When we think about renovating a space, our minds naturally jump to the finishing touches: the paint color, the wallpaper, or the flooring. However, the true foundation of a beautiful room lies beneath the surface. Today, we are diving into the world of base boards—the essential materials that provide structure, safety, and even soundproofing to our buildings.

The Classic Choice: Gypsum Boards

Gypsum boards are incredibly common in modern construction. They became the standard when easy-to-paste wallpapers gained popularity.

• Standard gypsum boards are widely used because they are easy to cut and screw in, making construction a breeze.
• They come in various thicknesses, with 9.5mm boards typically rated as semi-non-combustible, while 12.5mm and 15mm boards are rated as non-combustible.
• You can also find specialized gypsum boards designed for high waterproof and fire-resistant performance.
• Before flat boards took over, “Gypsum Lath Boards” were popular; these feature a semi-cylindrical embossed surface specifically designed to help plaster undercoats adhere better.

For ceilings, lightweight decorative gypsum boards are a fantastic, ready-to-go option.

• These ceiling boards are widely used in homes, offices, and facilities.
• They often feature a travertine pattern and are pre-painted, meaning they can be installed directly as a decorative finish.

Installation Secrets: Mastering the Layout

Even the best materials will fail if not installed correctly. The way boards are arranged—known as the layout—is crucial for a durable wall.

• A major rule of thumb is to avoid aligning the joints of the boards.
• Staggering the joints, sometimes referred to as a “chidori” pattern, is highly recommended.
• Openings like doors and windows bear a lot of structural load.
• If you place a board joint right along a window or door frame, cracks are very likely to form.
• To prevent cracking around openings, it is recommended to cut a square piece out of a single board to fit around the frame instead of joining two boards at the corner.
• When double-layering boards for extra sturdiness or during renovations, you must ensure the joints of the top layer do not overlap with the joints of the bottom layer.

The illustration below summarizes the different types of gypsum boards and the critical “DOs and DON’Ts” of installation to ensure a long-lasting result.

Designing for the Ears: Sound-Absorbing Boards

Sound management is essential for a comfortable living space, whether you are trying to block out street noise, quiet the footsteps from the floor above, or reduce echoes in a room. Sound-absorbing boards are designed specifically to handle these issues.

• To function properly, sound-absorbing ceiling boards require an air layer to be installed behind them.
• Rock wool sound-absorbing boards are made by melting materials like basalt or steel slag and forming them into a highly porous structure.
• Because they contain so much air, rock wool boards are exceptionally lightweight.
• A newer, innovative option is the high-porosity aluminum sound-absorbing board, which is made from sintered aluminum powder.
• These aluminum boards are non-combustible and are highly effective in places where sound echoes intensely, like subways and pools, but they are also great for residential use.

Heavy-Duty Alternatives: Cement and Specialty Boards

When you need something tougher than gypsum, the industry offers several robust alternatives with unique properties.

• Flexible Boards: These are a type of reinforced cement board that is formed under high pressure. They have excellent impact and weather resistance, making them suitable for exteriors, and they are remarkably flexible enough to be used as a base for 2D curved surfaces.
• Calcium Silicate Boards: Often abbreviated as “keikal boards,” these non-combustible interior base boards are cured using high-temperature, high-pressure steam. They are lightweight, easy to process, and feature excellent dimensional stability.
• Wood Wool Cement Boards: These unique boards are created by mixing ribbon-like wood shavings with cement, compressing them, and drying them. They offer excellent heat insulation and sound absorption.
• Volcanic Glass Multi-Layer Boards: These boards utilize “shirasu” (a volcanic deposit) reinforced with rock wool. They are lightweight, non-combustible, and offer great earthquake resistance for both interior and exterior wall bases.

For a quick visual reference on how sound-absorbing boards work and the key features of these heavy-duty alternatives, check out the guide below.