Leisure

Lafarge Plasterboard goes to great lengths for schools’ swimming pool

Lafarge Plasterboard, one of the UK’s leading plasterboard and drylining systems manufacturers, is working with Laing O’Rourke on one of the largest schools complexes in Edinburgh, supplying its innovative GTEC Aqua Board.

The Forrester and St Augustine’s schools are being redeveloped with a shared sports facility including a large swimming pool. The gypsum based GTEC Aqua Board is being used in the swimming pool complex due to its enhanced water and mould resistant properties.

In addition to GTEC Aqua Board, Lafarge Plasterboard is supplying a number of boards from its GTEC range. GTEC Megadeco has a decorative white face and superior acoustic, fire and impact performance, making it ideal for high traffic areas such as schools. GTEC dB Board was also requested for its sound insulation properties.

Lafarge Plasterboard has a systems approach to its products and supplies a comprehensive range that covers installation from start to finish, including: multi-specification boards, finishing products such as taping and jointing systems, fixing products such as screws and adhesives, and a complete range of metal frames to complement the boards.

Michael McLaughlin, Director of subcontractors Roskel, commented on the unique qualities of Aqua Board: "It’s light and doesn’t require a gap when fitting unlike cement based boards. This drastically cuts down on installation time. In a high traffic, high moisture environment, a product like Aqua Board is essential to avoid damp and mould damage.

“The board can be cut with a Stanley knife, whereas cement based boards need power tools and closed ventilated areas to remove dust. This means that fitting can be done quickly and efficiently.”

Keith Steele, Technical Specifications Manager for Lafarge Plasterboard, said: “Contractors are now seeing past Aqua Board’s gypsum based make up and realising the true potential of this unique product. Traditionally, contractors have turned to cement based products for areas of high moisture. Aqua Board has most of the beneficial properties of a cement based board while being much easier and safer to work with.”