Green board in the news—worth the hype for bathrooms?

Green board in the news—worth the hype for bathrooms?

- I’ve got a 1920s place and, honestly, the original plaster behind my bathroom tile is still solid. Makes me wonder if all these new boards are just overkill.
- Cement board feels like a tank, but it’s heavy and a pain to cut. Green board seems easier, but does it really hold up long term if there’s ever a slow leak?
- Anyone actually had green board fail on them, or is it mostly just theory? I keep hearing mixed stories from contractors and old-timers alike.
- Curious if anyone’s seen real-world differences between green board and just regular drywall in less-wet spots, like above wainscoting or around windows...

Green board in the news—worth the hype for bathrooms?

Had a duplex reno last year where we used green board above the shower tile, just to play it safe. Honestly, I’m not convinced it’s a game changer. The “original plaster behind my bathroom tile is still solid” line hits home—some of these old materials just last. Green board’s fine for less-wet spots, but if there’s a leak, it’ll still get mushy over time. Cement board’s a pain, but I trust it more for wet zones. For window surrounds and above wainscoting, I’ve seen regular drywall hold up just as well, as long as there’s decent ventilation.

I get what you mean about green board not being a “game changer.” I’ve seen it fail in spots where people assumed it was waterproof, which it’s definitely not.

Green board’s fine for less-wet spots, but if there’s a leak, it’ll still get mushy over time.

I get the argument for cement board in wet areas, but is it always worth the hassle? In my 1920s place, the original plaster held up for decades in the bathroom—no green board, no cement board, just thick walls and decent airflow. Makes me wonder if we sometimes overthink these newer materials. I mean, if you’re not planning to tile a shower or run plumbing right behind the wall, does it really matter what’s behind the paint as long as you keep things dry?

I’ve also seen green board go soft around old windows when condensation gets trapped, but then again, I’ve seen regular drywall do just as badly. Maybe it’s less about the board and more about how well you seal and vent everything? Curious if anyone’s had luck just sticking with classic plaster or even regular drywall with a good primer in low-moisture spots. Sometimes I feel like the “bathroom board wars” are just marketing hype...

Green board’s kind of like that “extra insurance” you’re not sure you need. I’ve flipped a bunch of places and honestly, I’ve seen 60-year-old drywall in half-baths look fine, and then green board in a newer place turn to mush around a leaky window. Like you said,

“Maybe it’s less about the board and more about how well you seal and vent everything?”