Plasterboard: even for outdoor applications. At home in all markets

The construction industry is becoming more and more sustainable. It has to be, because regulations are becoming stricter and the demand for reusable materials is growing. Nice to know is that gypsum is one of the most sustainable materials. Moreover, what many people do not know is that plasterboard can even be used outdoors and in damp rooms. It is also a very suitable product for modular construction. Twan Verstralen and Nicolas Huysmans of Siniat tell us why.

Siniat is the largest division of Etex Building Performance, an originally Belgian company active in lightweight building materials in more than 45 countries. Siniat specializes in building materials such as plasterboard, fiber cement boards and grouts. With ´the Etex road to sustainability 2030´ it aims to be the most sustainable player in the market and help the construction industry to become more sustainable. This is achieved, as the gypsum boards are 100% recyclable. It also aims to minimize packaging materials, reuse water and use green energy. "Our products are mainly used in residential construction, for example in ground-level housing and stacked construction," says Technical Sales Engineer and Lead and Specification Manager Twan Verstralen. "Our products make buildings more pleasant, warmer and safer."

In new construction and renovation

Siniat gypsum and fiber cement boards are now widely used in timber frame construction. Indeed, the products offer architects design freedom, and they are also full-fledged products in terms of fire safety, acoustics, comfort and insulation. In the field of wood frame construction, complete solutions are offered that have been extensively tested and comply with current regulations and legislation. "Generally, fiber cement and moisture-resistant gypsum board is used for the exterior shell, and of course gypsum board for the interior. Siniat products are also regularly used for renovation projects. The concrete structure of the house then remains, but the facades are replaced by new elements with Siniat boards that meet the requirements set. Partition walls, ceilings, burglar-resistant wall systems and other solutions can be used additionally," says Verstralen.

Fully tested

"For our customers, we find out which systems are the most suitable and provide advice on them," says Siniat Technical Expert Nicolas Huysmans. "They are all tested for fire safety, acoustic comfort, thermal insulation values and building physics properties, such as scaling resistance. Our customers can then be sure that the products comply with the Energy Performance Coefficient (EPC) and the Building Works Decree (Bbl)."

With wood-frame construction, extra consideration must be given to fire safety, because of skip fires and fires in the cavity. Verstralen: "These are often caused by incorrect use of materials. Our materials can meet all the requirements. We test every system and can therefore demonstrate what we deliver. This is a continuous process from which we create new solutions each time, for example plaster on the inside and Weather Defense on the outside."

Outdoor plaster

That Weather Defense drywall has a special application. It is moisture-resistant, sound-insulating, fire-resistant and also durable. So it is perfect for outdoor use. It offers high resistance to weathering and mold. This is unique according to Verstralen. "In England, this product is used in virtually all steel frame construction in the cavity to protect the profiles." For bathrooms, the LaDura is suitable, and if you have very damp areas in the house, there is the WAB (wet area board).

By offering a wide range of products, customers only have to deal with one provider for the complete picture. Huysmans: "We have exterior and interior cladding for various applications, even finishing with stone strips. We also have ceiling panels, grouts and mineral wool insulation from Ursa. The customer only has to do business with one company, so transportation movements are limited. We supply the total package."