I keep thinking about moisture over the years. My uncle’s bathroom had green board and after like 8 years, there was some weird bubbling under the paint.
That bubbling is exactly the sort of thing that makes people nervous about green board. I’ve seen it too—usually in spots where moisture sneaks in, like around tubs or showers. If you go with green board, it really comes down to sealing every seam and using a solid waterproofing membrane. Cement board is a beast to cut, but once it’s up, it’s kind of bulletproof. If you’re a “do it once, never worry” type, cement’s still hard to beat... but for half-baths or powder rooms? Green board’s usually just fine.
Honestly, I get the cement board hype, but have you ever tried one of those newer foam backer boards? They’re lighter, easier to cut, and still waterproof. I used them in a flip last year—saved my back and haven’t had a callback yet. Maybe worth a look if you’re tired of hauling cement around.
Green board’s always felt kinda overrated to me, especially in bathrooms. I tried it once in a guest bath reno—figured it’d be an upgrade over regular drywall, but honestly, it didn’t hold up any better around the shower. Cement board’s a pain to lug, yeah, but I trust it more than green board for wet zones. Haven’t messed with the foam panels yet, but the weight savings sound tempting if they’re as tough as folks say. Just feels weird not using something that’s at least got some heft, you know?
Green board’s always struck me as more of a marketing thing than a real solution for wet areas. I’ve had a couple of units where previous owners used it behind tile, and when we demo’d, it was just as crumbly as regular drywall once moisture got in. Cement board’s heavy and messy, but I’d rather deal with that than risk callbacks for mold or tile popping off.
I’m curious about those foam panels too—Wedi, Kerdi, etc.—but I keep wondering how they hold up long-term, especially in rentals where tenants aren’t always gentle. The weight savings are appealing, especially for second-floor bathrooms, but does the lack of mass mean they’re more prone to flexing or damage if someone leans on the wall? Anyone actually seen one fail?
Honestly, I’d rather overbuild than gamble on something unproven. Maybe I’m just old school, but peace of mind’s worth a few extra bucks and some sore arms.
Green board in the news—worth the hype for bathrooms?
I’ve had a similar experience with green board—pulled it out of a rental once and it was basically mush behind the tile. Not a great feeling when you’re budgeting for turnovers. I’ve tried Kerdi panels in a couple of flips, and while they’re super light and easy to cut, I did worry about tenants banging into them. Haven’t seen one fail yet, but I still lean toward cement board for long-term holds. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I’d rather patch a little drywall than deal with a full-on water issue down the line.
