Standard Plasterboard

Standard plasterboard is a board made from a gypsum core sandwiched between paper liners. It is a simple, reliable building board widely used in UK homes and commercial spaces.

What is Standard White Plasterboard?

This is the baseline gypsum board used throughout UK interiors. At its heart is a cast gypsum core, formed from calcium sulphate dihydrate. It is kiln-dried, pressed to a consistent density, and wrapped in two different paper liners: a rigid backing liner on the reverse and a finer-grade face paper on the front where skim coats bond.

Different edge types – square edge standard plasterboard or tapered edge standard plasterboard – are simply about how the paper is folded and how the core is shaped at the perimeter. Tapered edges create a recessed joint that accepts tape and jointing compound. Square edges give a flush junction suited to skim plaster.

The board is manufactured to controlled thicknesses and densities and behaves predictably when fixed to timber studs or metal systems.

What Is Standard Plasterboard Used For?

Standard plasterboard serves as the substrate for paint, wallpaper, or skim plaster, providing a flexible foundation for many building and renovation projects.

It is used to provide a clean, stable lining without the extra treatments that specialist boards bring. In practice, that means:

• Internal stud partitions – Everyday walls framed out with timber or light-gauge metal studs. Standard boards give a predictable fixing surface for screws, trims, and jointing compounds, and their density works well with typical stud centres (400–600 mm).
• Ceiling linings – Fixed to timber joists or metal MF systems. The board’s weight and flex characteristics are designed so that it will not sag when installed at the recommended screw spacing.
• Dry-lining onto masonry – Either dabs (“dot and dab”) or metal furring channels. Standard boards bond reliably to gypsum-based adhesives and maintain a true face for skim coats.
• Service boxing and duct encasements – When forming simple enclosures around pipes, cables, and small risers, where a fire rating is not specified. The gypsum core gives enough rigidity to hold shape without over-engineering the build.
• Room refurbishments and re-skimming prep – When old plaster surfaces are too uneven to repair, a layer of standard plasterboard resets the surface to a clean, uniform finish so you can finish the room properly.
• Bulkheads and ceiling drops – Lightweight framing that needs a stable sheet material, but not the extra moisture or fire properties of specialised boards.
• Temporary partitions on sites or fit-outs – Cuts quickly and installs with minimal kit, making it ideal for short-term or phased construction zones.

Benefits Of Standard Plasterboard

The value of standard plasterboard is not in flashy performance claims; it’s in how consistently it behaves when you are building real-world rooms.

1. Predictable handling and fixing.
   Gypsum board has a controlled density and a paper-to-core bond, so when scored, it snaps cleanly rather than feathering. That means quicker shaping on site and fewer ragged edges to correct. Screw pull-out strength is also consistent across the sheet, which makes it dependable when lining studwork at common centres.
2. A stable, true surface for finishes.
   The face paper is manufactured to a uniform texture and porosity, so the sheet provides a level, receptive face for skim coats, primers, and paints.
3. Built-in fire performance.
   Even though it is “standard,” gypsum’s natural chemistry is an advantage: the crystalline water content in the core slows heat transfer when exposed to fire. Although it is not a fire-resistant board, gypsum provides predictable reaction-to-fire behaviour, helping partitions and ceilings comply with standard internal lining requirements.
4. Combines well with acoustic and thermal panels.
   On its own, standard plasterboard is not an acoustic product, but its mass does add damping to lightweight partitions, and it can be used alongside acoustic boards.
   Combine it with cavity insulation, and you get good performance for typical domestic partitions. The same goes for thermal performance it is not insulation, but it plays its part in the overall system.
5. Compatibility with standard fixing systems.
   Standard plasterboard fits straight into the established construction methods – timber studs, metal C-stud walls, MF ceilings, or dot-and-dab on masonry.
6. Cost-effective for large areas.
   When lining full houses, multiple rooms, or long corridor runs, the board’s simplicity keeps material and labour costs down.

Why Choose Our White Plasterboard?

Here is why you can trust Insulation Wholesale for all your standard plasterboard needs:

• Flexible sheet sizes and edge profiles – We offer a range of sheet sizes and edge types (e.g., tapered versus square). You are less likely to overbuy or end up with awkward off-cuts – helpful for efficient drywalling.
• Convenience for mixed supply needs. If your project involves more than plasterboard – say insulation boards, fixings, or other building materials – Insulation Wholesale offers a broader range of products so you can bundle orders and reduce hassle.
• Competitive pricing, especially in bulk – Our pricing structure rewards volume orders. As quantities rise, the per-sheet or per-m² cost drops, so you see value for money on projects with multiple rooms or whole-house refits.
• Availability for both trade and DIY clients – Our stock range and order-volume flexibility cover both small and big projects. Perfect for the sole homeowner doing a renovation and the contractor ordering for a larger job.
• Simple ordering experience and customer support – Our online store is designed for convenience, and the support team is there to help, making the process smoother, especially if it is your first time ordering plasterboard in bulk.
• Nationwide delivery & bulk-order logistics – We deliver across the UK, and offer bulk-order/pallet-deal delivery arrangements for large orders. That removes stress around transport when you buy many boards at once.

Starting a new project? Browse our standard plasterboard stock at Insulation Wholesale. We offer a wide range of sizes, edge profile options, affordable pricing, volume discounts for bulk/pallet deals, and nationwide delivery across the UK for convenience.

FAQ

Where to buy standard plasterboard

You can buy standard plasterboard online from specialist insulation materials suppliers such as Insulation Wholesale. Our UK stock includes sheets of varying thicknesses from leading brands like Gypfor, British Gypsum, and Knauf. We offer 8×4 standard plasterboard, 9×4 standard plasterboard, and 6×3 standard plasterboard. We also have t/e standard plasterboard and s/e standard plasterboard. Select a product, request a fast quote, and enjoy prompt kerbside delivery to your site or home.

How thick is standard plasterboard?

12.5mm is the typical thickness of standard plasterboard in the UK. But manufacturers also make two more variations: 9.5 mm and 15 mm. The 15mm standard plasterboard sheet is more rigid and durable, whereas the 9.5mm standard plasterboard is best for lighter partitions and ceilings.

How much does a standard plasterboard weigh?

It varies by panel thickness and size. On average, 12.5mm standard plasterboard sheets weigh between 8 and 9 kg/m². Thinner 9.5mm boards weigh much less, while 15mm variations are heavier.

What colour is standard plasterboard?

Look out for an ivory (or off-white) paper face and a brownish reverse side. This is the colour identifier for standard plasterboard, and it applies across the industry.

Can you use standard plasterboard in a bathroom?

Regular standard plasterboard is not resistant to damp and mould, so you should not use it in bathrooms and other high-moisture areas. Choose a moisture-resistant board for such spaces instead – often identified by a green-tinted face and treated gypsum core.