HardieBacker for masonry installs?

[bluebottles]

Just wrapped up a small fireplace surround job where the homeowner requested HardieBacker as the substrate under a thin stone veneer, its not my usual go to coz I've always leaned toward cement board or floated scratch coats when dealing with masonry, but I figured I'd give it a fair shot since it was an interior install with zero moisture exposure
Gotta say… it held up better than I expected, didn't crumble or flex, and the screws held tight but on another angle I still feel the board wasn't made for the weight we were asking of it if this were exterior or over an uneven surface

 

[hardhathustle22]

HardieBacker can work for light interior stone, but you're correct, it's not rated for heavier loads or uneven bases. For me, cement board or a proper scratch coat is still the safer bet for long-term durability

 

[boo_boo]

Using HardieBacker under stone veneer feels like cutting corners, just because it worked this time doesn't mean it's right. Cement board or proper scratch coats should still be the standard, not the exception.

 

[KoalaMan1532]

Nice! Sounds like it worked out well for that specific setup. Did you use mortar or adhesive for the veneer? Curious how it bonded over the board long-term.