What kind of drywall should I use in bathrooms?

Drywall is cheap, convenient, and is commonly used on walls and ceilings. However, it is not a waterproof material as its name suggests. It is naturally porous and lightweight, which makes it easy for the water to seep through and grow mold. 

But when you’re considering your bathroom drywall, you need to take some additional steps to prevent any water damage. There are many different types of drywall, each with different pros and cons. 

In this article, we’ll consider the key characteristic of different types of drywall so you can make a better decision when choosing one for your bathroom(s).

There exists a variety of drywall variants that are differentiated by their thickness, the additives included in their formulation, their outer coating colors, and their function. 

Green board Drywall

This type of drywall is tinted blue and is infused with gypsum crystals for better bonding. Blue board drywall is also known as plaster baseboard. It has a high water and mold resistance and there are fewer steps involved in veneer plastering. The fact that blue board drywall helps absorb moisture and reduce noise makes it suitable for bathrooms. Note that, Blue board drywall is not made for mud, tape, or paint, so avoid applying any of these.

Purple Drywall

Purple drywall offers the same advantages as regular drywall does but with superior moisture and mold resistant characteristics. In addition, Purple drywall also resists mildew, scratches, scuffs, and dents. For these characteristics, purple drywall is about 30% more expensive than regular drywall.

It can be used with all wall and ceiling applications and is ideally suited where enhanced moisture and mold resistance is desired. If you expect your wall to be in contact with water a lot, this is the one to use. Thus, it is quite suitable for your bathrooms.

Paperless Drywall

Paperless drywall uses fiberglass sheets on the outer layer instead of using paper. The fiberglass coating protects the board from rot and offers even greater resistance to mold and mildew. The quality of the board is tougher than the regular drywall, but it is easier to cut and shape. However, paperless drywall has some slight textures that will require applying a joint compound to achieve a smooth clean finish drywall level.

Cement Drywall

It is infused with cement for better moisture resistance. Cement board is among the most popular choices for bathroom drywall. It’s expensive and still needs a waterproof barrier. It works better than a green board but takes longer to install and requires more skill. However, Green board is a more affordable option. 

Conclusion

Drywalls come in a myriad of variants and are seldom completely waterproof. Purple drywall is one of the sturdiest in the face of moisture but it is more expensive than other types of drywall.

So, if budget is not a problem for you, then purple drywall is the way to go. Note that you might still need an extra layer of waterproofing because bathrooms are a moist environment and it’s better for the structural integrity of the walls if they’re waterproof.