Plasterboard is made from a gypsum plaster core sandwiched between sheets of thick paper. It is commonly used instead of plaster to build ceilings and partition walls.
These boards come as sheets measuring 120cm x 60cm (2ft x 4ft) but you can also buy smaller boards called laths. The thickness of plasterboard also varies but is generally 9.5mm (3/8in) or 12.5mm (1/2in) thick. If your fixing points or wall studs are far apart, you should compensate for this with thicker board.
The sides of plasterboard will be different colours: usually pale grey or ivory on one side and a darker grey or brown on the reverse. When fixing plasterboard it is the lighter side that faces into the room, the darker side may carry the manufacturer's name or logo.
If the plasterboard has a square edge, it is designed to be plastered over, while boards with a tapered edge should be used for dry lining. Plasterboard is also available for specific purposes such as soundproofing (Acoustic-check) or flame retardant (Fire-check).
Other variations of plasterboard include:
Choose the most suitable plasterboard for the purpose of the room.
To cut plasterboard use a craft knife to make a deep score along the marked line on the surface of the board. Position the board so the scored line is over a straight edge and apply even pressure. The board should break along the scored line. Use the craft knife to cut the paper at the back of the board. Before you attach the boards, you may need to scribe the boards to fit against uneven walls, floor or ceilings.
Used to conceal joints between plasterboard, traditional scrim tape is fitted in place with a band of plaster running down the down the joint. Today self-adhesive scrim tape is available and easier to apply.