tiling bathroom and kitched in new biuld home

[ustulation]

I moved into a new build house and realised that unlike the showhome, there isn't much tiling.

This is what the bathroom looks like (see pics).

1. Firstly, how do i know if the walls are drywall or cement board? Sound while tapping seem similar. Will the pin prick test be different for these two types?

2. I am also open to putting acrylic splashbacks instead of tiles. If the builder has put drywall, do i still need to rip it out and put cement board even if it's the lighter weighing acrylic panels/tiles?

 

[Bonni]

Just tile onto the plasterboard, why does it need be cement board? Heat from a log burner??

 

[ustulation]

Cheers for replying!

> Just tile onto the plasterboard, why does it need be cement board? Heat from a log burner?


Do you mean plasterboard for the acrylic stuff or also for the good ol tiles? I have read in this forum and elsewhere about these reasons to not do in on plasterboard:

1. It warps and could be damaged by the weight. Cement board takes several times the weight the plasterboard can and so on
2. Cement board is better at dealing with moisture. Even moisture/mold resistant drywalls seem to take flak.

Are those points just pettifogging then?

Also, as you can see the walls are painted. I suppose even if went the plasterboard route, I would need to at-least scrape off the paint before gluing/grouting tiles?