Aquapanel v Moisture Resistant Plasterboard

Hi Using moisture resistant plasterboard in bathrooms is a industry standard this days. Combined with liquid tanking will provide very good water resistant surface. However this is cheeper alternative to cement boards like AQUAPANEL. Green plasterboards will be suitable only in areas where you have LIGHT water splash (example ..... near wash basin) where "occasionally" in contact with small amount of water. Will resist water penetration long term but not for ever. Remember this is only 12mm of gypsum lined with paper, Saturated with mixture of chemicals that helps plasterboard from excessive water penetration. Using liquid tanking on any surface will result in POOR paint finish . Good liquid tanking is usually thick rubbery substance , almost impossible to apply as smooth fine coat suitable for top coat of paint. You will always end up having textured finish in the end. It is not necessary to use it on moisture resistant plasterboards where surface is exposed and will have chance to dry. I always recommend cement boards inside shower where large amounts of water each time is in contact with bathroom walls .Aqua panel is a great way to prevent water penetration long term , and combined with quality liquid tanking is almost like aquarium!!! In this case you should be able to use shower or entire bathroom without tiles on walls or floor. If you installing aqua panel or any other cement board ...... properly tape and coat it with liquid tanking ..... than tiles are only needed as decorative element, not as water barrier !!!! BUT...... You can spend fortune to do all this things, buying best materials using best equipment... and still flood your ground floor or downstairs neighbours! If your bathroom fitter will not pay enough attention to walls and floor flexibility movement, B 4 installing boards , nothing will help long term . Having someone who really know how to eliminate floor movement and reduce walls/partitions flexibility to minimum , Is the key to beautiful ,functional and cost effective bathroom. Use plasterboard on properly prepared walls/partitions... Use good quality base for your paint work and tiled areas.... Use flexible and water resistant tile adhesives.... Use Flexible quality grouts .... Use good silicone during process .... Seal all grouts with penetrating grout sealer (NOT GROUT PROTECTOR!) Use water resistant paints Spend more for someone who really know how to do it all ! Than you can use standard plasterboards as background and water will always stay on surface ,not going under :) And don't forget: -Good ventilation is very important -Always check shrinkage rates for products you using (adhesives ,grouts sealants. -See if products you using are compatible with each other -don't rush ! Allow for setting and drying times (usually needed more than manufacturers recommendation ) -2 in 1 products are good for your hair, not for your tiling :) I Always say..... Build or renovate is not much different from racing. You can buy best car, fit it with best tyres, have most powerful engine and most beautiful paint work . Spent fortune for most advanced technology and gadgets .... But you will never win this race if your driver is blind! Looks like your builder knows what needs to be done. If he can do it paying attention to detail than you don't need to stretch your budget for overpriced system as Aquapanel . Do it only if necessary to reduce excessive wall movement. Best wishes Jack

Your builder has the right idea, by using moisture resistant plasterboard then water proofing the walls (also known as tanking) you will get a totally water tight seal behind the tiles. Using cement board, Hardie backer/Aquapanel isn't really required unless you are fixing natural stone or heavy porcelain and exceeds (inc adhesive and grout) 32kg per m2 hopefully this will help.