New bathroom drywall
#1
12-15-20, 09:16 AM
New bathroom drywall
I'm remodeling 2 bathrooms in my house because of long term moisture damage. I'm not doing these projects myself, but at least want to understand the process and learn along the way. After researching here as well as other sites, I'm trying to figure out the type of drywall to put in my bathrooms. Seems there are just as many opinions as when asking what is the best oil at a car forum. We will not have tile in the shower so water will not be hitting any walls directly...just a standard fiberglass (or whatever it is) shower stall. I can say moisture is the major concern. I'll be upgrading my fans but I have 3 teenage girls who in the mornings take hot shower..after hot shower...after hot shower.
From what I read so far I'm leaning toward the green backed drywall in the entire room including the ceiling..but I welcome opinions if I'm way off. Thanks in advance
From what I read so far I'm leaning toward the green backed drywall in the entire room including the ceiling..but I welcome opinions if I'm way off. Thanks in advance
#2
12-15-20, 09:20 AM
Group Moderator
Greenboard is kind of old technology. Nowadays people are also concerned about mold so the standard drywall for a bathroom or basement is mold resistant drywall. Purple XP is one common one.
#3
12-15-20, 09:27 AM
Green board has a waxy substance impregnated in it to make it water resistant but that also makes it harder for paint to adhere to it. I'd be inclined to use regular drywall. Once it's primed and a coat or two of latex enamel [any sheen] is applied it has plenty of moisture protection. If I was to buy any drywall other than regular it would be the purple drywall.
#4
12-15-20, 09:54 AM
Member
It's probably more important to be thinking about moisture control.
Good fans, easy to use timers. Get that right, and used, this will be the primary defense to moisture issues!
Good fans, easy to use timers. Get that right, and used, this will be the primary defense to moisture issues!
#5
12-15-20, 10:17 AM
Thank you all for the very quick responses! I have been reading about the Purple XP...but maybe that is overkill.
Marq1....I'm definitely researching moisture control and already have another new post in the ventilation section!
Marq1....I'm definitely researching moisture control and already have another new post in the ventilation section!
#6
12-15-20, 10:24 AM
Member
In a bathroom or any area where water or moisture is present why would you not want to use a moisture resistant wallboard (the purple stuff). Seems like a no brainer to me. Where showers or tubs are concerned cement board or similar is a necessity.
#7
12-15-20, 10:51 AM
Group Moderator
During a remodel the cost difference between standard sheetrock and moisture & mold resistant is very little. I wouldn't even consider anything but mold & moisture resistant.
As you've already said I would make sure to get the ventilation right. A good quality fan that moves a appropriate amount of air is critical. So is a timer switch. Many will turn on the fan while showering but most will turn it off when they leave the room. The fan may need to be run 20-30 minutes after a shower has finished and a timer switch is a real easy solution.
As you've already said I would make sure to get the ventilation right. A good quality fan that moves a appropriate amount of air is critical. So is a timer switch. Many will turn on the fan while showering but most will turn it off when they leave the room. The fan may need to be run 20-30 minutes after a shower has finished and a timer switch is a real easy solution.
#8
12-15-20, 11:04 AM
I just had two baths restored. The contractor used purple drywall. If I had done the job myself I would have used regular drywall and instead relied on a good paint job and exhaust fans for moisture control. Paint and fans have protected bathrooms long before green and purple drywall came along.
Make sure that your exhaust fans are sized correctly and as some one else posted a timer is a good idea. Some of the new fans are so quiet it is easy to forget to turn them off. I installed Panasonic fans and they are so quiet I actually had to put up a candle to make sure they were running.
Make sure that your exhaust fans are sized correctly and as some one else posted a timer is a good idea. Some of the new fans are so quiet it is easy to forget to turn them off. I installed Panasonic fans and they are so quiet I actually had to put up a candle to make sure they were running.
