What Type Of Drywall To Use In Shower

Regular drywall can be used as a base for tiles in a shower but only as an absolute last resort.

What type of drywall to use in shower. Greenboard is a term that s occasionally used for a type of drywall that is used for walls in damp but not wet zones in a building. Paperless drywall has been replacing paper drywall. In high moisture shower areas such as shower enclosures use cement backer board.

Since you are in the driver s seat at this time and have a choice of what material to use you can produce a finished result that should last for many years with little or no damage if an occasional splash or drip occur or even if lots of water. Fire resistant drywall is crafted with glass fibers in an extra thick design. There seems to be a significant amount of confusion about drywall water resistant drywall and wallboard that is 100 percent waterproof.

Be aware that the paper backing of moisture resistant drywall doesn t fully prevent mold growth. Originally greenboard was used as a direct backer board for ceramic tile in highly wet areas such as showers or. Moisture resistant drywall is similar to standard drywall but has face paper that s treated for extra resistance to mold and moisture.

Compare this to the common practice of tiling over drywall and you get the idea that you have a totally different shower by using a product that is meant to function in the shower. This type of drywall is covered with fiberglass instead of paper which protects the gypsum board from rot and offers even greater resistance to mold and mildew. Even in the best of scenarios the tile and grout will eventually wear down leaving behind a clear route for water to seep through and soak into the drywall.

The wedi board wedi shower system includes special bonding agents referred to as wedi caulk though is much more than caulk that waterproofs the seams in the. Kerdi can also be installed directly over standard drywall in a shower because when installed correctly it creates a continuous waterproof barrier. If you re looking for fire resistant drywall make sure it has a type x or type c designation.

The quality of the board is a little tougher than regular drywall but some construction pros find it easier to cut. This makes them ideal for use in utility rooms garages and areas near a furnace or wood stove. Use cement backer board for shower stalls instead of greenboard.