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Where has all the DensArmor Plus gone?

10 years ago

The first time we gutted a bathroom, about 7 years ago, we went to Lowe's, asked for greenboard and the guy said "you don't want that, this stuff is way better" and pointed at DensArmor Plus. We used it in that bathroom and another one we added a couple years later, and in a friend's bathroom that we helped reno.

Fast forward to today. We truck down to a different Lowe's, in a smaller town, and all they have is greenboard. They can order DensArmor Plus, but I have to buy 51 sheets (I need 4). The Lowe's that originally steered me to it no longer carries it, nor does any big box store within 100 miles. I call 5 drywall supply houses in a big city 75 miles away and some don't have it, others only have 5/8". I finally find one distributor that has some 1/2" a couple hours away and agrees to transfer 4 pieces to a closer warehouse for me.

Why does no one carry this anymore? They don't even have "or equivalent" (I thought perhaps regionally they'd carry Certainteed's similar product.) What are people using in residential bathrooms now? Can anyone shed light on this?

Featured Answer

worthy

10 years ago

I'd bet the largest users of DensArmor Plus are commercial/institutional builders--government housing, military, schools, hospitals--who don't shop the Big Boxes.

This post was edited by worthy on Wed, Jun 12, 13 at 21:19

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Comments (8)

homebound
10 years ago
No idea, though maybe it was because of how ichy/irritating it was due to the fiberglass.

Anyway, the newer greenboard is supposedly better than the old stuff. Go with that in the dry areas.
User
10 years ago
The only thing wrong with "greenboard" is that it will eventually deteriorate when used behind tile in a shower. It can still be used in other less wet areas if desired.

DensArmor Plus is simply moisture resistant gypsum board with a fiberglass facing that resists mold growth instead of a paper facing but it is not intended to be used behind tile in a shower. Georgia-Pacific only claims that it resists "ambient moisture and incidental wettings during and after construction" and makes no claims for wet areas like a shower.

For a shower use any of the many reinforced cement backer boards available in any lumberyard or box store. Georgia-Pacific's product is called "DensShield Tile Backer." USG calls it "Durock".

I suggest that you not rely on sales people at box stores for technical material information. Although some know quite a bit about what they sell, many will pass on common misinformation.
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weedyacres
Original Author
10 years ago
I use Durock beind shower/tub tile. I was looking for the DensArmor Plus for the rest of the bathroom walls.

In this case, I happen to agree with the big box store guy, that DAP beats greenboard. I'd rather have fiberglass than paper on my bathroom walls. Just wondering why fewer people are using it now.
User
10 years ago
Worthy is correct, this material is not normally used in residential work. The advantage of it is its resistance to mold and abrasion and the disadvantage is the difficulty in achieving a smooth finish without a skim coat.

IMO there are better materials for high humidity residential spaces and a well ventilated bathroom is rarely such a space.
PRO
SJP Construction inc
5 years ago
I can find it
millworkman
5 years ago
5 years later I am sure anyone can........................
larsonwf
2 years ago
It is now 2021. What it the best white baseboard to use with luxury vinyl plank for appearance and functionality?

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