Essentially, drywall is gypsum pressed between two sheets of paper. You can use galvanized decking screws or roofing nails to install cement board. Not all drywall is created equal. That said, it is less likely to grow mold than regular paper-backed drywall. Green-board drywall is water-resistant, not waterproof. Compressed gypsum panels, covered with paper facing, install directly on wall studs. Cement board,Sheetrock, more Drywall? Mold and mildew growth have become a hot-button issue lately due to health concerns. Moisture exposure can occur during all phases of the construction process and through the building life cycle from roof, wall and pipe leaks, gross water penetration of the façade, vapor diffusion and condensation, and capillary rise. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. UltraLight Panels Mold Tough Sheetrock Brand UltraLight Mold Tough 1/2 Sheetrock Brand UltraLight Mold Tough 1/2 in. 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.. ... Water-resistant drywall works for ktichen backsplashes, but since you are starting from scratch anyway, tile backerboard is probably preferred. (1)Fiber cement boards are far more durable and impact-resistant than gypsum board. moisture- and mold-resistant gypsum panels, up to 16% less weight; Lightweight glass-mat … Paperless Drywall . Kelly Bacon is a licensed general contractor with almost 50 years experience in construction, home building and remodeling, and commercial building. The smaller dimensions of cement board make the installation of it on large walls more difficult, but cement board panels fit vertically in 3-foot wide showers, or horizontally behind a standard 5-foot bathtub. Wet or dry, such backer board provides a … Don't use mold board on the ceiling as it will sag. With some mold-resistant drywall, this is accomplished by using a thicker paper facing and backing that is heavily saturated with a waxy substance that prevents moisture and air from getting at the paper. Due to their cement and fiberglass base material, cement boards are more impact—resistant and more durable than drywall (made of gypsum and paper sheets). Finishing my basement and getting ready to put drywall up in a few days. She also enjoys writing business and finance, food and drink and pet-related articles. It costs more than regular drywall and its thickness means it needs to be used next to the thickest form of regular drywall. Use PermaBase ® Cement Board instead of drywall under tile in the kitchen or bathroom. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Gypsum Board is the first and lightest 1/2 in. Drywall panels fit between wall studs spaced 16 inches or 24 inches apart. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Water resistant- yes. The new mold resistant d/wall board is paperless (they should use the term resistant loosely because there is an absence of material for mold to grow). Contemporary specialized construction materials greatly reduce the time and the skilled labor necessary to complete projects once entrusted to craftsmen. Green board is a paper-backed, water-resistant drywall that has a light green "hospital" tint. Ultralight Drywall Performs Well and Is Easier to Install. Once complete, the surface is ready for painting or another finish. Deny mold spores the required air and moisture. Drywall can accept surface finishes of paint, wallpaper, or textured skim-coat plaster. I had suggested to the home builder that I would rather put 15 lbs felt over the wood wall, then put the cement board over the felt, but the home builder said that they would not do that. Mold-Resistant Drywall vs. Green Board . Mold Resistant Drywall Tape and Joint Compound Research has indicated that quick-setting joint compound and fiberglass tape may withstand leaks and flood events better than regular drywall joint compound and paper tape. However, Fiber cement boards are far heavier than gypsum board. It should not be used as a replacement for cement board as a backing material for ceramic tile. It’s hard, durable, naturally moisture- and mold-resistant, and won’t rot, disintegrate or swell when exposed to water, making it ideal for use behind ceramic tile, backsplashes and countertops. The finish face side. Green board is intended for use for ordinary wall applications in areas that experience constant high humidity, such as bathrooms and basements, but it does not have the superior mold-resistance of newer products. Her education includes marketing and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas. Mold resistant drywall is exactly as it states. But these products are by no means waterproof or moldproof—and the manufacturers do not claim so. for the rest of the bathroom you can use a mold resistant drywall like these. There is no drywall that is truly water-resistant. We were planning on replacing most of that drywall with the mold resistant dry wall (I think that's called green board), but Home Depot and Lowes keep pushing the cement board for the part that we're going to tile (around the tub/shower). In the case of gypsum wallboard, that organic material is found in the paper facing on the drywall panels (the gypsum core is non-organic and not subject to mold). A paper sheet is an organic material, and it’s susceptible to mold when in constant contact with moisture, hence, … It provides a strong base on which to install tile and stone. What Is Cement Backer Board and How Is It Used? There are four main types of drywall: Standard drywall is the least expensive and comes in … It's rotted out because of small cracks in the grout at the base of the wall. Cement board also comes in panels, but that's where its similarity to drywall ends. It was built circa 1970, and the installer used conventional sheetrock with 4X4 ceramic tiles. Cement board is a very hard panel formed by cement slurry and reinforced fiberglass mesh. rest of the bathroom), then use a mold/water resistant panel. In normally dry locations, the substantial extra cost of this product is probably not worth the investment. Drywall cuts easily with just a utility knife, but you'll need a circular saw, fitted with a heavy-duty blade, to cut cement board. Cement board is a water proof product and will not deteriorate when in direct contact with water. HardieBacker is a commonly used cement board that is commonly installed under the tile. Painted surfaces should be kept clean and should be repainted periodically to preserve a good moisture barrier. The quality of the board is a little tougher than regular drywall, but some construction pros find it easier to cut. Baseboards and other trim are generally nailed in place after the drywall is installed. Cement board provides a suitable backing for tile. Lightweight and sustainable 5/8 in. The applicable product standard for mold-resistant gypsum board is ASTM C1396. This product is … Cement board is perfect for tile-covered wet applications like showers and tub surrounds. Cement board, meanwhile, comes in panels that are similar to that of drywall but that is where the similarities will end. This paper-backed drywall with a light green tint is often installed in high-moisture areas, heavily coated with cement board or bathroom-quality paint on top. Buying in bulk will notably reduce this price. The other walls in non-wet areas should be done with mold board because of the humidity in bathrooms. It’s a cement based product with a mesh glass underlayment in it which makes it waterproof and very durable. Specialty drywall panels are available with moisture-resistant and mold-resistant properties for installation on bathroom walls or in rooms with high humidity levels. Another alternative to mold issue is green board. With consistent exposure to moisture, drywall can become rotted and need to be replaced sooner rather than later. What Is Greenboard Water Resistant Drywall? One potential weapon in the mold-prevention arsenal is mold-resistant drywall, a product marketed aggressively by manufacturers. You can use tile backer board on the ceilings, but it will require taping the whole sheet instead of just joints for a smooth finish. Modern mold-resistant drywall that also includes moisture-resistance is about 50 percent more expensive than standard drywall. Cement board is sometimes called Durock, Wonderboard, and Hardibacker. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. Drywall, or wallboard, allows do-it-yourselfers to obtain a smooth wall surface with minimal drywall finishing skills. All drywall is a fairly brittle material that can be cracked and damaged, but repairs are fairly easy to make, either by taping and refinishing the damaged area with taping compound or by cutting damaged areas away and installing a drywall patch. Concrete backer-board, once commonly referred to in the field by the brand name Wonderboard(r), is a cement product designed as a sheathing material for walls and floors. If you're just painting the drywall (i.e. Though green board is a more cost-effective option than mold resistant wallboard, it’s less effective at mold prevention. gypsum panels, up to 30% less weight; Lightweight 1/2 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Gypsum Board is the first and lightest 1/2 in. Water-Resistant Drywall vs. Cement Board . Drywall vs. Plasterboard Sometimes the terms drywall and plasterboard are used interchangeably, but they're actually two different products. Also, since it's more expensive than regular drywall, it should only be used where appropriate to cut down on extra costs. Paperless drywall has been replacing paper drywall. Glenda Taylor is a contractor and a full-time writer specializing in construction writing. panel made of gypsum plaster sandwiched between thick paper Common Types of Drywall or Gypsum Wallboard, Fireproof Drywall: Basics of Fire-Rated or Type X Drywall, How to Identify and Treat Mold in Your Basement, Composition of Drywall and Joint Compound, Hardwood Flooring in Kitchens Review: Pros and Cons. Without this, mold spores can not take root. It is the standard wall finish material used throughout the construction industry. It is made just like regular drywall except that is had more fiberglass in it and the paper has less organic product in it. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Mold need water, oxygen and nutrients to grow. (3)You can use taper-head drywall screws to install gypsum board. The backside is still plain paper. It is used for wet applications in tubs walls, shower walls, and floors. It is an older form of water-resistant drywall that is gradually being phased out in favor of products that combine both moisture resistance and mold resistance. Cement boards are made up of cement and glass fibers. Like any form of drywall, the mold-resistant form is generally a very durable, easy-to-care-for wall surface. Use cement board for the tub area, especially if tiling. Wallboard, drywall and cement board are widely available panel types contractors and homeowners use in new construction or remodeling projects. 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