Tapered Edge Plasterboard

What is Tapered Edge Plasterboard?

Tapered edge plasterboard is a standard type of gypsum plasterboard specifically designed for creating smooth, seamless internal wall and ceiling surfaces.

Its distinguishing feature lies in its long edges, which are subtly recessed or 'tapered' inwards, forming a slight depression when two boards are butted together.

This unique design creates a shallow channel along the joint, which is precisely engineered to accommodate jointing tape and successive layers of jointing compound.

This allows for the creation of a perfectly flat and continuous surface once finished, unlike square edge plasterboard which requires alternative jointing methods.

Applications

• Internal Walls: The most common use is for constructing new internal partition walls or lining existing masonry walls (e.g., using the "dot and dab" method with plasterboard adhesive).
• Ceilings: Widely used for creating flat, smooth ceilings in residential and commercial properties.
• Room Linings: For lining garages, basements, or any other internal space that requires a plasterboard finish.
• Bulkheads and Features: Ideal for building decorative bulkheads, boxing in pipes, or creating recessed features where clean, sharp, and seamless lines are important.

Benefits

Tapered edge plasterboard is highly favoured for its practical advantages in achieving high-quality finishes:

• Seamless Finish: The primary benefit is its ability to create a perfectly smooth, uninterrupted surface. The tapered edges provide the ideal recess for jointing materials, making the finished joint virtually invisible.
• Efficient Jointing: It streamlines the jointing process. The taper allows for easy embedding of jointing tape and subsequent application of jointing compound without creating a bulge on the surface.
• Reduced Finishing Time: While jointing still takes time, the design reduces the need for extensive sanding across the entire board surface, as the build-up of compound is concentrated within the tapered area.
• Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of internal applications, including walls, ceilings, and bulkheads, where a smooth decorative finish is required.
• Cost-Effective: As a standard plasterboard type, it offers a cost-effective solution for creating flat, paintable surfaces.
• Easy to Decorate: Once jointed, sanded, and primed, the smooth surface provides an excellent base for painting, wallpapering, or other decorative finishes.

Types and Common Sizes of Tapered Edge Plasterboard

While the core principle of tapered edges remains consistent, these boards are available in various types and common dimensions to suit different project needs:

• Standard Wallboard: The most common type, typically in thicknesses of 9.5mm, 12.5mm, and 15mm. 
  • 9.5mm: Often used for ceilings or for lining lightweight partitions where specific performance criteria are not stringent. Lighter and easier to handle.
  • 12.5mm: The most versatile and widely used thickness for general wall and ceiling applications. Offers a good balance of strength, weight, and acoustic/thermal performance.
  • 15mm: Provides increased strength, rigidity, and often improved acoustic or fire performance compared to 12.5mm, suitable for areas requiring a more robust finish.
• Fire-Resistant Tapered Edge Plasterboard (Pink/Red Face): These boards have a gypsum core reinforced with glass fibres and other additives to provide enhanced fire resistance. They still feature tapered edges for seamless finishing. Available in 12.5mm and 15mm, and are crucial for meeting fire compartmentation requirements.
• Moisture-Resistant Tapered Edge Plasterboard (Green/Blue Face): Featuring additives in the core and often treated paper liners, these boards offer improved resistance to moisture and humidity. Ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas prone to dampness. Also available with tapered edges for seamless finishing.
• Acoustic Tapered Edge Plasterboard (Blue Face): Designed with a higher density core to improve sound insulation performance. These also come with tapered edges for a smooth finish while contributing to acoustic privacy.
• Impact-Resistant Tapered Edge Plasterboard: Features a denser, more robust core for increased resistance to accidental damage, suitable for high-traffic areas.
• Common Board Dimensions:
  • Widths: Standard widths are 1200mm (4 feet) and 900mm (3 feet).
  • Lengths: Common lengths include 2400mm (8 feet), 2700mm (9 feet), 3000mm (10 feet), and 3600mm (12 feet). Specific lengths may vary by manufacturer and region.

How Tapered Edge Plasterboard is Made

• Gypsum Core Formation: A slurry of gypsum plaster, water, and various additives (such as starches, paper pulp, and foaming agents) is mixed.
• Paper Liner Application: This gypsum slurry is then continuously poured and spread evenly between two sheets of specialiSed paper liner (a stronger, heavier paper for the face and a slightly lighter paper for the back).
• Edge Formation: As the wet board moves along the production line, rollers are used to compress and shape the long edges of the board, creating the characteristic taper. The short (cut) ends typically remain square.
• Setting and Drying: The gypsum quickly sets as it hydrates. The semi-rigid board is then cut to desired lengths and passes through drying kilns to remove excess moisture, achieving its final strength and rigidity.
• Finishing: Once dry, the boards are stacked, bundled, and prepared for distribution. The paper face of standard tapered edge plasterboard is typically cream or ivory in colour.

Maintenance and Longevity

Once installed and decorated, tapered edge plasterboard requires minimal ongoing maintenance.

• Durability: The gypsum core and paper liners are robust and designed to last for the lifetime of the building under normal indoor conditions.
• Repairing Damage: Minor dents or holes can typically be repaired using standard drywall filler and sanded smooth. Larger areas of damage might require cutting out and replacing sections of the board, followed by re-jointing and finishing.
• Protection: Avoid prolonged exposure to high moisture (unless using moisture-resistant variants) or direct impact.