Tougher, stronger wallboards
The Distinction range of specialist interior linings for luxury homes, developed by USG, is being launched in Australia by Powerscape .
“Over one hundred years ago, USG developed the plasterboard technology still widely used today. Distinction still uses the same basic materials, just in an entirely different way, which brings many important benefits,” Powerscape general manager David Brown says.
The main difference between traditional gypsum based wall board and Distinction is simple. With plasterboard, the white gypsum is sandwiched between two faces of heavy paper. This paper effectively provides the structural rigidity of the entire board. “The problem is the board’s strength is only as deep as the paper. Any breach, nail, screw, rip or gouge weakens the board,” says David. “Distinction uses higher density gypsum rock combined with mineralised cellulose fibres which bond to provide an extremely strong and uniformly dense board right the way through.”
Distinction offers many benefits such as sheet edges that can be tapered on-site, jointed and stopped for superior flatness and crack resistance; the board’s pre-sealed surface gives a superior foundation for all kinds of finishes.
Distinction’s high density properties also dramatically reduce sound transmission for greater levels of peace and privacy. This is especially so when combined with cavity insulation and Powerscape Peace acoustic underlay on concrete and particleboard floors.
Distinction is also one of the safest building materials for builders and dwellers alike, being completely free from known health risks associated with asbestos, synthetic mineral fibre, respirable crystalline silica, and formaldehyde.
It’s also one of the most environmentally responsible materials, with a certified 95 per cent recycled content. In fire safety tests it benefits from the lack of a paper surface and achieves fire resistance of 30 minutes with a single layer on each side of an internal wall.
Distinction’s unique properties make it strong enough to have most art-work and wall-fixtures directly screwed into it. “Heavy art, plasma TVs and light fittings can be anchored exactly where you want them – not where the studs might be located,” Brown says David, “In fact, you can screw up to 15kg at each screw head straight into the wallboard, which is a first in Australia.”
20-Apr-2005