Bathroom Tile: Greenboard vs. Backerboard
LESLIE: John in Florida is on the line with a tiling question. What can we do for you?
JOHN: Well, I was thinking of tiling my bathroom. And I was going to put some cement board down on the floor before I tile the floor but the greenboard that’s on the walls – I was questioning whether I should just finish setting tile on the greenboard or do I have to remove that and put cement board on the walls?
TOM: So, it depends on how long you want the tile to last. You know, the greenboard is a water-resistant drywall and it’s designed to put tile over it. So, it’s something that people do. It’s something that builders do a lot, I’ll tell you that. And I never really liked it because typically I’ve seen, five to eight years later, that all has to be torn out because it’s just not as durable as putting cement board up. So, if this is a long-term house for you, I’d tell you that you’re probably better off taking that out, putting up a cement board and then putting tile up. This way, it’s going to last you pretty much indefinitely.
JOHN: OK, even go on completely around the tub surround that I’ve got in there now?
TOM: Absolutely. Because that’s where all the water is going to sit.
JOHN: That’s what I had suspected and that was just certification to my question. Thank you very much.
TOM: Alright, John. Good luck.
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