Too lazy to ready the website right now - been out shopping, but what is the big deal about Weidi board? Why not just use the backerboard. I'm quite happy w/that as a substrate for indoor/outdoor use. It's light enough and cement-based, so tell me why would I want to go w/Weidi?

Excerpt from website:
"For mosaic artists, they are a great substrate. They are rigid, waterproof and weatherproof -- and are extremely lightweight. They don't warp and require no sealing. They can be used on floors, walls, in bathrooms, or as art panels - for inside or outside use. Wedi panels can be easily cut to size with just a utility knife - no power tools required!"
Slow, it is super light compared to backerboard, easier to cut and shape too. For me, its a huge thing because everything I've done lately has been on MDF which is VERY heavy.
I want to try and make butterflies and other more sculptural pieces with it.
If you're happy with backer, thats great! This is just another option.

Bama,
How rigid is the thin one? Does it give/bend at all?

If you press on the center, no give at all. But if you press on the edge, it does dent/chip.

kewl.

Did you buy the special hangers for them also?. I got some from Maryland Mosaics, but haven't had time to think about what to do with them.
I got one of each of the hangers, thought I might be able to make my own set from HD parts. ( It says to install hangers first before mosaicing on them .. I guess that is good advise)
What are you going to make with them??

Meadel those are just sample pieces. I haven't ordered any yet. I wanted to see it in person before I did. I'm goin to order the hangers though when I do, and I'll probaby be like you and figure out my own cheaper hanging system!

I plan to use z-clips. They're an aluminum French cleat
contraption.

I've seen some awesome structural mosaics made on wedi board. Curves and all sorts of delicious stuff.

I'm glad they are finally selling it here.

Thanks for sharing this, Bama. I noticed it on Maryland Mosaics and was quite intrigued. On MM website she mentioned something about taking time to prep it properly. What does that mean?
Sounds like it would be great for wall hangings.

Linlee, have you used it before? How do you finish the edges?

Here is some good info. Debbi, the prep is attaching the hanging system before you start to mosaic on it.

Here is a link that might be useful: wedi info

Bama...What great info. Lots of that I'd not heard before.

d3bbi...No I haven't used it yet. Been researching it going on 2 years though. In that time it's gone from hardly
anybody ever hearing of it to this wealth of knowledge.
I'm very excited to start a project on one.
The edges, as in a bathroom installation are covered
in Wedi tape and thinset smooth...just like drywall.
However in Bama's info it says to coat the edges in Weldbond for tac then a layer of thinset. I'm liking
the easier Weldbond method. However in a professional
installation I'd go with the tape...just to be sure.

Thanks for the info, Bama and Linlee. I remember reading about it over a year ago too and was quite surprised to see it on Maryland Mosaics. I think I might order some.

This sounds a lot like cement board...Durock is one brand. You can get it at Lowe's...1/4" thick. I think it's about nine dollars for a 4 x 6 panel.

Nope ingeoria, it's different. About 1/4 of the weight of cement board! That's why I'm excited about it!

no, big difference. Durock is solid and heavy. Wedi is light, made of a foam sheet

and Yes, Bama I would think an enterprising type cement entreprenuer could make their own version!

wonder if you make birdhouses out of this...

What, you mean back-splash project-pieces don't HAVE to weigh upwards of 30 pounds each?!

Thanks for the pics!

Well DUH if I had read the link I would've found that out...LOL. Okay now I am excited about this stuff too. I still have one wall to tile in the bathroom. Now to find a place within driving distance that carries it...

thank you for teaching me something new !! woot

bama,
1 more question if you don't mind...
Is the surface of the board as bumpy as it
appears in your photo?
Linlee

Hey, BAMA - BTW - where IS BAMA? I found the butterfly, one of the gifts that Sandy Rob from the Oz group sent me when I won the monthly challenge, and it's made from this stuff. I now see why you're delighted w/the weight. It must be a VERY thin layer of thinset on the foam. I squeezed it and barely could feel a teensy sponginess, but tried to break it and it didn't break, so must be very strong. I still prefer backerboard cuz of the hanging issue.

I found a place in Detroit that sells Wedi and can order
what you need. If there's anyone from this area interested you can email me through this site for the info.
Linlee

Hey yall!
Just flew back in from AL tonight. (boy are my arms tired! yuk, yuk, yuk..)
Anyways, Linlee, the surface is bumpy because of the mesh, but it's slight, no big deal. The grid is close enough together that it won't affect the way your pieces lay.

Thanks!

Thanks for the info Bama, I ordered some samples.
Bianchi

Bama and all,

Have you, or any of you, made a project with Wedi board?? I am curious how you liked it. I want to make a sign for the front of our house. I stupidly did it acrylic at first and after a week realized it wouldn't last. So.. wedi board is looking really nice and it works outside too.

I wouldn't think Durock or any of the other ones do, but really not sure.

Plix please if any one has played with wedi..

I did a project with the wedi board. I contacted wedi for a place local around me that sells wedi & bought a 3' x 5' piece for $37.00. I have lots leftover for other projects. It is light.

I plan on making some things for outside with it & some projects for Christmas.The only problem is it's not even where you put the plugs in to hang in the back. It is slightly raised & then goes in around the center of the plug. Not that big of a deal to me.

Hope this answers your questions.

Here is a link that might be useful: desert

Oh, this is interesting to see an old post surface. Wondering if you ever tried making your own, BAMA. If so, let us know how it worked. At present I'm working on a large plaque to go behind my new fountain, and am using hardi-backer or cemenet board. This sucker is so heavy, I won't be able to hang it, so w/have to stand it on concrete blocks and wire it to the fence post so it won't tip over. I doubt even a strong wind w/do that, it's sooooooo heavy. Interested in seeing if you were successful, BAMA.

Thanks CAC. I remember seeing your beautiful desert scene, I just forgot it was made from Wedi board.

I just got back from Lowes and they aren't carrying it but I know Maryland Mosaics and other places carry it online. I did buy some portland cement though and a big sheet of MDF.

Slow, that is cool what you are doing. I am curious how the hardibacker will do outside?? I have heard you can use it on decking flooring so I guess it is weather proof. But like you said, it is so heavy.. I'm anxious to see pix when you are done.

I looked everywhere. You can buy pieces already cut up. Contact Wedi & they will give you places in your area that sell it. I was fortunate & was only 20 min away. It was a flooring place that only sold to contractors but Wedi contacted them & had no problems buying some.

Someone was going to try & make Wedi. I think it would be simple. The cement coating is very, very thin, & use the tape you use when plastering & you'd be all set.

LOL - CAC. Read the first post in this thread, started by the BAMA. When I opened it yesterday, I thought it was a new thread, then read the whole thing. I hope the BAMA girl w/come back to tell us if she was successful, cuz I'd like to try my hand at it too when time permits.

I reallly want to see if BAMA had made the BAMAboard. She could get the copyright and sell it to all of us for a discount!! LOL

really, it is fascinating to do searches on topics of interest and revive them for more info.. I am an infoholic, even read telephone books.

Bamb bama where are you???

Where are all these people? I miss them. I just received two pieces of Wedi, each 30" x 36" and I am dinking around on the internet trying to decide what to do with the Wedi, and a link to this post surfaces! Anyone know if Bama ever made her Bamaboard? Any observations, suggestions, comments, anyone? I am faunching at the bit, ready to mosaic on Wedi board!

Here is a link that might be useful: Silva's blog

I so lucked out and around a year ago our local Habitat for humanity had a bunch of this. Jane grabbed a few sheets and told me about the rest, I went back and picked up the other dozen sheets 2.50 each !!They're about 2.5 feet wide and 4 feet long. I ordered both styles of hangers and managed to get them on sale, They are costly but I sell some pieces so want them to be well made and look good. This board does cut easily with an exacto knife, you can make curves etc. Don't know what I'll do when I run out cause it is very costly normally.
Cindy

Oh Cindy you Lucky! I paid $45 for the two pieces I got that are 30 inches by 36 inches. (Well, it was a gift certificate that my dearest friends gave me for my birthday.) But wow, what a deal you got! I will keep my eye open in our area. What do you make with yours?

NT makes what w/be the best substitute, IMO. She covers styrofoam w/thinset, I believe. I've seen several artists use the foam for structures and concrete over it. Check out NT's tutorials on her hangers also. Seems to me you could buy the sheets of foam, cover it w/the wallboard tape, then a thin application of thinset, and you have a lightweight substrate for a lot less money.

Hey yall!! Someone told me that this thread had re-surfaced.
I have made my own substrates, so has NT. Just used styrofoam, wrapped with fiberglass mesh tape and smeared with thinset.
I haven't found a substitute for the hanging system.

That is so COOL and I'm going to copy it - - I will still buy the hanging system from Maryland Mosaics; it is not that pricey. Thank you so much. I am going to print this out.

By the way, I already emailed Wedi and they very efficiently answered to let me know the name of the dealer in my area, which is Dal-Tile.

I've used it when I taught some workshops for the students to make outdoor hangings, it can be used for just about anything, and it's so light weight,
Cindy