This guide cuts through the confusion. Whether you are a DIYer boarding a loft conversion, a sole trader fitting out a bathroom, or a small builder working across multiple sites, here is exactly what each board does and where it belongs. You can browse and buy the full British Gypsum range at insulationuk.co.uk, with fast UK delivery on all the core boards.
The Core Range
These are the everyday boards that cover the vast majority of jobs. Get familiar with these four and you will have most projects covered.
WallBoard
Standard boardThe board most people picture when they think of plasterboard. Your go to for general wall and ceiling work in dry internal areas, suitable for plastering over with a Thistle finish or for a dry tape and joint finish. Simple, reliable and cost effective.
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and offices. Any dry internal space with no special performance demands.
Moisture Resistant
Moisture resistantA treated core and facing that resists moisture absorption, for rooms with steam, condensation or occasional splashing. It handles humidity and intermittent damp well, but it is not waterproof and should not sit directly behind a shower tray. Wet rooms and shower enclosures need a specialist tile backer board instead.
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms away from direct splash, utility rooms and cloakrooms.
FireLine
Fire resistantEngineered with glass fibre and additives that slow how fast fire penetrates the board. Where standard board gives only basic passive protection, FireLine is what you need when Building Regs call for a defined period of fire resistance, typically 30, 60 or 90 minutes.
Best for: Garage ceilings and walls next to living space, stairwells, protecting structural timbers, anywhere Regs require fire resistance.
SoundBloc
AcousticA denser gypsum core whose extra mass blocks sound travelling between rooms. It works best as part of a complete acoustic system, but even as a straight swap for standard board it makes a noticeable difference. The board to reach for on Part E jobs.
Best for: Party and separating walls, home cinemas, home offices and bedrooms where noise is an issue.
Second Tier: Vapour Control and Insulated Boards
These boards tackle two of the most common problems in older and poorly insulated buildings, heat loss and condensation. They are a step up in cost from the core range, but invaluable in the right application.
WallBoard Duplex
Vapour controlStandard WallBoard with a foil backing bonded to the rear face. That foil acts as a vapour check, reducing the moisture laden air that can pass through the wall and condense inside the structure. It keeps the build up simple where a separate vapour control layer would be awkward to fit.
Best for: Lining solid external walls, cold wall applications, anywhere you would otherwise install a separate VCL membrane.
Shop WallBoard Duplex →ThermaLine PIR
Insulated boardPlasterboard with a layer of high performance PIR foam bonded to the back, so you insulate and board in a single fix. It includes vapour control to manage condensation when insulating cold walls from inside, and is a slim solution where room space is tight.
Best for: Loft conversions, internal wall insulation on solid walls, rooms in the roof and cold external walls.
Shop ThermaLine PIR →Specialist Performance Boards
For jobs with specific high performance demands, British Gypsum produces a range of specialist boards. These are not everyday products, but when you need them nothing else will do.
SoundBloc F
Acoustic and fireCombines SoundBloc acoustic performance with enhanced fire resistance in a single board, useful where both requirements must be met and you want to avoid doubling up layers.
Shop SoundBloc F →DuraLine
Impact resistantA high density core built for impact resistance, for walls that take a battering day to day.
Best for: Schools, hospitals, care homes, sports halls and busy public spaces.
Shop DuraLine →Habito
Heavy fixingsExceptional fixing strength throughout the board, so you can hang shelves, TVs and kitchen cabinets without hunting for a stud.
Best for: Residential walls where heavy items get fixed.
Shop Habito →Glasroc F FireCase
Steel protectionA specialist board for wrapping and protecting structural steel columns and beams. Not a standard plasterboard job, but the right product for anyone working with exposed steelwork.
Shop Glasroc F FireCase →If your project needs one of these, our team at Insulation UK can help you source the right product. Browse all British Gypsum boards.
Quick Guide: Which Board for Which Room?
| Where / What | Board to Use |
|---|---|
| Living room, bedroom, hallway | Gyproc WallBoard |
| Kitchen or bathroom wall or ceiling | Gyproc Moisture Resistant |
| Garage ceiling above living space | Gyproc FireLine 15mm |
| Stairwell or escape route | Gyproc FireLine 15mm |
| Party wall or separating wall | Gyproc SoundBloc 15mm |
| Home cinema or home office | Gyproc SoundBloc |
| Loft conversion walls and ceiling | Gyproc ThermaLine PIR or WallBoard |
| Cold external wall lining | Gyproc ThermaLine PIR or WallBoard Duplex |
| High traffic commercial walls | Gyproc DuraLine |
| Walls where you will hang heavy items | Gyproc Habito |
Getting the Job Right
For fire rated and acoustic applications especially, how the partition or ceiling is built (stud centres, fixing patterns, perimeter sealing and insulation) all affects the final performance. British Gypsum's White Book sets out the tested system specifications, and it is worth checking these against any building control requirement. If you are unsure which board or system is right for your project, our team at Insulation UK is happy to help.
Find the Right Board for Your Project
We are a leading UK stockist of British Gypsum, holding the full Gyproc range for fast delivery across the UK. Whether you need a handful of boards for a weekend job or a full pallet, we can help.
