How to Mount Mold Resistant Drywall

You can paint or wallpaper your mold-resistant drywall after installation and finishing.

Mold-resistant drywall, often called greenboard, is the right choice for installing in a location with high humidity, like a bathroom. Regular drywall is not moisture resistant, so greenboard will ensure that the work you do in building or remodeling a bathroom, laundry area or kitchen will hold up over time. The techniques that are used in installing regular drywall are virtually identical to those used with mold-resistant drywall.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Straight edge
• Utility knife
• Drill
• 1 1/4 inch stainless steel or galvanized screws
• Screwdriver or drill with screwdriver attachment

Instructions

1. Measure the walls where you'll be installing the drywall with a tape measure. Sketch out the wall dimensions on a piece of paper so you can plan your cuts. Mold-resistant drywall comes in 4-by-8-foot sheets -- plan your installation so that you can use as many large sheets as possible and avoid cutting. Always be sure that the edge of the boards you're installing are in line with the studs in the wall. This ensures a solid surface to screw the boards into.

2. Mark any cuts onto the sheets of mold-resistant drywall with a pencil and a straight edge. Score along the lines with a sharp utility knife and place the scored line at the edge of a table or saw horse. Bend the boards to snap off the unneeded pieces.

3. Place the drywall boards in position on the walls. Fasten them in place with galvanized or stainless steel drywall screws spaced every 6 to 8 inches apart, sinking the screws into the studs located behind the boards. It's important to use galvanized or stainless screws to prevent corrosion.

4. Finish the seams by placing drywall tape onto the seams, then covering them with drywall joint compound. Sand the compound when it's dry to get a smooth surface for painting or wallpaper installation.

Tips & Warnings

• Wall studs are usually placed at 16-inch intervals, so you can easily find the location where the screws need to be placed into the walls.

• Drywall sanding can be a dusty process. Wear a filter mask while you're doing the work.

References

• "Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual: Completely Revised and Updated"; Editors of The Family Handyman; 2007
• "Bathroom Remodeling For Dummies"; Gene Hamilton and Katie Hamilton; 2003