Purple drywall isn’t your average wallboard. Even though it has similar features to standard drywall, such as being fire-resistant and able to create flat surfaces on walls and ceilings, purple gypsum board has more innovative features. For instance, it is moisture and mold-resistant.
It is an excellent choice if you plan to install drywall in your house, especially in a high-moisture area such as the bathroom or kitchen. However, apart from its impressive features, there are a couple of issues that have been reported about purple drywall.
The objective of this article is to share these purple drywall problems so that you can make an informed decision as to whether it’s the correct drywall for your project.
Let’s Start with an Overview of What is Purple Drywall?
It would be unfair to jump straight to the problems without introducing what purple drywall is.
Purple wallboard is a product of Gold Bond Building Products, one of National Gypsum’s brands. It is a gypsum-based drywall that is fire, mold, and moisture-resistant.
It performs way better than regular drywall and can withstand exposure to moisture. Some types of purple gypsum boards are known to be super durable and can resist scuffs, scratches, and dents.
Examples of purple drywall that you can get from Gold Bond include; XP Hi-Abuse Drywall, PURPLE XP Drywall, SoundBreak XP Ceiling Board, and XP Hi-Impact Drywall, amongst others.
Even though purple drywall can withstand all types of conditions, you can use it in any room within your house. Many builders and homeowners prefer to use it in high moisture areas such as the bathroom, kitchen, or basement.
What are Some of the Common Problems Associated with Purple Drywall?
1. It is Expensive
The first issue most people have with purple drywall is its cost. Did you know that regular drywall has an average cost of $12 to $20 per panel? On the other hand, Purple drywall’s average price ranges from $15 to $60 per panel.
Let’s assume you have a big project that needs lots of purple drywall. That means the total cost will be twice or thrice higher than regular drywall.
The high cost of purple gypsum board shouldn’t come as a surprise because it has extra features such as water and mold resistance. These features contribute to giving the purple drywall a longer shelf life.
Even though most people complain about the cost of purple drywall, it is compensated by the extra features provided.
2. It is Lightweight and Fragile
A lightweight purple drywall may seem advantageous because it will be easy to lift during installation. But this feature is a double-edged sword.
A light board is often fragile. Therefore, during installation, the edges may end up falling out of place when they incur some impact.
If you settle for lightweight purple drywall, treat it gently to avoid breaking it. While we are still on weight, some of the purple drywall bought from Home Depot has been reported to be slightly thinner. This also contributes to making the purple drywall a bit more fragile.
3. Quality Issues
Another complaint that has been filed against purple drywall is that the quality has gone down. Some purple drywall buyers have claimed that the product felt a bit spongy. Almost like it had been exposed to a lot of moisture before.
If you are interested in buying purple drywall, it would be a good idea to buy it in person. This way, you will have a better chance of examining the quality of the material before purchase.
4. The Board is Vulnerable to Spotting, Especially After Painting or Applying Primer
This purple drywall problem isn’t as prevalent as the above three. However, it’s worth mentioning so that you aren’t caught off-guard when it affects you.
A couple of people have observed that spots tend to form on the purple drywall, especially after painting or applying primer. These spots mostly form on the edges and areas where much primer was applied.
Spotting on a purple gypsum board can be problematic because these spots don’t usually go away, even if you apply more paint or primer.
To avoid this problem, experts recommend using small amounts of primer and paint on purple drywall. Because of its high moisture resistance, purple drywall doesn’t absorb paint like regular drywall.
Therefore, that often results in puddling, and once the paint cures, spots can develop on the purple gypsum board.
5. Mold Prevention isn’t 100% Guaranteed
When you read through the product description of purple drywall, they clearly state that it’s mold resistant. This doesn’t mean it’s immune to mold.
Therefore, if there is a lot of moisture, mold will inevitably grow on the purple drywall. The only advantage is that it won’t occur as soon as it would have in regular drywall.
These are five common problems you can expect from purple drywall. Familiarizing yourself with these problems is vital as it ensures you are adequately prepared.
Should You Use Purple Drywall?
After going through some of the problems associated with purple drywall, you are probably wondering – should you use it in your home or office?
From a professional point of view, I highly recommend purple drywall. It may be expensive, but the additional features compensate for the cost.
Regular drywall will be destroyed by moisture within a few months, and you will have to replace it. However, purple drywall, since it’s moisture resistant, you are guaranteed that will withstand moisture exposure for longer.
Moving on to the second drawback, which touches on its lightweight, you have to understand that all drywalls are fragile. When you handle it with care, purple drywall should be just fine.
Regarding the quality issues, this complaint has only been reported by a small fraction of people. To ensure you get the best purple drywall, make time to buy it in person.
This way, you will purchase purple drywall stored in great condition. Regarding spotting, refrain from using a lot of primer or paint.
And finally, mold resistance is understandable. No product out there is 100% effective. That also applies to moisture-resistant purple drywall. But isn’t it better to get some level of protection against mold than none at all?
Is Purple Drywall Difficult to Maintain and Repair?
Purple drywall is relatively easy to maintain and repair. Just keep the surfaces clean and repaint them regularly to ensure they look good and can prevent moisture and air from passing through.
As mentioned earlier, purple drywall is a bit fragile. If it cracks or chips, you can always cut and replace it with a new purple gypsum board. Taping can also help hold cracks in place.
If you anticipate a lot of impact from hard objects, consider the Purple XP Hi-Impact drywall. It’s much stronger.
Is Purple Drywall Soundproof?
Purple drywall can prevent the transmission of sound. But this is a sector that doesn’t perform well. You should install Purple SoundBreak XP Wall Board to get better sound-dampening features. It features additional layers that prevent the dissipation of noise.
How Does Purple Drywall Compare to Green Drywall?
Now that you know the common purple drywall problems, you may be tempted to explore its alternative – green drywall. But before you do so, here is a brief comparison of purple vs. green drywall.
Green drywall was more popular a few years ago. It is moisture resistant. Therefore, it’s an excellent choice for an area that experiences high humidity, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
However, green drywall is not mold resistant. Therefore, mold can still grow on it. That’s why it was replaced by purple drywall, which combines moisture and mold resistance.
Even though purple drywall is superior in terms of features, they are both made of gypsum board. The difference in colors helps installers distinguish between these two types of boards and the benefits they offer.