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Plasterboard

(25 products)

Knauf plasterboard is the trusted choice of builders and renovators across the UK. Renowned for superior quality and available in fire resistance, moisture resistance, and acoustic variants, Knauf plasterboard delivers reliable, high-performance results for walls, ceilings, and partitions in residential and commercial projects. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is plasterboard?

Plasterboard (also called drywall, gypsum board, or wallboard) is a versatile building panel made from a core of gypsum (a natural mineral) sandwiched between two layers of strong paper. It's widely used in the UK for creating interior walls, ceilings, and partitions in homes, renovations, and commercial projects. It's a fast, clean "dry" alternative to traditional wet plastering on laths.

What is plasterboard made of​?

Plasterboard (also known as drywall, gypsum board, or wallboard) is primarily made of a gypsum core sandwiched between two layers of strong paper.

The core consists of gypsum, a naturally occurring soft sulfate mineral with the chemical formula CaSO₄·2H₂O (calcium sulfate dihydrate). Manufacturers heat raw gypsum to remove most of the water (a process called calcination), turning it into a hemihydrate powder, then mix it with water and additives to form a slurry that sets into a solid core.

The outer layers are typically thick paper liners (facer on the front and backer on the back), which provide strength, rigidity, and a smooth surface for finishing.

What size is plasterboard?

Plasterboard sheets in the UK come in a range of standard sizes to suit different projects, but the most common and widely stocked dimensions (especially for brands like Knauf, which we carry at The Good Sheet) are:

  • Length × Width: 2400mm × 1200mm (often called "8ft × 4ft" in imperial terms) - This is by far the most popular size for walls and ceilings. It fits perfectly with standard UK stud spacing (400mm or 600mm centres) and typical room heights up to about 2400mm. Each sheet covers 2.88m².

What is skimming plasterboard?

Skimming plasterboard (also called skimming or applying a skim coat) is the process of applying a thin layer (usually 2–3mm total, often in two coats) of finishing plaster over plasterboard sheets to create a perfectly smooth, flat surface ready for painting, wallpapering, or other decoration.

Plasterboard itself has a paper face that's great for quick installation, but it shows joints, screw heads, minor imperfections, and the texture of the board/paper. Skimming hides all that by covering the entire surface (not just the joints) with a fine gypsum-based finishing plaster (like British Gypsum Thistle MultiFinish or similar). This gives a high-quality, professional-looking "plastered" finish that's harder-wearing and more durable than just taping and jointing alone.