Can I Use Regular Sheetrock In A Bathroom? (Find Out Now!)

Upgraded Home Team
by Upgraded Home Team

When constructing your home or making renovations, it’s important to choose the best option for the material of your walls. Sheetrock, more commonly known as drywall, is the all-around best choice for cost, ease, and safety. However, this excludes the bathroom or other moisture-heavy rooms.

Regular Sheetrock is not a good option for bathrooms. It is not moisture-repellent and is designed to be porous, causing regular Sheetrock to absorb water. This can lead to water damage and mold growth in high-moisture rooms like bathrooms. To avoid costly repairs, look for Sheetrock infused with waterproof ingredients, like cement. You can also get Sheetrock with an outer barrier like Greenboard, Purple drywall, or paperless drywall.

There are many benefits to using Sheetrock, it’s just important to pick the right type for your bathroom. There are plenty of safe types of Sheetrock for every home in your house.

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What Is Regular Sheetrock?

Drywall, or Sheetrock, is a finishing material used to create the interior of a space. Regular Sheetrock is applied without mortar or plaster and is made of gypsum, paper, and other varying ingredients. These could be clay, mica, or resin. Make sure you or whoever is installing your Sheetrock wear the proper mask while installing. Sheetrock dust can be irritating to the lungs.

There’s no difference between Sheetrock and generic drywall, though there is brand recognition when you buy Sheetrock. Sheetrock is simply a brand of drywall. Other names for Sheetrock include gypsum board, plasterboard, whiteboard, and wallboard.

What Are The Benefits of Sheetrock?

Sheetrock is a necessity for many reasons, one of them being seasonal natural disasters. In the wake of a disaster, there is a need to quickly and frequently repair homes. Sheetrock is the perfect product for that necessity.

Additionally, there is a safety risk associated with heavy cement or brick walls in the wake of natural disasters. Sheetrock is a much lighter material, designed to be safer in case of a collapse.

Sheetrock is specifically porous, making it easy to work with and less expensive to move. Despite where you’re installing sheetrock, it’s a preferred building material to stone, wood, concrete, brick, or plaster. Sheetrock is also fairly fire-safe, though you can purchase specifically designed fire-safe variants as well.

The Limitations of Sheetrock

Sheetrock is not waterproof and will absorb liquid. Eventually, that liquid could damage a home, or lead to mold. Additionally, Sheetrock is comprised of fibers that can turn into paste if exposed to water over long periods. This is particularly problematic when a bathroom ceiling is made of regular sheetrock.

So, regular Sheetrock should not be used in bathrooms. However, there are several Sheetrock variants that you may use instead.

Types of Drywall To Use In The Bathroom

Cement Board

Extremely waterproof, cement boards are made by mixing Sheetrock with cement. Because they’re extremely water-resistant, cement boards are used for areas in the home like saunas and showers.

If you are thinking about using cement for the entire bathroom, consider that this is a fairly expensive option. Additionally, it will take more labor, and the labor itself may be more costly.

All in all, cement is a heavy material that is difficult to work with. If you can afford to use it and love it, go for it! For most, using cement throughout the bathroom is not a necessity.

Greenboard

This option is tinted green and has a thick wax paper finish. It’s waterproof as well. This option can be more expensive than regular drywall, but you’ll be satisfied with the lack of mold in your bathroom. Additionally, Lowe’s sells these products for the same price as regular drywall.

A 1/2-inch x 4 ft x 8 ft sheet of both Greenboard and regular drywall at Lowe’s goes for $10.88.

Purple Drywall

This is a brand of drywall that won’t mold and is moisture-resistant. This product has fiberglass fibers, webbing integrated into the sheets, and is made of gypsum.

Purple drywall also resists scuffs, dents, and scratches. It’s a great choice for family bathrooms or rentals. However, purple drywall is a bit more expensive than Greenboard.

A 1/2-inch x 4 ft x 8 ft sheet of Purple Drywall at Lowe’s goes for $14.98.

Paperless Drywall

This drywall uses fiberglass as the outside layer, not paper. Fiberglass is water-repellent, and like the Greenboard and Purple drywall, has a Gypsum core. This product is not only a water-proof option, but it’s fire-safe. It is, however, not “mold proof” simply mold-resistant. There’s still a likelihood that mold spores will grow inside of paperless drywall.

Sheetrock Brand Options

If you’d like to buy with brand assurance, there are moisture-protective drywall sheets that are Sheetrock brand. Here is the price of their Mold Tough Drywall brand compared to their original brand.

BrandProductDimensionsPrice
USG Sheetrock BrandUltraLight Drywall½-inch x 4ft x 8ft$12.45
USG Sheetrock BrandUltaLight Mold Tough Drywall½-inch x 4ft x 8ft$16.51

Types of Joint Compound

Type 1: Setting-Type

Packaged in a plastic-lined paper bag, a setting-type joint compound is best for repair work. It should be moisture-free and easily patch small holes. It also dries very quickly. Once mixed with water, it cannot be used again.

Type 2: Premixed

This product comes in a large bucket and is premixed with water. This way, you can save any unused product. Once you’re finished, cover the product with water and cover the bucket.

There are several types of joint compound within the category of premixed:

Type of Premixed Joint CompoundProperties
All-purposeThis is good choice for crafters and is very versatile.
Lightweight drywallBest for repairing cracks in drywall, this option is less dense.
ToppingA great choice for a final seal, topping has a smoothing affect and a strong bond.

Related Questions

Will these options provide full moisture protection?

These options aren’t completely waterproof, though they’re significantly more moisture-resistant than regular Sheetrock. For extra moisture protection, try mold-resistant drywall mud, or in other words, joint compound. This product is used with drywall tape to seal the space between pieces of drywall.


Should I choose waterproof Sheetrock for any other rooms in my home?

To avoid costly water damage or the build-up of potentially toxic mold, waterproof Sheetrock may be necessary for many rooms. Consider the vapors that occur while cooking in your kitchen.Additionally, if you live in a wet climate, your basement needs waterproof Sheetrock. Find out how you can get rid of mold in your basement. Lastly, consider how moist your laundry room can get with frequent loads in the washer and dryer. In these spaces, waterproof Sheetrock is an investment that will pay off for years to come.

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In Conclusion

Sheetrock is a huge staple in the building world. It is a reliable, affordable, and easy material to use in modern housing construction. Regular Sheetrock will work in many spaces around your home, but consider a waterproof version in certain rooms.

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Upgraded Home Team
Upgraded Home Team

We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

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