Plasterboard

What is plasterboard?

Plasterboard consists of modified plaster of Paris faced with paper on both sides. The paper is usually made from recycled waste paper; the gypsum comes either from natural deposits or from flue gas desulphurisation plants.

What is plasterboard used for, and what are its advantages?

Plasterboard can be used for wall and ceiling linings, partition and non-load-bearing walls, suspended ceilings and loft linings. Boards are also made for use as floor underlays, known as dry screed.

Plasterboard can be divided into the following types:

• standard (GKB), general-purpose boards 9,5 or 12,5 mm thick. They can be used in rooms where relative humidity is below 70%. They can form curves with a minimum radius of 60 cm and are used to dry-line walls and ceilings. Their advantages over traditional plaster are:
  – no moisture introduced by plastering,
  – no waiting for plaster to set and dry,
  – little dust and rubble,
  – a smooth surface;
• moisture-resistant (GKBI) – made by giving the gypsum additional water-repellent properties through silicone additives. They can be used in rooms with humidity no higher than 85%, provided the entire surface is covered with a moisture-resistant material and ventilation is provided. The standard board thickness is 12,5 mm;
• fire-resistant (GKF) – boards with increased fire resistance and added glass fibre. They can provide fire-resistant protection for load-bearing building components in rooms where relative humidity remains below 70%. They are also used for loft linings. The standard thickness is 12,5 mm;
• fire- and moisture-resistant (GKFI) – treated boards with increased fire resistance. Their gypsum core contains a water-repellent additive and glass fibres. They can provide fire-resistant protection for load-bearing building components in rooms with temporarily elevated humidity, including bathrooms in lofts.

Also available:

• plaster backing boards (GKP) – usually fitted to a supporting frame. Their rounded edges and absorbent paper facing make them a good base for gypsum plaster;
• composite plasterboard – made with insulation materials such as rigid polystyrene or polyurethane foam. It is generally used for internal insulation. The insulation layer is 20-60 mm thick. Plasterboard can also be combined with mineral fibre boards for applications where fire protection is the main priority.

Plasterboard is also used to make ceiling panels. These combine the natural advantages of gypsum – appearance, safety, comfort and mechanical resistance – with economic and acoustic benefits. Ceiling panels can be:

• laminated with PCV film on the visible face,
• faced on the underside with a layer of acoustic fleece.

Ambit also offers boards for highly sound-absorbing seamless suspended ceilings and large-format boards with excellent acoustic properties. Their interesting perforation patterns add variety to large, uniform ceiling surfaces.

Plasterboard is also used to make dry screed elements. They generally measure 2,0 x 0,6 m and are 25 mm thick. They consist either of three boards bonded with waterproof adhesive and a tongue-and-groove joint, or of two offset boards forming a stepped rebate. In both cases, they can be laid with staggered joints and their edges glued to form a continuous floor panel, similar to a floating screed.

Special gypsum boards are also available for building partitions and ceilings, and for lining curved surfaces of all kinds.

Our range also includes plasterboard with a measuring scale printed along its edges. The shallow edge depth, just 1 mm, ensures maximum joint strength, while the scale along the board allows fast, accurate installation. These boards are used for lightweight partitions, suspended ceilings and loft linings.

Plasterboard is easy to work. It can readily be cut, sawn, drilled, screwed and nailed. Its paper-faced long edges are formed as follows:

• square (for exposed joints),
• bevelled (for exposed joints),
• tapered (to make joint filling with reinforcing tape easier).

Plasterboard manufacturers have developed technical recommendations as part of complete dry lining systems. The advantages of dry lining include lightweight construction, quick installation, rooms ready for use as soon as building work is finished, fire protection and low acoustic response.

The following are used to fix, join and finish plasterboard:

• ceiling frameworks,
• gypsum fillers, jointing compounds and gypsum adhesives,
• a professional fixing system,
• profiles and accessories,

all available in a full range from our company.

Plasterboard manufacturers

The Polish market offers many types of plasterboard from different manufacturers. Our range includes the best products from three leading plasterboard manufacturers:

• Norgips
• Rigips
• Knauf

We want you to receive only the best products. Our plasterboard therefore comes with a long-term warranty and will serve you for many years. Our specialists will be happy to help you choose: simply contact our office and arrange a meeting. You can count on comprehensive, professional advice.