Yeah, I’m with you—green board’s been fine for me outside the shower too. I did a small half-bath reno last year and just made sure to seal every seam and screw head. No issues so far, knock on wood. Cement board is just... brutal to work with unless you’ve got serious patience (or biceps).
Totally agree—green board’s been my go-to for anything outside the “splash zone.” I’ve seen a lot of folks get nervous about it, but honestly, as long as you’re sealing those seams and not putting it right in the shower, it holds up just fine. Cement board is a beast to cut and haul around... I swear, every time I use it, my arms are sore for days. For most bathroom walls, green board’s more than enough, especially if you’re careful with moisture control.
Cement board is a beast to cut and haul around... I swear, every time I use it, my arms are sore for days.
Yeah, cement board is no joke—last time I tried to do a ceiling with it, I thought my shoulders were gonna fall off. I get why people default to green board for most of the bathroom, especially if you’re not putting it right in the shower or tub surround. I’ve had good luck with it as long as I’m careful about taping and using a decent primer.
One thing I wonder about, though—has anyone tried some of the newer “mold-resistant” drywall options? I keep seeing them at the store but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Supposedly they’re even better than green board, but I’m not sure if it’s just marketing or actually worth the extra cash.
Also, for anyone thinking about eco stuff, green board’s not perfect but it’s a lot easier to recycle than cement board scraps. Just something I think about when I’m knee-deep in demo debris.
Green board’s definitely easier on the back (and wallet) than cement board, but I get what you mean about the newer mold-resistant stuff. I actually tried one of those purple boards in my last bathroom reno—mostly because it was on sale and I was curious if it was just hype. Honestly, it went up just like regular drywall, maybe a bit heavier, but nothing like wrestling with cement board.
I can’t say I’ve noticed a huge difference in day-to-day use, but I do feel a little better knowing it’s supposed to hold up better if there’s ever a leak or some sneaky moisture. Still, for areas that don’t get direct water, green board plus a good primer seems fine to me. If you’re pinching pennies (like I usually am), I’d say stick with green board unless you catch the fancy stuff on sale.
And yeah, cement board scraps are a pain to get rid of... I swear my local dump guy gives me the stink eye every time I show up with another load.
I hear you on the dump runs—cement board scraps are the worst. I’ve had to break them down with a sledge just to fit them in the car, and the dust is no joke. Honestly, I’m with you on green board for most spots. Like you said,
I’ve got a 1920s house and the old plaster held up for decades with way less tech, so I figure as long as you’re smart about moisture, you’re probably fine. The peace of mind with the newer boards is nice, but my wallet usually wins out too.“for areas that don’t get direct water, green board plus a good primer seems fine to me.”
