All about tongue-and-groove slabs

Tongue slabs, or partition blocks, have replaced drywall and other popular materials. Solid gypsum and hollow slabs measuring 667 × 500 × 80 mm, other options allow you to easily change the layout in a house or apartment, provide good sound insulation and have many other advantages. It is worth talking in more detail about all the pros and cons, as well as the features of the installation of GWP.

Tongue slabs are a building material used in the construction of internal walls and partitions. They are made of gypsum or silicate, supplemented with special components that increase the performance of the product. A tongue-and-groove is a special type of assembly connection, it makes it possible to completely seal and align the seams, and significantly speeds up the assembly process. The details of the wall are simply assembled, no more difficult than a children's designer.

Panels are produced in accordance with GOST 6428-83 by casting. According to its requirements, monolithic blocks should have a rectangular shape, a smooth and even surface that does not require additional filling during finishing. In addition to the construction of internal non-load-bearing partitions, they are successfully used in the cladding of load-bearing walls and other structures.

The main GWP classification is based on the material of manufacture - the mixture can be gypsum or silicate. But there are other differences as well. For example, the thickness of the product. PGB, or blocks with tongue-and-groove connection, are more massive, from which it is quite possible to construct the internal walls of the building, providing sufficient sound insulation. The slabs are designed, rather, for hanging over supporting structures - a frame or a monolithic element.

Products obtained by the molded casting method. GWP on a gypsum basis is a mixture of basic dry matter with plasticizers and other additives. The main purpose of the auxiliary ingredients is to increase the moisture resistance of the material. By itself, gypsum easily absorbs moisture and becomes loose. Protective components help make it more resistant to external influences.

Gypsum is an environmentally friendly material approved for use in children's rooms, medical institutions, cafes and restaurants. It does not emit harmful substances and has a long service life. GWP from gypsum provide thermal insulation, sound insulation.

Tongue slabs of this type are made on a mineral basis, using fine quartz sand and dry quicklime. The mixture is diluted with water in a certain proportion, undergoes a molding stage, then it is pressed, processed in an autoclave. This multi-stage manufacturing process produces blocks with superior performance. They have a reduced coefficient of water absorption, and their density and strength are much higher.

The scope of application is also expanding. Silicate GWPs are well suited for installation as self-supporting structures. They can be used in bathrooms, lavatories, laundry rooms.

The filling of the slabs is also not the same. It can be full-bodied, as well as empty - such structures absorb sounds well, retain heat better. The differences between each of the types should be considered in more detail.

This category includes slabs in which longitudinal through holes are made. They weigh 1/4 less, which can be significant when calculating the load on the floor and foundation. Such products provide better sound insulation, retain heat well - you can save on heating. But in terms of strength characteristics and bearing capacities, they are much inferior to monolithic options.

Classic tongue-and-groove slabs are quite heavy, but have impressive load-bearing capacities. They are dense, well suited for hanging shelves and cabinets. High strength is also important, especially if the partitions to be erected are self-supporting. An interior door can be installed in such a wall.

GWP is often viewed as not particularly suitable for use in humid environments. But they are also different. Conventional options with 25-30% water absorption are really only intended for dry spaces.

Moisture-resistant products with special hydrophobic additives turn green. Their moisture absorption coefficient does not exceed 5%, which makes the material suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms.

The main indicators of tongue-and-groove slabs, regardless of their design, are determined by the requirements of the state standard. The environmental friendliness of the material is determined by the absence of potentially harmful or dangerous additives in its composition. Other properties are also regulated. Among the most important parameters are:

• density of silicate boards - from 1870 kg / m3, gypsum - up to 1350 kg / m3;
• compressive strength - 5.0 MPa, bending strength - 2.4 MPa;
• thermal conductivity - 0.29-0.35;
• water absorption - up to 5% for moisture resistant, 25-30% for ordinary;
• permissible humidity - no more than 12%;
• bearing capacity - 874-907 kgf;
• noise insulation coefficient - 34-40 dB;
• fire resistance limit - up to 4 hours.

The size range of tongue-and-groove plates is limited. Standard thickness options are 80 and 100 mm. The ratio of length and width can be as follows: 667 × 500 mm, 900 × 300 mm, 800 × 400 mm, 600 × 300 mm. The mass of an average hollow gypsum product is 22-24 kg, a full-bodied one - up to 32 kg. Silicate GWPs are lighter, weighing about 15.6 kg.

Tongue slabs are a relatively new material, which is considered to be a modern analogue of drywall and other similar options. They have many advantages that distinguish such products from the general mass, but there are also certain disadvantages. It is worth talking about all these points in more detail.

Among the obvious advantages of GWP are the following factors.

• Light weight. The load on the foundation and floors will be minimal. This is important both in urban housing and in a country house. Even a suburban building will withstand such a partition.
• Strength. The slabs are thicker in comparison with drywall, better withstand shock loads. Additional stiffening ribs are tongue-and-groove joints. They also strengthen the wall.
• Ease of cutting and installation. Plates quickly join, they can be cut to size, subjected to other types of machining.
• Smooth surface, perfectly flat. The assembled wall is completely ready for decorative finishing. It is enough to prime and paint, paste over with wallpaper. This reduces the labor intensity of finishing works, making them less dirty.
• The ability to use various types of fasteners. Shelves and cabinets can be hung on the panel using self-tapping screws, dowels.
• Safety and environmental friendliness. The material is fireproof and meets the strictest hygiene standards. Sound insulation performance is higher than that of analogues.
• No restrictions on the choice of the type of partitions. They can be single or double, with or without a 40 mm air baffle.
• The ratio of characteristics. A slab with a thickness of 80 mm corresponds to a similar concrete wall of 400 mm.
• Convenience of laying internal communications. You can run a new water or gas line through the wall.
• The ability to work alone. This is much more convenient than using an auxiliary labor force.

Not without its drawbacks. These include lower bearing capacities of hollow slabs. They are not suitable for securing heavy objects. To ensure stability during assembly, additional mounting of the plate to the ceiling is required. In comparison with brick or monolithic partitions, GWPs still lose.

Today the production of tongue-and-groove plates is carried out by dozens of companies. But until recently, this list barely consisted of 2-3 brands. With the growth of competition, the range of products has also increased. Among those brands whose products are worth considering for purchase today, the following can be distinguished.

• Knauf. The company with German roots has long gained popularity in the Russian market. In this brand, PGPs are presented in a wide range of standard sizes, are distinguished by the stability of geometric parameters and excellent quality. Knauf produces both moisture resistant and conventional boards, giving preference to gypsum options.

• "Magma". An enterprise from the Republic of Mordovia. It is actively increasing production, using German technologies and equipment in the course of its work. GWP is produced under the name "gypsum board", to which the brand offers a proprietary adhesive composition. The assortment includes solid and hollow elements.

• Rusean. A brand near Moscow with a plant in the Ramensky district. He began his work as a manufacturer of dry building mixtures, gradually expanding his range. Today the company confidently maintains one of the leading positions in the GWP market.

• "ECO". A small enterprise in Yaroslavl, operating since 2004, specializing in reinforced concrete and products from it. GWP are produced on German equipment. The brand focuses on silicate hollow core slabs.

• "Gipsopolymer". The company is in the Perm Territory, the plant has been operating since 1953, but the launch of the line for the production of tongue-and-groove plates took place only in 2013. The products are distinguished by an affordable price, stable quality, and are appreciated by builders not only in the region, but also beyond its borders. We produce tongue-and-groove plates 80 and 100 mm thick, ordinary and hollow, with varying degrees of moisture resistance.

• Volma. A brand from Volgograd that appeared in 1999 on the basis of a previously existing enterprise. One of the leaders of the Russian market. Today the company has several factories at once, and the volume of production makes it possible to easily cover not only domestic demand. The company has strict standardization, the quality of GWP is always at its best, fiberglass is used to strengthen the plates. The assortment includes solid and hollow gypsum products with different moisture resistance indicators.

• LLC "Axolit". The company entered the market relatively recently - in 2013. From the very beginning, the brand launched the production of gypsum tongue-and-groove plates, and its range also includes dry mixes and gypsum plasterboards.

• Forman. Despite the foreign name, the Samara Gypsum Plant is listed as the manufacturer of products under this brand. GWPs have been produced since 2013, the benchmark is European standards for this type of blocks.The plant has specially purchased a German line of equipment for this purpose, pays great attention to the formulation of mixtures.

• "Peshelansky gypsum plant". This company conducts its production directly at the gypsum deposit. The company was one of the first in Russia to start producing a new type of product - PGP, back in 2002. The range includes only blocks of 80 mm thick, ordinary, hollow and shungite, with special properties.

• Belgips. Belarusian manufacturer specializing in the manufacture of plaster cast products. GWPs have been produced here since 2005, the assortment only includes blocks of 80 mm thick. Today the enterprise is a part of Volma Group of Companies, while the old trade mark has retained its relevance.

• Gifas. Products under this brand are manufactured by the Sverdlovsk Plaster Works Plant. The products are known mainly in the regional market. There is only one standard size of slabs - 80 mm thick.

The main area in which tongue-and-groove slabs are used is the erection of lintels, partitions in construction. Self-supporting walls are erected from blocks 100 mm thick, separating the bathroom or creating an additional division of space in the bathroom. They are also used for partitions for technical purposes in offices, in production, in the decoration of wall structures. Installation is carried out on a concrete floor screed or other even and solid foundation.

For the construction of a wall partition with improved insulating characteristics, a parallel installation of 2 vertical structures with an air layer of 40-50 mm between them is used. The main installation technology implies the presence of already erected load-bearing elements. Installation of partitions is carried out before the start of finishing work.

When carrying out installation work using tongue-and-groove plates, the main assembly takes place end-to-end. But you will not be able to do without the solution completely. It connects the horizontal rows. It is worth considering here that the composition for installation must be non-shrinking so as not to deform the seam. The best solution is Fugen from Knauf, but you can choose any other type of gypsum-polymer mixtures. For blocks on a silicate base, the best solution is a special glue for working with aerated concrete, foam concrete.

In order to make a partition from tongue-and-groove plates, a certain sequence of actions must be followed. The following course of work is considered the most rational.

• Planning. It is necessary to mark the surface of the floor and walls where the partition will be. Taking into account the height and length, the amount of material for it is calculated.
• Surface preparation. It is necessary to remove traces of any dirt from it, then check the geometric parameters using a level. If the surface has noticeable elevation differences, additional leveling will be required.
• Mounting mortar preparation. It grasps quickly, it makes no sense to cook in large portions.
• Cutting the ridge. This is necessary in order to increase the contact area with the base at the first row, to make the structure more stable. It is recommended to start laying with the groove facing up.
• Mounting. The solution is applied on the base itself and on the surface of the GWP adjacent to the support. Each panel is measured by level. The grooves are coated with glue, aligned with the spikes. You can seal the area of ​​contact when installing the blocks with a mallet.
• When laying out each next row, the seams are displaced. In odd ones they put the whole plate first, in even ones - its half goes first. All excess glue is carefully removed.
• Every 4-5 rows, you need to take a break for 3 hours so that the solution has time to grab. Otherwise, there is a great risk of collapse of the structure.
• In the last row, the comb is trimmed in the same way as the first. At the point of abutment to the ceiling, the edges are slightly beveled. Fastening even rows with aluminum brackets to the wall will help to increase the rigidity of the structure.

Reviews of tongue-and-groove plates look quite convincing. Buyers note the ease of installation of partitions, high speed of work. Unlike drywall, boards are compact in size, conveniently stored and stored. Their ascent to the floors is not difficult for people with different physical abilities. The most popular thickness option for internal partitions, according to reviews, is the 80 mm option.

Buyers note the excellent sound insulation characteristics of the material. With proper installation, you do not have to worry about the penetration of extraneous noise. The bearing capacity of such walls does not cause any complaints. When using dowel fasteners, they will quite successfully withstand hanging kitchen cabinets or shelves in rooms. The absence of dirt when decorating the premises is also taken into account as a significant advantage.

The demand for PGP in the field of redevelopment of commercial and office real estate is noted. Such lightweight partitions do not violate the requirements of hygienic and fire safety, they are quickly assembled, and they are easy to dismantle if necessary. There are also some complaints. GWP is a rather fragile material that requires careful handling. Intense shock loads are contraindicated for him. Installation also requires careful preparation of the base; height differences will lead to deformations. There are also restrictions on the height and length of the walls - this can present certain inconveniences.