You can install tongue-and-groove partitions yourself, because this does not require special skills or knowledge. The material is very easy to use, does not require careful surface preparation, installation lasts a matter of hours. Gypsum boards, from which partitions are built, have a number of advantages, and therefore are increasingly used in private construction.
Properties and characteristics
Often used tongue-and-groove slabs: what it is? This material is a monolithic rectangular gypsum slab with an admixture various additives. Features of the slabs are longitudinal grooves and protrusions (ridges) at the joints, providing additional strength to the finished structure. The elements are connected using glue.
Properties of tongue-and-groove slabs:
- the material is non-toxic;
- high resistance to temperature fluctuations;
- have no odor;
- resistant to rot and insect activity;
- have high sound absorption;
- vapor permeable;
- easy to process with carpentry tools.
For rooms where humidity is high, moisture-resistant GGPs are produced, which differ from ordinary ones in a light green color. During their production, hydrophobic additives are added to natural gypsum, which are absolutely harmless to humans.
Main technical characteristics:
- standard size - 667x500x80 mm;
- weight of a hollow slab - 22 kg, solid - 28 kg;
- density - 1030 kg/m³;
- compressive strength - 5.0 MPa;
- bending strength - 2.4 MPa;
- high fire resistance.
Advantages of tongue-and-groove partitions
Partitions from PGP are assembled according to the principle of a designer, so one person can install about 30 m² in a day. Even if you have no experience, understanding the process will not be difficult; just read the instructions and look at the photos. The main thing is to correctly mark the partition. The advantages of the material are:
- when installing partitions made of tongue-and-groove slabs, there are no wet processes; wallpapering can be carried out immediately after installation work;
- with a small thickness, the partitions are distinguished by good strength and thermal insulation;
- due to the absence of voids in the connecting seams and gaps at the junction with the main wall, sound insulation in the room is improved;
- the pliability of GGP joints eliminates the appearance of cracks and deformations;
- The material can not only be wallpapered, but also painted, tiled, and covered with decorative plaster.
Partition installation technology
For 1 m² of a single partition, 5.5 slabs and 1.5 kg of special glue are required. Before starting work, the material must be brought into the room and left for at least 4 hours. The temperature inside the room should not be lower than +5° C.
Additionally you will need:
- cork gasket;
- building level;
- marker and tape measure;
- container for glue and water;
- drill with attachment;
- trowel;
- rubber hammer;
- staples made of galvanized steel;
- self-tapping screws and anchor dowels.
Work begins by cleaning the surface at the junction of the structure. Wallpaper and peeling trim must be removed and large uneven areas smoothed out. cement mortar or putty. If the wall is smooth, the paint (plaster) adheres firmly, it is enough to remove dirt and dust. The floor is prepared in the same way. Next, markings are made on the floor for the partition, and the locations of the openings are marked. Using a level, the marking line is transferred to the ceiling and walls.
Prepare the glue: pour water into a container, add the dry solution, mix with a nozzle and let it sit for 3 minutes. Mixing proportions are indicated on the packaging. They may differ from one manufacturer to another, so you should read the instructions carefully. Apply a strip of glue according to the markings and apply a cork lining. As soon as the glue sets, you can install the first row of slabs.
A layer of glue is applied to the lining, after which the ridge on the long side of the first slab is cut off and installed with this side down. Level the PGP, coat the side cut with glue and install the second slab. Each fragment must be checked with a level, corrected with a rubber hammer. For the second row, the first slab is sawn in half to offset the vertical joints. For connecting partitions made of tongue-and-groove slabs with load-bearing wall At the junction points, staples are installed. One end of the bracket is fastened with self-tapping screws to the slab, placing it in a horizontal groove, the second is fixed with anchor dowels to the wall. The step of such fastenings is through 2 plates.
When making openings there are also some nuances. If there is only one row of slabs above the opening, and the width is no more than 80 cm, it is enough to place a temporary support until the glue dries. For larger widths, be sure to install a jumper: wooden beam or a metal channel of the appropriate section.
The upper edge of the last row of PGP is sawn at an angle to avoid the formation of voids when filling the seams.
The distance from the edge of the slab to the ceiling should be 1-3 cm. After installing the last element, the gap between the partition and the ceiling is sealed with gypsum mixture or filled assembly adhesive. At this point, the installation of partitions made of tongue-and-groove slabs is considered complete. The fastening of shelves, cabinets, mirrors and other objects to such walls must be carried out taking into account the load exerted. Up to 30 kg/cm, fastening is carried out using anchor plastic dowels; at higher values, galvanized bolts are used, passing through the entire thickness of the slab.
Conclusion on the topic
When remodeling an apartment, partitions made from PGP are the most profitable solution. In addition to zoning the space, they create additional sound and heat insulation, which allows you to save on materials. But the main advantage is still considered ease of installation, because the services of specialists are very expensive. If you follow the instructions exactly, carry out each step efficiently and carefully, the partition will turn out no worse than professional builders.
Installation of tongue-and-groove slabs is carried out using a technology that has recently been used more and more often by professional builders and home craftsmen. These products have low weight, reliable locking connections and convenient sizes. All this allows you to install them without special effort, carrying out the redevelopment of premises as required by personal preferences.
Types and features of tongue-and-groove products
Before you begin installing tongue-and-groove slabs, you need to understand what types of these products are on the market today. They are silicate and gypsum, the latter are made from the material of the same name, to which a plasticizing admixture is added. For the production of silicate sand, lump and quartz sand are used, which are pressed and kept in an autoclave.
Which slabs to choose
If you want to give your walls heat-insulating qualities, it is better to prefer gypsum boards; they do not allow sound to pass through. However, silicate ones are able to withstand higher mechanical loads and also absorb less moisture. Tongue-and-groove slabs, which can be easily installed with your own hands, are environmentally friendly, so they can be used for furnishing residential premises. The materials are not flammable, do not rot, do not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere and are not deformed. On sale you can find solid ones that can reduce the weight of masonry by 25%. If we talk about the dimensions of the gypsum boards, they are 500 x 667 x 80 mm. But silicate ones are more compact: 250 x 500 x 70 mm. Once you have dealt with all the supporting structures, you can begin laying tongue-and-groove products, but this must be done before laying the finishing coating on the floor and carrying out finishing work.
Preparation of tools and materials
Installation of tongue-and-groove slabs is carried out after preparing a certain set of tools and materials. These products can be installed in the center of the room, as well as against a wall that goes outside the building or into a cold room. By forming double partitions, you can hide wiring, other systems and communications.
To divide a room into separate zones, you can use partitions, the height of which starts from 80 cm. For installation you will need:
- building level;
- adhesive composition;
- anchor dowels;
- gypsum mortar;
- putty knife;
- screwdriver;
- cement-sand mortar;
- Staples;
- felt seal;
- primer;
- hacksaw;
- rubber mallet.
Preparing the site
Installation of tongue-and-groove slabs begins with site preparation. To do this, you should check the evenness of the walls and floor where the products will fit. If there are defects such as sagging, then they should be removed by grinding. The walls and floor should also be freed from cracks and depressions, filling the errors with a cement-sand mixture.
As soon as the bases are dry, they should be coated with a primer. If you decide to install a partition during the process of ongoing repairs, then the contact lines should be marked on the floor and walls. After finishing coat cut along the markings so that the base can be seen. For paint, wallpaper, decorative plaster You cannot install slabs; this applies to laminate, parquet and linoleum. If the surfaces have decorative coating in the form of ceramic tiles, it does not need to be removed, but the surface is first checked for strength.
The tongue-and-groove slab must be installed correctly; to do this, a cord should be pulled between the walls over the entire area, moving it 30 cm from the floor surface. This will allow you to control the vertical placement of the products. Along the contact line it is necessary to stick a sealant, the width of which must correspond to the thickness of the slab. In the role of this material You can use bitumen-impregnated felt or a cork backing.
Working on the first row
Installation of a tongue-and-groove slab cannot be called difficult work, however, it is necessary to approach this issue extremely carefully. To install the starting row of slabs, it is necessary to cut off the lower ridges using a hacksaw. Glue is applied to the seal, which must be on a vertical and horizontal surface. The first slab is installed on the side where it will adjoin the wall. The perforated bracket is inserted into the groove. The bracket should protrude a few centimeters above the slab. It is fixed to the wall with self-tapping screws, or this is true when you are working on a concrete base.
The slab should be facing upward with the groove, it is leveled and pressed to the base, tapping with a mallet. In the place where the second slab will adjoin, it is necessary to install a piece of bracket and secure it with dowels to the floor. If it turns out that this product is installed unevenly, then the rest will repeat the angle of inclination. In this situation, it will not be possible to level the masonry; the interlocking connections will interfere. This explains the need to level the first slab of the bottom row. The composition is applied to the side grooves and ridges so that the seams between the plates are not thicker than 2 mm. Excess mixture should be removed with a spatula, checking the masonry with a building level. A bracket is installed in the lower part and fixed to the floor with anchor dowels. Each subsequent product must be installed after setting adhesive composition on the previous one.
Installation of the following rows
Installation of walls made of tongue-and-groove slabs involves displacement of the seams in the second and subsequent rows. To ensure this condition, the slab must be cut in half. At the end and beginning of the row, staples should be fixed on the cuts. This must be done in the place where the sections adjoin the wall. The glue should be more liquid; it should be applied to the bottom and side grooves of each product. It is important at this stage to check the vertical and horizontal of the masonry. The next row is installed only after the glue has set in the second row.
Formation of the last row
Usually not accompanied by difficulties. However, it is important to pay special attention to the entire process. For example, the top row should not be adjacent to the ceiling. Approximately 1.5 cm should be left between the plates and the horizontal surface. To do this, staples are installed in the upper grooves of the final row using glue and screwed to the ceiling with dowels. After installation is complete, the gap can be filled with foam, the excess of which is cut off after hardening.
Features of installation of Knauf brand slabs
Knauf tongue-and-groove slabs, the installation of which requires compliance with certain nuances, can be installed by a home craftsman independently. For example, when preparing, it is important to ensure that the subfloor where work will be carried out is stationary, level and stable. If there are unevennesses that exceed more than 10 mm, then it is necessary to form a leveling layer; this can only be done under the partition.
Before starting manipulations, the surface is cleaned of dirt and construction debris, as well as oil stains. To prepare the mixture, pour the dry composition into a clean plastic container with water. The liquid should be at room temperature. The composition is mixed using a drill with an attachment or an electric mixer. The solution is left for a few minutes and then mixed again. It is recommended to cook it in portions, one of which you can finish in the next half hour.
Such a tongue-and-groove gypsum board, which is often installed independently, can be installed in one of two ways. The first involves the use of glue, which is applied to a concrete base. This method allows you to obtain a rigid mount. The composition is applied to the floor and walls in an even layer, and the average consumption for an 80 mm slab will be approximately 2 kg per square meter. If the thickness of the partition increases to 100 mm, then the glue consumption will be equal to 2.5 kg.
The second method involves fastening to walls, ceilings and floors through an elastic cork gasket. This method allows for higher sound insulation, especially for impact noise such as door slams and knocking. Such products are laid with the ridge or groove up. It is more practical to install it on top with a groove, since in this case it is more convenient to lay the glue than to try to spread it on the ridge. If the ridge is located on top, then it should be removed using a hacksaw with large teeth. Sometimes elements are removed using a roughing plane until a smooth surface is achieved.
Features of installation of tongue-and-groove slabs of the Volma brand
The Volma tongue-and-groove slab, which is installed using the same technology as described above, is a product with a total area of 0.33 m2. The plate is made from hydrophobic and plasticizing additives, which are complemented by lithium technology during the manufacturing process. The products are intended for the formation of partitions in rooms and buildings for various purposes with a normal and dry microclimate.
You can control the resulting plane by applying a rule or a regular strip to the wall at different angles. If necessary, the plane can be adjusted until the glue sets. It is important to ensure that the slabs are glued together at four ends. Any excess compound that appears must be rubbed down with a spatula before sealing the seam. You should not begin laying the second row until you have measured the remaining gap for which the section is being prepared. The additional element will become the beginning of a new row. This will allow the vertical seams to spread apart.
You will be able to install tongue-and-groove slabs with your own hands; the tips presented in the article will help you with this. From them you can learn that the slabs must be laid down from the sides and from above; they must be used for this only so as not to damage the blocks. This rule should not be neglected, since otherwise it will not be possible to achieve a tight connection between the tongue and groove.
Adhesive for tongue-and-groove slabs "Fugen"
If you decide to purchase glue for installing tongue-and-groove slabs, then you can pay attention to the “Fugen” mixture, which is offered by the Knauf company. It should take approximately 1.5 kg per square meter. If joints between sheets of drywall are sealed, the consumption will be 0.25 kg. This mixture is a dry composition, which is made on the basis of gypsum and polymer additives.
The solution is intended for sealing seams and cracks. To prepare the dry mixture, pour it into a container with cold water. For 1.9 liters of water you will need 2.5 kg of composition. After evenly distributing the dry mixture, it is necessary to hold it for 3 minutes and mix until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Its consistency should resemble thick sour cream.
Conclusion
If, when laying a partition, you plan to make a window or doorway, then you need to think about the technology for attaching the slabs above it. If the opening has a width not exceeding 80 cm, then the product can be installed on a box or temporary support. This is true provided that there is one row of blocks per opening. If the width is greater than the specified value or there are several rows, then it is necessary to form a strong jumper.
Of course, interior partitions can be built the old fashioned way - from brick or thick blocks. Drywall looks more attractive in terms of construction speed, but the material does not have sufficient strength and sound insulation.
Therefore, a tongue-and-groove slab remains a popular option, which has long been successfully used in residential and commercial construction.
What are tongue-and-groove slabs made of and what are they?
If we talk about PGP as specialized wall materials, then two varieties are distinguished.
1. Gypsum GGP boards
It’s worth clarifying right away that the tongue-and-groove slab fully complies with the requirements environmental safety. The main component in production is cement and gypsum of grades G-4 and G-5, which are classified as environmentally friendly. The composition contains additives that increase strength and moisture resistance.
Physical and technical characteristics of gypsum material
The technical characteristics of the PGP may differ depending on the raw materials used and the structure of the finished partition block (hollow and solid).
However, when purchasing, you can be guided by the following parameters:
| Index | Unit change | Plates according to specifications | |
| Ordinary TU5742-007-16415648-98 | Hydrophobized (moisture resistant) TU5742-014-03984362-96 | ||
| Density, no more | kg/m³ | 1250 1100||
| Water absorption no more | % | 26-32 | 5 |
| Slab weight | kg | 24 | 29 |
| Compressive strength | MPa | 5,0 | |
| Bending strength | MPa | 2,4 | |
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, λ A Thermal conductivity coefficient, λ B |
W/m °C | 0,29 . 0,35 . |
|
| Specific effective activity of radionuclides, no more | Bq/kg | 370 | |
| Noise insulation | dB | 43 | |
| Flammability | group | NG | |
Moisture-resistant gypsum boards
Conventional tongue-and-groove slabs are used for the construction of partitions or wall cladding in dry or normal humidity levels. For wet rooms, specialized moisture-resistant boards are required, which are easily distinguished by their characteristic green color.
This point must be taken into account when purchasing material. If you place a regular gypsum plasterboard in a humid environment, the partition will “crawl” after some time.
Dimensions of gypsum slabs
Permissible deviations from nominal dimensions: length ±3mm; width ±2mm; thickness ±1mm.
Whole slabs per 1 m3 - 37 pcs.
How many on a pallet - 32 pcs.
Weight of gypsum boards
Thanks to the standard size, the weight of tongue-and-groove slabs is also reduced to uniform values. In particular:
Standard and moisture-resistant solid slabs weigh 24 and 29 kilograms, respectively.
The lightweight version (hollow) weighs 22 kilograms.
Thanks to these parameters, installation can easily be carried out by one person.
2. Silicate tongue-and-groove slabs
Due to the presence of major players in the market and available raw materials, this type of wall boards is cheaper than gypsum boards ( benefit - more than 100 rubles per 1 m2). Can be used in rooms with high humidity, and the excellent geometry allows you to do without plaster.
The slabs, similar to sand-lime bricks, are made from quartz sand and quicklime using the pressing method. Such boards have a higher density than gypsum boards, which, on the one hand, gives an increased thermal conductivity coefficient, and on the other, increased strength.
Technical characteristics of silicate partition slabs
Density – from 1225 to 1870 kg/mᶟ (depending on voidness).
Strength – M 150.
Thermal conductivity coefficient is about 0.045 W/(m*C).
Airborne noise insulation index – from 47 to 52 dB.
Dimensions and weight of silicate PGP
These slabs have excellent geometry, but dimensions samples manufactured by different companies may differ slightly (see table below). The dimensions of the slab are slightly smaller than those of gypsum.
Material with a thickness of 115 mm, manufacturers suggest using it as inter-apartment.
Quantity on pallet 54 pcs.
Glue consumption ~ 50 kg per 1 pallet
Types of construction PGP: solid and hollow (porous)
Both gypsum and silicate slabs are filled in two types: solid and porous (hollow). A conventional slab is made in the shape of a solid parallelepiped and is more durable. Porous due to voids has better sound insulation with less weight.
Tongue-and-groove slabs deserve high marks from professional builders and are enjoying steadily growing popularity. However, ideal building materials can not be. Therefore, we will consider the main advantages and disadvantages of wall slabs.
Pros and cons of slabs for the construction of partitions
Advantages:
Relatively small thickness and weight.
High safety margin of the material and reliable plate fastening system.
Fire safety.
Immunity to any microflora: mold and mildew. The opinion that they can appear inside hollow slabs has not yet been confirmed.
Easy to process: the slabs can be cut with a regular hacksaw.
High installation speed: PGPs are joined using the tongue-and-groove principle (construction time is 20% higher than brickwork).
Minimum seam thickness (only 2mm).
Economic benefit compared to other materials.
Flaws:
Not suitable for the construction of supporting wall structures.
Relatively low sound insulation.
When there are differences concrete base 3mm or more requires a leveling layer.
Subsidence of the base plate and/or walls can lead to the collapse of the entire partition - the structure must be insulated with a special elastic (damper) tape.
As can be seen from comparative analysis, GGP - the material has its own specifics that must be taken into account during installation.
How to glue, plaster, prime and paint so that everything doesn’t fall off
Which glue to choose for reliable installation
This type of material requires a special glue, which will not only simplify the work, but also ensure the reliability of the structure. There are several proven brands of adhesive compositions on the market that are suitable for the construction of partitions from PGP. In particular, slabs can be glued:
BOLARS Gypsum contact
Volma-montage
KNAUF FUGEN (Knauf Fugenfueller)
Average glue consumption
There are no clear standards here, but it is better to adhere to the proportion of 1.5 kg/m2 or, as mentioned above, ~ 50 kg per 1 pallet.
How to plaster a finished wall
Another undeniable advantage of PGP is the absence of the need to plaster the walls. The slabs have a smooth structure, so with carefully sealed joints it is possible to carry out finishing straight to the base. If there is a need to plaster the walls, and this only happens if chips have appeared due to careless installation, then the usual cement-sand mortar will not be suitable here. It is better to use gypsum-based plaster, rotband, concrete contact or finishing layer.
How to prime the surface
The surface is primed to increase adhesion. For these purposes, you can use a regular primer, which is applicable for gas silicate blocks and similar materials. The author of the article used Tiefgrund acrylic primer to treat a plaster wall before wallpapering with excellent results.
Painting walls
PGP can be painted with water-based, oil-based, polyurethane, resin, and epoxy paints containing polymers. Lime-based and paints liquid glass cannot be used.Time-tested manufacturers
Tongue and tongue slabs are presented on the market in a fairly wide range. Therefore, we provide a list of trusted manufacturers whose products you can trust.
KNAUF. A German company that specializes in the production of dry mixes and building materials. The tongue-and-groove slabs from this manufacturer are distinguished by their absolute geometry, which makes installation more comfortable. The thickness of the products varies between 80-100 mm. It is worth noting that this is the highest quality and most expensive product on the market.
Volma. Volgograd enterprise, whose products account for more than 40% of domestic construction market. The manufacturer produces standard and waterproof tongue-and-groove slabs, 80 mm thick. In essence, this is an excellent alternative to the previous manufacturer, which attracts buyers affordable price and high quality.
Magma LLC. This is a relatively young manufacturer that announced its existence in 2012. The company uses proven technologies and modern equipment to produce PGP. The key advantage of this company’s products is the production of its own glue, which usually comes complete with the slabs.
JSC "Gipsopolymer". A Russian enterprise that produces dry building mixtures since 1953. Using the accumulated experience, the company produces high-quality tongue-and-groove slabs that confidently compete with Western analogues.
GIFAS. This trademark Sverdlovsk plant of gypsum products. The company has been operating since 1959, today it produces hollow and solid tongue-and-groove slabs with a thickness of 80 mm.
The products of these enterprises fully comply with international quality standards and Russian GOST standards.
Installation rules
The installation of interior partitions from tongue-and-groove slabs begins after the construction of load-bearing structures. The work is performed in the following order:
The base is leveled and cleared of construction debris.
The first row of slabs is laid, with preliminary application of an adhesive composition into the joint groove. The recommended seam thickness is no more than 2 mm.
Subsequent rows can be fixed to the walls with dowel nails or staples.
The remaining gap between the wall and ceiling must be filled polyurethane foam or use a special elastic band.
After the partition is erected, grooves are made in it for wiring, sockets and switches, putty is applied and finishing is performed.
How to cut material
Bulgarian. It will cope with the task, but it will be very noisy, dusty and unsafe. Be sure to take a couple of minutes to study the article about this wayward tool.
Special hacksaw. If you don’t mind the tool, then you can use a regular one, but it is better to purchase a special high-hardness saw with a self-sharpening tooth.
Electrobrick. If you don’t have anything else at hand, it will do, but it requires skill. Even with a good blade, the cut noticeably “walks.”
We hope that the article was useful to you. Always Glade feedback through the contacts indicated on the "About the site" page. Good luck on the construction site!
Tongue-and-groove slabs are rectangular gypsum parallelepipeds intended for the installation of internal load-bearing partitions in rooms with varying degrees of humidity. There are hollow and solid versions of their execution.
KNAUF tongue-and-groove slabs
One of the most famous manufacturers gypsum board is produced by the German concern KNAUF. The brand's products are available in three sizes: 667x500x80, 667x500x100 and 900x300x80.
Material of tongue-and-groove slabs
The basis for the production of KNAUF tongue-and-groove slabs is gypsum binder of two grades: G-4 or G-5. The material does not support combustion and does not contain toxic components, which allows its use in hospitals and kindergartens. He doesn't spend electricity and is resistant to sudden changes in temperature. A high degree of vapor permeability is characteristic of all gypsum products. The material lends itself perfectly machining and has no specific odor.
installation of partitions from tongue-and-groove slabs. Photo
Technical description of KNAUF boards
The KNAUF tongue-and-groove plate has the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, the design of which provides for a special high-precision tongue-and-groove connection. The finished product has the following technical characteristics for all sizes:
Installation of partitions using KNAUF slabs
Do-it-yourself partition made of tongue-and-groove slabs. Video instruction
Partitions made from KNAUF tongue-and-groove slabs are constructed using the designer method, by precisely connecting a groove on the supporting side and a tongue on the joining side, with gluing of the joining surfaces. The adhesive mixture can be used as glue for gluing drywall " Pearlfix", produced by the KNAUF concern. Installation of tongue-and-groove slabs is carried out with precise adherence to rows in vertical as well as horizontal planes.
Work on the construction of partitions should be carried out after the completion of the production of load-bearing elements of the room, but before laying the finishing floors. This period coincides with finishing works indoors, mainly during the cold season. Temperature indoors should not be below +5 °C. Humidity should correspond to dry or normal conditions. Before use, the slabs must undergo acclimatization, that is, adapt to indoor conditions. To do this, they must lie inside for at least 4 hours.
The permissible length of the partition is 6 m, and the height is 3.6 m. If it is necessary to erect a longer or higher partition, it is made up of separate fragments, each of which has a separate attachment to load-bearing structures using a special frame.
Volma tongue-and-groove slabs (solid)
Volma solid slabs have the shape of rectangular parallelepipeds with a tongue-and-groove system, manufactured using injection molding technology. The main purpose is the construction internal partitions in rooms with three types of humidity according to SNiP II-3-79. Moisture-resistant boards contain hydrophobic additives and special plasticizers. The moisture-resistant version has a characteristic green color.
The material of the stove does not support combustion and does not contain substances harmful to the human body. They have high sound insulation and do not have a specific odor. 
installation of walls made of Volma tongue-and-groove slabs. Photo
Technical characteristics of Volma slabs
The surface of the slab and geometric accuracy design excludes plastering work when decorating a room. The solid slab is produced in one standard size - 667x500x80. The weight of one plate is 28 kg.
Volma tongue-and-groove slabs (hollow)
For the construction of partitions that require reducing the load on the base of the floor, Volma hollow plasterboards are provided. Their main application is the installation of interior structures in modern panel houses. This is due to the maximum load that the floor slabs can withstand. Like their solid counterparts, the slabs can be standard and moisture-resistant. The standard size remains the same: 667X500X80 mm. Often a hollow slab is used for cladding the outside of a room. The weight of a standard hollow slab is 20 kg, moisture resistant - 22 kg. The material properties of hollow slabs are similar to their solid counterparts. 
Installation of partitions from Volma slabs
Installation of a partition made of Volma tongue-and-groove slabs is carried out by precise alignment of grooves and ridges on parallelepipeds, followed by gluing them. Any adhesive for gluing drywall, including that recommended by the manufacturer, can be used as an adhesive mixture for Volma tongue-and-groove slabs. Volma-montage" Installation of the partition structure is carried out in the following order:
Partition made of Volma tongue-and-groove slabs. Video instruction
Electrical installation in tongue-and-groove slabs
Electrical wiring in tongue-and-groove slabs is carried out by laying wires in pre-made grooves. The depth of laying the grooves has a limitation: it should not exceed 40 mm for a slab thickness of 80 mm, and 50 mm for a slab width of 100 mm. The wires are secured using alabaster or drywall glue. The landing sockets for undercutters should also not exceed the specified depth. Their arrangement is possible in a mirror image on both sides of the partition in through hole. But in this way the noise-absorbing properties of the structure are lost. For additional insulation of electrical wiring in tongue-and-groove slabs, corrugated tubes are used.
technology for installing tongue-and-groove slabs. Photo
Finishing walls from tongue-and-groove slabs
Like any other building surface, partitions made from tongue-and-groove slabs require all types of construction and finishing work. The advantage of such a partition is the absence of additional putty manipulations preceding decorative work. The finishing of a tongue-and-groove partition includes: painting the surface, laying ceramic tiles and natural stone and wallpapering.
Laying ceramic tiles on tongue-and-groove walls
The process of laying ceramic tiles on plasterboard is similar to gluing tiles to drywall:
Due to the moisture-absorbing properties of gypsum, the finished surface should not be disturbed for three days.
Wallpapering walls made of tongue-and-groove slabs
Before gluing the wallpaper to the tongue-and-groove partition, you should make small finishing Painting works . This could be the application of a thin layer of ready-made plaster, for example, “ Rotband" Or covering the surface with a layer of finishing fine-grained putty. Before applying putty, the surface is treated with a primer deep penetration. After the putty has dried, the surface is ready for wallpapering. It is not necessary to treat the base with soil. Gluing wallpaper to partitions made of tongue-and-groove slabs is carried out according to the standard procedure, with glue applied both to the wallpaper and to the base of the surface being glued.
Painting walls made of tongue-and-groove slabs
The tongue-and-groove slab is also painted after finishing the surface. fine-grained putty. After the finishing layer has dried, it is carefully rubbed with a fine sanding mesh under the light of a construction lamp. This is necessary to avoid irregularities and roughness invisible to the eye. The surface to be painted should be treated with a primer and given time to dry. After this, you can apply one or more layers of paint as needed.
Before any type of finishing of the tongue-and-groove partition, it must be thoroughly cleaned and treated with a primer.
Do-it-yourself installation of tongue-and-groove slabs. Video
The appearance of this material was caused by the need to reduce the labor intensity and cost of masonry.
Judge for yourself - one tongue-and-groove gypsum slab 66.7 cm long and 50 cm high replaces 14 one and a half sand-lime bricks or 20 pieces of single red ones (250x120x65mm).
For a silicate tongue-and-groove slab, these figures are more modest (5 and 7 bricks, respectively), but also quite acceptable for speeding up and reducing the cost of work.
Partitions made of tongue-and-groove slabs (GGP) are intended for installation in residential and public buildings with a ceiling height of no more than 4.2 m.
Since such slabs have a large lateral surface and small width (from 8 to 10 cm), then to increase the stability of the masonry, a tongue-and-groove joint is made on the side faces. Given constructive solution at the same time it increases the evenness of the partition, since the slab fits precisely on the longitudinal seam and is securely connected to the adjacent one.
Gypsum tongue-and-groove slabs
They are made using casting technology from gypsum grades G-4 or G-5.
Construction gypsum is an environmentally friendly and breathable material. Therefore, partitions made from it comply with strict sanitary and hygienic standards regulating quality finishing materials. To improve performance and strength characteristics, plasticizing additives are added to gypsum.
Modern gypsum tongue-and-groove boards, depending on the degree of moisture absorption, are divided into ordinary and moisture-resistant. To reduce water absorption, granulated blast furnace slag and Portland cement are added to the feedstock. In order to distinguish such slabs from ordinary ones, they are painted green.
Standard gypsum partition blocks can only be used in buildings with dry and normal humidity levels, while moisture-resistant (hydrophobic) ones can also be installed in wet areas(according to the requirements of SNiP II-3-79)
Table No. 1 Main technical characteristics of tongue-and-groove gypsum slabs
In terms of thermal insulation, a tongue-and-groove gypsum slab with a thickness of 80 mm is equivalent concrete wall 400 mm thick. Its noise insulation coefficient ranges from 34 to 40 dB, which is a good indicator for partition structures.
The fire resistance of solid gypsum blocks is very high. They are able to withstand direct exposure to fire for 3 hours (temperature about +1100 C) without loss of load-bearing capacity.
To reduce the weight of masonry, hollow gypsum boards are produced standard size 667x500x80 mm. Their weight is almost 25% less than that of full-bodied ones (22-24 versus 30-32 kg).
In addition, there is a gradation of gypsum boards depending on the shape of the tongue and groove (rectangular and trapezoidal). However, this parameter does not have a significant impact on the quality and strength of the partitions.
Silicate tongue-and-groove slabs
The technology for manufacturing silicate slabs consists of preparing a mixture of quartz sand, water and quicklime, which is then pressed and placed in an autoclave chamber. There under the influence high temperature and pressure, a strong lime-sand conglomerate is formed.
Silicate tongue-and-groove blocks for partitions have a higher mechanical strength compared to gypsum and a lower level of water absorption. Therefore, they can be used without restrictions for the construction of self-supporting structures interior walls and for the construction of partitions in wet rooms.
The weight of this silicate block is 15.6 kg with a density of 1870 kg/m3. Gypsum boards have a lower density - 1570 kg/m3, which has a positive effect on the quality of heat and sound insulation.
Table No. 2 Main technical characteristics of silicate tongue-and-groove slabs
Silicate slabs resist fire no worse than gypsum slabs. They do not emit toxic gases and do not conduct electricity. In addition, the tongue-and-groove lock dampens sound well.
The gas permeability (breathability) of the silicate partition block is at high level and provides a comfortable indoor microclimate. This material, even with significant fluctuations in humidity, does not deform or rot.
Manufacturers and prices
Tongue-and-groove blocks produced under the Knauf and Volma brands are in high demand today. The reasons for this are the predictability of their strength characteristics and high accuracy geometry. This allows you to reduce the cost and labor intensity of finishing work.
Such structures do not need to be plastered, but, having been primed, they can be immediately covered with wallpaper or painted.
Today on the building materials market you can find offers for the sale of tongue-and-groove slabs for an average of 200 rubles per piece.
Installation features
The laying of partitions from tongue-and-groove blocks is carried out after the installation of load-bearing and enclosing structures of buildings is completed, before the installation of a clean floor and finishing work begins.
When redeveloping or reconstructing residential and civil facilities, tongue-and-groove partitions can be erected not only as single ones, but also as double ones. The last option is used in cases where hidden installation is required utility networks or insulate a partition, one side of which opens into a cold room.
On-site installation of tongue-and-groove slabs is reduced to joining at the seams, with periodic monitoring of the verticality and horizontality of each row. When assembling interior partitions, the slabs are placed both with the groove down and up. The standards recommend laying them with the groove up, since in this case the mounting glue mixture evenly distributed in the tongue-and-groove space.
As an adhesive base for installation, you can use standard aerated concrete adhesive or Fugenfüller putty.
Installation sequence
The base under the partition is leveled cement-sand mortar, after which the first row of partition slabs is placed on it level. Before joining, the groove and tongue surfaces of each slab are covered with an adhesive solution so that the thickness of the seam at the joints does not exceed 1-2 mm.
Installation is carried out with dressing of the joining seams. To create an elastic connection to enclosing and load-bearing structures, tongue-and-groove partitions are secured with special brackets.
The bracket is installed in the groove of the slab and fixed with a self-tapping screw to the floor panel or with an anchor dowel to the enclosing structure.
In addition, in such connections, standards recommend the use of gaskets made of cork or bituminized felt, installing them along the entire perimeter of the external joint.
If the width of the doorway does not exceed 80 cm and only one row of tongue-and-groove slabs will be installed above it, then the standards allow not to use a lintel. Her role is played by door frame or a supporting structure, which is removed after gaining strength with an adhesive solution (Fig. 1)
Picture 1
For larger opening widths installation of a steel or wooden lintel beam above it is mandatory (see Fig. 2)
All areas of contact between partitions and load-bearing walls and the ceilings are sealed with gypsum mortar.
