Not saying I’d ever use it behind a tub or in a shower enclosure (that’s just asking for trouble), but for those drier zones, it’s held up fine in my projects.
Tried green board for the first time when I redid my small half-bath last year. I get what you mean about picking your battles—at first, I was all set on cement board everywhere, but the cost and hassle made me rethink things. Ended up using green board on the ceiling and the wall opposite the sink, just like you said: "for those drier zones, it’s held up fine in my projects." No issues so far, but I’m still paranoid about moisture creeping in. Guess time will tell if I regret not going full cement board...
Green board always feels like a bit of a gamble, doesn’t it? I wrestled with the same decision in my guest bath—thought about cement board everywhere, but the price tag and extra labor just didn’t make sense for spots that barely see any splashes. Five years later, zero issues on the green board walls (knock on wood). I did make sure to use a good primer and caulk every seam, though. Curious if anyone’s actually had green board fail in a “dry” bathroom zone? Sometimes I wonder if the horror stories are just from really old installs or bad ventilation...
Green Board Holds Up Fine—If You Prep It Right
I hear you on the green board debate. I’ve been in and out of bathrooms for years, and honestly, I’ve only seen green board fail when it’s either been installed wrong or the bathroom’s got some serious moisture issues—think leaky pipes behind the wall or a fan that never gets used. In “dry” zones, like above a vanity or on walls away from the tub, it’s usually more than enough if you do what you did: prime it well, caulk the seams, and keep up with basic maintenance.
One job comes to mind—a powder room remodel about eight years back. The homeowner was dead set on cement board everywhere, but after talking it through, we went with green board outside the splash zones. That room still looks brand new today. No bubbling, no soft spots, nothing. The key was making sure there were no gaps for steam to sneak in and making sure the exhaust fan actually vented outside (not just into the attic... which I’ve seen way too many times).
I think a lot of those horror stories come from older houses where green board was slapped up in showers or behind tile with no waterproofing. Or places where folks skipped the primer and just painted right over it. In those cases, yeah, you’re asking for trouble.
Long story short, you’re probably fine. If you’ve got good ventilation and you sealed everything up, green board’s not going to let you down in a low-moisture area. Cement board’s great, but it’s overkill for most walls that don’t see direct water. Just keep an eye out for any leaks or peeling paint down the line—catching stuff early is half the battle anyway.
Green Board in the News—Worth the Hype for Bathrooms?
That’s pretty much been my experience too. I’ve always wondered if some of the green board “horror stories” are just from folks skipping steps or not really thinking about airflow. I did a small bath reno last year in a 1950s house—super tight space, barely any venting, and the old green board behind the vanity was a mess. But when I pulled it out, turns out there’d been a slow leak from the supply line for who knows how long. No drywall would’ve survived that.
I’m curious—has anyone tried pairing green board with one of those eco-friendly vapor barrier paints? I used it once in a laundry room (not technically a bathroom, but still humid) and it seemed to help. The homeowner was big on low-VOC everything, so we went with recycled-content green board and that paint. Two years later, no issues at all. Maybe overkill, but it felt good knowing we weren’t just slapping up more chemicals.
I do think people sometimes get spooked by the “mold-resistant” label and expect miracles. It’s not magic—if you’ve got water running down your walls or a fan that’s just for show, nothing’s going to save you. But if you’re careful with prep and keep things dry, green board seems like a solid choice for most spots.
Anyone else notice that some of the newer green boards are a bit denser than the old stuff? Not sure if it’s just the brands I’ve used lately, but they seem to hold up better when you’re screwing into them. Or maybe I’m just getting pickier as I go...
- I’ve noticed the newer green board feels sturdier too—less crumbly at the edges, which is a relief when you’re hanging cabinets or heavy mirrors.
- Used vapor barrier paint over green board in a basement bath last year. No issues so far, but honestly, I think the real win was finally getting a decent exhaust fan in there.
- Agree on the “mold-resistant” hype—it’s not a cure-all. If you’ve got leaks or no airflow, you’re still in trouble.
- For wet zones (like shower surrounds), I still stick with cement board. Green board’s fine for everything else if you prep right and keep it dry.
- The recycled-content stuff is interesting—haven’t tried it yet, but I’m curious if it holds up as well long-term.
- Sometimes I wonder if we’re just getting more particular as we do more of these jobs... or maybe the materials are actually improving? Hard to say.
