What is tapered edge plasterboard?

If you have ever gone to buy plasterboard, you will have been faced with a choice you may not have been expecting. Should I buy straight edge or tapered edge plasterboard? What is the difference, and why would I choose one over the other? Well, worry not, we have the answer for you!

So, what is tapered edge plasterboard?

Tapered edge plasterboard has an angled or “tapered” edge on the side rather than a straight edge. This allows you to place two tapered boards next to each other and then joint them using jointing tape and jointing compound. You can then sand off the excess leaving a perfect join between your plasterboard sheets.

Why would I use tapered over straight edge?

You use tapered edge plasterboard when you are drywalling and do not intend to skim the plaster. 

By using a tapered edge, you can achieve a better quality join than using a straight edge. In fact, if you do this well enough, you won’t have to plaster at all and can just decorate straight onto the plasterboard.

Why would I use straight edge over the tapered edge?

If you plan to apply a skim coat of plaster over the plasterboard, then use straight edge plasterboard. A straight edge is generally easier to cut and work with than a tapered edge. So if you are going to be plastering it anyway, you don’t need the better joints that a tapered edge can offer and should stick with the traditional straight edge sheets.