What Is Plasterboard Used For?

Standard plasterboard is more likely to come in white and sizes of approximately 1200mm by 2400mm. Standard plasterboard is typically used to curate the walls and ceilings of domestic projects or developments.

They are suitable for locations where the buildings are not subject to significant damage due to the elements or specifications or requirements such as thermal, fire-resistant, moisture or acoustic qualities.

However, standard plasterboard does have fire qualities with a non-combustible core. If you require more than 30 minutes to exit, you will generally require two additional layers of standard plasterboard, and it will give you the same effect for a cost-effective overall price.

Fireboards often come in pink, and they are frequently used throughout the building construction industry, where workers are at risk in different environments of fires occurring. They are also considered a workplace requirement for buildings to be fire-resistant with a low spread index to comply with the regulations.

Fireboard provides its property owners with 30 minutes each board for evacuation time, especially in buildings where you will require the full 30 minutes due to the scale of the property.

Soundboards are typically blue and are used by many industries to provide an efficient, superior acoustic performance. Soundproof plasterboards are frequently utilised in residential accommodations as the building and fire regulations often state a Db (decibel) value. On certain occasions, a building may require fire and sound performance.

The qualities of other boards in terms of these properties may vary depending on numerous factors; if this is the case, a 15mm Db board often provides the same performance as you may find in a fire board.

Moisture boards tend to be green and are typically used in areas predominantly exposed to high levels of moisture, for example, the kitchens and bathroom ceilings and walls of a household or property.

A top tip for working with moisture boards is that you should utilise standard plasterboard, tape its joints, and apply primer on the walls if you intend to tile your space entirely. Depending on the spec and plasterboard sizes, you can save plenty of money; however, we highly encourage you to invest in moisture boards to prevent moisture accumulation.

Thermal boards tend to be coloured white. Such plasterboard products of this kind often come with 9.5mm of plasterboard bonded to Phenolic board attached to its back and offer the same purpose as any thermal insulation installed into your wall cavity.

Thermal plasterboard comes in a wide range of densities to provide heat-insulating barriers, and the U value usually determines what your property requires in the building regulations. The more extensive the upgrade you need, the thicker your thermal board will have to be. If you require upgrading an old property that has no existing cavity, you’ll want to install or request an installation of thermal boards.

For those searching for the correct type of thermal board, we highly recommend one of around 63mm, as this will provide you with a U value of 0.22, meaning your room or space will be incredibly toastie.

To curate extra protection from various circumstances or accidental damage in a commercial or public building, installing high-density plasterboard can be effective. Many of these boards contain dense, thick paper and glass fibres, which allows you to stay protected inside.

Modern exterior sheathing boards are suitable for properties that require external insulation. Using space-age moisture repellents, top manufacturers create external plasterboards to withstand harsh weather, such as moisture from the hot sun and thrashing rain or heavy snow.

Stud walls use far more flammable materials than those in masonry walls, making them an excellent option for all properties, primarily those more prone to fires due to the area they are situated in or the type of work taking place in them.

For example, it is highly suitable for commercial kitchens, factories or other public and industrial residences. High resistance plasterboard is necessary and considered a requirement for many building regulations across the UK.

Thermal or insulated plasterboard usually provides an extra layer of high-quality insulation for your home or property so that they can deliver far better energy efficiency without feeling claustrophobic. The material layer that offers insulation is skillfully sandwiched between the plasterboard layers.

If you’re searching for a high-quality surface covering that is moisture resistant enough to decrease all dampness problems, look no further than water-resistant plasterboard. Water and moisture resistance is excellent for external boards and surfaces that will likely be exposed to the weather using water-repellent and other additives.

There’s plenty of plank plasterboard available from a whole host of manufacturers on the market, and it’s generally made of a thicker type of plasterboard. Its thickness makes it a fantastic option for lift shafts, stairwells, and hallways, offering incredible soundproofing and heat resistance.

Some average plasterboards you may encounter on the market can leak a bit of sound transmission, so acoustic or sound-resistant plasterboards may help you if your property suffers from such problems.

It’s also helpful if you’re constructing a room that needs adequate soundproofing like a music or recording studio, home cinema, or reducing noise transmission from noisy neighbours. The plasterboard used for this style is of a higher density.

You’ll find that many existing plasterboards on the market or industry combine several features to enhance their efficiency; for example, some include moisture and sound resistance at the same time. Many may involve other aspects such as fire resistance, making it more appealing and functional.

A vapour-resistant plasterboard is a fantastic option for those searching to protect your property from moisture damage. Many vapour resistance plasterboards for total protection utilise a structured foil backing.