Where to use green board drywall?

Author: Thelma Hettinger  |  Last update: Sunday, December 14, 2025

The best areas of a house for green board are those that experience regular, moderate humidity (like kitchens or bathrooms except for the bath/shower enclosure). In these areas, you can expect green board to hold up better and last longer than standard drywall.

Where should green board drywall be used?

Green board is highly efficient in bathrooms and kitchens, where moisture is frequently in the air, but it is not the drywall that should be set behind tile in your shower or any other areas where it can come in direct contact with water.

What is the purpose of green drywall?

Greenboard is the term that's often used, especially by trade professionals, for a unique type of drywall that is used for walls in damp but not wet zones in a building. It is identical to standard drywall, except for the waxy coating that makes the paper facing resistant to mold and water.

Can you use green drywall on ceilings?

If you do want greenboard on your ceiling, you can accomplish the installation safely by adding on some blocking to allow you to nail or screw the material every foot. However, it's generally easier to just go with a different material like standard drywall with a paint finish.

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.

How Not to Plasterboard a Wall : Mould

Should I use green drywall in kitchen?

Green board drywall sheets can be a great choice for kitchens. Their extra thickness provides a little soundproofing that makes it easier to cook without getting distracted.

Is purple drywall better than green drywall?

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.

Where to install mold resistant drywall?

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.

Why green board is used instead of black board?

While black was the original colour for blackboards, many chalkboards now rely on a green porcelain surface, which reduces glare. As this green surface became more popular, the word chalkboard came into use instead of blackboard in the 1960s.

What is the alternative to green board drywall?

MgO Board as an Alternative

It's also a recyclable product, and it's one that can be composted to use as plant nutrients, too. Plus, it's made up of non-toxic ingredients, which means that even if it does end up in a landfill someday, it won't leech harmful chemicals into soil and water supplies.

Is green board more expensive than drywall?

Cost Comparison

According to Angi, the standard price of purple drywall ranges from $15 to $60 per panel, while green drywall costs around $14 to $18 per panel. Installing drywall costs between $1.50 and $3 per square foot, covering both materials and labor.

Is green board code in bathrooms?

Changes made to the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC) no longer recognize moisture-resistant, paper-faced drywall (commonly known as “green board”) as a suitable tile backing material in wet areas such as tub and showersurrounds.

Do basements need greenboard?

Due to the often damp conditions of the basement, be sure to choose sheetrock that is at least moisture-resistant (often call greenboard) but be on the lookout for products that are specifically resistant to mold and mildew (some kinds of purple board).

Can greenboard be painted?

With good paint, green board paints as good as any. Apply your first coat and see what it looks like. I would rather use 1 coat primer and 2 coats finish but either way should be fine.

What is the best primer for greenboard?

Oil-based primer: Oil-based primer is a good choice for new or existing drywall, and recommended for “purple board” or “green board” in bathrooms that will be subjected to high levels of moisture or humidity.

Can you use mold-resistant drywall everywhere?

Not necessarily. While you can use mold-resistant drywall anywhere you would use traditional drywall, this is a product which is specifically going to benefit the homeowner in places where moisture will be present. Of course, that list starts with the bathroom.

Is green board worth it?

Greenboard is particularly useful for preventing water damage and mold growth in spaces prone to occasional splashes or dampness. However, it should not be used in areas that are consistently exposed to standing water, as it does not provide the same level of moisture resistance as purple drywall.

Does green board prevent mold?

Although green board paper sheets (thanks to the waxy substance on them) can help resist moisture, they can still be prone to mold and growth in severely damp atmospheres. Green board is often used as a backing for wall panels and tiles in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms – the spaces where most moisture occurs.

Can I use greenboard on the ceiling?

Using green board in ceilings

Very, very curtly, no. A lot of people do it, and they do it, and it's a mistake, because it's made up with a different material that cannot hold its weight, and there's a chance it could fall down on you.

Where is mold resistant drywall required?

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.

Is blue board or green board better for bathrooms?

Blue Board Drywall

Also referred to as the plaster baseboard, this type of drywall is convenient for veneer plastering as the surface paper has unique retention qualities. Unlike the green board drywall, blue board works great in bathroom areas or places that get in contact with water.

What are the benefits of green board?

Green board or moisture-resistant gypsum board is specially designed to provide the best water resistance power, making it ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and even storage rooms, where the chances of finding moisture are high.

Is green drywall more expensive?

Mold and Mildew-Resistant Drywall

Even though it's durable, it's not waterproof or fireproof. The price of green board drywall tends to be about 20% higher than that of regular drywall.

Is green a good color for kitchen walls?

Lime green works well for a contemporary style of kitchen. New Lime™ No. 149 has a yellow tone to it and it's ideal as a contrast colour on kitchen cabinets or walls.

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