Moisture-Resistant Plasterboard: What Is It and How Is It Used?

Moisture-resistant plasterboard resists moisture, condensation and water, making it a popular choice in bathrooms. Plasterboard uses gypsum, the key ingredient of plaster, and can have issues such as swelling or warping in the wall or ceiling. Moisture-resistant plasterboards work by using a series of layers to stop the moisture from penetrating the board - commonly a foam-backed layer of polyisocyanurate.

What is Moisture-Resistant Plasterboard Used For?

The primary use of moisture-resistant plasterboard is to protect the board from moisture, so it is used in areas where this is likely to be common - such as in the following rooms: 

• Kitchens: Even small splashes from a sink can build up over time and damage a plasterboard wall. Moisture-resistant plasterboard will make sure you can use any part of the kitchen with complete confidence.
• Bathrooms: Obviously, bathrooms can become wet - but the key problem in a bathroom is the fact that you will also experience humidity and condensation that can coat the walls with moisture.
• Outside: If you have a well-protected wall space that is covered by a soffit you might also use moisture-resistant plasterboard outdoors. However, moisture resistance does not make a board waterproof.

Essentially, anywhere that has water, areas of high humidity, condensation and any other type of moisture can benefit from moisture-resistant plasterboard. Bathroom tiles will resist moisture but standard plasterboard will not provide any moisture resistance before tiling.

 The properties of moisture-resistant boards help with the following potential issues for floors and ceilings:

• Damp: Damp can seep into a wall and undermine its structure if you fail to use moisture-resistant plasterboard in humid or wet areas. 
• Humidity: Humidity may lead to mould, which can easily cause a range of potentially dangerous health conditions.
• Thermal insulation: The primary goal of resisting moisture is nice, but plasterboards also improve thermal insulation in a kitchen or bathroom. 

Commercial kitchens and public bathrooms/toilets can benefit from water-resistant plasterboard too, and a moisture-resistant board will provide the same benefits as a standard board in terms of thermal conductivity and efficiency.

Moisture-Resistant Plasterboard for Bathrooms and Showers

If you are wondering how to fit moisture-resistant plasterboard then the following pointers may make the process smoother. If you are tiling your boards on a ceiling, buy good tile adhesive - as this will make sure that they remain secure.

It is important to know which side of the plasterboard contains the moisture-resistant layer, so make sure you do it the right way round - otherwise, you might end up with well-insulated bricks or cavities. 

Depending on the size of your space you may be better off with a tapered edge as opposed to a square edge board, as this speeds up the process of installation across a larger area.

For showers, all tiles or boards must be left to dry before you use the shower for the first time. 

What Brands of Moisture-Resistant Plasterboard Are Available?

There are many excellent brands of moisture-resistant plasterboard. Reputable brands that we stock include the following:

• British Gypsum: A reputable brand with a long history of quality, including many types of moisture-resistant varieties. British Gypsum gyproc moisture-resistant plasterboard is available in several convenient sizes.
• Knauf: Moisture panels from Knauff, another well-known brand, are suitable for bathrooms and kitchens - they are also very easy to score and snap so this can make for much more efficient installations:
• Siniat: Siniat makes a product called Aqua Board, which is excellent in areas of high humidity. Using Siniat boards will be useful in commercial kitchens where there is a lot of steam and very high temperatures.

While there are other brands available, the above are known for their quality, specifically in their moisture-resistant boards 

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How to Fit Moisture-Resistant Plasterboard

Fixing moisture-resistant plasterboard is relatively simple, the main thing to get right is which side it should face. Generally, there is a brown or grey side to most moisture-resistant plasterboards - and this is the side that should face the wall or ceiling.

You can fit moisture-resistant plasterboard with a combination of mechanical fixings and dot and dabbing with adhesives. By using a combination of fixing methods you will create fewer holes - that can improve the boards’ performance as well as make it easier to tile or decorate once the fitting is complete.

 *Please remember to always check the manufacturer guidelines before installing any products, whether it be plasterboard, adhesive or framing systems. If in doubt, always consult a specialist for advice.

FAQs

Should I Choose Aquapanel or Moisture-Resistant Plasterboard?

Aquapanel is a Knauf product that is a type of cement board. Aquapanel is designed to be a durable tile backer in wet indoor areas such as bathrooms, shower rooms and wet rooms. So, if you do not intend to tile your wall or ceiling, Aquapanel is unnecessary and moisture-resistant plasterboards are sufficient.

Do I need Moisture-Resistant Plasterboard in the Bathroom?

If you want to enjoy the benefits of moisture resistance then moisture-resistant plasterboard is essential for a bathroom or any other wet area. However, if you are tiling boards then the tiles should provide sufficient moisture resistance. The one complication is that if the boards are not completely covered you will need to use a moisture-resistant board to ensure the whole area is protected.

Can You Dot and Dab Moisture-Resistant Plasterboard?

Yes. Dot and dab is an ideal technique when fitting moisture-resistant plasterboard as it reduces the chances of any gaps allowing moisture to penetrate. Steam and humidity are very capable of penetrating any area it can, so dot and dab alongside mechanical fixings is a good choice.

Can You Paint, Plaster or Tile Directly Onto Moisture-Resistant Plasterboard?

Yes, you can paint, plaster, tile or decorate moisture-resistant plasterboard after fitting it - just like standard plasterboard and most other types available.