Quick definition: GIB® is a New Zealand plasterboard brand manufactured and supplied by Winstone Wallboards. In everyday New Zealand building language, people often use GIB to refer to plasterboard wall and ceiling linings generally, although GIB® itself is a registered brand name.
Plasterboard is a sheet material with a gypsum-based core and paper facings. It is fixed to framing and then finished for decoration. Understanding the difference between the board, fixing process and stopping process makes renovation quotes much easier to compare.
What Is Plasterboard Used For?
Plasterboard forms the visible lining of many interior walls and ceilings. Once installed and finished, it provides a smooth surface for paint, wallpaper and other decorative finishes.
Depending on the specified system, plasterboard can also form part of fire, acoustic, bracing, moisture-resistant and impact-resistant wall or ceiling assemblies. It is commonly used for bedrooms, hallways, living areas, interior ceilings, partitions, service walls and bulkheads.
Is GIB the Same as Drywall?
Broadly, yes. Drywall, gypsum board and plasterboard are international terms for similar sheet lining materials. In New Zealand, plasterboard is the common generic term and GIB® is the dominant local brand name used in everyday conversation.
The important distinction is that a specification may call for a particular board type or tested wall system. Do not assume every sheet of plasterboard is interchangeable simply because it looks similar.
What Is GIB Board Made From?
Plasterboard uses gypsum as the main core material, with paper facings that provide a surface suitable for fixing, jointing and decoration. Different products are engineered for different performance requirements, so thickness, core formulation, facing and system details can vary.
Common Types of GIB Plasterboard
Standard plasterboard is used for general interior wall and ceiling lining where no special performance system is required. Fire-rated board is used as part of specified fire-resistance systems, where board type, framing, fasteners, joints and penetrations all form part of the tested system.
Bracing board is used in specified bracing systems. Acoustic boards or systems improve sound control, moisture-resistant board suits appropriate wet-area applications, and impact-resistant board is selected where a tougher interior lining is required.
For a renovation, choose the board from the building consent documents, designer's specification, builder's scope or manufacturer's system requirements—not just on price.
What Is GIB Fixing?
GIB fixing is the installation stage. Sheets are measured, cut and fixed to wall or ceiling framing using the required screws, fasteners and adhesives for the system.
Good fixing matters because poor sheet layout, proud screws, damaged paper and movement in the framing can all make stopping more difficult. At the end of fixing, the room is lined, but it is not yet ready for paint.
What Is GIB Stopping?
GIB stopping is the finishing stage after the board has been fixed. The stopper reinforces joints with tape, applies joint compound over seams and fixings, finishes corners, feathers the surface, allows the compound to dry, then sands and prepares the wall for decoration.
A good stopped wall should not look like a collection of separate sheets after painting. The joints should blend into the board surface under the intended lighting conditions and to the level of finish specified for the room.
What Happens After GIB Stopping?
The usual sequence is final inspection, dust removal, sealer or primer, finish coats, and a final check. New plasterboard and joint compound have different porosity, so an appropriate sealer or primer is normally part of a professional paint system.
Inspect the completed room in normal service lighting and rectify genuine defects before the job is signed off.
Can GIB Get Wet?
Standard interior plasterboard should be protected from prolonged moisture exposure. Moisture-resistant products exist for appropriate applications, but they still need to be installed as part of the correct system. Bathrooms, laundries and other wet areas may also require waterproofing, ventilation and specific finishing details.
If existing plasterboard has been affected by a leak, first locate and repair the source, assess whether the board remains sound, and allow the area to dry properly. Do not simply plaster and paint while it is still damp.
Why Can New GIB Walls Still Show Lines After Painting?
The final appearance depends on framing, sheet layout, jointing, finish level, paint sheen, colour and lighting. Long walls with large side windows are particularly demanding because low-angle light reveals small changes in surface level.
A standard Level 4 finish may suit many rooms, while Level 5 may be more appropriate where critical light, dark colours or higher-sheen coatings are expected.
GIB in Renovations: What Homeowners Should Check
Match the system when a wall is part of a fire or bracing design. Check whether a small damaged section is patchable or whether widespread water damage and movement justify replacing more board.
Plan the paint finish early because dark colours and semi-gloss paint can demand a higher standard of surface preparation. Coordinate electrical, plumbing, cabinetry and building work before final stopping and painting to reduce damage and rework.
GIB Fixing, Stopping or Painting Project in Wellington?
RE Decorators Ltd provides GIB fixing, plasterboard stopping, plaster repairs and painting services throughout Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Porirua. Send photos and a short description of the area, or arrange a site visit for an accurate scope and quote.