I’ve demoed a few showers where green board was used behind tile, and every single time it was a mess—moldy, soft, just falling apart. Here’s my usual approach: cement board on the studs, then a waterproofing membrane (I like the roll-on stuff for corners and seams). Tile goes up after that. Costs a bit more, but you’re not redoing it in five years. Curious if anyone’s tried the newer foam boards instead of cement? They claim to be eco-friendly and lighter to work with...
Tried the foam boards a couple times—definitely lighter, which saves your back, and cutting them’s a breeze. Only thing is, I’m still a little skeptical about long-term durability, especially in high-use showers. Anyone seen how they hold up after, say, 8-10 years?
Honestly, I was in the same boat—skeptical about foam boards lasting in a busy shower. But I’ve seen a couple installs from 7-8 years ago that still look solid, no weird swelling or mold. Maybe not totally bulletproof, but way better than green board for moisture. Plus, less landfill waste if you go with the recycled ones... just my two cents.
I’ve always wondered about the recycled foam boards—do they actually hold up as well as the regular ones? I’ve used green board in a pinch, but honestly, it just never felt like a long-term solution for wet areas. Had a shower reno where the green board started to get mushy around the niche after just a couple years. Maybe I’m just cursed with bad luck or sloppy previous owners, who knows... Has anyone tried mixing foam board with cement board for extra peace of mind, or is that just overkill?
Mixing foam board with cement board sounds like something my over-caffeinated uncle would dream up after watching too many DIY shows. Honestly, green board in a shower is just asking for trouble—it's like putting a raincoat on a sponge. I’ve seen recycled foam boards hold up fine behind tile if you seal the seams right, but if you’re already thinking about doubling up with cement board, you might as well just go full cement and call it a day. Less chance of weird surprises down the road.