REVOLUTIONARY NEW INTERIOR WALLBOARD

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28440, 21 November 1957, Page 10

REVOLUTIONARY NEW INTERIOR WALLBOARD

Developed And Patented In Christchurch

In a fibrous plaster factory in Aranui an outstanding new interior wallboard has been developed after many months of experimentation, trials and tests. It is confidently predicted that this wallboard, which is being marketed as Lavisca Board, will become a standard specification by aichitects and the building trade in general for it offers many advantages over, and improvements upon, the standard types of wallboard now available. Lavisca Board is primarily a fibrous plaster interior board and has been developed by builders for builders with all the requirements of the trade in mind. Incorporated in the fibrous plaster is a high percentage of a new inert material which greatly increases the fire resisting qualities of the board and the exterior facing is of a specially-developed, extremely tough paper bonded by an exclusive process. The resulting product is of extremely high tonsil*' strength and good appearance.

Fire Resistance: Perhaps one of the greatest advantages of I.avisca Board is its resistance to high tcmpci aturos for extremely long periods. Tests carried out on various Now Zealand wallboards under the supervision of a Government Architect have revealed ‘hat Lavisca Board outstrips all contemporary materials by a substantial margin. At 1272 degrees Fahrenheit, Lavisca Board withstood heat treatment for two hours. No other wallboard in its price range approaches this time lapse. Lavisca. therefore, is particularly suitable for public buildings schools, etc., and any other buildings of high fire hazard or remote from fire services.

Insulation: Besides providing 3 to 4 times the fire resistance of ordinary plaster, Lavisca Board gives 2 to 4 times the insulation value of ordinary fibrous plaster board. The inert material included in Lavisca is used extensively in America and England and Government Bodies in these countries accept the fact that it has al least twice the fire rating acceptable for standard plaster though tests show that the actual | value is up to 4 times that for the same thickness of standard plaster

Handling: As many people are aware, ordinary fibrous plaster board is unsuitable for use by other than experienced plasterers —even then its fragility and tendency to crack or break calls for extreme care in handling. Lavisca Board, on the other hand, can be used by ordinary home builders. The sizes supplied are particularly advantageous in that they

permit erection on standard stud and joist spacings. These sizes are Bft x 4ft 6in, Bft x sft, Bft x 6ft for walls and 6ft x 6ft for ceilings. Standard thickness is half an inch. Transport is simplified with Lavisca Board, it can be packed flat or on edge, can be faced without ill-effect and generally permits of much more severe treatment than would normally be permissible with any other fibrous plaster product. Fixing and Stopping: The very nature of Lavisca Board makes it much easier to stop stopping costs are considerably reduced. There are no surface cracks—no splitting or breaking. The special paper face gives a much stronger anchor for clouts and the danger of “nail popping” is to a very large extent minimised. It can be sawn like timber. Once erected there is no movement and the smooth exterior surface permits immediate painting or papering after sizing. A further important advantage is that wallpaper can be stripped from Lavisca Board without effecting exterior surfaces or weakening the fibiciiis plaster base. Special factory’ processing and inspection ensiirer a faultless surface facing. Approved by State Advances: Lavisca Board meets with State Advances Specifications and is entirely approved by the Corporation for use under the conditions for which it is designed. Cost: In the all important aspect of cost a pleasant surprise is in store for prospective users. Lavisca Board costs no more than ordinary fibrous plaster of the same thickness. Here then, you have a greatly improved product at no extra cost. Indeed the erected cost is considerably reduced by the simplified method of fixing and stopping. Summary: Lavisca Board, therefore. is a more satisfactory product to the builder because it provides the ease of handling of plaster boards combined with the strength of fibre, the fire rating, is greatly increased, and these factors have all been achieved without increasing the cost. Availability: Architects and builders are invited to inspect Lavisca Board in all stages of manufacture and satisfy themselves that every claim made is entirely justified. Supplies may be obtained from the factory:— Lavisca. Ltd., 70 Shortland road, Aranui. Special attention will be given to country orders and the rate of production is such that no delay in delivery will be experienced. Patent Rights: Lavisca Board is patented under New Zealand Patent 116636. —P.B.A.