Green board’s kinda like putting a raincoat on in a drizzle—it helps, but you wouldn’t wear one in a hurricane. I’ve torn out my share of “water-resistant” drywall behind showers and it can still get mushy if the waterproofing isn’t done right. If there’s any chance water’s going to touch the surface (like tub surrounds or shower stalls), I always go cement board and then waterproof membrane on top. Green board’s fine for bathroom ceilings or walls away from direct splash zones, but it’s not a magic fix.
And yeah, ventilation is underrated. I used to think fans were just for clearing steam, but they’re your first line of defense against mold. Swapped out an old rattletrap fan for a new quiet one with a humidity sensor—night and day difference. My advice: don’t let the marketing fool you. Layer your defenses—good fan, proper waterproofing, and only use green board where it actually makes sense. Otherwise, you’re just setting up future headaches...
Green board’s gotten a lot of hype, but I gotta admit, I’m not totally convinced it’s always worth the extra cost. I’ve had a few rentals where the green board held up just fine—even in spots that got more steam than actual water. Maybe I just got lucky tenants who actually used the fan (miracle, right?), but I wonder if we sometimes overthink it for basic half-baths or powder rooms.
Cement board is great for showers, no argument there, but it’s a pain to cut and install compared to drywall. If you’re flipping a house and every dollar counts, is it really worth going full cement board everywhere? Or are we just buying peace of mind? I mean, I’d rather spend on a killer fan and make sure folks actually use it... but maybe that’s just me trying to avoid hauling heavy cement board up stairs again.
I hear you on the cement board—it’s a beast to lug around, and cutting it is never fun. I’ve actually started looking at some of the new recycled-content boards that claim to be moisture-resistant but are way lighter. Anyone tried those? Wondering if they actually hold up or if it’s just greenwashing...
Green Board in the News—Worth the Hype for Bathrooms?
I’ve actually started looking at some of the new recycled-content boards that claim to be moisture-resistant but are way lighter. Anyone tried those? Wondering if they actually hold up or if it’s just greenwashing...
I’ve used a couple brands of those lighter recycled boards on small bathroom jobs. They’re definitely easier on the back, and cutting them doesn’t fill the whole room with gritty dust like cement board does. I’ll admit, I was skeptical about durability, but after two years in a rental property, no issues with swelling or mold so far. Still, I wouldn’t use them for a steam shower or anywhere with constant soaking—just seems safer to stick with cement board there. For standard tub surrounds and half-baths, though, they seem to do the trick.
I get wanting something lighter and easier to work with—my back isn’t getting any younger. But I still wonder if these newer recycled boards are just a trend. I’ve had green board in a half-bath for years and never had an issue, but my neighbor tried one of those “eco” boards and ended up with bubbling paint around the tub after a year. Maybe it depends on the brand or how well it’s installed? I’m all for saving a few bucks, but not if I have to redo it in a couple years...
