FOIL BACKED PLASTERBOARD: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Moisture, in the form of water vapour, is perpetually in motion within our homes. It migrates from warm, humid environments, such as kitchens and bathrooms, towards cooler, drier spaces, including external walls and lofts. This process can result in condensation, dampness, and the proliferation of mold.

If you need a plasterboard lining and vapour control in one then foil lined plasterboards are the perfect solution.

What are foil-backed plasterboard used for?

Foilback plasterboard provides vapour barrier, suitable for environments with high humidity or water exposure risk which make it perfect for areas susceptible to dampness or water damage, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

Where would you use foil plasterboard?

• Damp walls: Foil-backed plasterboard also known as vapour panel plasterboard can help prevent moisture from lingering in walls that have recently been repaired.

• Pitched roofs: Foil-backed plasterboard can be used on pitched roofs and ceilings that maybe exposed to problems with moisture ingress.

• External walls: Foil-backed plasterboard can be used on external walls that are prone to condensation issues.

What are the advantages of foil backed plasterboard?

• Vapour barrier: The foil sheet acts as a shield, blocking moisture from seeping through the boards and potentially damaging your home's internal surfaces.

• Improved insulation: Foil-backed plasterboard helps reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency. 

• Fire resistance: The foil layer helps prevent the spread of flames and smoke.

What are the disadvantages of foil backed plasterboard?

• Cost: Foil lined plasterboards are more expensive to purchase than standard plasterboard.

• Installation: It's important to make sure the plasterboards are butted up close together and sealed along the joints to ensure the vapor barrier stays unbroken. It also isn't possible to 'dot and dab' but we'll explain this further in the next section.

• Damp: Foil-backed plasterboard is only effective in mitigating minor instances of dampness. It should not be relied upon to rectify existing damp issues. For optimal results, it is recommended to use it as a preventative measure or in combination with additional damp proofing techniques.

• Electrical safety: The foil backing is a natural conductor of electricity, so it's important to consider this when installing electrical wiring systems.

Can I dot and dab foil plasterboard?

Foil-backed boards are not well-suited to dot-and-dab application techniques. The adhesive bond between the board and foil is insufficient to support the weight of the plasterboard, which can result in the plasterboard peeling off from the foil over time.

How do I fix foil backed plasterboard?

As it isn't advisable to use an adhesive method as described above, the best option is to line out the wall with treated timber battens or a metal wall lining system. The centres of the chosen material should be 400mm or 600mm depending on the size of the board being used. Any services required can then be fixed in the voids. The plasterboards can then be cut to size if neccessary and then secured with suitable screws.

The disadvantage with the method above is that room space will be lost. The other option is to mechanically fix the boards to the walls with suitable nailable plugs. With this type of procedure, it is essential that the walls are flat.

Any required services would needed to be chased in to the masonry prior to application.

It is important to make sure you seal any joints and fixings to prevent any vapour from being able to penetrate the boards.

Want to know more about other plasterboards?

Have a look at our blog article Plasterboard 101 or call our office on 01274 602367. Open 7 days a week to offer advice on any building project, you can also email by clicking the link here.