There are three waterproofing approaches you are most likely to encounter on a tile shower project in Central Florida: Go Board foam panels, Schluter KERDI membrane, and cement board with a liquid membrane like RedGard. Here is how they compare and where we use each one.
Go Board (USG Durock Go Board)
Go Board is our default shower substrate for most residential projects. It is a rigid foam panel with a fiberglass-reinforced surface that is waterproof by design. Not waterproof by coating, not waterproof because you applied a membrane to it. Waterproof through the material itself.
It installs fast. The panels cut cleanly, fasten to studs, and are ready for tile without waiting for a liquid membrane to dry or cure. Seams and corners get treated with mesh tape and adhesive, but the panel itself is not going to absorb water. For most residential bathroom walls and shower walls, this is the right choice.
Schluter KERDI
KERDI is a bonded sheet membrane that goes over a compatible substrate. It is a strong system and Schluter has built a well-earned reputation in the tile industry. The trade-offs compared to Go Board are installation time and cost. KERDI requires a compatible substrate, proper adhesive, careful corner treatment with KERDI-BAND, and a flood test before tiling.
We use KERDI on applications where it makes sense: complex shower configurations, steam showers, and situations where a sheet membrane is the right call. On a standard residential shower wall, Go Board gets you to the same place faster and for less money.
Cement Board with RedGard or Liquid Membrane
Cement board by itself is not waterproof. It is moisture-resistant, which is not the same thing. A liquid membrane like RedGard applied over cement board creates a waterproof surface, but it is only as reliable as the application. Missed spots, thin coverage, and improperly treated corners will fail over time.
Cement board with a properly applied liquid membrane can work. It requires more steps to get right than Go Board, and the quality of the result depends heavily on how well the membrane is applied. For a professional installation we control from start to finish, Go Board is faster and more consistent.
Which System Is Right for Your Project?
For most residential showers in Central Florida: Go Board. Fast, reliable, and waterproof by design.
For steam showers, complex configurations, or where KERDI is specified: Schluter KERDI with a proper flood test.
For tub surrounds and lower-exposure applications where cement board is already in place: liquid membrane applied correctly.
We talk through the right system for your specific project during the estimate visit.