AMAZING DEALS ON PLASTERBOARDS

What is a Plasterboard?

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Plasterboard, also known as drywall, gypsum board, or wallboard, is a popular interior building material used in construction. It is primarily used for creating partition walls, lining existing walls, and forming ceilings in various types of buildings, including homes, schools, hospitals, and commercial premises.

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Composition and Properties:

Plasterboard is typically made from calcium sulphate dihydrate (gypsum) that is pressed between a front and back paper facer. Specialist types of plasterboard can include additives to enhance their properties, offering benefits such as:

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• Condensation control

• Fire protection

• Thermal insulation

• Acoustic properties

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History and Popularity:

Plasterboard gained popularity in the late 1910s and throughout the 1920s, revolutionizing interior construction due to its versatility and ease of installation. Today, it remains a widely used material, readily available for purchase in various sizes and thicknesses.

Common Sizes: One of the most common size variations for plasterboard is 2.4 meters by 1.2 meters, with a typical thickness of 12.5 millimetres.

Installation: A popular method for installing drywall is the "dot-and-dab" method. Installation also often involves the use of plaster, adhesives, and drywall tape (scrim tape).

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Types of plasterboard

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1. Standard Plasterboard (Wallboard/Gypsum Board):

• Description: This is the most basic and widely used type of plasterboard, typically made from gypsum plaster encased in paper facings.

• Intended Use: Ideal for general interior walls and ceilings in areas with normal humidity and no special performance requirements. Commonly used in homes, offices, and commercial buildings for basic partitioning and lining.

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2. Moisture-Resistant Plasterboard (MR Board/Green Board):

• Description: Contains additives in its core that reduce water absorption, and often has a green-coloured paper facing for easy identification.

• Intended Use: Designed for use in areas prone to moderate humidity and occasional moisture exposure, such as bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms, and basements. It helps to prevent mould and mildew growth and provides better stability in damp conditions than standard plasterboard.

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3. Fire-Resistant Plasterboard (Fire-Rated Board/Pink Board):

• Description: Features a core reinforced with glass fibre and other non-combustible additives, which improves its fire resistance. Often identified by a pink or red paper facing.

• Intended Use: Essential for applications where fire protection is critical, such as in escape routes, fire-rated partitions, ceilings in multi-story buildings, and around fireplaces. It helps to compartmentalize fire and slow its spread, providing valuable time for evacuation.

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4. Acoustic Plasterboard (Sound Bloc/Sound Barrier Board):

• Description: Denser and often thicker than standard plasterboard, incorporating a higher-density gypsum core or multiple layers to enhance sound insulation.

• Intended Use: Used to reduce sound transmission between rooms or from external sources. Common applications include bedrooms, home theaters, offices, schools, and hospitals, where noise reduction is important for comfort and privacy.

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5. Thermal Plasterboard (Insulated Plasterboard/Dotted Board):

• Description: A composite board consisting of a plasterboard panel laminated to an insulating material, such as polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), or rigid polyurethane (PIR).

• Intended Use: Provides improved thermal insulation for walls and ceilings, helping to reduce heat loss in buildings and improve energy efficiency. Often used in external wall lining, loft conversions, and areas where thermal performance is a key consideration.

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6. Impact-Resistant Plasterboard (Tough Board/Abuse-Resistant Board):

• Description: Features a high-density core and often incorporates reinforcing fibers or a harder surface to withstand greater impact and abrasion.

• Intended Use: Designed for high-traffic areas or spaces where walls are likely to be subject to knocks and scuffs, such as corridors in schools, hospitals, commercial buildings, and sports halls.

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7. Vapour Barrier Plasterboard:

• Description: Has an integrated metallic film (usually aluminium foil) on one side, acting as a vapor barrier.

• Intended Use: Prevents the passage of water vapor through the wall or ceiling structure, reducing the risk of condensation within the building fabric, particularly in cold climates or areas with high humidity.

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8. Duplex Plasterboard:

• Description: Standard plasterboard laminated with a layer of foil for basic thermal and vapour control.

• Intended Use: A more basic option for improving thermal performance and acting as a vapour barrier compared to dedicated thermal boards.

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When choosing plasterboard, it's crucial to consider the specific requirements of your project, including fire safety regulations, moisture exposure, sound insulation needs, and thermal performance targets.

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Where Can Plasterboards Be Used?

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Plasterboard's widespread use stems from its remarkable versatility, making it a staple in various construction applications. While it is most commonly employed for creating partition walls, its utility extends significantly beyond this.

Here's a breakdown of its diverse applications:

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• Partition Walls: This is the primary and most frequent use. Plasterboard offers a quick, efficient, and cost-effective method to divide interior spaces, creating rooms and defined areas within a building.

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• Suspended Ceilings: Plasterboard panels are frequently used to construct suspended ceilings, providing a smooth, finishable surface that can conceal wiring, plumbing, and ductwork while also offering acoustic and thermal benefits.

• Specialist Applications (e.g., Bathrooms): As mentioned, specialized plasterboard types cater to specific environmental demands. Moisture-resistant panels are specifically designed for areas with high humidity and potential moisture exposure, making them ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms to prevent issues like mould and dampness.

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• Fire Protection: Fire-rated plasterboard is crucial in areas where fire safety is paramount. Its enhanced resistance to fire spread makes it essential for:

  • Separating Walls: Creating fire-rated divisions between different occupancies or areas within a building.

  • Shaft Wall Systems: Enclosing vertical shafts for elevators, stairs, and services, ensuring fire containment.

  • Escape Routes: Lining walls and ceilings in corridors and stairwells to provide safe evacuation paths.

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In summary, plasterboard's adaptability allows it to be integrated into numerous structural and aesthetic components of a building, from basic room dividers to critical fire-safety barriers, making it an indispensable material in modern construction.

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Advantages Of Installing Plasterboards

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Plasterboard offers a multitude of advantages that contribute to its widespread use in the UK construction industry. These benefits make it a preferred choice for various interior building applications:

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• Cost-Effective: Plasterboard is an economical material, making it a budget-friendly option for both new builds and renovations. Its affordability contributes significantly to its popularity.

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• Easy to Replace or Repair: Should a plasterboard wall or ceiling become damaged, sections can be easily cut out and replaced or repaired, minimizing disruption and cost compared to more traditional plastering methods.

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• Recyclable: Plasterboard is a recyclable material, aligning with increasing environmental awareness and sustainability goals in construction. This reduces landfill waste and promotes a more circular economy.

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• Easy to Install: The installation process for plasterboard is relatively straightforward, which contributes to faster project completion times and can reduce labour costs.

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• Smooth Finish: The inherent nature of plasterboard panels results in a consistently smooth and flat surface, which is ideal for achieving a high-quality aesthetic finish.

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• Easy to Cut: Plasterboard is remarkably easy to cut, allowing for precise fitting around obstacles and in awkward spaces. The cutting process is simple:

  1. Measure and Mark: Clearly mark the desired cut line on the plasterboard.

  2. Score: Use a sharp plasterboard knife to score deeply along the marked line.

  3. Cut or Snap: For a clean cut, you can often snap the plasterboard along the scored line. Alternatively, a saw can be used to cut along the marked line, especially for thicker boards or intricate shapes.

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These combined advantages make plasterboard a highly practical and efficient building material, explaining its enduring popularity in the UK construction sector.