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Mold Resistant Drywall - Is It Worth It?

Mold Resistant Drywall – Is it Worth It?

Unfortunately, mold can tend to be costly, not to mention a potentially unhealthy nightmare for homeowners.

In recent years, there have been many concerns about mold growing in homes which ultimately led to the development of mold-resistant building products such as mold-resistant paint and mold resistant drywall.

Mold has been known to thrive in damp and moist and environments such as crawlspaces and basements. However, mold will grow on any surface provided they have access to a water source, oxygen and some type of organic material to feed on.

Drywall that has been exposed to moisture provides the oxygen and organic material as well as the water needed for mold to grow. So ultimately it can become a buffet for most mold species.

However, mold-resistant drywall is developed specifically to address this common problem.

So the question remains what exactly is mold-resistant drywall? To put it simply, it is an innovation that is the latest trend with builders, designers, and homeowners. There is an added expense to install it however the question is, is it really worth it?

The following guide will take a look at the benefits of installing mold-resistant drywall inside your home and is it worth it?

Does mold-resistant drywall really work?

Does Mold-Resistant Drywall Really Work?

So the chief innovation in mold-resistant drywall is it substitutes the paper facing ith fiberglass used in traditional drywalls.

So this way, mold cannot adhere to the organic paper material. Ultimately it eliminates the paper material which creates a delicious food source for mold.

In addition to that, mold-resistant drywall is often used in showers and bathrooms as a mold preventative building material. It is less effective at keeping mold at bay than mold-resistant drywall however it’s generally less expensive than the drywall as well.

When it comes to mold remediation, it can be time-consuming not to mention costly. And to do it yourself, there are certain health risks you must accept. However, if you are interested in keeping your home healthy by investing in preventative measures then the mold-resistant drywall would be a wise investment.

Can mold-resistant drywall get wet?

Mold-resistant drywall like any other drywall can get wet.

So there is no guarantee that by installing the mold-resistant drywall, you are guaranteed 100% dryness. Ultimately, it is more resistant to moisture than any ordinary drywall however, the question is does the extra expense justify what it offers?

Another point to take note of is that’s if the building itself is wet, then there’s no guarantee that the Mold-resistant drywall will in itself not accumulate a bit of mold.

However ultimately, due to its moisture-resistant properties, it’s recommended for your home. When it comes to the price difference as well, it is more costly than traditional drywall but you would probably pay ten percent more for mold-resistant drywall that you would then you would pay for traditional drywall.

Can you use mold-resistant drywall in a shower?

Can You Use Mold-Resistant Drywall In A Shower?

Irrespective of whether you are renovating your bathroom or building a brand-new bathroom inside your home, it’s important to protect it from humidity.

Greenboard is probably one of the most useful materials used in showers and bathrooms to protect and prevent the growth of mold in these areas.

So what exactly is Greenboard?

Well, it is water-resistant gypsum board or drywall paneling developed in the 1960s. Essentially it’s more durable than gypsum board. However, it has the same gypsum core that you will find in traditional drywall all over the home and it comes with a thicker coating that ultimately is protected by wax for water resistance.

The exterior also has a green tint that sets it apart from the traditional gypsum board and leads to the product being known as “greenboard”.

Ultimately Greenboard is the thicker drywall and while traditional drywall comes in a ¼” and 1⁄2” thickness, Greenboard is a ½” and 5/8″ thickness.

Ensure that you keep track of the dimensions in case you needed a replacement. It is thicker due to the added ax infused into the material and ultimately is thicker because it has to be.

According to studies, greenboard is actually weaker than the traditional drywall in the event that it gets wet. So the added thickness helps to compensate for this.

However, if it is installed properly, the weakness in the material won’t even be noticed and it will still offer superior moisture resistance.

What you should also note is that greenboard is not waterproof. It’s not designed to be laid or set in showers or for use in environments exposed to outdoor weather.

So ultimately, you cannot use it in the shower with and it is not designed for this purpose, simply because it is not waterproof. It is, however, moisture-resistant when compared to traditional gypsum board use in homes, but it is not 100% waterproof.

On that note, it’s not fire-resistant either. However, if you are looking for greenboard that is fire resistant you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that fire-resistant drywall does exist.

Can you paint over mold resistant drywall?

The short answer is yes you can paint over mold-resistant drywall.

Greenboard is a type of drywall that builders use in homes and on structures over the beams in the walls. Once you’ve installed Greenboard, the next step would be to paint over it.

However, before doing so you should use an effective primer throughout the drywall to successfully cover the green tint. If you fail to use primer, the green color from the board will shine through your coats of paint irrespective of what color you are using.

So you can indeed paint over mold-resistant drywall and, however, you just need to find exactly what type of paint you need to use and make sure that the drywall is properly cleaned, dried and primed before using your coats of paint.

Is mold-resistant drywall toxic?

Is Mold-Resistant Drywall Toxic?


Drywall makes 15% of demolition and construction waste.

Unfortunately, it leaches toxins and releases hydrogen sulfide gas into landfills.

It is also one of the most popular materials used in buildings and offices as it is seen as the best and most economical type of material to use in homes and offices. However, over the last 10 yes, Chinese drywalls have been linked with poor indoor air quality.

While the problem could mainly be with the Chinese drywall, local drywall may also be responsible for leaching of heavy metals and biocides that are included in mold-resistant drywall.

When the drywall is installed inside your home, it could lead to polluted air and unhealthy air quality. However, once these drywalls reach the landfills, they make up 15% of all demolition and construction divinities.

Therefore it can leach these toxic chemicals into groundwater. Ultimately, bacteria assist gypsum to turn into hydrogen sulfide which is a potentially poisonous gas.

How does mold-resistant drywall work?

If you’ve used traditional drywall, you know that it has a paper facing which tends to absorb water.

However, mold-resistant drywall still contains a paper facing. Some versions of them have the paper facings just like traditional drywallwalls and look and feel like standard drywall as well.

The difference is that the paint and the gypsum core are much less absorbent and contain mold-resistant inhibitors that ultimately deter mold growth. The color is also slightly different and mold resistant drywall has a greenish tint to it.

There are lots of other versions of mold-resistant drywall that’s actually made without the paper facing. One type has fiberglass facings instead. So is entirely a solid gypsum-based material.

Most of mold-resistant drywall is also much more moisture-resistant than traditional ones. So considering the fact that mold requires moisture and needs it to thrive, this is a good thing.

How to install and hang mold resistant drywall

Mold resistant drywall is a new phenomenon in the industry. However, people generally confuse it with water-resistant drywall.

Water-resistant drywall is commonly referred to as green board in the trade. However, mold-resistant drywall doesn’t have the paper facing and has fiberglass instead. Paper is an organic material that ultimately can become mold and mildew food.

So installing mold-resistant drywall is no different from installing standard drywall. You need the same tools and techniques and you should hang drywall the long side of the sheet horizontal to the floor, in fact, drywall should never be hung vertically to the floor.

To begin with, you need to measure the ceiling and the floors from top to bottom and bottom to top. You require measuring tape for this task.

Next start at the corner with a tape measure for horizontal measurements, and transfer these measurements to the face of the drywall panel.

You should also measure horizontally and vertically to the center of any circular pipe that protrudes from the wall and also takes measurements of the diameter of the pipe for circular cuts. These measurements should also as before be transferred to the drywall panel.

You need to chalk a line in the face of the drywall sheet which creates the cut line between the two major points.

Next, you need to cut the drywall. 

You need a fixed or razor blade for this task as you need to completely break the surface of the drywall. Your cut should also be made on the finished side of the drywall sheet.

The unwanted drywall section should be folded at a 45 to 90° angle. Cut the paper backing of the drywall sheets to remove any excess drywall.

 The newly cut edge of the drywall should be sanded and smoothed using the drywall on the rasp. 

Next, you need to attach the drywall. The mold-resistant drywall sheets replacing position on the wall in the precise location you want it to go and you need someone to assist you in order to hold it in place. The most important thing is to make sure that the sheet level.

There are things that the screws using the screw gun through the drywall into the studs behind. Just ensure that while doing so the surface of the drywall does not break.

Lastly, install screws into 6 inches on the perimeter and every 12 inches in the field of the drywall sheet.

When and Where to use/install mold resistant drywall

When And Where To Install Mold Resistant Drywall

Drywall is found in most residential structures however, it can be attacked by mold if exposed to water or moisture.

Unfortunately, water damage and drywall are something that’s inevitable but you can control mold damage by installing a drywall and that would resist mold in your home and deter the growth of fungi.

Drywall is available in different forms. Gypsum board is probably one of the most popular and commonly used types of drywall for residential properties. This type of board is not water-resistant though. So it can be prone to water and moisture damage and ultimately will attract mold.

If you want to avoid these damaging elements, the best thing to do is to invest in mold-resistant drywall. This type of drywall is designed to keep moisture from penetrating surfaces and prevent mold from finding its way into the interior spaces.

The best places to probably install drywall is in moisture-prone rooms of the home such as the kitchen and the bathroom. For these rooms, regular drywall may not be the best option and you will need to install mold-resistant drywall.

Which side of mold resistant drywall faces out?

If you’re wondering which side of the mold resistant drywall faces out, then you’re not alone. The inside should face toward you when you install a green board.

The brown side, however, should face away from you. Another way to know which is the correct side to install the green board is so that the beveled edges are facing outwards.

Do I need mold resistant drywall in my bathroom?

Greenboard drywall is usually used in bathrooms due to the excessive moisture content in these rooms.

However, it is not waterproof. Green board does, however, resist moisture better than any other standard or traditional drywall. Therefore it is advisable to install a green board in your bathroom.

Do I need mold resistant drywall in my garage?

Moisture resistant drywall is always preferable in garages.

While standard or traditional types of drywall is good to be used inside the home since it is thick enough, your garage will require something that is more water-resistant and that is mold-resistant drywall.

Do I need mold resistant drywall in my basement?

Do I Need Mold Resistant Drywall In My Basement?

The basement is probably one of the most moisture or mildew prone areas inside your home ever.

This is mainly because it’s one of those rooms that are always dark, stuffy and never seem to get enough information.

It is also one of those places inside the home that are prone to leakages and standing water.

So yes definitely your basement does need mold-resistant drywall.

What color is mold resistant drywall?

Mold resistant drywall is used in applications where moisture is an issue.

It is commonly used in bathrooms, basements, and kitchens due to the use of water and moisture in these areas. The color of the mold-resistant drywall is green.

What is the difference between “mold resistant drywall” and “greenboard drywall”?

Green board is mostly used for high moisture areas such as bathrooms and showers.

It is coated with bathroom paint and cement board. Although it is not as effective at deterring mold as the mold-resistant drywall, it is extremely moisture resistant. Greenboard is also less expensive than mold-resistant drywall.

However, the difference between mold-resistant drywall and green board drywall is that green board is better at preventing moisture while mold-resistant drywall is good at preventing moisture and also preventing the growth of mold.

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