Insulated Plasterboard
(35 Products)Enhance thermal performance without adding too much depth with insulated plasterboard. Insulation backed plasterboard provides an all-in-one solution for those not wanting to waste time sourcing and fitting different insulation essentials. We stock a range of comprehensive insulated plasterboards from industry-leading names such as Celotex and Kingspan. You can install insulated moisture-resistant plasterboard on ceilings or even solid internal walls for premium protection against heat loss.
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What Is Insulated Plasterboard?
Insulated plasterboard comprises standard drywall plasterboard pre-bonded to an insulant. It is often referred to as foam-backed plasterboard or thermal plasterboard (which refers to the thermal properties that the insulation element adds).
To make this product, manufacturers simply bond a sheet of plasterboard to one side of either Phenolic insulation or PIR insulation.
The result is an all-in-one board of insulation and plasterboard that reduces heat loss and also drylines the wall or ceiling - the best of both. It offers the user the ability to install both the insulation and plasterboard in one operation thus reducing installation time.
In terms of cost, insulated plasterboard usually pays for itself over time. When taking into account the additional labour required to bond separate insulation and plasterboard products together, it is cheaper to buy insulated plasterboard than it is to buy normal plasterboard and insulation separately, which is ideal if you have a tight budget for building materials.
They also have better energy efficiency and help to reduce heating bills.
Browse both tapered edge and square edge plasterboard on our plasterboard homepage.
What Are The Benefits of Insulated Plasterboard?
Insulated plasterboards comprise gypsum plasterboard bonded to expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, PIR and phenolic foam.
Insulation plasterboard is ideal for people who want plasterboard with added benefits whilst meeting new build and refurbishment requirements.
Let's take a look at its many benefits below:
- Enhanced Thermal Insulation: Insulated plasterboard provides an effective layer of insulation, helping to regulate indoor temperatures and improve energy efficiency by reducing heat loss or gain.
- Space Saving: Combining insulation and plasterboard into a single product saves space compared to using separate materials, making it particularly useful in areas with limited room for installation.
- Improved Acoustics: Insulated plasterboard can contribute to sound insulation, reducing the transmission of noise between rooms and improving overall acoustic comfort. Please note, unless specified as acoustic, insulated plasterboard should not be used as a sole method of acoustic insulation. Its benefits are primarily thermal.
- Fire Resistance: Many types of insulated plasterboard are designed to be fire-resistant, providing an added layer of safety in buildings.
- Vapour Control: Some variants, like ThermaLine Super Boards, incorporate vapor control layers, preventing the buildup of moisture within walls and promoting a healthier indoor environment.
- Time and Cost Savings: The integration of insulation and plasterboard simplifies installation, saving both time and labour costs. Additionally, the potential reduction in energy consumption can lead to long-term cost savings on heating and cooling.
- Versatile Applications: Insulated plasterboard can be used in a variety of construction scenarios, including new builds and renovations, offering flexibility in design and construction. It is most commonly employed within internal wall partitions.
What Is Insulated Plasterboard Used For?
Insulated plasterboard is a versatile solution primarily applied to internal walls to enhance thermal efficiency without compromising on space.
Its popularity is rooted in its swift and cost-effective installation, making it a sought-after option in various construction and renovation scenarios.
Dot and Dab Insulated Plasterboard
The term ‘dot and dab’ refers to the method of installation. As the name suggests, this method involves using ‘dots and dabs’ of adhesive over solid wall linings.
It is far quicker to use this method than the traditional lath and plaster technique and is also ideal for those wanting to cover uneven areas.
Celotex Insulated Plasterboard
Celotex insulated plasterboards are made from PIR. They are lightweight, rigid, and have an excellent thermal conductivity value of 0.022 W/mk, making them perfect for people who want to invest in superior heat-loss protection.
Celotex PL4000 products are comprised of a board of PIR that is bonded to a 12.5mm fire resistant plasterboard.
PL4000 plasterboard has a tapered edge, making the installation process quick and easy. You can install this foam-backed tapered edge plasterboard to the internal side of a masonry wall or under and between rafters and joists.
You can either use mechanically fixed installation techniques or the bonding dot and dab method, which involves direct bonding to the masonry wall. These boards are available in overall thicknesses of 37.5mm, 52.5mm, 62.5mm, and 72.5mm.
Kingspan Insulated Plasterboard
Kingspan insulation plasterboard is composed of phenolic foam. Whilst Kingspan Kooltherm K118 is not the cheapest insulated plasterboard available, it is the most effective; blowing all other insulated plasterboards out of the water when it comes to thermal performance, with a lambda value of just 0.018 W/mK.
Kooltherm K118 is comprised of a sheet of phenolic foam that is stuck to a 12.5m plasterboard. These Kingspan K118 insulated plasterboards have a composite foil reverse facing, allowing for effective vapour control.
It is manufactured with a blowing agent that has zero ODP and low GWP, making it the go-to choice for people who care about their carbon footprint. You can install Kooltherm K118 on solid brickwork or solid stonework with ease.
EPS Insulated Plasterboard
EPS insulated plasterboard is comprised of a sheet of expanded polystyrene insulation (EPS) that is stuck to a 9.5mm plasterboard.
EPS has a thermal conductivity of 0.038 W/mK. It is one of the cheapest choices of insulated plasterboard for solid walls, due to the fact that it is less thermally efficient than PIR or phenolic.
This range contains 2400mm by 1200mm plasterboards. They are a quick, easy solution for people who are working on refurbishment projects.
They meet both new build and refurbishment requirements and reduce energy consumption across the board.
Insulated Plasterboard Thicknesses
We refer to all insulated plasterboards by their overall thickness, as this helps you to calculate how much space the board will take up.
For instance, Celotex has an insulated plasterboard product called "Celotex PL4025”, where the “25” refers to the fact that the thickness of the insulation board is 25mm.
However, this is bonded to a 12.5mm plasterboard, making the overall thickness 37.5mm. We, therefore, call this product “37.5mm Celotex PL4025”.
All of the thicknesses listed on our site refer to the thickness of the insulation plus the plasterboard.
Frequently Asked Insulated Plasterboard Questions
Frequently Asked Thermal Insulated Plasterboard Questions
Can You Put Insulated Plasterboard on a Ceiling?
Yes, you can put foam backed plasterboard on a ceiling. Lots of people opt for this all-in-one option to save time and money.
The next question that customers ask us is how to fix insulated plasterboard to a ceiling. It is important to use fixings that will drill through the plasterboard, the ceiling, and into the timber joists above. If you fail to do so, you could risk future accidents. To avoid this problem, you need to choose your insulated plasterboard thickness carefully.
Older homes might have Artex ceilings. Artex is a surface coating that painters used to decorate ceilings until 1984. It used to contain asbestos. When Artex realised the dangers of asbestos, they removed it from the formula. If you drill through a ceiling that contains asbestos, you could release dangerous particles.
If you want to install thermal board on your ceiling, you need to take all proper safety precautions.
Can You Dot and Dab Insulated Plasterboard?
Yes, you can use the dot and dab method with insulated plasterboard.
Dot and dab is a common technique for fixing plasterboard to walls, and it can be applied to both standard plasterboard and insulated plasterboard.
Here's how it works:
- Adhesive (commonly referred to as "dots") is applied to the back of the plasterboard in a pattern of small adhesive spots or lines.
- The plasterboard is then pressed onto the wall, with the adhesive dots creating an even layer of adhesive between the plasterboard and the wall.
When using this method with insulated plasterboard, it's important to select an appropriate adhesive that is suitable for the added weight and thickness of the insulation layer.
Additionally, ensure that the adhesive is compatible with both the insulation material and the wall surface.
How to Cut Insulated Plasterboard?
Cutting thermal plasterboard is simple. You must take the proper safety precautions before cutting the plasterboard. Wear gloves, goggles, and any other safety equipment that you think is appropriate.
First, you want to mark your measurements on the board. Small mistakes lead to gaps, which can compromise the thermal efficiency of your plasterboard. Second, lay the plasterboard on a flat, clear surface. You need to use an extremely sharp knife that can cut through both the insulation and the plasterboard for a clean, concise finish.
Is Insulated Plasterboard Fire Resistant?
Yes, insulated plasterboard can be fire-resistant. Many types of insulated plasterboard are designed to have fire-resistant properties, making them suitable for applications where fire safety is a concern.
These fire-resistant properties are achieved through the inclusion of materials like glass fibre, additives, and fire-resistant core materials in the plasterboard's composition.
Gyproc Fireline Plasterboard, for example, is a square-edged plasterboard offering a slick straight edge and is ideal for where stringent fire performance is required.
It's important to note that the level of fire resistance can vary depending on the specific product and its intended use.
Always check the manufacturer's specifications and certifications to ensure that the insulated plasterboard meets the desired fire resistance standards for your project.
Insulated plasterboard also paves the way for additional performance enhancements. For instance, ThermaLine Super Boards integrate a vapour control layer, providing you with the advantage of reduced stress, saved time, and cost savings.
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