What is your opinion of using green board on shower walls? My tile contractors have used this as well as putting in a vinyl shower pan that does not cover the corners of the shower and only extends up about 3 inches about the floor. Does this meet standards?

If it's covered with Schluter Kerdi yes, but otherwise never.

Need more detail on the pan liner.
Is it sitting right on the subfloor?
Does it wrap over the curb?

Sounds like a bad job to me.

Green Board? Green treated drywall? I wouldn't recommend that product, somewhat risky. Its basically standard drywall with a thicker paper coated with a thin wax. Water resistant NOT water proof. Should the surface be damaged prior to tile install, your project is completely jeopardized. Even the screws used to attach it to the wall is enough to cause future issues. But if they install a membrane kit overtop the green board (such as a Flextile 980), you shouldn't have any problems.

Hi Loah, welcome to the forum.

Greenboard isn't even water resistant ... unless it's meant to turn to mush.

Right, It is 'moisture resistant'. Meaning it can be used in a room that sometimes has high humidity, but not in areas that can get wet.

Loah, man you are a fast learner. Two posts ago you were asking for advice, now you're giving it. Good job!

Jaz

I have seen posts/tales from experienced renovators about old jobs on green drywall, well sealed (waterproofed) that lasted for decades (discovered when they took it out for a new job). Of course, I have also seen drywall (in bathroom) horror stories: mold, slop, like the one that Harry Dunbar put great photos of.

I am right now sorting out how to go from my bare-stud alcove surrounding a Vikrell (sp?) fiberglass type tub from Kohler-Sterling (sp?) to a tiled enclosure that is waterproofed.

I am looking at some combination of a wall material (hard surface to support the tiles), and waterproofing that will work and last.

I am NOT going to use cement board for many reasons. Green drywall with Kerdi is one option.

I looked into wedi (waiting for the Canadian rep to call and tell me where I can buy the stuff in so-far-eastern-Ontario-might-as-well-be-Quebec or near Montreal).

I can get DensShield, and the size is perfect (32" x 60") for my 60" by 32" tub, BUT Georgia Pacific, who make DensShield are very specific about NOT using a vapor/moisture barrier BEHIND DS. They seem to imply to not use one in front of it either, and that makes me nervous.

I think I want to be able to Kerdi the whole thing up tight, and then install ceramic tile (ceiling, 3 walls): 6" x 8" jobbies.

I think if you want the best possible shower you should go with the Kerdi method. Use regular drywall, it's better (stiffer), than green board.

Your tub surround is not as critical as a stall shower, but I would still go with the Kerdi method.

I didn't notice any specific questions you have for us at this time. Come back when you do.

Jaz

Dens shield is a very good product and I used it for a long time. It is meant as a water proofing membrane in conjunction with a liquid waterproofing membrane at all seams and screw holes. If done right it gives you a completely waterproof enclosure at about 1/2 the price and 1/2 the time of Kerdi. The thing is it has to be done right. The screws can't tear through the vinil and the liquid waterproofing has to be flawless.

Kerdi is superior to the DensShield/redgard combo, but you should put it over regular drywall just like the manufacturer recommends. Otherwise you could create a vapor lock and end up with the very mold issues you are trying to prevent. So definitely don't put kerdi over densshield.

these days my favorite way to waterproof is with Aquadefence from mapei. It's a very tough fast drying polymer membrane that can go on regular drywall.

Hi, Jaz, and thank you. The topic did not look like a "help me" so I just threw in what I had found lately.

When you say "green board", do you mean the so-called bathroom drywall? I plan to use DensShield or Wedi (if I can find it) under Kerdi, if only because of the dust from drywall. I would like Wedi (Styrofoam) but DS will do.

My bathroom put me into the hospital (mold), so I categorically ignore statements like "not critical" and "1/8" does not matter". I will never underestimate waterproofing for as long as I live.

pistolpete, thank you. I believe that I saw Mapei products at one of the stores here. Anything I can get locally makes it easier.