Why install waterproof plasterboard?

Are you looking to improve thermal insulation levels in your property? If so, you’ll want to look at the levels of insulation in all the walls of the property to see how much warmth is escaping through the walls. High levels of heat escaping through each wall will have a direct impact on your heating bills - if this is happening in your house, you’ll be pumping more and more heat into the building to no real effect! So a properly insulated home can save you money. You can choose to add thermal insulation to the internal or external surface of each wall, with the first option carrying the lower price. But what are the benefits of using plasterboard for thermal insulation?

Installing plasterboard insulation on the inside of a wall

Putting in plasterboards to ensure that all walls in your house are insulated is a great way to bring down your heating bills. Did you know that about 16% to 25% of warmth in the home escapes through the walls? That means you’ll need to make sure each wall is well insulated if you’re improving the energy efficiency of your property, to reduce your bills and - vitally - to protect the environment. It’s key to remember that adding plasterboard insulation to the inside of each wall is the best value option. Normally, you’ll select an insulation material to use before installing a layer of board over the top of it.

In terms of the insulation that sits under the plasterboard - between the plasterboard sheet and the wall, that is - you can choose from a range of different types. Natural insulation (such as sheep’s wool), mineral insulation (such as glass wool or rock wool), synthetic insulation, heat-reflective insulation or new generation insulation, which makes use of the latest technology.

More detail: what is plasterboard wall insulation?

Plasterboard for thermal insulation differs from normal plasterboard - this is key to note!

Regular plasterboard is commonly used for building work throughout the home, but the type specifically meant for insulating walls will offer the best performance when it comes to keeping your house warm.

The issue with standard plasterboard

Standard boards do offer some level of wall insulation - they're cheap to purchase, too. You’ll need to use them in combination with whichever type of insulation you choose (rock wool, glass wool, sheep’s wool, and so on).

You may well need to hire an insulation expert to fit your standard plasterboards and insulation onto each wall. This is due to the fact that installing this combination requires significant skill and can be quite a lengthy process.

The two in one plasterboard insulation method

There’s now a more convenient option for insulating the walls in your house: specially designed insulated plasterboards.

In essence, this type of plasterboard combines the board itself with the insulation material already attached to it. This means it is far easier to install this two in one thermal insulation plasterboard onto your walls. Remember - installing it on the internal wall surface is the low price option!

Using two in one insulation plasterboard means you can insulate each wall more quickly and easily than by using standard boards in combination with an insulating material.

There are, though, some key points to bear in mind about two in one insulation plasterboard:

Insulation plasterboard is heavy and quite difficult to handle
Limited choice of insulation

You’ll need to weigh up the pros and cons of insulating plasterboard to see if it's right for your walls.

What is home insulation plasterboard used for?

Plasterboard that’s specifically designed for insulating consists of two layers of materials, with a thermal seal to stop thermal energy bridging the gap between the two plasterboard layers. In thermal insulation that uses a two in one system we see the following setup:

Insulation plasterboard that is around 1cm thick
Insulation material (such as rock wool, glass wool, and so on) with effective levels of thermal resistance

Depending on the design of the wall you want to add insulation to, you can choose from various types of insulation setups:

Water-repellent wall insulation: this anti-humidity insulation material is suitable for thermal insulation in a bathroom wall
Fireproof wall insulation: this is ideal for adding insulation to a wall that’s close to an area that’s used for cooking, near a fireplace or near heating devices in the home
Anti-noise wall insulation: this type of plasterboard offers effective acoustic insulation to reduce noise pollution

Adding effective thermal insulation to each wall in your home - possibly by using plasterboard, if it’s the right insulation option for you - is the first key step. Once you’ve got your wall insulation in place, why not install a Netatmo Smart Thermostat to optimise your energy usage? Remotely programme and adjust your heat levels from your smartphone or tablet, whenever you need to.

Plasterboard, a vital asset for a well-insulated home

While plasterboard isn’t the most environmentally friendly option for adding insulation, it does have the advantage of being a low cost method to stop warmth from escaping through one wall or another.

Of course, specific plasterboard for insulation carries a higher price than regular plasterboard. Make sure you’re getting the right type of insulation to ensure that your home is as well insulated as possible!

All in all, plasterboard is a great option for supporting improved insulation in your home as it offers a number of benefits. If you’re looking to protect the environment by reducing your electricity and gas consumption and bring down your bills in the process, consider adding plasterboard to all your walls. Remember: installing this plasterboard insulation on the internal surface of the wall is the best value option!