When a bathroom is newly finished, everything feels fresh—straight grout lines, crisp paint, clean corners. The real story shows up a few years later. Give it some time and that same room has seen long showers, bath mats soaked from kids’ baths, and more rushed mornings than anyone remembers. Even with a fan running, not all of that moisture leaves. Some of it hangs in the air, settles into corners and trim, and slowly works its way into the drywall and ceiling.
Most people do not call us because of one big leak. They call because small things keep popping up: paint that will not stay smooth beside the tub, a spot of drywall that feels a bit soft, or a musty smell that always seems to return after cleaning. From the hallway, the bathroom can still look perfectly acceptable, but when we open up the wall, we sometimes find damp insulation, stained backing and the early stages of mould that never showed on the surface.
A lot of that trouble starts with the materials behind the tile and paint. Standard drywall simply is not built for constant moisture. That is why, when we plan or renovate a bathroom, we talk as much about what goes behind the finishes as we do about the tile you will see every day. Moisture-resistant drywall such as Green Board and DensShield gives the room a better backbone. Paired with proper installation and a fan that actually gets used, it helps the bathroom handle everyday humidity without slowly damaging the structure behind the scenes.
What Is Moisture-Resistant Green Board Drywall?
Green Board is a familiar moisture-resistant option for many homeowners. It looks similar to regular drywall, but the green paper facing and treated core help it cope better with humidity and the odd splash.
We typically use Green Board in spots that see moisture in the air but not constant or direct water, such as:
- bathroom walls away from the shower or tub
- powder rooms and half-baths
- bathroom ceilings with good ventilation
Green Board is not waterproof, and it is not meant to be the only line of defence inside a shower enclosure. Where it does make sense is in the rest of the room, where humidity is a concern but the walls are not getting soaked. In those areas, it stands up better than standard drywall to condensation and day-to-day use.
From an installation point of view, Green Board handles much like regular drywall. That helps keep labour reasonable while still giving your bathroom a step up in performance. For homeowners working within a tighter budget, it can be a smart upgrade in the right locations.
What Is DensShield Moisture-Resistant Drywall?
DensShield (often written as Dens Shield) is a different style of moisture-resistant drywall. Instead of a paper face, it uses a fibreglass mat and an integrated moisture barrier on the surface. That combination gives it stronger resistance to water, mould, and long-term humidity.
We often recommend DensShield in areas that experience direct or frequent moisture, including:
- shower and tub surrounds
- tiled shower benches and niches
- lower sections of bathroom walls near tubs
- busy family bathrooms and ensuite spa-style showers
Because DensShield has a built-in moisture barrier, it helps stop water from travelling into the wall cavity. When installed correctly and paired with proper sealants and detailing, it becomes a very reliable substrate for tile and other finishes in wet zones.
It does cost more than Green Board and standard drywall, but the added protection often pays off over time by reducing the chances of mould growth, soft walls and tile failures.
Green Board vs DensShield in Real Bathrooms
Homeowners often ask us whether they should choose Green Board or DensShield for their bathroom renovation. The answer usually depends on where the material will be installed and how the space will be used day to day.
In a small powder room with only a sink and toilet, Green Board is usually more than enough. The room gets some humidity, but without a shower or tub, there is no direct water hitting the walls. In that case, we can finish the Green Board with primer and paint, and you get a durable, clean-looking space without overspending on materials.
In a main bathroom or primary ensuite with a tiled shower, we take a different approach. Using regular drywall or even Green Board behind the shower tile increases the risk of moisture damage over time. In these situations, DensShield is the better choice behind the tile. Its surface helps block water from getting into the wall system, and its composition resists mould better than paper-faced products.
On many projects, we use both products together:
- DensShield in the shower or tub surround and other direct wet areas
- Green Board on the remaining bathroom walls and ceiling
This combination helps balance performance and budget while still giving the entire space better moisture protection than a basic drywall installation.
How to Choose Moisture-Resistant Drywall for Your Bathroom
When we walk into a bathroom, we do not start by asking, “Green Board or DensShield?” We start by looking at how the room actually works. Is there a walk-in shower, a simple tub, or just a sink and toilet? Is this the main family bathroom that sees three showers every morning, or a quiet guest bath that only gets used on weekends?
We think about things like:
- where the water will hit the walls
- how often steam will build up in the space
- whether there is a good exhaust fan in place
- what finishes you are planning—full tile, partial tile or mostly paint
Once we understand that, the drywall choice usually becomes clear. In a powder room or a lightly used bathroom with no shower, Green Board on the walls and ceiling is typically all you need. In a standard family bathroom with a tub/shower combo, we almost always bring DensShield into the wet zone around the tub and shower, and use Green Board in the rest of the room.
For high-use or spa-style bathrooms—with big tiled showers, benches, niches and maybe even body jets—we lean heavily on DensShield anywhere water might land or linger, then pair it with Green Board or other suitable products farther from the splash.
It is less about picking a “best” product and more about matching the right moisture-resistant drywall to the way your bathroom is used so your finishes last longer and stay healthier behind the scenes.
Installation Details That Make Moisture-Resistant Drywall Work
Choosing quality materials is only part of the job. Moisture-resistant drywall still needs careful installation to perform the way it is designed to.
When we install Green Board or DensShield in bathrooms, we pay close attention to:
- framing and spacing, so boards are properly supported
- fastener placement, to avoid overdriving screws that damage the surface
- taping and joint treatment, using appropriate compounds for moist environments
- sealing around fixtures, niches and corners where water can collect
Ventilation is just as important. Even the best moisture-resistant drywall can struggle in a bathroom that does not have a properly sized exhaust fan or where the fan is rarely used. As part of a renovation, we often discuss ventilation upgrades with homeowners, so the entire system works together.
If you are planning a larger project—such as finishing a basement bathroom or adding an ensuite—our team can handle both the planning and the drywall installation. To see how we approach full projects, you can review our dedicated drywall installation service page.
Moisture-Resistant Drywall Installation for Bathrooms in the GTA
Moisture-resistant drywall is a key part of building bathrooms that stay solid, safe and attractive over time. Whether your project calls for Green Board, DensShield or a mix of both, professional installation ensures those materials actually deliver the protection they are designed to offer.
At Ontario Drywall and Taping, we work throughout the GTA installing moisture-resistant drywall systems in new builds, renovations and basement bathrooms. We take the time to understand how your household uses each space, recommend suitable combinations of Green Board and DensShield, and then complete the work with clean, efficient installation.
If you are planning a bathroom renovation or adding a new bathroom, we are happy to help you choose the right moisture-resistant drywall and finishes for your home. Reach out to Ontario Drywall and Taping today at 647-878-4466, email us at info@ontariodrywallandtaping.ca or click here to get in touch online.
