Fixings for Building Boards

These sheet and cavity fixings by Sormat  ensure smooth and reliable fastening to all building boards used in the construction.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE BUILDING BOARDS?

Thin-wall building boards are very common in all construction works – in general, they are used as structure surface materials. Plasterboards are often also used in suspended ceilings and for fireproofing of load-bearing or compartmenting structures. Building boards include plasterboards and fibrous plasterboards, wood fibre boards, plywood, chipboards, and various interior design boards. Board durability and properties vary extensively.  Board surface strength and fixing points also depend on wooden and metal structures on the other side of the board, such as studding.

Remember that the load-bearing capacity of plasterboard fixings usually does not exceed that of the plasterboard itself! Plasterboard durability is influenced by humidity conditions during transport and storage, as well as by ambient humidity conditions. Durability also varies by product manufacturer.

Do not fall for the marketing efforts of plasterboard fixing manufacturers if the only selling point is maximum load-bearing capacity. Fixings sold at economy stores are usually made of cheap plastic, which means that over time they will surrender to fatigue caused by ambient conditions and load! Plastic dowels stored for a long time should not be trusted either, since they become brittle during storage: using plastic fixings inherited from your grandpa is never a good idea.

When fixing something to building boards, it is always reasonable to utilise the wooden or metal studding behind the wall boarding. In general, the stud spacing is 600 mm. For identification of stud locations, various stud finders are available on the market, most of which also indicate electrical wiring locations. If studding coincides conveniently, ordinary screws can well be used for fastening.

Future wall installations can be made easier already during the partition construction stage, by reinforcement of the suspension points of heavy domestic appliances by double plasterboard layers, horizontal studding, and/or plywood installed behind the plasterboard.

THE FOLLOWING WALL PLUGS ARE SUITABLE FOR USE IN ALL WALL MATERIALS

GRIPPER^TM All Wall Plugs are suitable for most common wall fixing operations in the fields of construction, renovation, and interior design. Forget the usual lottery of choosing between different plugs, since GRIPPER^TM functions in all wall materials and structures! Owing to its DuPont^TM Hytrel^® material, GRIPPER^TM withstands long-term loads, impacts, wear, humidity, chemicals, temperature variations, and storage better as compared to regular plugs. Gripper^TM also works in solid walls. For an overview of the use of Gripper wall plugs, click here!

When tightened, the YLT universal plug forms a bowknot on the backside of the building board or engages against the drill hole surfaces (in solid building elements). This way, it stays in place due to friction, locking, or both. YLT is an economical plug type suitable for all wall structures and materials.

WALL ANCHOR WINGS EXPAND AND LOCK ON BOARD BACKSIDE

OLA hollow wall anchor is another ONE-FOR-ALL fixing product good to have in your toolbox. Owing to its ingenious, patented design, OLA is suitable for all 12mm and thicker building boards. OLA also functions in massive (solid) substances, engaging hole walls in a wedge anchor-like manner. Due to its material, OLA can withstand long-term loads, impacts and stress better than regular anchors.

MOLA is a high-quality full-metal molly-type anchor that can be tightened by a battery machine or assembly pliers. The MOLA structure allows repeated removal and refitting of the object fastened. Electroplated MOLA is intended for dry indoor use. 13mm in case of single and 26mm in case of double plasterboard. Between studs, the anchor spacing should be at least 200mm.

TOLA is a toggle-type board anchor equipped with a M6 bolt for various cavity fixings in case of 10-90mm thick boards. Within the limits of board material durability, TOLA is suitable for mounting heavy equipment, flat-screen TV mounts, basins, radiators, etc. This anchor is the best solution also when suspending something from false ceilings made of building boards or ceilings above which there is a cavity for insulation materials and cabling, for example. Electroplated TOLA is intended for dry indoor use.

For heavier and fire resistant installations, always use full-metal MOLA or TOLA anchors.

SELF-DRILLING PLASTERBOARD ANCHORS FOR QUICK LIGHT INSTALLATIONS

In case of light plasterboard installations (max. load 8kg) KLA- ja KLA METAL plasterboard anchors are the most convenient solution. You can install them without pre-drilling, using a Phillips-head screwdriver. KLA METAL is also suitable for use in case of extra hard plasterboard and fire rated installations.  KLA MP is equipped with a long screw for mounting of thicker items.

It is largely a matter of taste whether to use a fixing with expandable wings, YLT-type knot plug, or OLA-type anchor in fixings to building boards.  Most common fixing needs can surely be satisfied by any of these fastener types. If these instructions do not resolve your fixing problems, feel free to contact the fixing experts at Sormat using our inquiry form . Sormat.com – the solution to your fixing problems!