I think we get some of these samples first in Canada. I know Kerdi Board and Laticrete Sheet membrane first where launched in BC. I have yet to see Hydro Board, but would guess if it is anything like Kerdi Board it is nothing more than some kind of semi rigid foam covered with Hydro Ban.

In the past five years there are three stand outs for me in the "Worst Innovation Award"

At the top of the list is Kerdi Board. This product is total crap. This product uses pressed paper for strength.

Next it is Ardex AF207 Ditra Adhesive - crap and crap

GreenSkin - I could go on for ever on how bad this is. The biggest let down is how poorly it failed my shear testing rigs. Worst of the lot and nothing I have tested since comes even close to it's poor numbers. So bad in fact that I use what I have left as a bond breaker tape it's so bad.

Some new products just should not be launched. Just because a company makes many great products does not mean they should try and make a product for every single scenario.

Thanks John - I could see from a $$$ perspective it's fine to instead put up cement board and paint on some hydroban instead of using prefab waterproof foam board. What is your opinion of the pre-sloped hydroban pan? My intention is to use a solid surface shower base but I've not been able to find one in the size I want for a reasonable price so I figured this would be a good alternative since it would save time and hassle of creating the sloped mortar bed.

I'm just a DIY engineer. I was debating make my own pan - but I found this Tileredi shower pan. They are properly sloped, have an integrated drain, and have a lip for the cement board. The pan was $500 - but it saved me a ton of time, and research on how to properly construct a mud shower pan.

I used hydroban over Hardiboard. Five years later - no problems.

I personally do not recommend using foam in anyway in your shower build. Unless it's fire stop spray foam and your sealing pipe and wire penetrations prior to boarding or making the shower base.

Foam kneeling pads are great for saving the knees and protecting finished tile work.

But foam to tile on or on top of... No way.

If you can't build your own I would install a ready made base with thin-set and mortar and do a good job tying in some topical waterproofing to it. If the bases you like are slightly smaller you can adjust with a ledge or short pony wall. Maybe a bench. You can always add a proper tile curb and further improve the look.

I have used both KerdiBoard and Greenskin, and I disagree with the "crap" comment. Both work as advertised and have presented zero "problems' that I have seen reported.