What is Glass Magnesium Sheet? Technical characteristics, what is the cost and installation tips + Video

Glass-magnesium sheet has several classes, which differ significantly in their technical characteristics.

Some are intended only for internal work, and in extremely favorable conditions, others are able to withstand the aggressive effects of the environment.

This must be taken into account when choosing this material as a finishing material.

In order to distinguish one class from another by eye and not spoil the sheet during the installation process, you need to know several rules.

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Glass-magnesium sheet.

General information

Appearance on the market

The modern market offers the consumer a wide range of materials for construction and finishing works. In pursuit of a buyer, manufacturers are forced to improve their products, endowing them with new improved technical characteristics.

It is many times superior to its competitors in moisture resistance, strength, fire resistance, bioinertness and confidently occupies a niche among materials, both for interior and exterior .

Board components and their properties

Chloride and magnesium oxide

The board contains magnesium chloride and oxide, which give her strength.

Wood shavings

Performs the function of micro-reinforcement, and rigidity and resistance to chips is provided by glass mesh.

Perlite

Perlite adds fire resistance and bioinertness.

All these components are stacked in the form of a sandwich, one side of which is mirror-smooth, and the other has a texture.

Variants of sheets

Good resistance to the environment allows the use of glass-magnesium sheets in rooms with an aggressive environment, with high humidity and high temperatures.

There are also laminated and veneered sheet options. In this case, they don't even need additional finishing. High strength characteristics allow the use of slabs as enclosing and supporting structures.

Manufacturers of produced plates

China is the leader in the production of glass-magnesium sheets, but they are produced in Canada and the Middle East.

There are several LSU manufacturers in Russia.

The thickness of the sheets are: 3, 6, 8, 10 and 12 mm. The most common size is 1220 * 2440mm with a density of 750 to 1200 kg / m3.

Color options:

• white,
• gray,
• tinged with pink or gray.

GOST distinguishes the following classes of LSU:

1. " Premium " (class A), they are distinguished by the highest strength (1100 kg / m3) and resistance to the environment. The main application of class A sheets is external finishing work, on building facades and in the construction of roofs.
2. " Standard " (Class B) - Universal glass magnesite sheets. They are used to decorate external and internal vertical surfaces, for sheathing ceilings. They are dominated by light shades.

3. The third category is " Economy " (Class C). Intended for indoor use only. This class of LSU is not resistant to aggressive conditions.

Advantages and disadvantages of glass-magnesium plates

Since one of the sides of the glass-magnesium sheet is smooth, there is no need to level the surface for finishing, you can immediately apply a decorative coating. The opposite side is rough, which gives better adhesion to finishes.

Let's allow installation of LSU with either side outward, based on the desired end result.

Interesting! According to the level of fire safety , glass-magnesium sheet is on a par with concrete, steel and even natural stone. At the highest density, it can withstand temperatures of 1000C.

Unbelievable, but at the same time it is perfectly processed by cutting and drilling tools, without crumbling and cracking.

Glass magnesite is not susceptible to the development of mold , rodents and insects are indifferent to it.

It can withstand repeated frosts and defrosts. For example, a class A sheet withstands 50 such temperature cycles, which is 25 years of guaranteed operation.

The small weight of LSU is also not unimportant. In comparison with drywall, glass-magnesium sheet is on average 30-40% lighter.

Good flexibility characteristics of LSU, thanks to the reinforcing fiberglass mesh, make it possible to use it for finishing curved surfaces.

Materials of budget class C are very much inferior in characteristics and reviews to their higher class brethren. Here, and the service life is not so high, brittleness at the corners and low resistance to moisture are noted.

How to choose a quality product

It is quite easy to distinguish a quality product by eye.

• First, you need to pay attention to the color of the leaf.

  High-quality LSU representatives are light yellow and beige in color. White and grayish tones indicate a low class.

• Secondly, brittle edges, the presence of a non-woven base - all these are signs of low strength and low fire resistance. Thirdly, if you feel fine dust when you touch the surface of the sheet, know that this is a poor quality product.

The approximate price of a class A sheet with a size of 1220x2440mm ranges from 400 to 730 rubles per sheet, depending on its thickness.

The price for sheets of the "Standard" class is from 320 to 460, and the economy one costs about 5-8% less than the standard.

Features in work with glass-magnesium sheets

Works on installation of glass-magnesium sheet are similar to works with plasterboard. The only exceptions are a few rules:

• 1. It is allowed to install only dry sheets, since in a wet state the material bends strongly;
• 2. The sheet should be positioned so that its fibers are vertical, this is when the maximum strength is achieved;
• 3.

  The gap between the sheets should be 1/2 of the sheet thickness;

• 4. It is easier to cut LSU with the smooth side up;
• 5. Before screwing in the screws, the sheet must first be drilled to the size of the cap, otherwise unaesthetic protrusion of the screws is possible.
• 6. Places of gaps and installation of self-tapping screws should be putty, followed by grouting and primer;
• 7.

  The smooth surface of the sheets allows you to proceed to the final finishing immediately after fastening.

Where to buy and what is the price of a glass-magnesium sheet?

Conclusion

Choosing LSU as a finishing material, it is best to clearly imagine all the varieties and features of the classes of this product. And having already indicated all the requirements for the product, buy a suitable option.

You need to give preference to trusted manufacturers with positive reviews. Then both work and operation with LSU will be a pleasure.