Insulated Plasterboard – Pros and Cons

Insulated plasterboard is renowned in the construction industry for its convenience; the two-in-one solution marries the thermal benefits of insulation with the structural benefits of drylining. A real-time-saver, insulated plasterboard is perfect for those pressed for time, or who lack the skill and craftsmanship it takes to apply wet plaster efficiently. However, there are some potential drawbacks to using insulated plasterboard. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons below.

What Is Insulated Plasterboard?

Insulated plasterboard is actually a board of standard drywall plasterboard that is pre-bonded to a sheet of insulating material. Foam-backed plasterboard can have various grades of insulation bonded to it from PIR insulation to phenolic insulation. In short, it is designed to provide a high level of thermal resistance in areas where heat loss is a concern.

Thermal plasterboards are predominantly utilized as internal insulation to enhance thermal performance without adding too much depth to walls. Internal wall insulation (otherwise known as solid wall insulation) is a process in which solid walls are insulated from within.

Internal wall insulation is generally attached to interior walls with bonding or screws and typically extends up to eaves level from the bottom of the ground floor. Then it continues and marries with the roof insulation.

Usually, a stud wall is built to which insulation is then added. This method is commonly utilized in homes without a cavity; if your home is eligible for cavity wall insulation, it’ll be quicker to adopt that method.

The Pros

Insulated plasterboard is designed to streamline your insulation project. There are several advantages to using insulated plasterboard:

• Two in one solution – cost-effective
• Superior to standard plasterboard – doesn’t need to be used in combination with insulation material (rock wool, sheep’s wool, etc.)
• Hassle-free alternative to wet plaster
• Keeps heating bills down – energy efficient
• Easy to handle and install
• An excellent way to add insulation internally, especially if you cannot install cavity wall insulation
• Offers a thermal layer with a thin profile
• Cheaper than external wall insulation
• Kingspan & Celotex boards boast added benefits such as an incorporated vapor barrier

The Cons

Insulated plasterboard isn’t perfect – there are a few drawbacks that you should be aware of:

• Insulated plasterboard is not “breathable” – utilizing lengthens the drying out time of walls that have been treated for rising damp
• Unsuitable for areas with unique sizes or shapes
• Unlike insulating external walls, insulating internal walls can be disruptive, often calling for the removal and re-fixing of items such as switches, radiators, and skirting boards

Conclusion

There are both advantages and disadvantages to using insulated plasterboard in your home. Some people may find that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages while others may prefer another type of insulation. It really depends on each individual’s needs, preferences, and budget. If you’re thinking about insulating your home, then be sure to do some research so that you can best determine which type of insulation is right for you.