INTERIOR SOLUTIONS:
ACHIEVING A QUALITY FINISH
How to get a quality wall and ceiling finish
whether you are building or renovating, here are some best practice guidelines to help achieve a quality finish.
following these guidelines will help you get the job done right, first time
- saving you time and money.
Straight framing
GIB® plasterboard linings are flexible and will reflect any deviation in the underlying framing. If framing
is not straight, as is often the case in older homes, it will be reflected in the finished appearance of the
wall or ceiling.
Horizontal fixing
Fixing GIB® plasterboard sheets horizontally (instead of vertically) reduces the number of joints,
helping to achieve a more uniform appearance. Horizontal fixing also means that glancing light from
adjacent windows shines along the joint, thus reducing the “shadowing” effect that is sometimes
noticeable with vertical fixing (see diagram below).
The effect of light on horizontal fixing (left) and vertical fixing (right)
In older houses, wall framing is often based on imperial measures, meaning that studs are not spaced
evenly at 600mm centres. Horizontal fixing is necessary here as it’s virtually impossible to fix new wall
linings vertically unless additional framing is installed.
GIB Wideline® (1.35 metres wide) compared with normal plasterboard (1.20 metres wide), allows you
to achieve a 2.7 metre ceiling height with just two sheets and a single joint.
Ceiling linings
Achieving a quality ceiling finish can sometimes be a challenge. Whether you are building or
replacing ceiling linings, here are a few basics to help you get a better finish.
13mm GIB® plasterboard is recommended for use on ceilings. Because it’s thicker and stronger than
10mm GIB® Standard plasterboard, it gives you extra rigidity and helps achieve a better quality, flatter
finish.
GIB® Rondo® Metal ceiling battens hold no moisture. They will not bend, twist or warp and therefore
help to achieve and maintain a straight and true ceiling.
INTERIOR SOLUTIONS:
ACHIEVING A QUALITY FINISH
Wall linings
10mm GIB® Standard plasterboard is the most economical wall lining. For an even smoother finish,
use GIB Ultraline®.
Paper joint
Make sure your stopping contractor uses paper joint tape. This welds together with the jointing
compounds to form a strong, crack-resistant joint.
Use light colours, flat paints and textured wallpaper
• Avoid semi-gloss and gloss paints as they tend to highlight even the smallest surface imperfection.
Flat paints and textured wallpapers help disguise any surface irregularity.
• Dark paint colours also highlight the slightest imperfections, whereas lighter colours tend to soften
the effect of any irregularities by absorbing less light.
Minimise critical lighting
Lighting design is vitally important because it’s the lighting conditions that create the “shadow” which
makes any imperfections visible.
Critical lighting vs non-critical lighting
When light strikes a surface at a shallow angle, it tends to greatly exaggerate any surface irregularities.
This is termed “critical lighting”. However, when the angle of light is more or less at right angles to a
surface, imperfections are less obvious and this is termed “non-critical lighting”.
Recessed down-lights and light shades
Incorporating recessed down-lights or light shades helps to channel light downwards and reduce the
amount of glancing or critical light. Avoid spot lighting or wall mounted up-lighting, or be careful
about where these lights are directed and the angle at which they hit a surface.
Recessed downlights (1) and light shades (2) can help enhance the surface finish
appearance whereas surface finish appearance whereas surface mounted lights without
shades (3) may accentuate small imperfections.
Shades and window positioning
To stop the sunlight reaching the wall, recess the window or install sunshades over it. Avoid
positioning windows hard up against the end of a wall/ceiling (particularly on long walls/ceilings at the
end of a room or hallway). Try not to take windows right up; also make it wider and place it away from
the room corner.