I hear you on the wallet part... I did my kids’ bathroom with green board thinking I was being smart, but honestly, it’s been the leaky faucet that’s caused all the headaches, not the walls. If you’ve got a good fan and keep up with caulking, I feel like regular drywall does just fine. Cement board’s my go-to for showers too, but the rest? Meh, I’d rather save the cash for stuff you can actually see.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I did the same thing—green board everywhere, thinking it was a must for bathrooms. Turns out, the spots that got wet from kid splashes or leaks were always the problem, not the walls themselves. Good venting and a decent caulk job have saved me more headaches than any special drywall ever did. I still use cement board in the shower, but for the rest, I’m with you... rather put that money into nicer fixtures or tile.
I hear you on the venting and caulk—sometimes it feels like those are the unsung heroes in bathroom longevity. Have you ever tried any of the newer eco-friendly wall options, like recycled-content drywall or even lime plaster? I keep wondering if green board is just a marketing thing for most bathroom areas, especially if you’re not dealing with constant moisture. Curious if anyone’s seen actual long-term benefits from it outside the shower zone... or is it just peace of mind?
Green board in the news—worth the hype for bathrooms?
Honestly, I’ve put up a lot of green board over the years, and outside the direct splash zones, I don’t see a huge difference in performance compared to regular drywall—assuming you’ve got good venting and keep up with caulk. In fact, I’ve seen some folks go with recycled drywall or even clay plasters lately, and those hold up surprisingly well if moisture’s not a constant issue. Green board does offer peace of mind for some, but it’s not magic. If you’re not dealing with daily steam or leaks, it’s maybe a bit overrated.
Green board does offer peace of mind for some, but it’s not magic.
That’s pretty much my take too. I’ve used green board in a few remodels, but honestly, if you’ve got solid ventilation and you’re on top of sealing things up, regular drywall or even those eco-friendly options like clay plasters can do just fine. I get why folks want that extra layer of security, but sometimes it feels like overkill unless you’re dealing with a really damp space. Good to see someone else thinking beyond the hype.
