What is the drywall for bathrooms called?

Author: Geovany Schaden  |  Last update: Friday, November 7, 2025

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 kind of drywall do you use in a bathroom?

Regular drywall is not recommended in bathrooms as it can easily absorb this moisture and mold or even disintegrate. Instead, bathroom walls should be constructed from drywall that is resistant to mold, mildew, and moisture. The best product to use for bathroom walls is MMR drywall, also known as green board.

What is waterproof drywall called?

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.

Is there a special drywall mud for bathrooms?

It depends on your area , both green and blue are considered water resistant compared to standard Sheetrock and a ``setting'' type or hot mud is normally recommended in a bathroom where the humidity is high. Hot mud will also be water resistant but standard joint compound will work fine if moisture is not a problem.

Do I need greenboard in the bathroom?

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. It's the type of material that you want to use down in your basement or another part of your home that's exposed to more humidity and moisture in the air.

How to pick Moisture Resistant Drywall For Bathroom

Why is the green board being phased out?

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.

Is moisture resistant drywall required by code?

To address these concerns, building codes often specify several key requirements for wet areas. These typically include: Use of moisture-resistant (MR) or mold-resistant drywall in wet areas. Proper sealing of joints and penetrations to prevent water intrusion.

Is there mold resistant drywall mud?

Introducing CertainTeed M2Tech® 90 Moisture and Mold Resistant Setting Compound, a versatile finishing solution for drywall projects. This lightweight, sandable setting powder is designed for prefilling joints, embedding joint tape, and concealing joints, fasteners, and trim accessories on drywall panels.

What mud do professional drywallers use?

What type of drywall mud do professionals most commonly use? An all-purpose drywall compound is the most commonly used mud.

What materials do you need to drywall a bathroom?

Learn the basic drywall supplies you need to get started DIY drywalling a home.
  • 01 of 09. Drywall Panels. ...
  • 02 of 09. Paper Tape. ...
  • 03 of 09. Powder (Dry) Joint Compound. ...
  • 04 of 09. Premixed Joint Compound. ...
  • 05 of 09. Outside Corner Bead. ...
  • 06 of 09. Drywall Screws. ...
  • 07 of 09. Fiberglass Joint Tape. ...
  • 08 of 09. Drywall Nails.

Is purple or green drywall better for bathrooms?

About PURPLE® 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.

How much does it cost to drywall a bathroom?

Installing drywall in a small bathroom of around 100 square feet will cost $400 to $650, while for a large living room, it can range from $1,500 to $3,000.

What kind of drywall can get wet?

Fiberglass-coated drywall is both mold and moisture-resistant. Purple Board Drywall – In addition to being moisture- and mold-resistant, purple board drywall is also fire-resistant. There is usually 5/16-inch thickness to the gypsum, which is fire and moisture-resistant.

What wall sheeting is used in bathrooms?

In fact, PVC panels are the best option available for bathroom wall coverings.

What is the difference between sheetrock and 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.

Do you need a vapor barrier behind drywall in bathroom?

Even if there is no huge water leak such as from a hole in the roof, the steam and moisture of showers, bathtubs, and boiling pots can potentially affect the structure and safety of a house or building. This is why vapor barriers are needed in areas that are more moisture-prone.

What happens if you don't use drywall tape?

Without tape, your walls become weaker and more prone to damage. This can result in dents, dings, and holes that are not only unsightly but also a headache to repair. If you think you can just slap some paint or wallpaper over untaped drywall and call it a day, think again.

What is the proper name for drywall mud?

Joint compound (also known as drywall compound, drywall mud, joint cement or mastic) is a white powder of primarily gypsum dust mixed with water to form a paste the consistency of cake frosting, which is spread onto drywall and sanded when dry to create a seamless base for paint on walls and ceilings.

Is drywall mud bad to breathe?

Drywall joint compounds are made from many ingredients (i.e., talc, calcite, mica, gypsum, silica). Some of these have been associated with varying degrees of eye, nose, throat, and respiratory tract irritation.

Do I need to use mold-resistant drywall in the bathroom?

While this is an added expense, it's only necessary to install mold-resistant drywall in certain areas and rooms within the home, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms—areas with the potential for a lot of humidity. Should a leak or high humidity condition occur in those areas, the added cost may be worth it.

What kind of joint compound to use in bathroom?

In bathrooms, where humidity is often higher than in other areas of the home, using a moisture-resistant drywall mud is advisable. This type of mud is designed to resist mold and mildew, which are common problems in damp environments.

What is the best drywall for a bathroom?

Regular Drywall, often referred to as whiteboard, is the standard wallboard used throughout most homes. However, it's not suitable for high moisture environments like bathrooms. On the other hand, Greenboard has been the best choice for bathroom walls and ceilings.

What is another name for moisture resistant drywall?

Green Board Drywall

This type of drywall is also commonly referred to as the moisture resistant drywall. It has a green cover which makes it repel more moisture than the regular drywall.

How to waterproof drywall in bathroom?

Apply a waterproofing membrane, such as a liquid waterproofing compound or a sheet membrane, to create an additional layer of protection against moisture penetration. Next, ensure that all joints and seams are properly sealed using a waterproof joint compound or tape.

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