The advent of cement backer board has made it possible for do-it-yourselfers to lay tile like a pro. The reason: For most installations, it eliminates the need to set tile in a thick bed of mortar.

Q: I'm getting ready to buy backer board for a ceramic tile project. There are different types out there, and I'm a little confused. Which backer boards do you use ...

Q: While remodeling my bathroom, I noticed the wallboard behind the tile was deteriorating. When I redo the shower area, is there a better, more durable type of wallboard to install under the tile? — ...