Insulating walls is an excellent way to save energy, reduce bills and enhance comfort – but it’s essential that you choose the correct type of insulation.
Many Kingspan, Celotex and Xtratherm insulated plasterboards feature an internal vapour barrier designed to keep moisture out and avoid mold growth.
Moisture Resistance
Vapour barrier insulated plasterboard insulation can help lower energy costs while protecting walls against condensation that causes moisture issues and damages the wall structure. This type of insulation is particularly beneficial in rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens, wet rooms and en suite rooms.
You can use this method on brick, block or concrete cavity walls as long as they are dry and free from damp penetration. Unfortunately, it is unsuitable for timber frame constructions or metal framed buildings as the insulated boards may leak through timber frames or delaminate from steel studs if attached directly to them causing plasterboard delamination from metal surfaces.
An alternative option is XPS thermal laminate insulation, which does not need a vapour barrier and offers excellent moisture resistance. This form of insulation is often seen in new buildings in cold climates; its cost-effective nature makes it a suitable alternative to blown-in foam systems with its vapor permeance rating of 3.4 ng.
Fire Resistance
Insulated plasterboard can be much harder to ignite and stay burning, providing vital extra protection in case of fires. There are even some models which prevent fire for certain lengths of time – this could prove crucially useful should an incident occur.
Insulated plasterboards typically feature an expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation core. This material is often laminated directly onto a gypsum plasterboard for easier insulation installation; some boards even come equipped with foil-backed surfaces which serve as built-in vapour barriers.
Vapour barriers are designed to stop moisture vapor from passing from humid air or ground into less moist walls, which can lead to wood rot and mold growth in drywall, as well as prevent it from reaching concrete foundations where it can lead to warping, buckleing, or buckled slabs. They’re often required by building codes in colder climates. It is crucial that these vapor barriers are sealed properly around penetration points such as window openings, doors, vent fans or electrical outlets to protect from any leakage of moisture vapor.
Durability
Vapour barrier insulated plasterboard has become an increasingly popular choice in building construction. Its thermal insulation helps lower energy costs while improving comfort levels within buildings, as well as helping prevent humidity and condensation buildup – an especially good solution in cold climates where moisture migration poses major threats.
Insulated plasterboard is a gypsum board with an attached layer of insulation foam for sound and thermal insulation, offering compact solutions with flexible options in terms of sizes, thicknesses and materials. Most come equipped with foil backing which limits vapor diffusion to minimize moisture issues in the future.
If your home already features plaster, installing insulated plasterboard without using a vapor barrier should be straightforward. To prevent moisture migration and ensure the correct installation of insulation, ensure the boards are tightly abutted together and screwed at 300mm centers; any gaps should also be sealed using expanding foam sealants.
Cost
Insulated Plasterboards offer an economical solution to external wall insulation. These boards contain a layer of rigid foam insulation (typically EPS, PIR or Phenolic) adhered to a plasterboard board surface. Insulated Plasterboards come in various thicknesses that suit different wall types as well as being fireproof – perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and en suites.
These boards can be attached directly to walls using dot and dab, which saves both time and money during installation. It’s essential to fill any gaps with mastic before taping over to prevent moisture entering wall cavities.
Insulated plasterboards offer excellent moisture resistance but aren’t completely waterproof; therefore they must always be used with a vapour control layer to manage moisture levels in the wall and avoid mold growth and other problems caused by excess moisture accumulation. A vapour barrier helps manage these levels by allowing vaporized water vapors to escape, thus helping prevent mould or damp issues in walls.