How to Choose the Right Drywall for Your Bathroom
· Andrej Szeredi
Not every drywall is suitable for wet environments. We'll help you choose the right type for bathrooms, kitchens or pools.
Drywall is one of the most commonly used materials in interior construction today. But be careful — not all drywall is the same. If you plan to use it in a bathroom, kitchen or other humid environment, you need to choose the right type.
Basic drywall types
- White (standard) — for regular dry rooms, living rooms, bedrooms
- Green (moisture-resistant) — for wet areas, bathrooms, kitchens
- Pink (fire-rated) — for fire-resistant constructions, escape routes
- Blue (acoustic) — for sound insulation, bedrooms, offices
Bathrooms need green drywall
Green drywall (labeled GKBI or H2) has an impregnated cardboard cover and core. It resists moisture, but this doesn't mean it's waterproof. You still need quality waterproofing under tiles.
Common mistake: people use white drywall in bathrooms to save money. After a few years, swelling and mold appear. The price difference is minimal — about 30-50 CZK per board.
Special case: swimming pools
Pool environments require special drywall resistant not only to moisture but also to chlorine fumes. We completed such a project in Guildford, England — a pool ceiling made of special water-resistant drywall. Regular moisture-resistant boards wouldn't survive in such conditions.
Questions to ask your contractor
- What type of drywall are they planning to use and why?
- What waterproofing do they recommend under tiles?
- Do they have installation certificates (Rigips, Knauf, Lafarge)?
- How do they handle connections to bathtubs or shower enclosures?
If you need advice on choosing drywall for your project, don't hesitate to contact us. We'll be happy to help you find the right solution.