Improve the Performance of Your Walls With These Plasterboard Features

Plasterboard is great for interior walls. It can be easily painted or wallpapered to work for a variety of situations. Traditionally, plasterboard consists of a core of gypsum surrounded by layers of paper lining, and the board usually has squared edges.

However, there are also types of plasterboard where special additives or unique shapes improve performance. Depending on your objectives, here are some options you may want to consider.

Soundproofing

Soundproofing a room after it has been built can be expensive. You have to add sound absorbing foam or lining to the walls. Instead, if you want to reduce the amount of sound that travels in or out of a particular room, you should look for plasterboard with a sound resistant core. This type of plasterboard is typically denser than traditional plasterboard.

Fire Resistance

In most cases, the gypsum core of plasterboard contains droplets of dehydrated water. If the plasterboard gets warm such as if a fire is raging around it, the water gets released. This stalls the movement of the fire.

However, if you want additional safety such as for a child care centre or for bedrooms in a home, you may want to look into plasterboard with additional fireproofing qualities. There are several manufacturers who specialise in this type of plasterboard—ask about the board's Fire Resistance Level so you have the details you need to compare different options.  

Waterproof Potential

When putting up walling in a bathroom, kitchen or a potentially humid area, you may want the walling to be water resistant. In this case, you may want to stay away from plasterboard. Plaster is naturally prone to dissolving in water. Instead, just look for gypsum board that has been covered in a waterproof layer, sometimes called a vapour layer. That is perfect for behind tiles or other potentially moist places.

Recessed Edges

Whether you opt for any or all of the features mentioned above, the basic installation process is the same. The plasterboard is nailed to the frame of the wall. Then, a layer of compound is applied over the joints in between each piece of plasterboard.

When plasterboard has straight edges, the compound that you put on this area can look raised compared to the other areas. However, if the edges are recessed, there is a small valley at the point where two plasterboards meet each other. When you apply the compound, the final effect is a smoother, more refined look.

To learn more about the right plasterboard for your project, contact a contractor today.