Green Board vs Durock on shower ceiling

[Newbie CSI]

My tile guy wants to use green board on my enclosed shower ceiling instead of durock. Is this an acceptable practice or should I beware of problems to come? Thanks in advance for any advice.

[jadnashua]

Does the door go all the way to the ceiling? This isn't a steam shower, is it? Are you going to tile it?

A normal shower will be fine with regular drywall if it is primed and painted properly. Greenboard can bow and have problems if it isn't supported every 12" - normal 16" on center celing joists are not good for it.

If you are going to tile it, either drywall or cbu should work fine.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Hi Newbie, glad you found us here!

Yep, if you don't have 12" O.C. ceiling framing, you don't want to hang greenboard or cement board up there.

For ordinary showers and 16" O.C. framing, 1/2" drywall is ok, 5/8" is better.

[Derek Wendelken]

Hello Newbie, just saw your question here. I am a "noob" too; hope you don't mind me asking a clarifying question on your thread...

Jim/Bubba: is the green board on the ceiling only a problem if it is going to get tile, or does it need 12" spacing (vs. regular sheetrock) even if it is only going to be primed & painted (e.g., with a 8 1/2 ft. ceiling)?

Thanks much....Derek

[John Bridge]

Hi All,

I've never seen greenboard droop over 16 in. centers, tile or no tile.

[jadnashua]

I think the problem is somewhat dependent on what's above the greenboard. Something like blown-in cellulose is actually moderately heavy vs fiberglass. If the attic isn't well ventilated, things could get damp as well. Bottom line, greenboard is NOT as strong as drywall. The manufacturer wants support 12" on ceilings, so take your chances. For practical purposes, greenboard really doesn't have much useful application. As I understand it, as of this year, it no longer is code. Typically, people don't want to change with the times...the old, I've done it that way for years syndrome. That's one reason shower pan liners still show up flat on the floor as well.