Or either tongue-and-groove. Tongue-and-groove slabs

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 silicate bricks or 20 single red bricks (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 a small width (from 8 to 10 cm), to increase the stability of the masonry, a tongue-and-groove joint is made on their 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 in green color.

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 №1 Basic specifications 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 good indicator for partition structures.

The fire resistance of solid gypsum blocks is very high. They can withstand for 3 hours direct impact fire (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 of interior walls and for the construction of partitions in wet rooms.

The weight of such a 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 a high level and provides a comfortable microclimate in the room. 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 geometry accuracy. 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 single, but also double. The latter option is used in cases where it is necessary to carry out hidden installation of utility networks or to 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 the 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 contact areas between partitions and load-bearing walls and ceilings are sealed with gypsum mortar.

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

Tongue-and-groove slabs are often used: what is it? This material is a monolithic rectangular gypsum slab mixed with various additives. Features of the slabs are longitudinal grooves and protrusions (ridges) at the joints, providing additional strength finished design. 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 PGPs 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 junctions 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 finishes must be removed, large unevenness must be smoothed out with 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. These may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, 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 with mounting 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 performed using anchor plastic dowels, with more high values use galvanized bolts 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 stage efficiently and carefully, the partition will turn out no worse than that of professional builders.

Related posts:

What they don’t offer us today construction markets, including for the construction internal partitions, and yet quite recently the consumer had to choose only between plasterboard and brick. Fortunately, technology has come a long way since those times and has given us tongue-and-groove slabs that can make the “life” of any builder much easier. But first things first.

What are tongue-and-groove slabs?

Tongue-and-groove slabs are a building material with a groove and a tongue (hence the consonant name), as well as a smooth, flat surface, which does not require additional plastering.

The features of these plates include:

• ease of installation;
• low cost;
• almost ideal geometry;
• high strength;
• there is no need for additional plastering of the surface built with their help.

Dimensions, types and main technical characteristics.

Today, tongue-and-groove slabs (TGP) can be purchased in only one standard size: 667×500×80 mm. However, this does not mean that all such slabs have identical technical characteristics, because there are PGPs: solid and hollow, moisture-resistant and standard. Let's look at what is common and different between them.

1. quantity in pallet, sq. m. and cubic. m. - 32, 3 and 37.5 pieces, respectively;
2. density – no more than 1350 kg/cubic. m.;
3. compressive and bending strength – 50 kgf/sq. cm and 24 kg/sq. cm respectively.

Various:

1. the weight of one slab - for solid versions it is naturally greater - 28-30 kg versus 25-26 kg;

1. the degree of water absorption - for moisture-resistant options is no more than 5 percent, and for all others - 30-35 percent;
2. airborne noise insulation index is 2 dB lower for hollow slabs - 41 versus 43 dB.

In addition to all of the above, one cannot help but say that even the material itself for making tongue-and-groove slabs can be different...

Silicate GGPs are created from water, quicklime and quartz sand in special autoclave chambers under high pressure and temperature.

Their main features:

• high strength;
• moisture resistance;
• complete electrical insulation;
• gas permeability;
• resistance to rotting and deformation;
• fire resistance.

They are made from building gypsum and various additives, including blast furnace slag and Portland cement, which are known to have varying degrees moisture absorption. Their color will help you find out whether the gypsum gypsum plaster in front of you is moisture resistant; if it is green, it means the material is resistant to moisture.

The main features of gypsum tongue-and-groove slabs include excellent sound insulation and thermal insulation properties, as well as high fire resistance.

Scope of application of the GWP.

Tongue-and-groove slabs, according to manufacturers, are intended for the construction (assembly) of internal load-bearing walls and interior partitions. However, according to reviews from builders and people operating structures of this kind, it is better not to trust walls made of GGP with a large load, so the real scope of application of this building material is only the construction of interior partitions.

Advantages of tongue-and-groove slabs.

1. Small thickness.
2. Durability and reliability of the design.
3. Environmentally friendly.
4. High level of sound insulation.
5. Fire resistance.
6. Cost-effective: the construction of partitions from this building material is 10 percent cheaper than similar work with plasterboard and 15 percent cheaper than with brick.
7. Simplicity and speed of installation: the plates are fastened to each other using the tongue-and-groove principle.
8. There is no need for additional plastering; finishing can be done immediately.
9. Resistant to insects and rotting processes.
10. PGP is easy to process - they can be milled, sawed, planed and nailed.

Disadvantages of tongue-and-groove slabs.

1. Low strength and creep are characteristic only of gypsum PGP.
2. Tongue-and-groove slabs are good repeaters, so if you don’t hear noise (within 43 dB) coming from behind the wall built with their help, then all those sounds whose source will be located above or below you (in the rooms to which wall from the PGP is adjacent), will, on the contrary, reach you even faster, as if “flowing out” from inside the partition.
3. Insufficient strength for attaching heavy structures to such walls.
4. The internal partition erected with the help of PGP slabs may sway a little, the reason is that the fastening to the ceiling is not tight enough.
5. If any of the slabs subsides, the entire structure built from PSP may collapse.
6. Before installation, this building material must undergo acclimatization - lie for some time in the room (with a specific temperature and humidity) in which it will be used.

As you can see, tongue-and-groove slabs have quite a few nuances and disadvantages, so before using them, carefully weigh the pros and cons.

Video.

Hello, in this article we will tell you what tongue-and-groove slabs are and the pros and cons of this material. Redevelopment of housing is a troublesome task, especially if you need to move load-bearing walls. Fortunately, this is not always necessary; in many cases, you can get by with installing lightweight partitions. And for such situations there is a wonderful solution that will help save effort, time and even money.

Tongue-and-groove slabs: pros and cons

These are solid blocks rectangular shape made from gypsum, to which the necessary polymer and mineral additives are added. There is a groove on one side of each plate, and a ridge on the opposite side, which allows them to be tightly joined like parts in a construction set. During installation, a special adhesive is used to ensure high joint strength. The slabs are usually available in two versions: 80 and 100 mm thick.

Types of tongue-and-groove slabs

Tongue-and-groove slabs are divided into the following types:

These are monolithic and therefore heavier - weighing up to 30 kg - slabs. They are quite strong: two attachment points using dowels allow you to hang a load of 200 kg. Ideal for a private home: there are no voids in which rodents and insects like to settle.

Inside such plates, longitudinal holes are evenly spaced. They have less weight - the difference is up to 25% - so they are more profitable to transport and easier to install. Sound insulation indicators are approximately the same as for solid ones (according to some studies - a little better). You can place hanging cabinets and other heavy objects on them, but for this you will have to use special dowels - “butterflies”. They are especially good for interior partitions: the lighter the slabs, the weaker the load on the floors.

Both types of tongue-and-groove slabs can be not only ordinary, but also hydrophobized (moisture resistant). In this case, additives are included in the molding mixture that reduce water absorption: this option is best suited for rooms where the humidity level is high. Moisture-resistant boards are a little heavier, but during installation this is practically not noticeable; you can work with them in the same way as with ordinary ones. As a rule, the green color of the original mixture is used to mark hydrophobized slabs.

Tongue-and-groove slabs advantages

Tongue-and-groove slabs have so many positive qualities that a whole book could be written about them. Even if we list their main advantages, the list will be impressive:

• Safety. Plates made from gypsum mixture do not burn, do not conduct electricity, and are not subject to rotting. They do not contain toxic impurities, and their acidity level is the same as that of human skin, that is, they can be contacted without special protective equipment.
• Strength. Cracks almost never appear in them, they are resistant to changes in temperature and humidity and are not subject to deformation under their influence. This is true for ordinary slabs, and hydrophobized ones can be safely used even for remodeling a bathroom.
• Thermal insulation. Tongue-and-groove slabs have excellent performance in this regard. If you compare them, for example, with concrete ones, the difference will be impressive: a wall made of these slabs 8 cm thick corresponds in terms of thermal insulation to a concrete wall 40 cm thick.
• Soundproofing. The slabs are mounted to each other and to the floors so tightly that there are no voids in the connecting seams. This provides enough high level sound insulation: coefficient ranges from 41 to 43 dB. If necessary, you can install a double partition: this will not only increase the level of noise protection, but will also allow you to hide all engineering communications in the resulting gap.
• Easy to install. You don’t have to be a professional builder to assemble a partition from tongue-and-groove slabs: they are like construction kit parts that can easily be folded into a wall. Relatively easy, of course: after all, each slab weighs 20-30 kg. And no “wet” work is required: the glue dries quickly, and there is no need to plaster the smooth surface.
• Space saving. Such a partition, with comparable strength, is thinner than one built from bricks or concrete blocks. And the vacated area - up to 3% of the total for the entire room - useful application there will always be.
• Saving money. These slabs, per finished partition, are cheaper than other materials for similar purposes. For one small wall this may not yet be noticeable, but with a large-scale redevelopment the difference will be very sensitive to the wallet. So why not get the same good quality, but for a lower price?

How to install tongue-and-groove slabs

Working with high-quality material that is easy to install is a pleasure, so almost any construction and repair company will be willing to undertake the construction of structures from tongue-and-groove slabs. But even those who are accustomed to doing everything with their own hands are quite capable of such a task. There are a few useful tips, which are worth remembering, and then everything will definitely work out:

• Before installation, you need to keep the slabs in the room for at least a few hours, and in case of a significant temperature difference - for at least a day. You can work with this material at temperatures above +10 degrees.
• The surfaces with which the partition will come into contact must be leveled and cleaned of dirt. Before starting work, you need to apply markings to the floor and walls.
• The slabs are installed on a wide edge with the ridge down. In the bottom row, the ridge of the slabs is cut off; an ordinary hacksaw can handle this. The groove on the top edge and both sides are coated with glue, after which the first row is made, then the second and subsequent ones. After installation, each slab is tapped with a rubber mallet to secure it in place and ensure a tight connection with adjacent blocks. Excess glue is removed immediately so that there are no uneven spots left.
• Each subsequent row is shifted relative to the previous one: the principle is the same as when constructing a wall of bricks; the vertical seams in adjacent rows should not coincide. The partition during construction must be regularly checked using a plumb line.
• If there is a gap between the slabs and the ceiling, it should be filled with gypsum mixture, assembly adhesive or other suitable material. Partitions large sizes It is worth strengthening additionally: at the junctions with the floor and walls it will be useful cement mortar, the reliability of the corners will be ensured by a metal strip and a perforated corner profile.
• To improve sound insulation, a special elastic pad, cork or felt, is placed between the partition and the surfaces adjacent to it, or the gaps are filled with polyurethane foam. In this case, the partition is attached to the walls and ceiling using staples and anchor dowels. It is important to remember that all metal structural elements must be resistant to corrosion.
• Electrical wiring and pipes of small diameter are located in grooves, then they are puttied. If the thickness of the slab is not sufficient to accommodate the pipe, the partition is made double. Pipes need insulation and should not be in direct contact with the gypsum blocks.
• The surface does not require additional processing. After the glue has dried, you can immediately cover it with wallpaper or tiles.
• Any attachments secured with dowels. For hollow slabs, “butterflies” are needed; for solid slabs, ordinary plastic dowels are suitable. The dimensions of the fasteners depend on the magnitude of the load: to place a hanging cabinet, for example, you will need bolts that pass completely through the entire partition.

Conclusion

It is believed that one person can assemble as many as 30 tongue-and-groove slabs in a day. square meters partitions. The successes of a novice master will probably be more modest, but repair is still not a sport of high achievements. Even if the speed of work is not so impressive, the main thing is the result: a smooth and durable wall that will help make the room exactly the way you want it to be.

We hope you liked the article “Tab and tongue slabs: pros and cons”!

Tongue-and-groove slabs are blocks made primarily of gypsum. This structure implies a limited scope of application: only internal partitions. The material is in demand and is widely used in modern construction.

Let's try to figure out how well this type of building material corresponds to the declared characteristics.

Positive Features

Easy to install. The blocks have impressive dimensions; accordingly, wall partitions are erected much faster than similar brick structures. In addition, the gypsum base makes the blocks incredibly light, so they can be easily lifted to a height without the use of special tools.

The individual elements are conveniently joined together using a tongue-and-groove system and fixed with glue. The combination of these features significantly reduces the workflow. Here we can add the fact that the blocks have the correct geometry, so they do not require plastering.

Price. In terms of cost, tongue-and-groove slabs look more attractive than similar materials, which only fuels their popularity.

Environmental and fire safety. No chemically active additives or toxic components are used in the production of blocks. The basis is gypsum mixture with a small addition of reinforcing fiber.

Thanks to this feature, such partitions can be installed in hospitals, children's rooms and preschool institutions.

In respect of fire safety tongue-and-groove slabs belong to the category non-combustible materials: they do not ignite on their own and do not support propagation open fire. Deformation of the block occurs only with prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

Saving internal space. Partitions made of tongue-and-groove slabs will be much thinner than plastered walls made of brick or monolithic concrete. Therefore, blocks are often used in redevelopment country houses and city apartments.

TO positive aspects It can be attributed to the fact that domestic manufacturers also produce products using European equipment, in full compliance with the requirements GOST.

However, even automatic technological process does not exclude errors, therefore tongue-and-groove slabs, in addition to undeniable advantages, have a number of pitfalls, which manufacturers naturally keep silent about.

The dark side of the issue

There are plenty of sad moments in the history of tongue-and-groove slabs.

Lack of mechanical strength. Gypsum is not classified as high-strength building materials, so you may run into problems. In particular, nails and screws will easily enter the body of the block, but will also easily “pop out” back.

Hanging a shelf or picture on such a partition is almost impossible. To do this, you will need to apply a rather impressive layer of plaster, which negates the advantage of compactness and saving internal space.

Limited use. Gypsum is easily destroyed under the influence of linear dynamic loads, so the blocks are not suitable for the construction of supporting structures. The material perfectly absorbs moisture, so puzzle ridge slabs are not intended for outdoor work and the construction of outbuildings in dachas.

When arranging bathrooms, walls made from such blocks need high-quality waterproofing, otherwise cracks will appear over time.

Requirements for the quality of construction work. A wall made of tongue-and-groove slabs cannot simply be erected. The base must be prepared and leveled.

In addition, two-way fastening of the floor/ceiling partition is required. If the wall is not fixed to the ceiling, it will swing; therefore, any careless touch or blow can lead to the collapse of the structure.

Sound insulation indicators. Despite the fact that the material is intended for internal partitions, manufacturers emphasize reliable noise absorption. If we refer to the technical documentation, this indicator is stated at the level 43 dB, which fully meets the requirements SNiP.

However, in practice, things are different. The structure of the tongue-and-groove slab turns it into an excellent repeater, so any sound will resonate throughout the apartment. Curiously, this feature is preserved for solid and hollow structures.

TO negative factors The advertised ease of handling also applies. A gypsum block can be easily cut even with an ordinary hacksaw, which allows you to build complex geometric structures in your apartment. At first glance, this undeniable advantage, which actually turns into a serious drawback.

Gypsum suspensions are practically not excreted from the body, so work must be carried out very carefully, in well-ventilated areas using personal protective equipment.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, the tongue-and-groove slab is a cheap and high-quality material. However, during installation it is necessary to take into account the specific application of the material, otherwise all the advantages will be reduced to zero.

In addition, such units have a number of serious disadvantages, so attempts to save on repairs and finishing works can lead to dire consequences.