Plasterboard guides

The plain-English reference behind drywallDB’s tooltips — the terms UK plasterboard data sheets assume you already know. Written for contractors, estimators and specifiers who need to read a classification, defend a substitution, or simply work out which board the job wants.

Each guide is educational reference only, grounded in the EN 520 standard and UK practice. For the boards themselves — every value cited to its manufacturer data sheet — start a free trial.

• EN 520 board types explained
  What do EN 520 Type A, D, E, F, H, I, P and R mean?
• Reaction to fire vs fire resistance
  Are 'A2-s1, d0' and '60 minutes' the same kind of fire rating?
• Rw — airborne sound insulation
  What does the Rw number on a partition system mean?
• Thermal conductivity (λ) of plasterboard
  What is the λ value on a plasterboard data sheet?
• Tapered edge vs square edge
  TE or SE — which edge profile do I need?
• Moisture resistance: H1, H2 and H3
  What's the difference between H1 and H2 plasterboard?
• Vapour-control (foil-backed) boards
  What does a foil backing on plasterboard actually do?
• Plasterboard weight: kg/m² and per board
  How heavy is a plasterboard, and why do brands declare it differently?
• Checking a plasterboard specification
  How do I confirm the values a plasterboard spec claims?