Besides in the bath tub area why is tile a must in the Bathroom.?

Question

I have tile on half the bathroom wall and want to change it to a plain drywall.

Answer 1

That should be fine, just paint it in a water resistant paint. Tiles just clean easily and they are not affected by moisture.

Answer 2

Tile is only a must in wet areas.  Other than that you can do whatever you want with the walls.  BUT tile looks good, last practically forever,  stays (and is easier to) clean.

I'd think twice before ripping out tiled walls and replacing them with drywall.   Unless they're a hideous color, tiled bathroom walls are a good selling feature.

Answer 3

DON'T use plain drywall, use moisture resistant drywall.

1) Planning codes in some places require it

2) It will save you grief in the long run as if you get steam in regular drywall it can degrade.

Answer 4

Tile is really just a traditional decorative choice.  In a very wet area such as the floor, shower or bathtub, it's a pretty crucial material since it protects and makes the room much easier to maintain.  However, not covering all the walls with tile is a wonderful alternative in the rest of the room, as you suggested.  Drywall is a blank canvas for any color or design of your choosing.

Try to use a more water-resistant drywall (sometimes called cement board) in there, not the same kind you'd install in the dining or living room.  Given the levels of humidity/dampness, it, otherwise, could be prone to mildew or mold.

Three of the four walls in one of my bathrooms are painted drywall, skim coated prior and protected with a washable paint, that picks up an accent color I used in the rooms near it.  It makes for a nice contrast to the steel tile on the floor and subway tile in the shower.

I say go for it!

Answer 5

You know better than moisture resistant or green board would be paperless sheet rock. If your doing this to your own house that is what I would use. It is covered with a thin fiberglass type layer, while green board (also called moisture resistant)  or sheet rock is covered with a paper layer. It is a bit scratchy to work with and a couple of bucks (if that) more a sheet, but it will not grow any mildew at all!!! It is therefore much more resistant to water.

It is great stuff and once painted there is no difference in the surface between it, green board, or sheet rock. It has a gypsum core like sheet rock, etc. On rock, it is the paper that grows mold not the gypsum between the paper layers. BTW HD stopped carrying it but Lowe's does.