GIB Fixing Laws NZ

These rules are fundamental of quality GIB Fixing that helps to produce a durable, high quality and an appealing as well as better looking finish. Going through and understanding these easy rules will help you to get a quality GIB fixer. So before you hire them, you will be better able to understand their processes and ask questions if you have any doubts. Additionally, you will be easily able to spot out any incorrect practices and achieve a blemish-free smooth looking surface.

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GIB fixer rule – 1. Fix GIB to prevent light running across joins

The GIB plasterboard must be fixed in a way to avoid light running directly across joins of GIB plasterboards. Typically, this is done by fixing the sheets so that the joins runs in the direction of the main light source. Most often this means the GIB is fixed horizontally on walls. But sometimes, light can run vertically over the walls, like with skylights or usually in smaller or darker rooms.

GIB fixer rule – 2. Reduce the use of butt or cut joins

When two non-tapering ends meet together, Butt joins are formed. We especially recommend to fit each wall and ceiling by using the longest sized practical sheet, in order to reduce the butt joins. We write the essential instructions for sheet layout on the framing members, and make sure that our GIB fixers follow them. So, in cases of uncertainty regarding the sheet layout. Our GIB fixer follows and apply these rules to choose correct sheet layout. When it is not possible to avoid butt joins, we reduce them by placing them above windows or doors. If they agree with GIB fixer rules 3 and 4. However, it is preferable that the butt joins in ceilings must be staggered to make them less visible.

GIB fixer rule – 3. Always keep joins away from places with a lot of movement

Generally, the places that are prone to movement are more likely to get defects or imperfections, so GIB fixers are required to prevent placing joins in these areas.

Places that are to movement include –

A) We suggest to keep the joins at least 200 mm further from the corners of doors and windows, in order to prevent cracking;
B) Joints between hallways and rooms;
C) The most common places where plasterboards imperfection may often develop include Mezzanine floors or Stairwells. Imperfections are easily notable due to the long lengths of timber in these places. Thus, the effect of any timber shrinkage is visible over a long distance. Another area to look is junctions between two floors, as the building moves or settles, lateral forces between the floors come into play. Our GIB fixers make sure to avoid creating joins near the junction of two floors.

GIB fixer rule – 4. Back-blocking for stairway walls and ceiling joins

The joins between the plasterboard sheets can be strengthened and stabilized by Back-blocking. According to New Zealand standards for GIB plasterboard, the places where three or more joins occur on a ceiling must be back-blocked. The expert GIB fixers in Auckland at IDS (Interior Drywall Solutions) actually backblock all stairwells and ceilings by using more than two joins running horizontally. This reduces the chances of peaking because of the expansion or contraction of the timber.

Although some of the GIB fixers and builders use the practice of back-blocking, but most of them use standard setting compounds or contact adhesives. IDS GIB fixers use a highly adhesive plasterboard compound known as a cove bond to install back-blocks. Even though this technique is the most preferable method suggested by GIB manufacturers and other plasterboard suppliers, this method is relatively rare. The rigidity and strength of the cove bond prevent the joins from cracking, as it minimize the pressure from the join. This information is given in AS/NZS 2589: 2007 guidelines which are fundamental of plasterboard (GIB board) installation. For instance, when you will appoint GIB fixing specialists, they may point out the ceiling batten layout, use of timber ceiling battens because these are more prone to a lot of movement, framing that is very high in moisture content, framing that does not comply with the guidelines of NZS 3609: 1999, and elimination of control joins.