Plasterboard continues to have several advantages of rising environmental consciousness and business obligation to this day. We’ll examine plasterboard in this article and see why it’s still so prevalent.
What Is Plasterboard?
Drywall (also called drywall) is a recyclable material created from plaster sandwiched between two layers of heavy-duty paper. It is used most frequently as the surface for a wall because it can be painted or papered and provides excellent soundproofing and good insulation.
The process of creating drywall was invented by Samuel Hoover in 1894, using felt paper instead of the recycled paper used today. Compared to traditional lime plaster, which required days of work to apply, drywall was faster, easier to install, and cheaper overall.
The finished product was still smooth after installation, which made it great for painting or papering. Today, you can find drywall in homes (where it is often called “plasterboards”), offices, art studios and even on tall ships and submarines.
What Is the Purpose of Plasterboard?
Plasterboard is attached to studs to build walls in residential home construction and lightweight framed commercial construction, but it can also be attached to masonry walls, including brick.
It also lines ceilings and builds architectural pieces like arches, eaves, and curving walls. Plasterboard can be used in commercial buildings to top off masonry walls above ceilings and to create columns to hide steel beams.
The characteristics of the various plasterboards vary, including:
- Soundless – Because of their thickness and gypsum core, some varieties of plasterboard reduce sound transmission. Compared to conventional plasterboards, specially designed plasterboards have a higher density core to limit sound transmission further.
- Nonflammable – By releasing chemically bound water when heated, the non-combustible core of the plasterboard wall slows the spread of heat and fire (a process similar to evaporation). Plasterboard acts as a heat-insulating barrier and has a low smoke density and flame propagation index.
- Easy to Install – Lightweight plasterboard makes installation quick and simple. As an alternative, hard plaster in masonry-built structures requires much more time to apply and produces more mess on the job site because it is a wet trade.
- Resistant to Mould and Moisture – The core of the wet area plasterboard has added elements that decrease moisture absorption, and it has a unique coating to prevent mould growth. It is perfect for bathrooms and kitchens since it resists moisture.
- Sustainable – A project’s carbon footprint can be reduced using plasterboard. Drywall lowers transportation expenses because of how light it is. Gypsum, the primary component, is a mineral that occurs naturally. Additionally, the plasterboard is recyclable, and the liner paper is produced using leftover cardboard and newspaper.
- Economical – Plasterboard can be easily made, and the materials that go into its creation—recycled paper, gypsum, a few additives, and water—are commonly accessible. Drywall products generally cost less than most other wall alternatives. Furthermore, because of its durability, maintenance is simple and affordable.
- Flexible – However, it also works well in various business settings, including offices and warehouses. Plasterboard is a standard component of residential construction. It is among the building materials with the most versatility.
Conclusion
This article has helped you learn that plasterboard is one of the most often utilised building materials in today’s construction. It is adaptable, affordable, sustainable, simple to install, non-flammable, and moisture and mould resistant compared to others.