Plastering - Plasterboard Types
Plasterboards have been around for some time now and are a great way to quickly plaster a room ensuring a flat wall but as usual there's alittle more to it.
Plasterboards in there basic form is compressed Gypsum wrapped in a specially treated paper, it come's in 9.5mm, 12.5mm & 15mm thickness.
Plasterboards can be finished is a variety of ways:
- Painted
- Wallpapered
- Skim Coated
Modern boards have only one side that should be used to finish on, where older boards would have one side for a wet finish (skim coat) and the other side for a dry finish (wallpaper - paint).
Other then the type of board to use there is really only one other thing to consider and that's whether you need a Square Edge board or a Tapered Edge board.
The differences are simple, the tapered edge boards go in at an angle around the edges so when butted up to another board your able to tape and fill the joint to a nice flat strong finish, where as square edge boards don't taper.
Using plasterboards is also referred to as Dry Lining, the better brand of plasterboard is British Gypsum.
These boards come in a range of different sizes but the most common is what's known as 8x4' or 2400x1200mm this is because a standard ceiling height is 2.4m and the 1200mm should fit across 4 perfect studs at 400mm centres.
Types of Board
Standard Boards - Wallboard
Generally a white/ivory colour, these boards are the most commonly used.
They have no real specialty about them and come in sizes 9.5mm to 12.5mm.
Common usage is for partition walls, lining old or new block walls, lining ceilings although you would more likely use 9.5mm boards for this as there lighter and you don't need the depth of a 12.5mm board on your ceiling.
Suitable for most finishes.
For more information click here.
HardiBoard
Generally a white/ivory colour, these boards are not commonly used
They have no real specialty about them but they come in Square Edge only, 9.5mm and 12.5mm thickness only and to the overall size of 900x1220mm or 600x1220mm.
These would be found in DIY stores sold as plasterboard and are only usefully for small repairs.
Suitable for most finishes.
For more information click here.
Acoustic Board - SoundBloc
Generally a Pale Blue colour, these boards are commonly used where the Acoustics of a room or to keep noise down is an issue.
Available only in tapered edge and 12.5mm - 15mm. You can use these is conjunction with other sound proofing materials. There made with sound absorbing materials.
There are many options of SoundBloc boards from different grades of sound adsorbtion to even moisture resistant versions
Suitable for most finishes.
For more information click here.
Fire Board - FireLine
Generally a Pink colour, these boards are commonly used where regulations or other applications requires fire protection
You can get Square and Tapered Edged but only at 12.5mm and 15mm thickness, these boards are made with glass fibres which gives it a fire resistant property.
There are many options of FireLine even a water repellant version.
Suitable for most finishes but using wallpaper is not recommended as that's very much flammable.
For more information click here.
Moisture Resistant Board
Generally a Green colour, these boards are commonly used where regulations say so or applications near water.
You can get Square and Tapered Edged but only at 12.5mm and 15mm thickness, these boards are made with water repellents.
One thing to look out for is that there is a FireLine board used around shafts that's green but the difference can be seen in these FireLine boards are 3000m tall and are 19mm thick.
Used commonly in bathrooms around baths and showers where aqua board isn't suitable.
Suitable for most finishes of a water proof property.
For more information click here.
Impact Board - DuraLine
Generally a Ivory colour, these boards are commonly used where walls are going to take a beating.
You can get Square and Tapered Edged but only at 13mm and 15mm thickness, these boards are made with glass fibres which gives it more strength (not as much to make it a FireLine Board).
Used commonly in kids playroom or where wheelchairs will be used alot.
Suitable for most finishes but a HardWall Plaster product is recommended to strengthen the boards even more.
For more information click here.
Thermal Board - ThermaLine
Generally a Ivory colour with polystyrene or other types of form insulation on the back, these boards are commonly used where insulation or extra insulation is required.
Only available in Tapered Edge and the thickness is not of normally boards due to the extra insulation on the back.
Used commonly for ceilings and against block/brick walls.
Suitable for most finishes.
For more information click here.
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