What is a Gypsum board ?
Gypsum is the most commonly used false ceiling material. Gypsum board is the technical product name used by manufacturers for a specific board with a gypsum core, with or without additives, typically extruded between thick sheets of facer and backerpaper, used in the construction of interior walls and ceilings. The plaster is mixed with fiber (typically paper, glass wool or a combination of these materials); plasticizer, foaming agent; and additives that can reduce mildew, flammability and water absorption.
Gypsum board is the leading building material for ceiling, wall and partition systems in commercial, residential and institutional structures. The panels come with either tapered or square edges. Gypsum boards can be easily fixed either by nailing directly to ply or other plain surfaces or placing on a galvanized iron (GI) metal grid. Gypsum board comes in standard sizes of 6 feet X 4 feet x 12.5 mm
Advantages of Gypsum Board ?
Gypsum boards and ceilings offer a variety of benefits including:
SOUND ISOLATION
Blocking unwanted sound from adjoining areas is an important consideration when designing a building, mainly when considering the activities of individuals in various parts of the building. Gypsum ceilings and wall systems assist in controlling sound transmission.
SIMPLE INSTALLATION
Gypsum board systems are simple to install for a range of reasons. The panels are moderately large when compared to other materials and come in size of of 12.5x6x4 Feet. This means that they will quickly cover large ceiling and wall areas. In addition, gypsum board installations only require several tools for their construction.
DURABILITY
Gypsum board is used to erect strong and high ceilings and walls that provide excellent dimensional durability and stability. Surfaces that are constructed using gypsum board are effortlessly refinished and decorated.
VERSATILITY
Gypsum board pleases a variety of architectural requirements for design. Performance, ease of application, availability and its adaptability to all kinds of decorations combine to making gypsum board unbeaten by any other surfacing material.
ECONOMY
Gypsum boards are readily available and simple to apply. In addition, it is a cost-effective wall and ceiling surfacing material that provides a fire resistant interior. Gypsum boards are generally installed at a much lower labour cost than many other alternative systems.
Types of Gypsum Boards
Regular Gypsum Board
Drywall is normally white on one side and brown on the other side. It is probably the most economical drywall type and comes in different sizes ranging in thickness from 3/8 inches to one inch. This is the most usual type used and is normally available in the market in four by eight feet panels.
Applications:
* It has high resistant power to resist the moisture condition.
* Is also used as a tile backer in limited wetting areas such as a bathroom, water closet and basement walls, kitchens and laundry & utility rooms.
Fire Resistant Gypsum Board
A Fire resistant gypsum boards provides good fire protection in buildings due to the unique behaviour of the gypsum core when exposed to fire. When a fire resistant gypsum board protecting building elements that are exposed to fire, the chemically combined water is gradually released in the form of water vapor. This condition is caused in general use if the board or gypsum finish is continuously exposed to a temperature over 49°C.
Applications:
* Suitable for applications in ceilings and drywall where a high level of fire protection is required.
Moisture Resistant Gypsum Board
This type comes with a water resistant gypsum core and water repellent face paper. It may be used as a base for wall tile in baths, showers, and other areas subject to wetting.
Applications:
* Used as a covering material for interior walls and ceilings in residential and commercial buildings.
* Also, require specific moisture or water-related assemblies.
* Best suited for both ceiling and drywall partitions in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchen.
* Used as a base for external soffits in sheltered positions.
Fire and Moisture Resistant Gypsum Boards
Fire and Moisture Resistant Gypsum Board consists of higher density gypsum core reinforced with glass fibres and water-repellent (hydrophobic) additives, enclosed between paper for superior fire and moisture protection.
Applications:
* Used in interior dry construction systems as partition walls, shaft walls, wall linings and suspended ceilings in areas with high levels of humidity for shorts periods and additional high fire protection requirements such as public kitchens, changing rooms, laboratories, etc.
Foil Back Gypsum Boards
It consists of gypsum plaster core encased and bonded in heavy-duty paper liners. It has got a metalized polyester film at the back of the plasterboard giving characteristic of 85% Solar reflectance. The film helps to reflect the heat and hence reduce the heat transmission.
Applications:
* It is suited for enhanced thermal resistance in wall linings drywall partitions & False ceiling applications.
Perforated Gypsum Boards
This ceiling panel is unpainted with fully perforated square holes in a regular pattern and is backed with a special non-woven lining. It has excellent sound absorpation properties when backed with glass wool insulation matt.
Applications:
* Perforated Gypsum panels have excellent acoustic features and can be used for both Ceilings & Walls.
