If you’ve recently joined the homebuilding industry, chances are good you’ve been taken on a tour of houses under construction. And I’m willing to bet one of those houses was in the “drywall” phase – that time when the interior walls really start to take shape and you can really get a sense of what the rooms will feel like.
But something catches your eye…
Most of the drywall is a pale grayish color, but a few pieces just happen to be a different color. Often, this might be green or purple.
I remember seeing this myself, and I didn’t want to ask anyone (and give up the fact that I didn’t know something). Instead, I assumed it was just some leftover drywall from another job – and the drywall Trade Contractor saved some money by taking that as part of the shipment.
Your new Homebuyers will also have the same question. And many of them will ask you why it’s a different color. Keep reading and I’ll help you understand why there is a different color (spoiler alert: it’s NOT just taking leftover drywall from the supplier to save costs).
So – If Not Leftover Drywall – What Is It?
The multi-colored drywall is a special type of drywall known as moisture-resistant drywall, and it is meant to be installed in those areas/rooms of the house that have – you guessed it – moisture. I’m talking bathrooms primarily.
Think about the moisture that gets generated in this room. Most of the time, the door is closed and water vapor is flying around – getting trapped inside the room. To give you a better visual, think of how you need to wipe off the mirror that steamed up while taking that shower. That’s moisture.
Moisture that gets trapped in walls can sit and breed yucky and dangerous things like mold (which is no good for anyone…..except lawyers, but I digress).
What Makes Moisture Resistant Drywall Different Than Regular Drywall?
Moisture-resistant drywall is made just a little bit differently than traditional drywall to keep moisture from absorbing into the wallboard. Whereas regular drywall is typically made with a paper facing, moisture-resistant drywall is made with either a treated paper (using a mold inhibitor) OR a fiberglass mat.
And it makes a difference. The special paper/fiberglass helps to repel moisture and discourages fungal growth (mold). For additional protection, a paint designed for wet spaces can also be used.
Why The Different Colors?
By now, you should understand that moisture-resistant drywall is made to, um, resist moisture. But you may wonder why the drywall manufacturers would spend any additional money to make this drywall in different colors. I mean – wouldn’t it be just as easy (and more cost-effective) to slap a sticker/label on the side of the drywall (or just print “moisture-resistant” on the face of the boards)?
The short answer: it’s super easy to spot moisture-resistant drywall when it’s a different color.
That makes it easy to separate for the rooms that need it. Trades work fast, and they want things to be super easy. If all boards were the same color with just a label or a sticker, it would take longer to ensure you have the right boards in the right places.
What’s The Difference Between Green and Purple?
Two primary colors of this moisture-resistant drywall exist: green and purple (yes – you may see other colors, too – but these are the most prevalent). You may be wondering if these are just gimmicks meant to distinguish one manufacturer from another.
And there’s a little bit of truth to that thought. Purple drywall is only manufactured by Gold Bond Building Products – but – the purple drywall is better for higher-moisture areas of the house (bathrooms and basements). That’s because it has the moisture and mold-resistant features not seen in the green moisture-resistant drywall.
Green drywall boards should be used in areas where there isn’t as much moisture – like around the Kitchen sink or in some areas connected to a bathroom. Although it has moisture-resistance, it doesn’t have the additional mold-inhibiting features of purple board.
I hope this helped you understand why you may have seen a different color of drywall in a house. Now that you know, you can rest easy with that knowledge. And you can engage in good conversation with others in your company (especially if you notice it’s missing where it should be).
And – when those customers ask “what’s the deal with that weird colored drywall?” – you’ll be the pro in the know!
I’d love to hear about your experiences walking jobs and what you’ve learned along the way. And, if you have other questions or comments on this post (or ideas for a future post), please take a few moments to leave a comment below.
If you found this post helpful, I’d also be honored to have you share it with your network! And – if you’d like to get some occasional stories and tips sent right to your inbox, you can use the form below to opt-in. Happy building!
