Where to install greenboard in a bath?
doitall
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I have a contractor (employed by the insurance company) doing some restoration work for this insurance company in a rental that I own.
The entire bath was gutted. There will be a plastic tub surround installed in the bath alcove. The contractor says that he only needs to install green board here, and standard drywall in the balance of the bath (it is a SMALL bath, maybe 8′ x 5′). I, on the other hand, have ALWAYS used green board for the entire bath, walls and ceiling, due to the moist environment. BTW, I do use cement board in the alcove when tiling.
Opinions, please. Thanks.
Replies
Tile over greenboard in a wet area is no longer allowed by code here. Is that what you are planning on doing? If so you should spend some time getting familiar with current tile details for tub/shower installs.
I wouldn't use greenboard anywhere anymore. Now that there is paperless drywall I find it to be a much better choice when used in bathrooms and kitchens. Although of course in a shower or tub surround with tile I'd still use cement board.
Unless this is a huge bathroom the difference between moisture resistant products and garden variety drywall is going to be less than $100. If it bothers you, offer to pay the contractor the difference assuming you can't get the insurance company to bend. Checking with the building department is the first place to start. Codes may require it.
I doubt it would be more than a 30 dollar diff in this small bathroom.I would use greenboard on all of it.Some places say not on ceiling because it sags more easily.
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You don't need greenboard on the walls of the bathroom. I've never seen that done back in MI. They might be doing it here (TX)...I'm not sure.
Edited 10/8/2008 6:30 am by Jim_Allen
It is not REQUIRED in lots of places, but it is better practice to use it.If I were not using GB, I would definitely use oil based paint or a few coats of shellac base to paint with to seal the moisture out of it. That would cost more than the added price of the GB
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In a small bath I'd do it all walls in green board, ceiling with regular.
If you would use greenboard on the walls why not the ceiling? The ceiling sees more moisture than any other rocked surface in a bathroom.
By code in many areas green board can't be installed on ceilings and IMHO it's not worth the extra hoops to do it correctly if it is allowed.
If there is that much moisture install a bigger vent fan.
"By code in many areas green board can't be installed on ceilings "I've never heard that. Why not?
Green board is junk. Hardi or cement board in the wet area standard drywall in the rest. There is an exhaust fan right?
What kind of enclosure? Most ive seen install to the studs with no board behind them.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
I agree 100%.
greenboard is junk.
it's also no good for ceilings unless the joists are blocked to 12" OC.
and it's no good behind a shower stall.
me ... I'd skip anything behind the shower and buy one that goes directly to the studs. They're 1000 times nicer.
then ... I'd use regular drywall everywhere else, and paint it with PermaWhite.
and add an exhaust fan. If it's a rental I'd wire the fan directly to the light so they have no choice but to run the fan ... which would be ducted outside.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
ya, permawhite rules.