Plasterboard and profiles for walls and ceilings: how to buy at a good price
First work out how much you need
Plasterboard is bought in sheets, and profiles by the metre or in pieces of 3–4 m. So a request that starts with an area, say “line 430 sq ft of walls”, is better than “I need plasterboard”. Convert the area of walls or ceiling into sheets (a standard sheet covers about 3 sq m) and add an allowance for cutting. Count the ceiling and the walls separately, because the profiles and fixings differ.
Types of sheet
- Standard — for dry rooms.
- Moisture-resistant — for the kitchen, bathroom, and a hallway with higher humidity.
- Fire-resistant — for utility rooms where the rules require it.
- Ceiling and wall — they differ in thickness: ceiling boards are usually 9.5 mm, wall boards 12.5 mm.
A moisture-resistant sheet does not make a wall waterproof: in wet areas it is also primed and clad.
Profiles: what the frame is made of
For the ceiling people use CD (main) and UD (guide) profiles. For walls, CW and UW. The profile size (for example CD 60, length 3 m) and the metal thickness greatly affect the price and the strength of the frame. Very thin profiles are cheap, but can sag over large areas. The frame also needs hangers, connectors, screws and joint tape.
What to put in your request
- What you need — sheets, CD/UD or CW/UW profiles, hangers, screws, tape.
- Type of sheet — standard, moisture-resistant, fire-resistant, thickness 9.5 or 12.5 mm.
- Quantity — sheets, metres of profile or area in sq m.
- Profile details — size, length, metal thickness, for example 0.5 mm.
- Make — if you have a preference.
- Delivery and unloading — whether carrying up to your floor is needed.
- Address and budget.
Example: “I need 40 sheets of moisture-resistant plasterboard 12.5 mm and CW 50 and UW 50 profiles of 3 m for a wall frame, plus screws and joint tape. Delivery to Toronto, carried up to the 5th floor. Budget up to $510.”
Why a request on BlaBlaPrice is handier
Plasterboard is heavy, and the main price difference often hides in delivery and carrying up. Through a request you describe everything in one place, and building materials sellers in your region answer in the chat: what exactly they will ship, the price, whether it is in stock, and how and when they will deliver. Each seller sees their position among the others and works to offer something better. BlaBlaPrice shows the best offer first, with the seller's reviews next to it. Your phone number is opened only to the one you choose. More in how it works.
How to compare, and how to avoid mistakes
Compare only identical items: the same sheet thickness, make and profile size. Ask how the sheets are packed on the pallet and whether unloading by hand is included in the price. Don't buy profile “by eye” without metres, because you will have to top it up later. For joints and the finish you will need finishing materials, and for fixing — fasteners and hardware.
