Things You'll Need:
- Safety glasses
- Dust mask
- Heavy-duty, sharp saw blades
- Saw horse or table saw
- Clamps
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
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Step 1
Determine the composite of the backerboard. Ask your supplier for a list of all the ingredients in the board. Many backerboards contain cement or glass in the center.
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Step 2
Measure area where backerboard will be used and bring those measurements when making your purchase. Many of the pieces can be purchased in the size you need so you won't have to cut them. Surfaces such as countertops are most often a standard size.
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Step 3
Use a circular saw with a sharp, strong blade to cut odd shapes. Note that backerboards can be as thin as plywood or as heavy as concrete.
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Step 4
Hold board in place with clamps. Straight cuts for walls, floors and counter tops can often be made without clamps if board is long enough to remain stable when cutting.
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Step 5
Ventilate area when cutting. Backerboard often contains fragments of glass or cement for added strength.
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Step 6
Measure twice, cut once. Backerboard should be cut slightly larger than the surface it will attach to. So if you are unsure, it is better to cut long and adjust once installed.
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Step 7
Use a framing square and dull tool to score the backerboard. Do the scoring before making final cuts.
