It is extremely important to keep your shower wall separated from all the moisture in the shower/bathroom. To keep the moisture away, you should always use a very good quality substrate or building panel.
Otherwise, the wall of your shower can be damaged, which will cause you a lot of hassle in the future.
There are various kinds of boards, such as gypsum board, cement backer board, fiberglass board, etc., available on the market. Among them, GoBoard and Kerdi are the most popular.
In this article, we will talk about these two renowned boards in detail.
A Quick Comparison Table
Here’s a quick comparison between these two types of boards for your better understanding-
| Specifications | GoBoard | Kerdi |
| Weight | Ultra lightweight | Lightweight |
| Type | Backer Board | Waterproofer |
| Materials | Polyisocyanurate closed-cell foam inside and fiberglass mat outside | Extruded polystyrene foam panel |
| Manufacturer | Johns Manville | Schluter |
| Rigidity | Comparatively less rigid | More rigid than GoBoard |
| Installation | Easy and fast installation | Takes more time than GoBoard |
Key Differences Between GoBoard and Kerdi For Your Shower
Now let’s analyze the main differences and find out which one is more suitable for your shower-
- Weight
You might think that weight is not an issue for the substrate as it will eventually stay under the tiles.
But in reality, it creates a big difference when you install them on your wall.
Lightweight boards are easily stuck to the wall and it reduces the installation time also.
You won’t need a huge amount of mortar to place them on the wall. Lightweight boards are also super durable.
So, if we want to compare the GoBoard and Kerdi based on their weight, the GoBoard wins. Because it is ultra-lightweight and, most surprisingly, it is 80% lighter than the traditional cement backer boards.
The Kerdi board is also lightweight but not like the GoBoard. So, GoBoard wins here.
- Manufacturer
GoBoard is manufactured by Johns Manville, which is an American-based company. They also manufacture insulation, commercial roofing, and building materials.
Schluter®-Systems, which is a family-owned group of companies, manufactures the Kerdi board. Both companies are reputed and well known, but Schluter®-Systems created customer dissatisfaction for a certain period of time due to the Kerdi board shortage.
- Materials
The inside of GoBoard is made of polyisocyanurate closed-cell foam, and the outside is made of a fiberglass mat. GoBoard is a kind of backer board because the main elements of a backer board are cement, silica, fiberglass, etc.
Kerdi board, on the other hand, is an extruded polystyrene foam panel. Kerdi board is a kind of waterproofer because these kinds of boards are made of XPS foam.
- Tile Application
Another important factor is how easily tile or stone adheres to each backer board.
Tiling on GoBoard
Tile sets directly onto the fiberglass coating of GoBoard just as it would onto concrete board.
The reinforced fiberglass mat provides stable adhesion for mortar and tile. No additional prep is needed.
GoBoard requires the same thinset mortars compatible with cement backer boards.
Tiling on Kerdi
Because Kerdi’s waterproofing relies on the polyethylene layer, tiles must be set over this membrane side rather than directly onto the foam.
Schluter recommends unmodified thinset so it can properly grip the membrane’s fleece webbing texture.
The foam core does not provide the same adhesion strength for tile. The membrane must go between the tile and foam layers.
Overall, GoBoard again has the tiling advantage, providing direct bonding without fussing with extra membrane sheets.
- Ease Of Installation
Installing shower backer boards takes some work. Here is how GoBoard and Kerdi compare in terms of installation effort.
Installing GoBoard
GoBoard installs similarly to ordinary cement board but with a few unique techniques:
- Cut boards to size using score and snap method, or use shears for curves
- Attach to studs with corrosion-resistant screws spaced 8” apart
- Keep seams staggered and spaced slightly apart rather than butted
- Fill any gaps larger than 1/8” with thinset or sealant
- No need for joint tapes over seams
GoBoard cuts and installs with standard cement board tools. The rigid fiberglass coating allows for direct thinset application without extra membrane layers.
Installing Kerdi
Kerdi requires some additional steps beyond ordinary cement board:
- Use shears or utility knife for even cuts
- Attach boards with modified thinset mortar, or use screws and washers
- Apply Kerdi-Fix to all seams and fastener points
- Seal all seams and corners with Kerdi strips and transition pieces
- Apply thinset over membrane before tiling
The foam-based board is easy to cut, but the extra membrane layers involve more time and preparation for waterproofing.
So GoBoard wins for easier installation without the need to tape seams or waterproof joints and corners.
- Waterproofing Ability
Waterproofing performance is the most crucial criteria for any shower backer board.
GoBoard Waterproofing
The fiberglass mat coating makes GoBoard 100% waterproof throughout the entire panel.
GoBoard has passed numerous testing standards certifying its impermeability and mold resistance in wet environments.
The fiberglass weave allows for direct adhesive bonding with thinset mortar. Joint tapes are not required.
Kerdi Waterproofing
Kerdi’s waterproofing relies on the bonded polyethylene layer attached to the foam core. Polyethylene has very low vapor permeability.
However, tile can only be applied over the polyethylene membrane side. The foam core edges are still vulnerable to moisture intrusion.
So Kerdi boards require additional polyethylene self-sealing strips and transition pieces for waterproofing seams and corners.
For maximum leak protection, GoBoard’s through-and-through fiberglass coating has an advantage over Kerdi’s bonded top layer membrane.
- Cost Comparison
On average, GoBoard and Kerdi backer boards cost about the same per square foot. However, there are some cost factors that may sway your decision:
- GoBoard – $1.00-$1.50 per sq ft (No extra waterproofing needed)
- Kerdi – $1.00-$1.50 per sq ft (Plus $50+ for waterproofing accessories)
Because Kerdi requires additional membrane strips and corners, you’ll need to budget another $50+ for installation accessories.
GoBoard’s all-in-one panel construction avoids these extra costs for waterproofing seams.
For a basic shower backer board without bonus accessories, GoBoard is the more economical choice. But Kerdi offers handy curb pieces, drains, and seals if you want a coordinated system.
Either way, both boards cost about the same as a standard cement backer board but with added waterproofing abilities.
GoBoard or Kerdi?
Now that we know all the differences between GoBoard and Kerdi, let’s come to a decision. Which one stands out? GoBoard or Kerdi?
Well, to come to a decision, you have to make up your mind first.
Do you want something that is difficult to install but cheap? Or do you want something easy to install but expensive?
If you choose the first one, then the Kerdi board is for you. Because, to install the Kerdi board, you will have to deal with some hassle.
First of all, you might face issues while bonding.
Secondly, if you want to install it all by yourself without getting any help from a professional, chances are there will be some errors and you won’t be able to solve this easily.
Finally, it will take some time to stick on the wall, and you can’t place the tiles immediately.
On the other hand, if you want an easy installation, then go for GoBoard. Its ultra-lightweight design will give you the perks of easy cutting and installation.
Though it’s a little bit costlier than the Kerdi board, you can save money by installing it on your own.
Also, there is no expensive tool required for this installation, which means that, in the end, the cost is almost the same in both cases. So why not choose the durable, lightweight, built-in waterproof, easy-to-install GoBoard?
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Of course, GoBoard is one of the great options for tiling your shower floor and tub area. It works best when installed in a new shower. It is good for both curbside and curbless shower areas. Overall, it can be a nice substrate for your shower.
The Glass Mat Gypsum board (for example, DensShield) and cement board are the best backer boards to use in a shower. But they are heavy and difficult to install. So, if you are looking for DIY options and at the same time want something durable, you can go for GoBoard or Greenboard.
Yes, Schluter Kerdi is great for your shower or bathroom. Though the installation process of Schluter Kerdi is a little bit complicated and requires some special tools, it will last and protect your walls for decades once installed.
GoBoard is an excellent tile backer for the wet areas of your house. It is mainly used in kitchens and shower areas where the presence of moisture is very high. As the GoBoard is very lightweight, professionals recommend not using this board in areas where the traffic is high. But it can be used for general house floors.
Yes, GoBoard backer board is 100% waterproof thanks to the fiberglass reinforced coating fused to both sides of the cement board.
GoBoard has passed numerous industry tests certifying its waterproof performance for wet areas like showers.
The molded fiberglass mat prevents moisture from soaking into the edges or seams. No need for additional waterproofing membranes.
As long as you seal any penetrations and gaps with thinset or caulk, the board itself forms a waterproof shield behind tile.
Yes, KERDI board makes a great waterproof backer board for shower walls. The bonded polyethylene layer offers low vapor permeability to block moisture.
Final Words
We all want to decorate our shower beautifully with the best-designed tiles. But all our efforts can go in vain if we do not choose the right substrate for the tile.
The risk of shower wall damage is comparatively high because this area is very moist. So, think twice before you buy the tile substrate for your shower.
If you’re still stuck in the GoBoard vs. Kerdi confusion, then take a look at our thorough analysis of this and you’ll find your answer.