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Discussion Forum

Mold resistant panels

JFink | Posted in General Discussion on March 31, 2008 08:22am

I’m toying with the idea of writing an article on moisture/mold resistant interior panels (drywall, etc), and I’m wondering what questions everybody has (or your customers have asked you) about the different panels?

I’m thinking of discussing green board, fiberglass faced products, as well as cement board/hardiboard – and calling out the different circumstances where each product makes the most sense.

Any feedback food-for-thought from everybody?

Justin Fink – FHB Editorial


Edited 3/31/2008 1:22 pm ET by JFink

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  1. Billy | Mar 31, 2008 08:53pm | #1

    Good idea, Justin.

    I suggest that you point out the difference between water resistant and mold resistant for some aplications such as basements.  While fiberglass faced drywall may be fine for mold resistance, how long will it last if you get a flood in your basement?

    For cement board painted wall applications where water resistance is desired, be sure to point out that it should be finished with a setting compound and not a regular drying dryall compound.  Also fiberglass tape and not paper tape.

    Also mention the usefulness of taking a "systems" approach to avoiding mold.  Instead of just using a mold resistant product, consider waterproofing, insulation/vapor retarders/dew point temperature (such as provided by foam insulation), dehumidifiers, air movement, sealing air leaks in the building envelope and ductwork, and ventilation.

    Billy

    1. FHB Editor
      JFink | Mar 31, 2008 08:57pm | #2

      all great thoughts, many thanks for taking the time to suggest them.

       

      have you seen many jobs where cement board has been painted? is this after a skim coat or thick coat of primer/surfacer?Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

      1. Billy | Mar 31, 2008 09:09pm | #3

        Just one job -- in my basement I used cement board for the lower part of my wall.  The drywall guy skim coated it with setting mud and told me he had done this before on other jobs with cement board on the wall.  With foam insulation and steel studs there is nothing to rot or get moldy if water gets inside the wall.

        I used (National Gypsum) Permabase, which is very light and easy to cut and work with compared to Durock.  It has some foam and fiberglass mixed in to give it the lighter weight.http://www.nationalgypsum.com/products/product45.aspx

        It's primed and painted like regular drywall.

        Wedi board is another option.  It is a waterproof tile backer with a foam core, so you get some R value as well.

        Billy

        Edited 3/31/2008 2:10 pm ET by Billy

        Edited 3/31/2008 2:12 pm ET by Billy

        Edited 3/31/2008 2:13 pm ET by Billy

        1. FHB Editor
          JFink | Mar 31, 2008 09:13pm | #4

          oh yeah, I thnk I've heard of Wedi Board - forgot about that one, thanks for the reminder.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

          1. Billy | Mar 31, 2008 09:24pm | #5

            Let's not forget Boracare.  It's a safe product that's good to spray or brush it on wood that might be subject to mold, mildew, carpenter ants, termites, and anthrax.

            Well, maybe not anthrax.  That's what Duct tape and plastic drop cloths are for.

            Billy

          2. FHB Editor
            JFink | Apr 01, 2008 05:03pm | #6

            There are a bunch of options that I came across so far, but I'd be happy to find additional brand names to include in my research. Here's what I've got as of this morning:

            - Sheetrock Mold Tough (USG)

             

            - ToughRock Moisture Resistant (Georgia-Pacific)

             

            - Gold Bond XP (National Gypsum)

             

            - ComfortGuard (Temple-Inland)

             

            - Fiberock Aqua-Tough (USG)

             

            - DensArmor Plus (Georgia-Pacific)

             

            - “Water-Resistant Gypsum Board” (Temple-Inland)

             

            - Cement Board (Durock, PermaBase, Wonderboard)

             

            - Wedi Board

             

            - DenShield (Georgia-Pacific)

            Which brands am I missing guys?

            Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

            Edited 4/1/2008 10:03 am ET by JFink

          3. roger g | Apr 01, 2008 05:37pm | #7

            Funny that this topic just came up. I'm on the west coast of Canada, right beside the ocean and I've been putzing around with a mobil home that should have been knocked down but for a variety of reasons can't.
            It was filled with household stuff and hadn't been lived in for 3 years and didn't have heat.
            Carpenter ants, rot and mildew is around but not a huge amount surprisingly.
            The bathroom has been gutted and walls removed and will be in other locations and I've been wondering what I should put on the walls that will be damp/moisture resistant.
            The old walls had dark 1/8 wood panelling over 1 x 3 though some walls now are 2x4 because I couldn't get 2x3 for some stupid reason.
            Because the place hadn't had heat for 3 years and the same people still own it, I'm thinking I should keep in mind that it might not have heat again so last night I was thinking about moisture resistant panels of some sort. Maybe green board.
            I saw the list that you made Justin but I really doubt that I can get them or even if any of my suppliers had even heard of that stuff. Of course even if they could get it, can I wait weeks or more for just a few sheets.
            Having great stuff out there and being reasonably available are two different things.
            Either way, I'll watch this thread.
            Renovations require lots of free, out of the box thinking, and the ability to TRY to adapt what is out there for maybe an unintended use.roger

            Edited 4/1/2008 10:40 am ET by roger g

          4. FHB Editor
            JFink | Apr 01, 2008 05:47pm | #8

            Hi Roger,

            I'm definitly conscious of what you are saying - rare and innovative products are fun to learn about, but they must be balanced out by their feasibility, especially in terms of cost and availability. That's why I haven't (so far) included the products that are more far-afield.

            I'm not sure which suppliers you use, but the items on my list are all very major players with gigantic networks of distribution. And many of these major suppliers has a couple levels of product (ie: basic green board, then the more water resistant version, etc).

            If you can't get GP, USG, CertainTeed, LaFarge, National Gypsum (etc) in your area...what brands can you get? No Home Depot or Lowes? What type of drywall does your supplier sell?

            Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

            Edited 4/1/2008 10:47 am ET by JFink

          5. roger g | Apr 01, 2008 05:57pm | #11

            I'm making the treck up to where we do have Home Depot and a couple of fairly big suppliers later on today to see what is up there.
            Yesterday I drove the other way to another big box store and found I can't get any sort of paneling, 2x3's plus some other stuff.
            I seem to think that the Home Depot doesn't carry green board but the stuff that is blueISH in colour. I don't think it is what others call blue board.
            Anyways, I hope by tonight I'll see what is really available.roger

          6. User avater
            BillHartmann | Apr 01, 2008 05:49pm | #9

            You need to do more in identifying the different if the type of boards.I think that the OLD green board just had some wax in it it resist moisture.But Mold Tough has anit mold chemicals in both the papper and the gypsum. And it is still green colors.Does anyone still make the old green board?And I have heard of purple board (moisture resistant of some kind, not the blue veneer board base). What is that?And what is Aqua Tough? USG make MOld Tough, Aqua Tough, and CBU..
            .
            A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

          7. FHB Editor
            JFink | Apr 01, 2008 05:51pm | #10

            All good points, Bill - and all of those are planned to be answered.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

          8. danz857 | Apr 01, 2008 07:46pm | #12

            Be careful in your choice of words Billy, you may be on the no fly list already..........

  2. unTreatedwood | Apr 01, 2008 08:07pm | #13

    It's probably been mentioned, but be sure to discuss properties of the various compounds and what to use them with/for.

    "The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program"  -Ronald Reagan 

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