KERDI-BOARD vs GO-BOARD: Which Is Right for Your Shower?

When it comes to waterproofing your shower, two products dominate the professional market: Schluter KERDI-BOARD and Johns Manville GO-BOARD. We've installed hundreds of showers with both systems, so here's our honest comparison. KERDI-BOARD (Schluter Systems) KERDI-BOARD is an extruded polystyrene foam panel with a fleece webbing on both sides. It's been the industry standard for years. Pros: - Complete system with matching drains, niches, and accessories - Excellent warranty when using all Schluter components - Widely available at specialty tile shops - Proven track record over decades Cons: - More expensive overall (system approach means all Schluter) - Requires Schluter-specific thin-set for full warranty - Panels can be fragile during transport GO-BOARD (Johns Manville) GO-BOARD is a newer competitor made from extruded polystyrene with a cementitious coating. It's gaining popularity fast. Pros: - Works with any modified thin-set (no proprietary requirement) - Slightly more affordable per square foot - More rigid than KERDI-BOARD — easier to handle - Integrated waterproofing — no separate membrane needed Cons: - Smaller accessory ecosystem - Less brand recognition (though growing fast) - Fewer integrated system components Our Recommendation For most homeowners, both systems deliver excellent results. We typically recommend KERDI-BOARD for complex custom showers where the full system integration matters, and GO-BOARD for straightforward shower builds where cost savings are a priority. The most important thing isn't which board you choose — it's that your installer uses proper waterproofing in the first place. Too many contractors skip this step entirely, leading to costly failures down the road. Want to discuss which system is right for your project? Contact us for a free consultation.