I get the appeal of green board, especially for low-moisture spots, but I’ve seen too many “water-resistant” products fail after a few years. In rental units, I just don’t trust anything but cement board behind showers or tubs. Cutting it’s a hassle, sure, but the peace of mind is worth it when you’re not constantly worried about leaks turning into full-on mold issues down the line. The newer green boards claim better moisture resistance, but until there’s long-term data, I’m not convinced they’re much more than rebranded drywall with a slightly tougher face.
I hear you on the cement board—I've had to rip out soggy green board more than once, and it's never pretty. Still, I’ve seen some folks use green board for bathroom ceilings or half-walls with no issues. Has anyone actually had the new stuff hold up in a high-use space?
I’m actually in the middle of my first bathroom reno and this is exactly what’s tripping me up. I read that the newer green board is supposed to be better, but when I went to demo, the old stuff was a mess near the tub—literally crumbling. For my ceiling, I’m tempted to use it since there’s no direct water contact, but for anywhere near a shower or tub, it just seems risky. Has anyone tested the newer brands over a few years? I keep seeing mixed opinions...
I get where you’re coming from—green board’s supposed to be “moisture resistant,” but it’s not waterproof. I’ve seen it hold up fine on ceilings, especially if you’ve got decent ventilation. But for anything near a tub or shower, I’d go with cement board or something similar. The newer green boards are better than the old stuff, but they’ll still break down if they get wet enough. Learned that the hard way in my last place... had to redo a wall after a slow leak. If you want peace of mind, stick to cement board in the wet zones.
Green board’s got a fancy name, but it’s not magic drywall. Here’s what I learned after my “I can totally DIY this” bathroom adventure:
- Used green board on the ceiling—no issues, even after my epic steam showers.
- Tried it behind the sink once. Regretted it when my kid’s “water experiments” turned into a mini flood.
- Cement board is heavy, but at least it doesn’t melt if you look at it wrong.
If you’re clumsy like me, just go with cement board near water. Green board’s fine for the rest, unless you like redoing walls every few years...
