Can You Use Green Drywall For The Shower? (Answered)

Protecting your bathroom wall from mold is vital, so the drywall you use matters significantly. You wonder which kind of drywall would suit your shower because of the water.

You then research suitable drywall and discover that you can waterproof some drywall, for example, green drywall. However, you still have doubts concerning it.

Will the green drywall protect the shower in your bathroom wall from mold, as it directly spills water on it?

Yes, but it isn’t suitable for you to use green drywall for the shower. However, you can use green drywall in the bathroom because it is water-resistant but isn’t suitable for the shower’s high moisture. In addition, if you go ahead to use it in the shower, you will damage the drywall there, even if you place tiles on it.

In this article, I’ll explain whether or not you can use green drywall for your shower and how you can waterproof it. I’ll then further explain the kinds of drywall you can use in your shower.

By the end, you’ll know if you should use green drywall for your shower. If you can’t, you’ll know which drywall to use in your shower.

Should Green Drywall Be Used in a Shower?

It would be best if you didn’t use green drywall in your shower because the amount of moisture will damage the drywall. 

Green drywall is water-resistant but cannot withstand that much moisture.

Know that green drywall can withstand not above 5% water after two hours of submersion. Also, green drywall can spoil much faster when exposed to water. 

It is better suited to be used in basements, kitchens, and even in the bathroom, but the constant water from the shower makes it unsuitable.

Although some manufacturers claim that you can use green drywall for your shower, it might be possible. But I wouldn’t recommend you do that so that you wouldn’t waste your resources.

If you use green drywall in your shower and it eventually spoils, you would be wasting money you could’ve used in using other drywalls.

Asides from that, after your wall gets damaged, you will have to spend extra on repair to make it look okay again. 

Sometimes, you think placing tiles over the green drywall in your shower will make it last longer. But, unfortunately, that isn’t the case, and the drywall will still get damaged.

However, there is a way you can use green drywall for your shower, which is to make it waterproof. After waterproofing it, it will be able to withstand the water from the moisture.

What Kind of Drywall Can You Use in a Shower?  

The drywall you should use in your shower should be waterproof or have high moisture resistance because of the constant water from the shower. 

There are a few options for drywall that you can use for your shower.

#1. Cement Backerboard

This drywall is water-resistant, and this quality of it makes it suitable for use in a shower. In addition, it can withstand the water from a shower without mold growing on the walls.

Although it is heavy, and you need to cut it with a jigsaw to get the correct dimension, you can go for it. 

However, after installation, you need to secure it with concrete screws; you can add a waterproof membrane to ensure it doesn’t leak.

The cement board is excellent for your shower because of the cement in it. Therefore, unlike other drywalls with paper, it isn’t a food source for mold.

#2. Blue Board Drywall

Blue board drywall is a type of drywall that is suitable for your shower. It is water-resistant and doesn’t absorb water so quickly. However, it is best you waterproof this drywall for your shower.

The great thing about using Blue board as drywall in your shower is that it is inexpensive and is good if you are on a budget. You also do only need a little experience installing it.

#3. Purple Board Drywall

You can use this type of drywall in your bathroom because it is mold and mildew-resistant. However, you need to waterproof this drywall if you want to use it for your shower.

It isn’t that it can’t withstand water; it can’t withstand more than a certain level without damage, but it’s okay for your bathroom. 

#4. Green Board Drywall

It is another board you can use for your shower, but it should be your last resort. Although this drywall is suitable for your bathroom, it can’t withstand the constant water from the shower.

So for you to use it in your shower without any problem, you need to waterproof it.

Is Thinset Suitable for Installing Green Drywall in the Shower?

Using thinset on drywall answered. Thinset is typically not recommended for installing green drywall in the shower. Green drywall, also known as moisture-resistant drywall, is specifically designed to withstand high humidity and moisture levels. Thinset, on the other hand, is a cement-based adhesive that is commonly used to bond tiles to surfaces. For proper installation of green drywall in the shower, it is recommended to use a suitable moisture-resistant adhesive instead.

How Do You Waterproof Green Drywall?

If you want to waterproof your green drywall by yourself, there is a cost-efficient way: using a waterproofing primer. 

You can do it yourself without a professional’s help; you only need to follow instructions.

Follow the steps below to waterproof your green drywall.

• Get your oil or latex-based waterproof primer ready, as that is what you’ll use for the process.
• Use a microfiber tack cloth to clean the excess dust that wouldn’t let the paint stick to the drywall.
• Also, remember not to use water and detergent to prevent moisture on the drywall.
• Leave the drywall to dry if it’s required. Then, you can check the label of the paint you want to use can work on a wet surface or if it must be dry.
• Pour the waterproofing primer you bought into a tray. Then, apply a thin, even coat of primer by rolling it onto the drywall.
• Next, use a roller or paintbrush to apply the primer to corners that are difficult to reach.
• Then leave it to dry. However, you can also use waterproofing paint over the primer for extra protection.

Now you can use your green drywall in your shower. Waterproofing gives it added protection from the water, so it doesn’t get affected by mold and prolongs the drywall lifespan.

The table below shows the pros and cons of waterproofing your green drywall.

Pros	Cons
It increases the lifespan of the drywall.	The walls aren’t fully waterproof.
It is pretty cheap to waterproof it.	If the waterproof fails, there will be consequences.
You can use waterproofed green drywall in a shower.

Can You Use Regular Drywall in a Shower?

No, I wouldn’t recommend using regular drywall in a shower. That is because it isn’t mold and mildew-resistant, so using it will damage your bathroom wall.

If you use it, it affects not only your bathroom wall, but it can affect other parts of your home. When that happens, you’ll have to spend a lot to fix it.

Drywalls are generally unsuitable for your bathroom or places with high moisture levels. 

However, with the upgrade to drywalls, there are some types of drywalls you can use in your bathroom. But even with all the upgrades, you shouldn’t use regular drywall for a shower.

Although you waterproof other drywalls to enable you to use them in showers, doing that with regular drywall won’t work.

Even if you waterproof regular drywall, which you can, it is ineffective against the amount of moisture generated in the bathroom. 

Moreover, the drywall is ineffective with a shower due to the constant water flow from the shower. 

Regular drywalls are cheap, and there is no law restricting you from using them in your bathroom. However, using it will cause more harm than good in your home.

If it’s an old bathroom and you’re renovating, it’s best to use something that can withstand more moisture than regular drywall.