As an alternative to using batten fixing for dry-lining a solid wall, tapered-edge plasterboard can be bonded directly to the wall with dabs of plaster or adhesive. Rectangular pads about 100 x 50mm (4 x 2in) cut from remnants of plasterboard are used... 

Plasterboard cannot be nailed directly to masonry walls, so battens of sawn timber known as furring strips are used to provide a good fixing for the nails and to counter any unevenness of the wall surface. These should be treated with a wood preserver.... 

Plasterboard can be nailed directly on to the timber framework of a stud partition or on to wooden battens fixed to a masonry wall. It can also be bonded straight on to solid walls with plaster or an adhesive. The boards can be fitted horizontally if... 

Plasterboard provides a relatively quick and simple method of cladding walls or ceilings and providing a smooth surface for decorating. It also offers good sound insulation as well as fire protection. It is quite easy to cut and to fix, either by bonding... 

The plastering of a complete wall is not likely to be required in many households. New work is more easily carried out with plasterboard, but there are times when repairs arising from problems with damp or resulting from alterations such as the moving... 

Plastering can seem a daunting business to the beginner, yet it has only two basic requirements: that the plaster should stick well to its background and that it should be brought to a smooth, flat finish. Good preparation, the careful choice of plaster... 

With the background prepared, the next step is to make a good mix. It pays to mix your plaster close to the work site, as it can be a messy job. Cover the floor with plastic dust sheets or old newspapers, and remember to wipe your feet when leaving the... 

A well-prepared background is the first step to successful plastering. New surfaces of block or brickwork may need only dampening or priming with a bonding agent, depending on their absorbency. Old plastered surfaces needing repair should be thoroughly... 

Gypsum plasters Most plasters in common use are produced from ground gypsum rock by a process that removes most of the moisture from the rock and results in a powder that sets hard when mixed with water. Setting times are controlled by the use of retarding... 

Plasterwork is used to provide internal walls and ceilings with a smooth, flat surface suitable for decorating with paint or paper. Plaster also provides sound and thermal insulation as well as protection from fire. Decorative mouldings — a feature...