
The cost of such a renovation would be high, and if other walls in that room won’t be exposed to moisture, there is no need to replace the drywall with Kerdi board.
You don’t have to be afraid of creating a Kerdi board to drywall transition. As you can see from the guide above, it’s a straightforward procedure, and you don’t need any unique tools or equipment.
Should I Hire an Expert Contractor to Work on this Kerdi Board to Drywall Transition?
If you have some building experience, this is a project that you can easily pull off by yourself.
However, if you doubt your skills, you can always hire an expert contractor who will follow the above procedure and create a flawless transition between the Kerdi board and drywall. But you will incur an extra cost for their services.