Greenboard is another name for moisture resistant sheetrock, or drywall. The paper that covers the gypsum core is coated with wax and is a green color, hence the name.

It used to be the industry standard for moist areas, but it has been proven that it retains water which promotes mold, and now greenboard is no longer certified as a tile substrate by the International Building Code, as of Jan, 1, 2006, per 2006 IRC 702.4.2:

"Cement, fiber-cement or glass mat gypsum backers in compliance with ASTM C1288, C1325 or C1178 and installed in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations shall be used as backers for wall tile in tub and shower areas and wall panels in shower areas."

Alternatives

The bathroom is a special space in a house with unique needs. Accommodations need to be made for fixtures and plumbing and one of the first concerns will be framing the floor.

You have a lot more leeway in your choice of a sink for your bathroom than for other bathroom components such as toilets and shower stalls, because of their relative simplicity and wide choices of materials and types. First, we’ll look at materials.

Sink Materials

If you are installing a bathtub yourself, you will need to build a frame to support that tub. Maybe the tub you are buying is quite lightweight itself. When it is full of water, however, it will be very heavy, so it needs support underneath.

It also needs framing around the top so that the tile, water resistant paneling, or tub-surround you use will fit nicely up next to the tub itself. This article will include some tips and ideas for framing a bathtub.

Bathroom renovation can prove to be extremely tricky because it is one of the most technical areas of your home in terms of the DIY expertise that is required. With so many water features and so much pipework present in the room, it is extremely easy to make a mistake.