Blue Board Drywall – Blue board drywall is highly moisture-resistant drywall that's perfect for bathrooms and basements due to its outer coating of specially formulated blue paper. While it still has the inner layer of gypsum, the outer blue paper is specially treated to resist moisture.
When it comes to wet areas, standard drywall won't suffice. Opt for moisture-resistant drywall, also known as green board or cement board, which is specifically designed to withstand moisture exposure.
Moisture-resistant drywall is ideal for areas prone to moisture and humidity. This drywall features a special paperless backing and an additional coating to prevent mold and moisture.
Moisture-Resistant Backer Board: Use a cement board or a moisture-resistant drywall (often referred to as green board) as a substrate. Cement board is preferred because it's more water-resistant and helps prevent mold growth.
Green board is called that because the face side paper is sea-foam green. The color is only used as a means of identifying this particular type of drywall. What makes this type of drywall different is that it is moisture resistant. Its core is impregnated with water resistant materials.
Green Board Drywall – An excellent choice for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and attics, green board drywall is mold resistant and typically comes in 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch thicknesses. A thick layer of green paper is applied to the surface of the gypsum, and a wax coating is applied over the paper.
What's the difference between PURPLE drywall and traditional green drywall? Traditional green drywall (also known as greenboard) is only moisture-resistant. PURPLE drywall, manufactured only by Gold Bond Building Products, is superior because it offers moisture, mold and mildew resistance.
Areas that experience high moisture levels or excessive humidity due to appliances, fixtures, or environmental conditions can benefit from mold-resistant drywall. Consider using mold-resistant drywall in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, and similar spaces where moisture is constantly present.
Install cement board or an equivalent moisture-resistant backing material on walls behind tub and shower enclosures composed of tile or panel assemblies with caulked joints. Don't use paper-faced backer board, i.e., paper-faced drywall, behind seamed tub and shower enclosures.
In bathrooms, where humidity is often higher than in other areas of the home, using a moisture-resistant drywall mud is advisable.
Space prone to moisture such as bathrooms and laundry rooms are also typically most prone to mold – which can be disastrous and costly to the structure of your home. Walls and ceilings in these spaces that are often damp due to humidity or splashing are suitable for mold-resistant drywall.
One key difference between the two is that sheetrock is a brand name of drywall made by the United States Gypsum Corporation. Another difference lies in their production process; sheetrock has a slightly denser core than drywall due to the addition of a small amount of wood fiber to the gypsum core.
It Is Not Water Proof
Greenboard drywall isn't designed to line the inside of showers or for use in environments exposed to outdoor weather.
Sheetrock® Brand Mold Tough® Panels Firecode® X (UL Type SCX) are 5/8 in. (15.9 mm) Type X panels that feature a noncombustible, moisture-resistant gypsum core that is encased in moisture-and mold-resistant, 100% recycled green face and brown back papers.
PVC Wet Wall Panels
Made of PVC material, these panels come in many different patterns and designs and are becoming a preferred option when compared to tile or paint. The most popular location in the home these are used is the bathroom, but these panels can also be used in wet rooms or in kitchens.
In your bathroom, the forecast always calls for a chance of showers – or maybe a bubble bath. That's why easy-to-install PURPLE® XP® Drywall is moisture-, mold- and mildew-resistant, so you can keep walls and ceilings fresh and clean for years to come.
Look into cement board if you need waterproof drywall. This type of waterproof drywall is designed for wet areas such as showers and bathtub surrounds. Be cognizant that cement board requires a moisture barrier behind it, which makes the installation process longer than moisture-resistant drywall.
Cement backer board, such as HardieBacker and Durock, is a popular choice due to their exceptional durability and resistance to moisture. It's made from a cement and fiber mixture, making it perfect for wet areas like showers.
Moisture and Mold Resistant Purple Drywall
National Gypsum has several purple drywall products that will work great in your bathroom. If you're looking for a type of drywall that will be in a lot of contact with water, then purple drywall is the one to use.
Finally, to prevent moisture intrusion, caulk the gap between the Shower Bead and the shower/bath unit. For additional protection, you're able to lay a bead of caulk onto the shower/tub flange and embed the support leg of the Shower Bead in it, as shown above.
Acrylic: These panels offer a high-gloss finish similar to glass, making them a popular choice for modern bathrooms. Acrylic bathroom wall panels are lightweight, easy to install, and can be cut to size easily.
phasing out greenboard
This relatively new addition to the drywall market is gradually replacing green board because it's suited to the same tasks but even more water- and moisture-resistant than green board. Paperless drywall consists of a water-resistant gypsum core and a fiberglass (rather than paper) backing.
You can also buy water-resistant drywall known as “greenboard drywall.” The paper facing on greenboard drywall has already been treated with a waxy coating and chemicals that are resistant to moisture and mildew.
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. Without this, mold spores can not take root.