Green board in a shower always reminds me of the time I tried to save a few bucks on materials—ended up having to redo the whole thing a year later when the tiles started popping off. Cement board’s heavier, sure, but it’s saved me headaches more than once. Foam’s fine if you’re careful, but I just don’t trust green board anywhere near that much water.
Green board’s always marketed as “moisture-resistant,” but in a shower? That’s just asking for trouble. Here’s how I look at it:
- Cement board is heavy, yeah, but it’s basically bulletproof once it’s up and sealed.
- Foam panels are lighter, easier to cut, but you’ve gotta be meticulous with seams and waterproofing.
- Green board… works for bathroom walls away from direct water, but behind tile in a shower? Not worth the risk.
I tried green board behind a tub surround once—regretted it when the grout started cracking. If you’re after eco-friendly options, there are recycled-content cement boards now, which is a nice bonus. Honestly, if you want peace of mind and less landfill waste from redoing stuff, stick with cement or high-quality foam.
Totally agree—green board just doesn’t cut it for wet zones. I’ve seen way too many “moisture-resistant” claims fall apart after a couple years. Cement board’s a pain to haul, but it’s solid. One thing I’d add: if you’re using foam panels, double-check the manufacturer’s instructions for waterproofing. Some folks skip steps and end up with leaks down the road. Learned that one the hard way...
I get the argument for cement board, but honestly, I’ve used green board with a good membrane in a couple of bathrooms and haven’t had issues—at least not yet. Maybe it’s luck, or maybe it’s just being careful with seams and caulking. Cement board’s definitely tougher, but the price and hassle add up fast, especially on bigger projects. Guess it depends how much risk you’re willing to take and how tight the budget is.
I hear you on the budget side—green board with a solid membrane can work if you’re careful, especially outside direct shower zones. I’ve seen it hold up fine in powder rooms and half-baths. Still, for tub surrounds or showers, I just sleep better knowing there’s cement board behind the tile. Maybe I’m just paranoid after seeing a friend’s green board job go south after a slow leak... but yeah, it’s all about how much risk you’re comfortable with.
