Which is better at preventing mold growth in homes? Concrete walls or drywall?
This question comes to mind now that the rainy season is in full swing. Moist and humid weather will occur more frequently, creating environments for mold and mildew to thrive. These fungal foes bring an unpleasant smell in the air, invading your homes by appearing as dark, fuzzy splotches on walls, corners and ceilings.
When building your home, it’s important then to consider how to make your interior spaces safer. To answer the question of which between concrete and drywall is more resistant to molds—well, it depends. Both are surfaces that are vulnerable to mold growth due to various factors.
How Concrete Walls Attract Molds
We first need to understand how molds form on interior walls. Molds need two things to proliferate: (1) organic material to feed on, and (2) moisture.
Concrete itself is not an ingredient for mold growth. It’s made of inorganic material, and its alkaline nature actually gives it some resistance to fungal growth. What you need to watch out for are dust and residue that could appear on your walls. These are the organic materials that molds can feed on. Even painted walls can still host molds, as organic pigments and binders can be found on the paint film.
Moisture is also the main contributor of mold growth on walls. One thing to also know about concrete is that it is a very porous material. This means concrete walls can absorb moisture, water that often comes from seepage and leaks. That’s why you’ll sometimes see molds appear alongside saponification and peeling, similar paint problems caused by water.
The verdict is that while concrete is a material not inherently a host for fungi and organic residue, moisture can contribute to mold growth on the walls especially in poorly ventilated and splash-heavy areas of the home.
What about drywall then?
How Drywall Attracts Molds
Also known as gypsum board, drywall is a construction material for walls, partitions and ceilings. Though not as durable compared to concrete, it is lightweight and easy to install.
Unlike concrete also, drywall is often made with organic material such as recycled paper, something that molds can feed on. Especially when factoring in the material getting damp more easily, you need to be wary of potential mold growth on surfaces made of this material.
There are variations of drywall, though, that are mold-resistant. These often have additive chemicals to mitigate moisture, or have inorganic material that molds won’t feed on. That doesn’t mean it’s completely immune to fungal growth. Again, damp environments and organic residue still become a space for molds to thrive.
Thus, between concrete and drywall, whichever material is less prone to mold growth really depends on factors such as ventilation and moisture presence. When choosing materials to build your home, base it on factors such as durability and convenience. It’s still much better to take the steps to keep bad fungi out of your homes when preventing mildew from appearing in your living spaces.
Mold-Resistant Paints for Concrete and Drywall
Painting with mold-resistant coatings also ensures healthier and safer spaces for you and your family. Prevent molds and mildew from appearing on both concrete and drywall with Boysen Healthy Home. While it’s mainly known for its antibacterial properties—defending your home against microbes like E. coli—it also provides defense against fungi.
A more premium mold-resistant paint is Virtuoso Silk Touch. Like Healthy Home, it is antibacterial, but paints to an elegant matte finish that’s easy to clean. Note that both paint products are for interior use only.
Treat fungi and repaint walls to prevent further mold formation. Click here for the guide. For painting drywall, you can check out this specific guide. Know also that while water-based paints can be painted on drywall, it’s best to consult with the drywall manufacturer for product compatibility.
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