Plasterboarding, fixed the right way for your wall.

When does boarding beat plastering?

When the existing surface is the problem. Boarding gives you a new, flat surface without the time and mess of hacking off and rebuilding large areas of plaster.

• ceilings that are cracked, sagging or heavily textured, including over Artex
• walls that are badly out of line or have widespread blown plaster
• new partitions, stud walls and boxing in pipes
• renovations where a room needs to be back in use quickly, as boarding brings far less water into the house than wet plaster

Where the plaster is basically sound, a skim is usually the simpler answer. I will tell you which suits your walls.

Dot and dab, battens, metal frame or PU adhesive: what is the difference?

They are four ways of fixing boards, and each suits different walls. The right choice depends on how flat, dry and solid the wall behind is.

Dot and dab is quick and common, but it is not right for every wall. On a damp or very uneven wall it can trap moisture or leave large voids, and gaps around the edges let cold air circulate behind the boards. PU adhesive is the usual choice for PIR insulated boards: it bonds the board closely to the wall and, with the edges sealed, stops cold air moving behind it. Ceilings are always screwed to the joists or a metal ceiling system, never stuck.

How are plasterboard joints finished?

Joints are taped with scrim and the whole surface is skimmed, so the boards disappear under a single, even finish. Most domestic walls and ceilings are finished this way because it gives a harder, more durable surface than taping and filling the joints alone.

The details decide whether it lasts: boards staggered so joints do not line up, screws at the right spacing, beads on corners, and board edges supported so they do not move and crack later. Cracks along ceiling joints, one of the most common complaints I see, nearly always trace back to one of these being skipped.

What about insulated plasterboard?

Insulated plasterboard, usually a layer of PIR foam bonded to the board, can make a cold outside wall warmer. But on a solid wall it needs care, because it changes how moisture moves through the wall.

Warm, moist air reaching the cold wall behind the insulation can condense where you cannot see it, and gaps at the edges, sockets and window reveals leave cold spots where mould can start. Fixing it with dot and dab can make this worse by letting air move behind the boards, which is why I bond PIR boards with PU adhesive and seal the edges. That is why I do not treat it as a simple swap for standard board.

If you want to insulate an outside wall, I assess it first and use moisture modelling to choose a safe system and thickness. That might be insulated board, or a breathable system such as wood fibre. My internal wall insulation page explains the options.

Will extra plasterboard stop noise from next door?

Not much on its own. A sheet of board fixed straight to the wall adds a little mass, but sound still passes through the fixings. Proper wall soundproofing separates the new layer from the old wall, adds dense boards and mineral wool and seals every gap.

How long does plasterboarding take, and what affects the cost?

Boarding and skimming the walls or ceiling of an average room usually takes two to three days, plus drying time before decorating. New partitions, metal frames and rooms with lots of pipes, sockets or awkward corners take longer.

The cost depends on the fixing method, the type of board, the area, whether old plaster or a ceiling has to come down first, and what needs moving and refitting. I price after a free home visit, and the written quote sets out the boards, fixings and finish so you can compare it with others like for like.

What should you expect from me?

A survey of the wall before I recommend a fixing method, a written quote that sets out the boards, fixings and finish, and a clean, protected room while the work is done. If sockets or pipes need moving, I can organise the electrician or plumber. You get the room back skimmed and ready to decorate, and I call about four weeks later to check everything has settled. Plasterboarding is part of my wider plastering service across Sutton Coldfield, Walsall and nearby.