Tongue-and-groove plates (PGP): characteristics and installation. tongue-and-groove slabs

tongue-and-groove slabs is a building masonry material with the correct geometric shapes in the form of a parallelepiped. The tongue-and-groove slabs are made from two-water gypsum and a small amount of additives, for example, reducing the friability of the gypsum structure or increasing the moisture resistance of gypsum. The tongue-and-groove slabs got their name due to their appearance. There is a groove on two edges of the plate, and on the remaining two edges there is a ridge - a longitudinal spike. The standard dimensions of tongue-and-groove plates are 667x500 mm. In this case, the width of the pgp can be 80 or 100 mm. On the construction market tongue-and-groove blocks are of two types.

• corpulent;
• Hollow.

Solid tongue-and-groove blocks are more durable and, at the same time, have very low sound and thermal insulation. Hollow blocks do a better job of insulating against cold and noise, but they have a relatively lower strength.

Also, GWP is divided into two types:

• Ordinary;
• Hydrophobized.

Ordinary tongue-and-groove slabs are used for the construction of internal partitions in rooms with normal humidity. For example, they install partitions adjacent to the bedroom, living room or children's room. Hydrophobized GWPs differ from conventional ones in light green or turquoise color and are highly resistant to moisture. Most often they are used for partitions of the bathroom, toilet or kitchen.

For laying tongue-and-groove blocks, not a cement-sand mortar, but an elastic gypsum adhesive is used as a binder. The lower strength of the binder is compensated by the fact that during masonry. Like any building material, tongue-and-groove slabs have their pros and cons.

Advantages of tongue-and-groove plates

• Quick laying of the squaring of the walls;
• Low consumption of binder material;
• Partitions do not require plastering with cement-sand mortar;
• Saving usable space in the construction of partitions;
• Relatively good sound insulation of about 41 dB;

Cons of tongue-and-groove plates

• PGP partitions are afraid of moisture;
• On piers made of PGP, various hanging installations are very limited in weight;
• A partition made of tongue-and-groove blocks can crack during a sudden settlement of a building or an average earthquake.

How is the situation from the technical side when performing masonry from PGP

The fact that the footage of partitions is laid out quickly is a fact. However, specifically for the builder, there are many negative aspects. Firstly, tongue-and-groove blocks with a thickness of 8 cm weigh 27 kg, and with a thickness of 10 cm they weigh 36 kg. The laying of the first and second rows is still done without much effort. The laying of the third and all other rows already requires the help of an assistant, so alone it is very difficult to lift, lay neatly on the glue and level the slab in level.

When erecting a brick partition, laying can begin to be carried out even on a not very even base. The cement-sand mortar is made thicker and, on an uneven base, due to the thickness of the mortar joint, the first brick row is laid out at the level. When laying with tongue-and-groove blocks, this will no longer work. On a screed or foundation, it is necessary to pour a leveling belt with mortar or, in case of a strong drop in concrete, the surface of which must be perfectly horizontal. In general, when doing work, 1-2 days are lost until the belt is filled, and until it seizes a little.

Cutting. Any masonry involves dressing between horizontal rows. When administering brickwork a brick is pricked with an ax or split with a sharp butt of a hammer. There is little noise and no dust at all. The cutting of tongue-and-groove blocks is carried out either with a hacksaw for wood with teeth of medium height, or with a grinder with an installed disk for stone or a victorious disk. When cutting with a hacksaw on wood, there will be little dust, however manual labor quite tedious and as a result, performance drops.

It is generally unrealistic to cut gypsum blocks indoors with a grinder. Visibility due to dust in general will be so reduced that objects further than 1 meter will be indistinguishable. You can take each slab outside, cut it, and then bring it back and lay it in place. As a result, performance drops.

Waste. The bottom line is that when bricklaying is carried out, everything is used in a row - a whole brick, halves, quarters, three-quarters, battle and fragments. With tongue-and-groove slabs, the situation is different, since the presence of a groove and a ridge already strictly determines the position of the slab in the masonry. That is, a gypsum slab can no longer be turned, unfolded, or laid on an edge like a brick, everything is strictly limited here, and the remaining piece of the slab, if it does not fit anywhere in size, remains unclaimed.

Conclusion: is it worth using tongue-and-groove plates for partitions?

If the laying will not be done by you, but specialists will be hired. If they agree and can cut the slabs without dust. And, if, of course, the partition is made in a room with normal humidity, then tongue-and-groove plates should be used. Ideally, in general, when work is done in private country house or in an apartment on the first floor. The material is cut to the streets and quickly delivered to the masonry site.

If we are talking about partitions in the room with high humidity or that city ​​apartment on the 7th-10th floor, it is better to abandon the tongue-and-groove plates in favor of brick, cinder block, foam block, or in general.

14.12.2016

If everything is more or less clear with the construction of load-bearing walls, since there are many very well-known materials, then with internal partitions everything is different. You don’t always want to lay them out of brick, but as an alternative to the vast majority, only drywall comes to mind. But in fact, this is not so, and tongue-and-groove blocks can also be successfully used in the construction of partitions.

As is clear from the name of this product, we are talking about blocks equipped with grooves and ridges. This greatly simplifies installation, and partitions based on these structures are erected quickly enough.

According to their composition, these blocks are divided into gypsum and silicate. With the former, everything is clear, and the latter consist of quartz sand, which is placed in an acrylic bath and prepared with various additives and water. The output is a mixture that is stronger than gypsum, lighter than it, and also less susceptible to moisture.

Specifications

Depending on the material of manufacture, such blocks can be divided into ordinary and moisture resistant. If in ordinary ones the absorption of moisture can reach 26 and even 32 percent, then in moisture resistant ones it does not exceed 5 percent.

The dimensions of such elements are usually 667 by 500 millimeters. The thickness can vary, but, as a rule, is kept in gradation from 80 to 100 millimeters.

As for the mass, the standard for such a building material is 30-32 kilograms. However, there are hollow options on the market that can weigh up to 10 kilograms less. In general, the density of the material from which such blocks are made is 1350 kilograms per cubic meter.

What are the advantages of tongue-and-groove plates

• The material is fire resistant, unlike the same drywall. Exposure to direct fire without losing one's own technical qualities the material is able to withstand up to three minutes, which is an excellent indicator;
• Low prices. In general, the construction of such partitions costs 10 percent less than bricks and 15 percent less than drywall. At large volume labor savings will be very significant;
• Installation work is quite simple. To build such a partition, you do not need to have special knowledge;
• The presence of grooves and ridges allows installation as quickly as possible. Unlike brick, the importance of mortar decreases, but unlike drywall, you don’t need to carry out pre-assembly metal frame.

Important! Do not think that the presence of locks allows the installation of such blocks without the use of additional fastening components. After all, such locks are not very strong, and therefore the use of special glue is necessary.

The disadvantages of such blocks

• Despite the fact that the sound absorption of such materials complies with the standards, the structures themselves make such plates a kind of repeaters. Thus, they collect sound vibrations from the floor, walls and ceilings, concentrating them on themselves. The problem is solved by using soundproof plaster, but only partially;
• Gypsum boards are afraid of water. Create such partitions in places high humidity contraindicated. Over time, water can even make a hole in such structures;
• In the event that the plates from below sag, the partition may crack. Moreover, cracks are sometimes extremely serious;
• The partition must be properly fixed to the walls and ceiling. Otherwise, its sustainability will be in question;
• The mass of gypsum tongue-and-groove boards is, of course, less than that of a brick, however, according to this indicator, drywall is still out of competition;
• The walls are not intended for fastening heavy objects, since gypsum is not classified as a durable material. Well, if we are talking about hollow blocks, then there will be even bigger problems with fastening, up to the need to use anchor structures or wedging dowels.

The process of installing a partition from tongue-and-groove blocks: tips

• The position of the comb on numerous installation examples is very different. But it's better to install given element comb up. So it will be possible to achieve higher structural strength;
• cook additional tools. For the glue solution you will need a plastic bucket. In addition, find a spatula to apply glue to the edges of the boards. It is also important to make the masonry as even as possible, so the angle and plumb line will also come in handy. It is best to cut blocks with a grinder, as ordinary saws quickly become dull. Finally, it is necessary to knock out already installed plates with a rubber mallet;
• It is extremely important to perfectly level the floor before starting the installation of such partitions. Unlike brick options, where the requirements for flat floor not so high, and everything can be straightened out with a solution, the slightest deviations from the norm in tongue-and-groove blocks can cause the entire wall to skew;
• If it is necessary to make a hole in the wall of less than 800 millimeters, and at the same time there will be only one row of masonry on top, then a jumper can be dispensed with. Otherwise, its presence is mandatory. In this case, rigidity can be added using metal profile, installed on external corners, as well as working out the seams with reinforcing tape;
• Be aware that when working with such blocks, too much dust is generated. It is best to work in a ventilated area. Well, if you need to cut such blocks, then you must wear a respirator in order to protect your lungs.

The appearance of this material was caused by the need to reduce the complexity 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 pieces of single red (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 (PGP) are designed for installation in residential and public buildings with a ceiling height of not more than 4.2 m.

Since such plates have a large side surface and a small width (from 8 to 10 cm), then to increase the stability of the masonry on the side faces they do interlock connection"groove-comb". Given constructive solution at the same time, it also increases the evenness of the partition, since the slab precisely sits on the longitudinal seam and is securely connected to the adjacent one.

Gypsum tongue-and-groove boards

They are made according to the casting technology from gypsum grades G-4 or G-5.

Building gypsum is an environmentally friendly and breathable material. Therefore, partitions made of it comply with strict sanitary and hygienic standards governing the quality finishing materials. To improve operational 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 plates 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, and moisture-resistant (hydrophobized) blocks can also be installed in wet rooms (according to the requirements of SNiP II-3-79)

Tab. No. 1 Main specifications gypsum tongue-and-groove slabs

In terms of thermal insulation, a tongue-and-groove gypsum board 80 mm thick is equivalent to concrete wall 400 mm thick. Its noise insulation coefficient is 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 bearing capacity.

To reduce the weight of the masonry, hollow gypsum boards are produced. standard size 667x500x80 mm. Their weight is almost 25% less than that of corpulent ones (22-24 versus 30-32 kg).

In addition, there is a gradation of gypsum boards depending on the shape of the ridge and groove (rectangular and trapezoidal). However, this parameter does not significantly affect the quality and strength of the partitions.

Silicate tongue-and-groove slabs

The manufacturing technology of silicate boards consists in preparing a mixture of quartz sand, water and quicklime, which is then pressed and placed in an autoclave chamber. There, under the influence of 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 blocks 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 such silicate block is 15.6 kg at 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.

Tab. No. 2 Main technical characteristics of silicate tongue-and-groove plates

Silicate boards resist fire better than gypsum boards. 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

The tongue-and-groove blocks produced under the brands Knauf (Knauf) and Volma are in high demand today. The reasons for this are the predictability of their strength characteristics and the high accuracy of geometry. This reduces the cost and labor intensity of finishing work.

Such structures can not be plastered, but, having primed, immediately paste over with wallpaper or paint.

To date, on the building materials market, you can find offers for the sale of tongue-and-groove plates on average from 200 rubles per piece.

Mounting Features

The laying of partitions from tongue-and-groove blocks is carried out after the installation of the supporting and enclosing structures of buildings is completed, before the installation of a clean floor and finishing work.

When re-planning or reconstructing residential and civil facilities, tongue-and-groove partitions can be erected not only single, but also double. The last option is used in cases where it is required to perform a hidden gasket engineering networks or insulate a partition, one side of which goes into a cold room.

At the facility, the installation of tongue-and-groove slabs is reduced to joining at the seams, with periodic control of the verticality and horizontality of each row. When assembling interior partitions plates are placed both with the groove down and up. The norms recommend that they be laid with the groove up, since in this case the mounting adhesive mixture evenly distributed in the tongue-and-groove space.

As an adhesive base for installation, you can use a standard adhesive for aerated concrete or Fugenfüller putty.

Mounting sequence

The base under the partition is leveled with a cement-sand mortar, after which the first row of partition slabs is placed on it according to the level. The surfaces of the groove and crest of each plate before joining 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 connecting seams. To create an elastic connection to the enclosing and load-bearing structures, tongue-and-groove partitions are fastened 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 building envelope.

In addition, in such joints, the standards recommend the use of cork or bituminous felt gaskets, installing them around the entire perimeter of the outer joint.

If the width of the doorway does not exceed 80 cm and only one row of tongue-and-groove plates will be installed above it, then the norms allow not to use a jumper. Her role is played door frame or retaining structure, which is removed after curing with an adhesive solution (Fig. 1)

Picture 1

For larger openings installation of a steel or wooden lintel beam above it is mandatory (see Fig. 2)

All contact areas of partitions with load-bearing walls and ceilings are sealed with gypsum mortar.

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

Grooved slabs pros and cons

These are solid blocks of rectangular shape, made of gypsum, to which the necessary polymer and mineral additives are added. On one side of each plate there is a groove, and on the opposite side there is a comb, which allows them to be tightly joined as parts in the designer. During installation, a special adhesive is used to ensure high bond strength. Plates are usually produced in two versions: 80 and 100 mm thick.

tongue-and-groove slabs types

Groove slabs are divided into the following types:

These are monolithic and therefore heavier - weighing up to 30 kg - plates. They are strong enough: two attachment points with dowels allow you to hang a load of 200 kg. Ideal for a private home: they do not have voids in which rodents and insects like to settle down.

Longitudinal holes are evenly spaced inside such plates. They have less weight- the difference is up to 25% - therefore it is more profitable to transport them and easier to assemble. The sound insulation indicators are about the same as those of full-bodied ones (according to some studies, a little better). Hanging cabinets and other heavy objects can be placed on them, only for this you will have to use special dowels - “butterflies”. Particularly good for intra-apartment partitions: the lighter the slabs, the weaker the load on the floors.

Both types of tongue-and-groove slabs can be not only conventional, but also hydrophobized (moisture resistant). In this case, in molding sand include additives that reduce water absorption: this option is best suited for rooms where humidity levels are high. Moisture-resistant plates are slightly heavier, but during installation it 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 initial mixture is used for marking hydrophobized boards.

tongue-and-groove slabs pluses

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

• Security. Gypsum boards do not burn, do not conduct electricity, and do not rot. 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. They almost never crack, they are resistant to changes in temperature and humidity and do not deform under their influence. This is true for ordinary plates, and even hydrophobized ones can be safely used even for redevelopment of the bathroom.
• Thermal insulation. The tongue-and-groove plates have excellent performance on this item. If we compare them, for example, with concrete ones, then the difference will be impressive: a wall of these slabs 8 cm thick corresponds in terms of thermal insulation to a concrete wall 40 cm thick.
• Soundproofing. The plates are mounted to each other and to the ceilings so tightly that there are no voids in the connecting seams. This provides enough high level sound insulation: the coefficient is from 41 to 43 dB. If necessary, you can install a double partition: this will not only increase the level of noise protection, but also allow you to hide all engineering communications in the resulting gap.
• Ease of installation. Doesn't have to be professional builder to assemble a partition from tongue-and-groove plates: they are like designer parts that easily fold into the wall. Relatively easy, of course: after all, each plate weighs 20-30 kg. And no “wet” work is required: the glue dries quickly, there is no need to plaster a smooth surface.
• Space saving. Such a partition, with comparable strength, is thinner than that 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 plates per finished partition are cheaper than other materials of similar purpose. For one small wall, this can still not be noticed, but with a large-scale redevelopment, the difference will be very sensitive for the wallet. So why not get the same good quality but at a lower price?

tongue-and-groove slabs how to mount

Working with high-quality and easy-to-install material is a pleasure, so almost any construction and repair company will gladly take up the construction of structures from tongue-and-groove slabs. But for those who are used to doing everything with their own hands, such a task is quite within their power. There are some useful tips, which are worth remembering, and then everything will work out for sure:

• Before installation, it is necessary to withstand the plates in the room for at least a few hours, and with a significant temperature difference - at least a day. You can work with this material at temperatures above +10 degrees.
• Surfaces that the partition will come into contact with must be leveled and cleaned of dirt. Before starting work, you need to mark the floor and walls.
• Plates are installed on a wide edge with a ridge down. In the bottom row, the comb at the plates is cut off, an ordinary hacksaw can handle this. The groove on the upper face and both sides are smeared with glue, after which the first row is drawn up, then the second and subsequent ones. After installation, each slab is tapped with a rubber mallet to secure it in place and ensure it is tightly connected to adjacent blocks. Excess glue is removed immediately so that no irregularities remain.
• Each next row shifts relative to the previous one: the principle is the same as when building a brick wall, the vertical seams in adjacent rows should not coincide. The partition during the construction process must be regularly checked with a plumb line.
• If there is a gap between the plates and the ceiling, it should be filled with a gypsum mixture, mounting adhesive or others suitable material. Partitions large sizes it is worth strengthening additionally: at the junctions with the floor and walls it is useful cement mortar, the reliability of the corners will be ensured by a metal tape and a perforated corner profile.
• To improve sound insulation between the partition and adjacent surfaces, a special elastic gasket, cork or felt, is placed, or gaps are filled mounting foam. In this case, the partition is attached to the walls and ceiling with brackets and anchor dowels. It is important to remember that everything metal elements structures must be resistant to corrosion.
• Electrical wiring and pipes of small diameter are located in strobes, then they are puttied. If the thickness of the plate is insufficient to accommodate the pipe, the partition is made double. The pipes need to be insulated and should not come into direct contact with the gypsum blocks.
• The surface does not require additional processing. After the glue dries, you can immediately cover it with wallpaper or tiles.
• Any attachments fastened with dowels. For hollow slabs, “butterflies” are needed, for full-bodied 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 need bolts that pass through the entire partition.

Conclusion

It is believed that one person can mount as many as 30 pieces of tongue-and-groove plates in a day. square meters partitions. The successes of a novice master will probably be more modest, but repair is still not a sport. 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 to see it.

We hope you liked the article “Grooge plates pros and cons”!

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

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

POSITIVE FEATURES

Ease of installation. The blocks have impressive dimensions, respectively, wall partitions are built much faster than similar brick structures. In addition, the gypsum base makes the blocks incredibly light, so it is convenient to lift them to a height without the use of special devices.

Individual elements are conveniently joined to each other by the 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 correct geometry so I don't need to plaster.

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

Ecological and fire safety. In the manufacture of blocks, chemically active additives and toxic components are not used. The basis is gypsum mixture with a small amount of reinforcing fiber.

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

In terms of fire safety tongue-and-groove plates belong to the category of non-combustible materials: they do not ignite on their own and do not support the spread of open fire. Block deformation occurs only with prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

Saving interior 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.

On the positive side, the fact that domestic producers produce products on European equipment, in full compliance with the requirements GOST.

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

The shadow side of the question

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

Lack of mechanical strength. Gypsum does not belong to the category of high-strength building materials, so you might run into problems. In particular, nails and self-tapping screws will easily enter the body of the block, but also “pop out” naturally.

Hanging a shelf or a 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 economy of internal space.

Limited application. 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 boards are not intended for outdoor work and construction. outbuildings at the dachas.

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

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

In addition, a double-sided fastening of the floor/ceiling partition is required. If the wall is not fixed to the ceiling, it will sway, so any careless touch or blow can lead to the collapse of the structure.

Soundproofing performance. Despite the fact that the material is intended for internal partitions, manufacturers focus on reliable sound absorption. If you turn to technical documentation, this indicator is declared at the level 43 dB, which fully meets the requirements SNiP.

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

Negative factors include the advertised ease of processing. It is easy to cut a gypsum block even with an ordinary hacksaw, which allows you to build complex geometric structures in an apartment. At first glance, this is an undeniable advantage, which in fact turns into a serious drawback.

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

Conclusion

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

In addition, such blocks have a number of serious drawbacks, so attempts to save on repair and finishing work can lead to dire consequences.