DIY Roof Repairs for Homeowners

The Different Functions of Plasterboard Products

5 June 2015

Fernando Silva

Plasterboard is manufactured from gypsum plaster and it is commonly installed in structural walls and ceilings. The gypsum is molded into a panel which is then pressed between two sheets of lining paper. The properties of this building material can be modified by varying the weight and resilience of the paper. Moreover, the manufacturers use different types of additives in the plaster to induce specific qualities. Therefore, you will find different types of special plasterboard products in the market.

Your choice should depend on the requirements in terms of function for your new property. Some plasterboard products are multi-functional while others are designed to meet particular needs:

Thermal Insulation

Plasterboard is commonly designed to act as a thermal insulator in the building. This will offer long-term benefits in terms of lower energy consumption by the HVAC system. Moreover, it will limit the need for separate fibreglass or glass wool insulation batts. This property is found in a special type of plasterboard with a backing thermal laminate layer.

Generally, expanded polyurethane or polystyrene are used to facilitate this function and the material can be used in the ceiling and exterior walls. You should note that this function comes at a higher buying price compared to standard plasterboard.

Acoustic Insulation

All types of plasterboard can function as noise mitigation features, especially with regard to airborne noise like speech and music. However, if you live or work in a generally loud neighborhood, you should consider choosing special sound-reduction plasterboard. These products are made using high density gypsum cores to provide enhanced acoustic insulation.

Moreover, you can choose to install the plasterboard in tandem with mineral wool or resilient bars. These are capable of reducing non-airborne sounds such as construction noise, which are normally transmitted as vibrations through solids.

Moisture Resistance

Moisture is detrimental in the home because it causes a decline in thermal insulation and promotes mold growth. Vapor resistance is an important function of the plasterboard because it prevents the occurrence of these negative consequences. However, you should note that this is a special property so it is not found in all plasterboards. You should install vapor barrier products with a metallic film to ensure long-term protection against moisture.

Fire Resistance

Gypsum plaster provides passive fire protection so all plasterboards offer some degree of protection when used as fire barriers. The material will retard the spread of the fire in the building for a short period; this is valuable time in an emergency. You can also choose to install reinforced fire-resistant plasterboard for enhanced protection.

To learn more, contact a company like Betaboard.

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