Green board definitely gets a lot of hype, but I think you nailed it with this:
Cement board is heavy, but at least it doesn’t melt if you look at it wrong.
I’ve had similar experiences—used green board for a bathroom ceiling and it’s held up fine, even with a teenager who treats the shower like a steam room. But I made the mistake of putting it behind a tub surround once, thinking “hey, it’s moisture resistant, what could go wrong?” Turns out, “moisture resistant” isn’t the same as “waterproof.” Ended up with some soft spots after a couple years. Not catastrophic, but enough to make me wish I’d just muscled through with cement board from the start.
Honestly, green board seems okay for areas that might get a little humidity but not direct water. Like, above the tile line or on the ceiling, sure. But anywhere water might actually splash or pool? I’m with you—cement board all the way, even if it feels like you’re hauling slabs of sidewalk into your house.
One thing I’ll add: if you’re doing a tile job, cement board just gives you way more peace of mind. It’s not fun to redo tile because the wall behind it turned to mush. Green board’s fine for the “safe zones,” but if you’ve got kids, pets, or just bad luck with plumbing, it’s probably not worth the risk near water.
Funny how “fancy” products get all the buzz, but the old-school heavy stuff still wins when it comes to actual durability.
I’m in the middle of my first bathroom reno and this is exactly the kind of stuff that’s got me second-guessing every decision. I originally thought green board was the “safe” choice for the whole room, but after reading stories like yours (and a couple YouTube horror shows), I’m starting to wonder if I’m just setting myself up for trouble down the line. Is it really worth saving a little effort now if it means tearing everything out later?
I did some test cuts with cement board and yeah, it’s a beast to handle, but it feels way sturdier. I guess what I’m struggling with is whether it’s overkill for spots like above the shower, or if I should just go all-in since I’m already making a mess. Has anyone actually regretted using cement board everywhere, or is it just the hassle people complain about? I’m trying to avoid the “should’ve done it right the first time” regret, but at the same time, I don’t want to make it harder than it needs to be.
Appreciate the real-world examples—makes a lot more sense than the product labels.
Green Board In The News—Worth The Hype For Bathrooms?
I get where you're coming from. I’ve gone back and forth on this exact issue in my own renos, mostly because I’m always trying to keep costs down without shooting myself in the foot a couple years later. Green board’s definitely easier to work with, but I’ve seen it get a bit soggy around showers—even when it’s not *technically* in direct contact with water. That said, cement board is no joke to cut or haul around, especially if you’re working alone or in a tight space.
I keep wondering: for all the folks who say “just do cement board everywhere and never worry about it,” does anyone actually regret going that route? Or is the regret more about the extra time and effort during install? I get that it’s heavier and messier, but if it means you don’t have to deal with mold or soft walls down the line, maybe it’s worth the pain up front.
But then again, for spots that are basically just drywall with a little bit of humidity (like above the shower head or on the ceiling), maybe green board really is fine? I mean, how much moisture actually gets up there unless your bathroom’s basically a sauna?
I’d love to hear if anyone’s had issues years after using green board in those less-exposed spots. Is this one of those things where you look back and think “should’ve just sucked it up and done cement board everywhere,” or does it end up not mattering as much as people make it sound online? Sometimes I feel like forums and YouTube can make every decision feel life-or-death... but I guess that’s better than learning the hard way later.
Had a client insist on green board everywhere a few years back—she was convinced it was “the new standard.” Fast forward, I got a call about bubbling paint and soft spots near the tub. Turns out, even with good ventilation, steam just finds its way in. Above the shower head and ceiling? Green board held up fine, but anywhere near splash zones, it just didn’t cut it. Cement board’s a pain, sure, but I’ve never had to go back and fix it. Sometimes the extra hassle up front really does save you grief later.
Green board’s one of those things that sounds great on paper, but man, I’ve learned the hard way it just doesn’t hold up everywhere. I had a duplex reno a while back—tried green board in the main bath because the previous owner swore by it. Looked fine for about a year, then the tenants started complaining about soft walls by the tub. Pulled it apart and, sure enough, mush city.
Cement board’s heavier and yeah, it’s a pain to cut and haul up stairs (especially when you’re solo), but I’d rather sweat a little during install than deal with water damage down the line. Funny thing is, I’ve seen some older places where they used regular drywall and just slathered on paint... those walls are basically held together by hope at this point.
I get why folks want to save time or money with green board, but if it’s anywhere near water, I’m not rolling those dice again.
