Green board’s definitely one of those things that sounds better on paper than it plays out in real life, especially in wet zones. I totally get what you mean about demo day “surprises”—been there, found that mushy green board behind a tub and just shook my head. It’s wild how often it gets used where it really shouldn’t.
I do think you’re spot on with LVP for rentals. It’s not glamorous, but it’s practical and tenants can be rough on floors. Tile looks great but yeah, if the subfloor isn’t dead flat, grout cracks are almost inevitable. I’ve seen some folks try epoxy grout to help with that, but it’s a pain to work with and doesn’t solve the movement issue.
Green board’s fine for walls outside the splash zone, but I just can’t bring myself to trust it behind a tub or shower anymore.
Couldn’t agree more here. For showers or tubs, I’m all about cement board or one of those waterproof foam panels these days. Costs a bit more up front, but way less hassle down the line. Green board’s fine for a powder room or laundry wall, but water finds a way... always does.
Honestly, I’ve had green board last just fine behind a tub—key is sealing the seams and using a good vapor barrier. Not saying it’s bulletproof, but sometimes cement board feels like overkill for a simple hall bath. Maybe I’m just cheap...
Honestly, I’ve had green board last just fine behind a tub—key is sealing the seams and using a good vapor barrier.
I hear you on that. If you’re careful with the prep and don’t skimp on caulking or vapor barrier, green board can hold up surprisingly well in low-traffic baths. I’ve done a couple of guest baths that way and never had issues. Cement board is definitely tougher, but for a basic hall bath, sometimes it’s just more work (and expense) than needed. You’re not alone in thinking it can be overkill. Just gotta be diligent with the details.
Green board’s kind of like the “good enough” option for me, especially in my old house where nothing is square and every project turns into a saga. I totally agree with this:
Just gotta be diligent with the details.
Here’s my step-by-step for making green board work:
1. Vapor barrier—don’t skip it, even if you’re tempted.
2. Seal every seam like you’re expecting a monsoon.
3. Caulk corners and edges (I use way too much, but hey, better safe than sorry).
4. Prime before tiling, just for peace of mind.
Honestly, unless you’ve got kids splashing around daily or a shower that runs 24/7, green board’s usually fine. Cement board’s great, but sometimes it feels like bringing a tank to a pillow fight...
Green board’s always been a bit of a debate for me, especially when I’m deciding between cost and long-term headaches. I’ve renovated a few rental units where budget was tight, and honestly, green board did the job—provided nobody was running a car wash in the bathroom. Your list pretty much nails what I ended up doing too, especially with vapor barriers. The first time I skipped that step (rookie mistake, years ago), I had to deal with mold creeping in behind the wall after just a couple seasons. Never again.
One thing I’ve wondered: have you ever had issues where heavy tile starts to pull away from green board over time? I had a situation in a 1950s place where the walls weren’t just out of square—they were wavy. Ended up with some cracked grout and a couple loose tiles after a year or two. Not catastrophic, but enough to make me rethink using green board for anything other than light tile or just paint.
That said, cement board can be overkill, especially if it’s just a half-bath or powder room. But in full baths, especially in older homes where ventilation isn’t great, I lean toward overbuilding now. Maybe it’s just because I’ve had to pay for my mistakes more than once... but I’d rather not get that call from a tenant about water damage or loose tiles.
Curious if anyone’s tried those newer waterproof backer boards? I haven’t tested them yet—wondering if they’re worth the extra expense or if it’s just marketing hype. Sometimes it feels like every year there’s another “miracle” product that promises zero maintenance and then... well, reality sets in.
Still, for most jobs, I’d say green board is fine if you really pay attention to those details you mentioned. Skip one step and you’ll probably regret it later.
