What Is The Best Type Of Insulated Plasterboards

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 at 8:12 am

: Image via Wikipedia

If you are using insulated plasterboard the easiest way to ensure that you are getting the correct product is by asking an expert. This way ensures that you are getting the best advice from the people that know about your items. Insulated plasterboard comes in a number of differing types:

British Gypsum for instance produce a thermaline basic, thermaline super and thermaline plus all which meet differing and specific needs. A basic product is backed with standard polystyrene insulation and is used as a most basic requirement in any construction.

Daniel asks…

How do I insulate an attic-bedroom conversion?

I’ve got a house with an attic conversion that was done before I moved in. So far I’ve been using it as storage, but after living here a year I know that the attic room is an icebox in winter and a sauna in the summer, regardless of the temperature of the rest of the house.

I take this to mean that the attic is not insulated properly? The conversion looks like an amateur job and it doesn’t look like it was finished before the house was up for sale.

What do I need to buy and do to insulate the attic properly?
What kind of insulation do I need?

What it looks like I’ve got is the actual sloped roof itself, with plasterboard panels nailed to the beams, creating a cavity. In the cavity is what looks like plain old polystyrene. Yes, that’s right, polystyrene. I’m not aware that polystyrene is a good insulator. What do I buy to replace it with? And is it that simple to put the right kind of material in the cavity, or is there more to it than that?

admin answers:

If you want it done right,strip off the celing boards.pull down the strene,throw it away.go to lowe’s,home depot.ect.purchase the wafer panels for celing use.thease are panels that are set up to allow air to flow on roof side.they have a channel built in to them.and a staple adge on both sides.they go up easy.from the wall ends to the peak and overlap.they fit between the roof boards.then you can put up your good old r 38 roll insul.staple this up too.comes in widths of 16 and 24 inches.just measure.then replace your celing board,mud ,tape,paint.done.it sounds like alot of work ,but isnt.just takes time.but thease places all have weekend how to clinics,and really good people to answer your questions.and this way should save you some money on the energy bill.that in a year could pay for the work you did,so get er done”have fun and good luck.

Chris asks…

I am planning to use a shipping container and make a house. How would I avoid damp forming inside.?

I will be insulating the container on the outside and lining the inside of the container with plasterboard and rochwall insulation. I am worried about moisture behind the plasterboard forming on the surface of the steel. I will paint the steel for a vapour barrier and screed the floor with a flexible screed. I will do the ceiling the same as the walls.

admin answers:

You might be able to use actual vapor barrier..It is like a plastic sheeting that keeps moisture out .Steel building manufacturers have the same issues to deal with so I would check into the types of insulation and moisture barriers that they use. Great to see someone building with using shipping containers I wanted to do that myself ever since I first heard of it but haven’t been able yet.

Http://www2.dupont.com/Tyvek_Weatherization/en_US/products/commercial/comm_commercialwrap.html

http://www.insulation4less.com/prodex_Ffmf.asp

Jemima asks…

i am turning my garage into office & need to know about isulating it?

it has single skin brickwork & intend to baton out interior walls & plasterboard, but knot sure whats best to insulate cavity with.

admin answers:

The problem with 100mm insulation is you will have to batten out to almost the same thickness as the insulation. You are much better off using insulation wall slabs these are designed to fit CLS battens. Make sure you space the battens so the slabs fit in with out having to cut them. Also think about buying plaster board which is foil backed. Use bugle headed screws rather then nails.

Graham asks…

Thermoboard or Spray Foam Insulation? max 25mm which is best?

I need to apply some insulation to a concrete ceiling the -topside being exposed to open air, hence its cold in winter on the inside!. I have limited headroom so can only go to max of 45mm inc plasterboard. Which option is best? The room will be heated and correctly ventilated, so I just need to stop the cold air against the ceiling causing the cold, as the walls are insulated.

admin answers:

Spray foam requires studding or furring out space. The Thermoboard can be directly applied to ceiling if smmoth enough, thus preserving headroom. Also spray foam is more expensive & requires pro application. The other is DIY.

Caroline asks…

Thermal foil insulation, which way should the foil face?

I have just purchased Thermal foil insulation for the loft, but the instructions are not great. I have had a loft conversion, but I want to insulate the storage area in the front of the roof.I am going to use this on the beams that seperate the room and the store, but should the foil face the plasterboard, or the store area?
By the way, the insulation comes on a roll, with foil on one side and bubble wrap on the other.