I need good ideas for the green board area above the shower...

Becky Holt
by Becky Holt
I don't really want to paint but I can't afford tile...maybe a mosaic with cast off tiles...Iwas wanting to know if the flat bottom, rounded top,glass marbels you see at the dollar store or Wallmart would work here..would they fade color, or fall out of Mastic & grout?? anyone with experience .please advise....
  7 answers
  • Z Z on Oct 07, 2013
    My guess is it would work, but since it's an area that can possibly get wet let's check with Ed at @AK Complete Home Renovations, Jeff of @Home Repair Tutor and/or David with @Hamtil Construction LLC.
  • Hamtil Construction LLC Hamtil Construction LLC on Oct 07, 2013
    Hi @Becky Holt, good question. Thanks @Z for tagging me. I'm not sure exactly the items you are referring to, but I'm picturing the glass that is almost like a small river rock. That would probably work fine, although I would not use mastic. Probably a thinset, or glass mosaic specialty adhesive mortar such as: http://www.laticrete.com/Portals/0/datasheets/LDS2510.pdf I would use a sanded grout for sure. You might also try to check Craigslist or a local Habitat ReStore if you have one in your area. Sometimes you can find great deals on tile via those two sources. Or, if you do decide to paint it, I suggest Zinsser 1-2-3 primer and a good moisture resistant bath paint such as Sherwin Williams Duration. We paint areas such as you describe quite often with good success using this primer + paint.
    • Z Z on Oct 07, 2013
      Thank you @David,great idea to check CL (often under Materials for sale) and Restore. It would be much easier to use a mosaic tile than adhering individual pieces to a wall over ones head.@
  • Hamtil Construction LLC Hamtil Construction LLC on Oct 07, 2013
    One more thing, I am guessing the "green board" area you are referring to is the small wall area above the shower walls (fiberglass shower perhaps?) and NOT the ceiling. I would definitely not recommend this to be installed on a ceiling. Whole different ballgame there. Sorry if I misunderstood the question. ~ Paul H.
  • Those marbles your talking about should not fad at all. They are made of glass. The thin set used for holding them into place would work just as it would with any other material that you would normally use on a wall. Just remember that you will need to seal the grout once you have the glass installed or you will be dealing with mold issues on the wall as a result.
  • The marbles you are talking about will cost you more than using tile at Home Depot or Lowes. There are usually tiles and mosaics on clearance/sale at big box stores and you should take a trip to see what they have. You have to grout the marbles and you will spend a lot of time on that large area getting them perfect/clean. using the marbles for small projects like gazing balls and even flat surfaces would be easy but not on a vertical surface. Our Lowes here In VA had a bunch of tile, mosaics and even natural stone marked down and some were even 39 cents for a 12x 12 tile! Just remember, what ever you choose you have to live with and if you ever sell the home you need to have something another buyer would like. Good luck!
    • Becky Holt Becky Holt on Oct 14, 2013
      @The Garden Frog with C Renee You are right..they would be expensive...Glad I waited & thought about it some more..thanks!
  • Alice Harley-Wosnig Alice Harley-Wosnig on Oct 08, 2013
    I have a friend who did their greenboard with river rocks. They are small and rounded. It is beautiful.
  • If the area abovethe shower isn't that big, go to floordécor or other type stores and buy inexpensive tile or mosaics on sheets. Typical showerwould take maximum 24sf above shower to ceiling and cost maximum $50