Drywall or "MR" drywall in bathroom?

[Richard]

Drywall or \"MR\" drywall in bathroom?

Is it better to put moisture resistant drywall in a bathroom or will regular drywall suffice? To clarify, I'm talking about the walls of the bathroom. The walls inside the shower stall will be Durrock/tile. I'm speaking of outside, no direct contact with water (other than shaking head), ceiling, behind toilet...

I've always thought MR board (greenboard?) would only need to go around a tub lets say... BUT... this bathroom is under grade, and a bit more humid than the rest of the house (surrounded on 3 sides by dirt on other side of block walls)

So, let me put it this way, any specific reason why I should NOT use MR drywall over regular drywall? Am I simply tossing my money away? (small price for me to pay for peace of mind)

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[gsganzer]

Re: Drywall or \"MR\" drywall in bathroom?

IMHO, I wouldn't use regular drywall anywhere in a bathroom. I'd either use the green board or the new "mold proof" board that doesn't have paper that can support mold growth.

 

[Richard]

Re: Drywall or \"MR\" drywall in bathroom?

Never heard of the new stuff! Thanks... I'll look into it. That was precisly one reason why I was wondering if I should use the greenboard.

 

[MikePA]

Re: Drywall or \"MR\" drywall in bathroom?

I agree with gsganzr, no way I'd use regular drywall in a bathroom.

 

[AndyM]

Re: Drywall or \"MR\" drywall in bathroom?

My mother moved into a new condo in November and there is already mildew on the drywall. The builder used regular drywall.

Our house has the green board, and has stayed mold and mildew free for three years.

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Drywall or \"MR\" drywall in bathroom?

In the business we don't say you have a mold problem, you have a mositure problem. MR can be used, I do like the idea of the new board that is more mold resistant. Mold exists everywhere, its making conditions right for it to thrive that creates the problem. I seem to recall that MR board was not allowed for ceilings as it is weaker, but check into it. I know mold and humidity go hand in hand and I suspect once you get to the mid west and beyond, the humidity picks up. I would think folks back there would be experts on this subject.

 

[EddieWalker]

Re: Drywall or \"MR\" drywall in bathroom?

After you get your drywall hung, taped and textrued, you need to think of what type of paint your going to use.

You can buy bathroom paint with a mildew blocker already added to it, or most paint stores will add it to your paint. I used to do this in rentals and remodels, but have found that none of them really work very well.

People who don't own the home are terrible about drying out the place, opening windows or cleaning up puddles.

A guy who owns an apartment building told me about using exterior paint in the bathroom. He said it didn't really matter what brand you used, as long as it was exterior paint.

I've been doing this for years and have never had a mold issue since. I also think exterior paint is stronger and gives a better seal, but can't prove that. It's just a feeling I have.

Eddie

 

[ToadHill]

Re: Drywall or \"MR\" drywall in bathroom?

Back in the 60's when I got out of college I worked for a drywall mfg plant. Then the difference between regular drywall and MR was the paper and the fact that they added tar to the gypsum mix when they made MR. I've never seen mildew on tar and for the difference in cost I'd go with the MR product.