What is Plasterboard Peaking?

Plasterboard peaking is when the join on two pieces of plasterboard starts to protrude from the wall or caves slightly inward. In this article we look at the causes of peaking and how the problem can be avoided.

Plasterboard peaking is something that happens to dry lined walls and to gain a better understanding of why it happens, its important to know what a dry lined wall actually is.

Dry lining uses sheets of plasterboard to cover a wall in order to achieve a smooth, level surface ready for interior decorating. Dry lining is a faster, neater and less labour intensive alternative to traditional plastering.

If the correct materials and application are used, dry lining is a process that can be applied to almost any interior wall type. Most commonly we see dry lining used for stud walls. Stud walls are interior partition walls that do not bear any load. Stud walls are created using timber or metal frames to which the plasterboard is secured. Commonly you will hear people refer to the single pieces of metal or timber used to create stud walls as 'studs'

Plasterboard peaking can happen due to several different reasons, all of which are dependant on the type of wall, the type of join and how the plasterboard was installed. if two pieces of plasterboard are secured and then joined to the same stud this creates the potential for peaking.

Inverted Peaking

If you have noticed the join in your plasterboard wall has become slightly concave then you may have a case of inverted peaking.

Why does this Happen?

This problem tends to be caused by a wooden stud expanding vertically.

Wood expands in cold temperatures with higher humidity which is why some homes may see this type of peaking during winter.

Compression peaking is essentially the opposite of inverted peaking. This is a problem which occurs when a timber stud contracts rather than expands which pushes the join outwards. If you have compression peaking, you may notice that the join in your stud wall is protruding slightly outwards.

Why Does This Happen?

Timber shrinkage tends to occur during spring. This is because we see a sudden rise in temperature after the cold and damp conditions of winter. These ambient changes cause timber studs to contract and in turn push out the plasterboard joints.

In most cases of plasterboard peaking, the cause is inevitable. However, with proper installation methods, the chances of peaking can be reduced. For example, if there is a gap of around 4mm or more between sheets of plasterboard, these gaps will need to be sealed with a setting compound before the joint is properly sealed with joint filler.