The million-dollar question is: What exactly is Gyprock?
For the Australian construction scene, Gyprock has become synonymous with plasterboard—but ‘Gyprock’ is actually a brand that makes plasterboard and other building materials. Gyprock is to plaster and construction materials, as Kleenex is to a brand of tissues. A reliable household name since the 1940s, Gyprock is the leading manufacturer of plaster products in Australia. It is also called drywall, gypsum board, or simply plasterboard. It is primarily used for ceilings and interior walls.
Gyprock plasterboard is produced by sandwiching a layer of gypsum plaster between two thick specialised paper sheets. Gyprock is available in different variants suited for different needs, which makes building more simpler than ever: no fuss building for spots such as dry areas and wet areas—because it is available in the form of boards, and in the form of a plaster compound.
With all this explanation of gyprock and their plastering products, the question is, is this product the best choice for your project? This article will deep dive into plasterboard as a product that Gyprock offers, especially in relation to a renovation or extension project in both residential and commercial settings.
How does plasterboard measure up?
When undertaking a renovation, extension, or extensive repair, you need products and materials that are durable, can be efficiently installed (time and labour), are compliant with all safety standards, and in the end, easily sourced, because supply affects price and availability. How can you make the decision?
Plasterboard is versatile and can be efficiently installed
If you’re looking for an “all-in” material, plasterboard is the best option for you. Being available in such a wide variety of forms and finishes, plasterboard is a highly flexible and versatile product, and depending on what the end use is, you will surely find a product in the Gyprock line to suit. In the case of plasterboard, Gyprock’s products are highly flexible to be adapted to your chosen setting, including features such as being fire-resistant, as well as moisture and mould-resistant. Not only suitable for renovations and extensions, but plasterboard is also often a required product in repairing medium to large-sized holes or dents in walls and ceilings.
Another point on plasterboard’s flexibility is that one of the largest costs to homeowners when undertaking repairs or renovations is the cost of labour. The ability of plasterboard to be efficiently installed significantly reduces the cost of labour, thereby making it a crowd favourite in the home improvement industry.
The flexibility of Gyprock also adds to its fame. You may work on it with various finishes such as paint, tiles, wallpaper, rendering, and even wainscoting. Whether you are working on a multi-story project or a simple renovation, by using plasterboard which comes in a sheet, ready to hang form, your project will run a lot more efficiently in both cost and time.
Safety compliant
When undertaking any construction or renovation, it is crucial to comply with all building codes, standards, and requirements in regard to safety. As much as we try, not all safety hazards can be completely addressed. For example, fire is one of the major destructive hazards that modern homes inevitably deal with such as accidents in the kitchen, electrical faults, bushfires, etc. A product that minimises the risk or reduces the impact of this hazard is a requirement and well worth the investment. Fire-resistant plasterboard such as Fyrchek, is an example of a material that is designed to meet Australian building standards and may be required for your project. Beyond sturdiness and depending on your needs, Gyprock plasterboard can be modified into being soundproof and temperature-insulated. These added features of chosen products can make plasterboard a no-brainer—truly a bang for your buck.
Proudly Australian-made
Being such a widely-used product and trusted manufacturer in Australia, Gyprock plasterboard is readily available from our local hardware suppliers. Being proud Aussie made, this means that there is more control over the product’s supply. The component that makes up Gyprock, gypsum, is a readily available raw construction material, which reduces the worry about resource shortage.
Keeping in mind the question “does plasterboard fit my project requirements?”, we have now laid down the key characteristics and advantages of using Gyprock plasterboard. But before making the call on whether plasterboard is the right material, a fair analysis needs to include drawbacks and disadvantages that plasterboard may have.
Plasterboard Drawbacks
Durability
The plasterboard is prone to cracking and moisture absorption if the plasterboard is not protected with some sort of topcoat. This is one of the major drawbacks of plasterboard, it cannot be left bare. But for most projects, this is irrelevant because the top layer of paint is an obvious finish. Plasterboard is also not the strongest most durable material, therefore it is not appropriate to hold a lot of weight for a prolonged time, keep that in mind for your project.
Lack of insulating properties
Being thin, plasterboard doesn’t naturally have great insulating properties. With the addition of an insulating layer such as wool, foam, or any type of insulating material, plasterboard works effectively, but not on its own. You might have to find another solution to make it fully work.
Water Woes
For those who are looking for solutions for “wet areas” — areas such as your bathroom, shower, kitchen, and laundry spots, you might have to look for a stronger alternative. These areas need more attention because of the moisture and absorption that can occur over time in these areas. Standard plasterboard is not recommended for wet areas however plasterboard variants can be modified into water-resistant materials such as Aquachek which is specifically designed to withstand exposure to moisture.
The Verdict…
Gyprock plasterboard has its own fair share of pros and cons. Reevaluate your current project and see if it fits with these factors outlined in this article factored in. For most renovations and extensions as well as repairs, plasterboard is a great material choice. Standard plasterboard will not cut it for certain conditions and it will require that you invest in specialised plasterboard that is designed to withstand the conditions you need it for. If you are looking to install plasterboard in your home or office, Paul can help guide you to the right plasterboard and is skilled in the installation and repair of plasterboard, don’t hesitate and give Paul a call today.
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