The DIYers Guide to Plasterboard

If you’re self-building, or tackling a room refurb by yourself, the range of plasterboard types available can be mindboggling.

Tapered or square edge? Moisture resistant or vapour-check? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.

Edges

Before we get into the nitty gritty, it’s important to know which edge type is best for your project.

Plasterboard panels come in two finishes – square-edged and tapered. Which one you choose will be dictated by the application.

To put it simply, tapered is commonly used for walls, as it’s narrower edge profile makes joining and skimming easier. Square edge plasterboard is usually used for ceiling or areas with a textured finish, as the seams between the sheets will be less visible.

 

When it comes to choosing the best plasterboard, tapered edges will make for a faster installation – great for larger projects. If price is a concern, or you are installing boards on a ceiling, a square edge is usually the best choice for the job.

Standard Plasterboard

Your standard grey/ivory plasterboard is ideal for a plaster finish, and is even suitable for decorating directly on top of.

It comes in a range of thicknesses (usually 9.5mm – 12.5mm) and sizes so it’s extremely versatile for use in partitions, walls and ceilings, and is the ideal choice for most residential projects.

You won’t need any special tools to cut it – a Stanley knife and a straight edge to score, followed by a careful snap will do the trick.

Fire-Resistant Plasterboard

Fire-Resistant plasterboard (sometimes referred to as fire rated, or fireproof plasterboard), are, unsurprisingly, more resistant to flames than the standard panels.

Because they’re made from a mix of materials like glass, 12.5mm boards can you 30 mins fire protection with thicker boards giving longer protection, making them ideal for use in kitchens and garages, and even commercial spaces like offices and shopping centres, which may have more stringent fire regulations.

Fire-resistant plasterboards are usually pink to make them easy to identify, and come in tapered or square edges. They’re even suitable for direct decoration, so you can plaster, paint on tile directly on top.

Moisture-Resistant

Identified by it’s green face, moisture-resistant boards are ideal for rooms with high humidity, such as bathrooms, walk-in showers and kitchens. As the boards prevent moisture from entering the walls and ceilings, you’ll find fewer damp related issues and snagging costs.

Although you can decorate directly on top of moisture-resistant boards, using a bonding agent will allow plaster to grip onto the surface and remain in place.

Vapour Check Panels

Used in areas where hot meets cold (such as the internal faces of external walls, or pitched roofs in loft conversion) and where a vapour barrier is needed to prevent moisture entering the building, Vapour Check Panels look just like standard plasterboard, with an added foil layer on the back.

The foil layer prevents condensation forming in external walls and roof spaces, which happens when warm air meets the cold, and can cause damp and mould.

Thermal Laminates

Thermal plasterboard is standard plasterboard with a backing layer of some type of insulation – often polystyrene or polyurethane foam. They’re designed to be used when lining external walls or ceilings, and some even include a vapour check layer for those rooms where dampness may cause issues.

Because of the many layers involved, thermal plasterboard can often be a lot more expensive than standard plasterboard, however carries the benefits of three products in one.  

 

If you have any questions about the right type of plasterboard for your project, please get in touch, or view our full range on our website.