I get where you're coming from—hauling cement board is no joke, but it does feel a bit more “set it and forget it.” I’ve used green board with a membrane too, and as long as you’re careful with the seams and corners, it really does hold up. Still, I’d probably overthink it if I was doing a rental… tenants aren’t always as careful about leaks or maintenance. For my own bathroom, though, I’d go green board again just for the easier install. It’s all about how much risk you’re willing to take on, I guess.
I hear you on the rental vs. personal use thing. For my own place, I’ve done green board with a good membrane and never had issues, but in a rental? I just don’t trust tenants to catch leaks early or keep up with caulking. Cement board’s a pain to work with, but it’s bulletproof. If you’re not planning to rip it out again soon, I’d rather deal with the hassle up front than risk water damage down the line.
Green board's gotten a lot of buzz, but is it really that much better for the planet—or just easier to slap up? I mean, cement board is tough, sure, but have you tried hauling that stuff up a flight of stairs solo? My back still remembers. Plus, all that dust... Not exactly eco-friendly. If you use a solid membrane and keep an eye on things, is cement board really worth the extra hassle and materials? Or are we just overbuilding because we don't trust renters to notice a drip?
- Been there with cement board—lugging it up old, narrow stairs is a nightmare.
- Green board’s lighter and goes up faster, but it’s not truly waterproof—just more moisture-resistant than standard drywall.
- If your bathroom’s got good ventilation and you’re not tiling a shower, green board plus a quality membrane can be fine.
- For showers or wet rooms, I still bite the bullet and use cement board. Had a leak once behind green board in my 1920s place... ended up with mold in the wall cavity. Not fun.
- If you’re just doing walls around a tub or sink, green board’s probably enough. But if you’re dealing with renters or old plumbing, overbuilding isn’t always paranoia—it can save you from headaches later.
- The dust from cement board is awful, though. I try to cut it outside whenever possible.
I hear you on the cement board dust—my backyard looked like a construction zone for days. I’m always tempted to go green board just to save my back and wallet. Has anyone tried those foam panels? Wondering if they’re worth the extra cost or just hype...
