Question from jiwaskow
Does anyone know if Green Board carried by Home Depot is typically tolerated or not by people with chemical sensitivities? We built with block construction to avoid using drywall or insulation on our exterior walls, but the original builder didn’t line up the windows and blocks properly and they need to be trimmed with something. The new builder is suggested Green Board. I don’t know enough about it though.
Opinions and even other material ideas welcome. He said cement board, which we’re using in the bathrooms, would be too heavy and expensive.
Thanks!
Debra’s Answer
I don’t recommend greenboard. I haven’t researched what it in it, but it has an odor and tends to disintegrate.
Is this a big space that needs to be filled in? Can you fill the space with mortar?
P.S. I just noticed in another post there is a product called Green e-Board. Are you talking about this or standard greenboard that is used instead of cement backerboard?
Three years ago when I did a repair in the kitchen of my old home Green Board was used. It was supposed to be a green item and with all the problems with drywall from China we were looking to eleminate that problem. There had been a roof leak and so the ceiling and part of the wall was rebuilt with greenboard. We used mystic paint and almost all green products so I was surprised when I could not go in the kitchen for 3 months. I kept both doors closed and the windows open all day…everyday. I had to wear my mask to go in there and fix a meal. After that time I was forced to open it up because my mom passed away and there were people in my home for several days trying to help me. It finally got better or I was too stressed to notice. It has been a long time but I have to say it was a hard thing to deal with. It off gassed for 3 months. I really do not know if I am safe now but I do not react anymore when I go in there unless I used the stove.
I tested the green board that is essentially wallboard for wet applications…I feel like it is misnamed! It smelled of chlorine to me, and apparently has something in it (toxic?) to kill mold.