- Couldn’t have said it better about green board and showers. I’ve walked into too many “freshly remodeled” bathrooms during property tours, only to spot the telltale soft spots a year later.
- Cement board is a pain, sure, but if you’re holding onto a place or renting it out, you really don’t want that call about soggy walls.
- Green board’s fine for half-baths or ceilings, but anywhere near water? Not worth the risk—trust me, tenants find every leak.
- Marketing makes it sound bulletproof... reality check: it’s not. Spend the extra hour and a few bucks upfront, save yourself a headache (and cash) down the road.
“Marketing makes it sound bulletproof... reality check: it’s not.”
Yeah, I totally fell for the green board hype at first. Looked so easy, but after seeing how fast it gets mushy around the tub, I’m switching to cement board. Heavy, but worth not stressing about leaks later.
Tried green board around my shower once—never again. It’s fine for regular walls, but anywhere water hangs around, it just doesn’t hold up. Here’s what worked for me: cement board on the wet walls, then a waterproof membrane over that. Yeah, it’s heavier and takes more time, but I’d rather do the extra steps than deal with mold later. If you want to go eco-friendly, look for recycled-content cement boards—they’re out there, just gotta dig a bit.
Green board’s one of those things that sounds better on paper than in practice, at least for showers. I used it behind a tub surround once and it was fine, but anywhere with direct water exposure? Nope. Cement board plus a membrane is definitely more work, but I’d rather wrestle with heavy sheets than rip out soggy drywall later. The recycled-content boards are a nice touch if you can find them—sometimes feels like a scavenger hunt, though.
Green Board’s Fine… Until It Isn’t
I hear you on the “sounds good on paper” thing. I tried green board in a bathroom reno years ago, thinking I was clever. Fast forward a couple years and, well, let’s just say I got real familiar with my utility knife and a bucket of joint compound. If you’re dealing with actual shower walls, cement board + waterproofing is the way to go. It’s heavier, sure, but at least you’re not playing drywall roulette every time someone takes a long shower. The recycled stuff is cool, but yeah, finding it is like hunting for Bigfoot at the hardware store.
