Does “greenboard” really offer any benefits over regular drywall with a good paint job in a bathroom for walls other than the tub/shower (which will be tile over Durock). We are installing a high quality exhaust fan.
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No.
Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.
If greenboard gets wet (eg, from water splashed on the floor wicking up a wall, or from a kid hanging a really wet towel on a towel rod) it will not tend to pucker or disintegrate as much as regular drywall.
What about at floor level? Can you imagine a circumstance where standing water would come in contact with the sheet rock down there?
Green board is good insurance in any bathroom or laundry room. If you use 5/8" it'll make good backer for tile, should that become desirable later.
"If you use 5/8" it'll make good backer for tile, should that become desirable later. "
I assume you mean other than in a tub or shower wall, or covered with Kerdi? Otherwise, no way!
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
I would assume that the intent was to say that if one decides to tile the bathroom walls, outside of the shower area, that the greenboard makes a perfectly adequate backer.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
the greenboard makes a perfectly adequate backer.
And right across the ceiling, too, where the warm water vapor collects until the fan hauls it out.
Only one annoyance, that 12" span hassle for ceilings. Still comforting to install above wainscotted tile.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I assume you mean other than in a tub or shower wall, or covered with Kerdi? Otherwise, no way!
You assume correctly sir! ;-) The OP asked for opinons about using green board outside the tub/shower area.
"You assume correctly sir! ;-) "
Phew! Now I can sleep! ;-)
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
I've always been told to never use greenboard in showers and never thought of doing so. However, here in the Toronto area there are still guys (probably from the Old Country) who do it. Around where I live (suburb just north of Toronto), most of the houses built around 20 years or so ago have showers built with some kind of drywall for the backer. Needless to say, a lot of showers will be failing in the not to distant future. On of my neighbors took out a tub / surround several years ago. He told me that the only thing holding up the tile was the tile itself--the backer was powder.Last week someone near me asked if I could replace some tiles along the bottom course of their shower because they had become very loose. What I found underneath was drywall backer on top of very thin tar paper. Mold had already eaten away most of the paper, so the mastic had nothing to stick to. The tiles themselves were staying up because the tiles actually went all of the way down to the subfloor! I have never seen anything like it. Who would tile the walls before putting in the mudpan? Of course there is no membrane. (Maybe the mudpan was precast? They certainly used enough grout between the pan and the walls.)Anyway, the customer only wanted a temporary fix until they decide whether or not to sell. So I replaced the drywall behind the loose tiles with Hardibacker, grouted, redid the caulking, and did the best that I could. I usually guarantee my work, but this shower was designed and built to fail. Richard Hussey
Thornhill (Toronto), Ontario
Greenboard is water resistant, and not waterproof.
I've used it for years and have seen evidence of it helping in situations where the moisture was minor.
I always rock my bathrooms with it , as you describe in your post...buic
Someone on this site recently said that many contractors will not use greenboard on ceilings because of its' tendency to sag. What say you?
Greenboard : My experience says 5/8" on 16"oc joists = OK. 1/2" on 16" centers = sag, but it takes a few years. 1/2" on 12" centers = OK.
Have seen some guys use 1/2" on 24" centers = always sag.
Have also seen 1/2" on 24"oc glued and screwed then second layer of 1/2" with much glue and then screwed = OK; glue out in the field between joists in addition to the normal glue use. Made a 1" "laminate".
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
I've never had a problem with greenboard sagging.
It's usually 16 on center, screwed off.
I will admit to being fussy about how I fasten.
Rock has to be pushed back firm against the stud and the screw can't tear the paper.
I don't get many pops either...buic
Fussy is good - minimizes call backs and bolsters your reputation!
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Does "greenboard" really offer any benefits over regular drywall...
Sure does. Along with the several examples already offered up, I always use it when finishing basements. Whether a moisture problem exists or not. A little added insurance.
Matter of fact, a basement I finished some years back was recently flooded. HO called in a panic for me to come over and make sure everything was OK. Metal studs, ridgid insulation boards and MR drywall were all in perfect condition. Only problem was the carpet she had installed. Refused to go with my recomendation of an indoor/outdoor carpet at the time, and now it was trashed.
She was appreciative for my overkill...especially after she had insisted that there were no moisture concerns with her basement.
MR has its place.....just not inside a shower.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
It should be mentioned, though, that the new paperless drywall and similar innovations are likely superior to conventional greenboard. Of course, cost and availability are issues, and these new products don't have any sort of a track record.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I just noticed the local Home Dpt has a regular price sign on their Densarmor, written-- "$9.98--Clearance" Not their yellow tag sign. IIRC, that stuff was about $1.80 more a couple weeks ago. Are they unloading this stuff for some reason? Never bought the stuff or used it before, but starting a Masterbath Re-Do tomorrow. OK, it's really a Mistress bath....
Good point.
I often use such products where moisture is a likely concern.
In the scenario I was speaking of, the HO was insistant that it was of no concern.
J. D. ReynoldsHome Improvements
I always use it for non-tiled areas in a bathroom. Has performed well for me over the years.
Plus the local BI's insist on it or one of the new substitutes like DanH mentioned.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.