Types of Plasterboard Available for Different Projects

Posted on 04/10/22

Plasterboard

All plasterboard can be used for lining and creating new walls in your home or commercial premises, but there are many varieties to choose from. You may want a plasterboard for a ceiling, for example, or you might want to choose a type that offers certain properties or performance levels. In this blog, we’ll explore the types of plasterboard you can buy and the projects they’re best suited to. 

Types of plasterboard

Plasterboard comes in various styles for use in a variety of applications:

Sound-resistant plasterboard

This is also known as acoustic plasterboard and it insulates sound via a layer of gypsum which is nestled deep in the plasterboard itself. When installing this type of board, you’ll need to buy an adhesive rather than fixings with your drylining materials, to enhance the sound protection further and avoid air gaps.

Fire-resistant plasterboard

An incredibly important type of plasterboard is a fire-resistant board which improves the fire performance of your building. Fire boards are measured by the number of minutes’ protection they provide you with in terms of resisting a fire, so you can get out of the building safely. 

Moisture-resistant plasterboard

If you’re installing plasterboard in your kitchen or bathroom, or anywhere where water and moisture is common, then you’ll need to purchase moisture-resistant plasterboards. These are made with water-repellent substances so you don’t have to worry about water causing damage. 

Vapour-resistant plasterboard

These boards are impermeable by moisture, using a foil-backed design that prevents moisture from penetrating the board. This will keep the wall completely dry. 

Insulated plasterboard

Insulating your home with plasterboard is an effective way to warm up a property, and it can help to improve the thermal efficiency of your property. These boards are thicker and include insulating materials that fit discreetly between the boards, so they look identical but offer more warmth. 

Dense plasterboard

Impact-resistant and tough, dense plasterboards are used in public spaces such as train stations, schools, hospitals and airports, where they’re more likely to be knocked. 

External plasterboard

Using water-resistant plasterboard, you can make your external walls more efficient. These boards have robust properties so they can handle different weather conditions and retain the integrity of the building itself. 

Plank plasterboard

Plank plasterboards are made to be thicker and they provide sound insulation as well as decent levels of fire resistance. They can be used in areas where the thickness of the walls isn’t as important, such as halls or stairwells. 

Mixed variations

There are also mixed versions of plasterboard that have excellent properties for buildings, such as fire-acoustic drylining boards which are great for fire and sound-resistance. They offer numerous benefits in one so you can choose one board that does more. There are several established manufacturers of mixed variation boards, such as British Gypsum, Celotex, Ecotherm, GTEC, Fermacell and more.

There are also styles of boards to choose from, such as tapered-edge boards which make installing your boards quicker and more efficient. Straight edge boards are easy to cut, but you’ll need specific tools such as a plasterboard saw to make the job easier. 

Which plasterboard should I choose?

When choosing plasterboards for walls or ceilings, you want to consider the dimensions first and foremost. Plasterboards vary in thickness, but for walls you want between 12.5mm to 15mm. Whichever thickness you select, walls don’t have the same issue of gravity as ceilings do, so consider the weight you’re adding and how you’ll fix it in place when choosing your plastering supplies, avoiding adhesives where possible.

For ceilings, you’ll want between 9.5mm and 12.5mm, and often ceiling boards will be sold as acoustic plasterboard. You can install thicker boards on ceilings, but when it comes to taping and skimming, it can be an issue to cover the joints. 

Can I buy eco-friendly plasterboard?

If you’re keen to find a board that’s better for the planet, gypsum is a great choice as it can be recycled more easily. Some of the materials used in the making of plasterboard can be released when it’s disposed of, especially moisture-resistant boards which have foil-backed designs, so they can be harder to recycle and reuse. But gypsum boards are the best option as they can be repurposed into new boards. 

Final thoughts

Whichever type of plasterboard you choose will be dependent on the area you’re installing it in and the properties you want it to have. In a bathroom, a kitchen or a utility room, for example, you’ll want to choose a plasterboard that can prevent moisture and resist water, while in a shared space such as a flat or public space, you’re required by law to use a fire-resistant plasterboard. 

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