Plasterboard is a building material commonly used to construct walls and ceilings. It can also be altered to become fire resistant, insulated, and easy to install.
People often ask when is it better to use tapered edge or square edge plasterboard. The answer largely depends on your circumstances.
Water resistant
Knauf’s water-resistant plasterboard is an attractive and lightweight choice for bathroom walls, offering ease of handling thanks to a score-and-snap cutting method that eliminates special sizes for jambs and reveals. Additionally, using Knauf saves both energy and time compared to using nails alone.
Plasterboard made specifically to resist moisture is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, wet rooms, en suites or any area where humidity may occur. It features a waterproof coating on one side that helps prevent the buildup of moisture inside.
Moisture-resistant plasterboard can be skimmed over, however for high humidity areas it’s advisable to use special plaster. Plasterboard with regular composition could absorb too much moisture, potentially leading to mould growth.
Fireproof
Plasterboard made with fireproof additives is ideal for areas prone to fires such as kitchens. This board comes in various thicknesses to meet your specific requirements.
Insulated wallboard offers another solution, providing extra insulation on one side to help lower energy costs and increase environmental performance in your home. This option may help lower utility bills while improving environmental sustainability.
Water-resistant plasterboard can also be found that is suitable for walls and ceilings in damp conditions, with its special coating that prevents heated vapor from passing through and damaging timber frames and rafters behind walls. Available in varying thicknesses, it makes an excellent addition to bathrooms and wet rooms.
Insulated
Insulated plasterboard features an exterior layer of thermal insulation bonded to its surface. This layer’s thickness depends on your desired U-value; some boards feature a thin metallic film on one side that stops warm air passing through and causing condensation.
Plain drywall insulation does not do a very effective job of protecting homes against heat transference from hot to cold areas of a house, something which cannot be stopped by using only this material as insulation.
There are various methods of insulation using insulated plasterboard, such as using the dot and dab technique on brick walls or screwing it onto lumber battens attached directly to walls – each method provides its own benefits, though screw holes must be sealed properly for thermal bridging to occur properly.
Square edge
Plasterboard is widely used to construct internal walls and ceilings. It can be modified to meet building regulations for fire protection, humidity resistance, sound proofing, as well as easy installation that matches any room’s color scheme. Additionally, customizing its installation to match its decor adds the final touches.
There are two varieties of plasterboard: squared edge and tapered edge. While some DIYers might believe one type to be superior, ultimately the choice depends on your application and whether or not you plan to tape and join or fully skim over.
Tapered edge plasterboard features an edge that gently dips, making it easier to fit together and requiring less tape and filler to cover up its joints – these features make it suitable for wall applications.
Tapered edge
When selecting plasterboard thickness for walls, it’s essential to take edge type into account. There are tapered and square edge options available from manufacturers – often both.
Tapered edge boards feature lower edges than their center to reduce cutting requirements and speed up construction time while creating a seamless look.
Square-edge boards may also be considered, though their installation requires more expertise due to needing to fill gaps with plaster filler. Square edge boards tend to make an ideal choice for ceilings.