I’m with you on the cement board for showers—green board just doesn’t cut it when it’s getting soaked every day. But for the rest of the bathroom, I’ve had good luck with it, especially now that it seems a bit tougher. The recycled stuff is on my radar too, though I’m a little skeptical about how it’ll hold up if there’s ever a leak. And yeah, ventilation makes a bigger difference than any “mold-resistant” label. Learned that the hard way in my first reno... nothing like peeling back drywall to find a science experiment behind it.
ventilation makes a bigger difference than any “mold-resistant” label. Learned that the hard way in my first reno... nothing like peeling back drywall to find a science experiment behind it.
Couldn’t agree more about ventilation being the real MVP. I’ve seen “mold-resistant” boards fail just because the fan was junk or nobody bothered to use it. As for green board, I still don’t trust it anywhere near a tub or shower—too many horror stories. It’s fine for the rest, but honestly, if you’re already gutting a bathroom, why not just go with cement board everywhere and not worry? The recycled options are interesting, but I’m with you—still feels a bit unproven when it comes to leaks. Maybe in a powder room, but not where water’s a daily battle.
Green board’s always felt like a bit of a gamble to me, especially in these old houses where you never know what you’ll find behind the walls. I tried it once behind a vanity and it held up, but I wouldn’t risk it near a shower. Cement board’s heavier, sure, but I’d rather wrestle with that than deal with mold later. Ventilation’s a pain in these drafty places, but it really does make all the difference.
I hear you on the old house surprise factor... you open up a wall and suddenly it’s like a time capsule of weirdness. I’ve used green board in a half-bath where there’s no shower, and it’s been fine, but near constant moisture? I just don’t trust it.
Same here. Curious—has anyone tried any of those newer waterproof backer boards, like the foam ones? Worth the extra cash, or just marketing hype?Cement board’s heavier, sure, but I’d rather wrestle with that than deal with mold later.
Tried the foam boards once—Wedi, I think. Super light and easy to cut, but man, the price made me wince. Install was a breeze, though, and no mess like with cement board. Not sure I’d use it everywhere, but for a small shower it made sense. Anyone run into issues with tile adhesion on those? That’s my only lingering worry.
