Glass-magnesium sheet: characteristics, advantages, application

25.04.2021

The use of a glass-magnesium sheet is primarily associated with the interior and exterior decoration of the room. Thanks to such qualities as ease of installation, resistance to moisture, strength and durability, glass-magnesium sheet is becoming a fairly popular material. We will talk about the features of using a glass-magnesium sheet further.

Glass-magnesium sheet - features and production technology

Glass-magnesium sheets are versatile building materials that perfectly replace drywall, plywood, chipboard, flat slate, etc. For the production of this material, exclusively environmentally friendly components are used. Magnesite is used as the main substance.

Glass-magnesium sheets are in the form of a sandwich, one part of which is made of fiberglass, and the other is a filler. In addition, one part of the LSU is distinguished by smoothness and mirror shine, and the other, on the contrary, is textured.

If we compare glass-magnesium sheets with drywall, then the first option is more harmless than the second one containing asbestos. Magnesium glass sheets are used in the process of performing interior finishing work in rooms for any purpose.

Most often, glass-magnesium sheets are attached to a frame base, although it is possible to fix them directly on the wall surface. Magnesium glass sheets are relevant in rooms with an aggressive environment. In addition, they are used in swimming pools, saunas, showers. There is an option of laminating or veneering LSU, after installation, such material does not need additional finishing.

With the help of glass-magnesium sheets, enclosing and supporting structures are erected, in such situations they act as non-removable formwork.

Glass-magnesium sheets are distinguished by thickness:

0.4-0.5 cm - used for finishing the ceiling;
0.5-0.8 suitable for wall work;
1-2 cm - partitions, front sections, performing the function of permanent formwork.

Among the main features of this material, it should be noted:

strength;
flexibility;
moisture resistance;
ease of installation;
ease of finishing;
light weight, less than drywall;
easy fixation with nails or self-tapping screws.

This material is classified as non-flammable or slightly flammable. It contains the presence of:

magnesium chloride;
phosphoric acid;
magnesium oxide;
latex putty;
water;
non-woven fabric;
perlite;
fillers;
plaster fiberglass mesh.

The composition varies depending on the manufacturer. The strength and quality of the material depends on the amount of magnesium oxide in the material. Magnesium glass sheets come in various shapes, sizes and thicknesses. Magnesium glass sheet dimensions - length 122 cm, width 244 cm. Since the outer surface of the sheet is smooth, it is not necessary to level the surface again for finishing. It is enough just to paint the sheet with paint or paste over with wallpaper.

The technology for the production of glass-magnesium sheets consists of the following stages:

1. The procedure for forming a sheet from all of the above components.

2. Drying of glass-magnesium sheets.

3. The aging process.

4. Cutting sheets in accordance with the previously specified parameters.

5. A set of strength characteristics.

Glass-magnesium sheet characteristics, advantages and disadvantages

Among the main advantages of using glass-magnesium sheets, it should be noted:

fire safety;
resistance to moisture;
high strength characteristics;
lightness of weight;
duration of operation;
flexibility;
resistance to temperature extremes;
frost resistance;
biological resistance;
harmlessness to human health;
resistance to exposure to chemical compounds;
wide range of uses.

Studying reviews about the glass-magnesium sheet, we note that its level of fire safety is high. Since this material is practically non-flammable.

The material begins to burn when exposed to temperatures of more than 1000 degrees.

In addition, it is not prone to swelling, delamination, deformation and is resistant to moisture. Due to this, this material is used in such premises as saunas, baths, swimming pools.

Such a property of a glass-magnesium sheet as biological resistance contributes to its resistance to mold, fungus, bacteria and all kinds of insects.

The glass-magnesium sheet is resistant to the influence of alkalis, acids and other kinds of chemicals. In addition, this material is quite strong and easy to bend. Therefore, with its help, various kinds of structures are formed in the form of arches and volumetric asymmetric partitions. It does not require much effort to cut the material, and it does not crack or crumble. To fix it, it is enough to use self-tapping screws, nails or a pneumatic gun.

Glass-magnesium sheet photo:

The total mass of a structure made of a glass-magnesium sheet is forty percent less than the weight of the same plasterboard structure. Therefore, it will take less physical effort and time to install the sheets.

Glass-magnesium sheets consist of fiberglass, which is the reinforcing element of this structure. It is thanks to her that the material acquires the necessary elasticity. Thus, it provides easy transportation, ease of installation and the possibility of using it on embossed surfaces.

The service life of glass-magnesium sheets is more than twenty years. In addition, it does not contain harmful elements that cause allergies, therefore, it is used to decorate sanatorium, children's and medical premises.

Please note that the division of glass-magnesium sheets occurs into classes, therefore, a material that belongs to an economy class has fewer advantages than a glass-magnesium sheet of a higher class. Their cost also differs; for a lower price, the material has deteriorated operating properties.

Cheaper materials are capable of salt release when they get wet, so the use of steel self-tapping screws leads to their corrosion. Low-quality glass-magnesium sheets are used exclusively for interior decoration of premises, in which the occurrence of temperature drops or too high humidity levels is excluded.

Magnesium glass sheet application and selection of quality material

The scope of use of glass-magnesium sheets extends to:

construction of wall, arched structures and partitions;
in the process of installing suspended ceilings;
when finishing slopes;
when arranging underground space and finishing floors;
in the process of finishing mines for communication purposes;
as a permanent formwork;
when finishing front sections.

Most manufacturers of glass-magnesium sheets clearly indicate on the product label its belonging to one class or another. However, there are unscrupulous manufacturers who pass off a low quality glass-magnesium sheet as a premium material. For a glass-magnesium sheet, the price is determined precisely by its belonging to one or another class. In this case, there are several differences to study that will help you choose high-quality material:

1. Material color. Magnesium glass sheets, which are of high quality, are light yellow or beige. If the color of the product is white or grayish, then such sheets are of a low quality class. If you run your hand over them, then a small amount of dust flies off them.

2. The presence of brittle edges indicates poor quality of the product and its tendency to cracking.

3. If possible, the glass-magnesium sheet is lowered into a container with water, if after two hours the hearth has become cloudy, then it is better to refuse to buy such material.

4. The presence of the non-woven base indicates the low strength and high level of ignition of the glass-magnesium sheet.

Glass-magnesium sheet installation: instructions for work

In terms of strength characteristics, glass-magnesium sheets are significantly superior to gypsum plasterboard. For example, if a plasterboard sheet with a thickness of 1.2 cm is used, then a glass-magnesium sheet with a thickness of 1 cm is sufficient for the same strength.

The fairly light weight of glass-magnesium sheets allows only one person to carry out work on its installation.

Since the material has been coated with a hydrophobic impregnation, which improves its adhesion to paints and varnishes, its finishing is done as quickly as installation.

To prevent the formation of fungus or mold on the surface of the glass-magnesium plate, lime is used.

To carry out the installation of glass-magnesium sheets, you will need:

metal profile;
reinforcement tapes;
putties;
fixation brackets;
self-tapping screws with a countersunk head.

Magnesium-glass sheets suggest both transverse and longitudinal fastening. If you plan to lay the sheets transversely, then they are mounted horizontally on the walls, and transversely on the ceiling. Fixation of glass-magnesium sheets according to the longitudinal fastening scheme is carried out vertically on the surface of the walls and in the longitudinal direction on the ceiling.

Before carrying out work on the installation of glass-magnesium sheets, a supporting structure is installed. A metal profile is required for its installation. For the installation of a profile structure, brackets and special types of fasteners should be used.

Tips for installing a structure from a metal profile:

if the thickness of the glass-magnesium sheet is 1 cm, then the interval between the installation of vertical racks should be 61 cm;
bearing profiles are located at a distance of about 4 cm, with a material thickness of 0.8-1 cm (this rule is relevant for installing suspended ceilings);
to improve sound insulation, it is recommended to use a special tape, which is glued to the back of the profile installed near the wall, the main function of this profile is to distribute the total load.

Instructions for mounting glass-magnesium sheets on a metal profile structure:

1. The distance from the bottom edge of the slab to the floor should be one centimeter. When the installation work is completed, it is filled with a putty.

2. Fasteners are installed in 250 mm increments.

3. Fixation of the sheet on the surface begins from its central part, gradually moving to the outer edge. If this sequence is violated, then there is a risk of deformation of the material.

4. Half of the thickness of one sheet is the spacing between two sheets.

5. The distance between the edge and the self-tapping screw must be at least 15 mm.

6. The head of the self-tapping screws is completely recessed in the plate by one or two millimeters. If premium class glass sheets with increased density are used, then the countersinking procedure should be carried out first.

7. Fixation of glass-magnesium sheets does not imply their interruption with the help of staples or self-tapping screws, since the outer layer of glass fabric is deformed, the fixing of the sheet is broken.

To fix a standard sheet, measuring 122 by 250 cm, weighing nineteen kilograms, the same fasteners are used as in the process of installing drywall sheets.

Please note that in accordance with the sheet width of 122 cm, the vertical posts are mounted at intervals of 46 cm.

Self-tapping screws are attached to the surface with a step of 25 cm. It is best to use fasteners T N 25 or their analogues. If premium sheets are used, then they require preliminary drilling of a hole for self-tapping screws, its diameter is about two millimeters.

Any plaster mixture is used to putty the joints that form between the sheets, since the material has high adhesion to many finishing materials.

Acrylic sealant is used to speed up the sealing of joints. It is applied to the end portions of one sheet, and then the second sheet is installed. In this case, the gap between them is about 0.7 mm. Removal of sealant residues occurs after it dries.

Each of the surfaces of the glass-magnesium sheet is working. For further finishing, either side is used. If you plan to paint or wallpaper glass-magnesium sheets, then it is better to choose a smooth surface. The textured part of the sheet is perfect for tiling.

1. Please note that during installation, the material must be completely dry. Otherwise, it undergoes a change in shape, and it becomes difficult to cut.

2. Fibers on the surface of glass-magnesium sheets should be located in the vertical direction. This rule provides increased structural strength.

3. Self-tapping screws used for mounting drywall will help to fix the glass-magnesium sheet.

4. If glass-magnesium sheets are cut, then it is carried out on a flat surface, while the smooth side of the material should be on top. An electric jigsaw will be an excellent material for this work. Use a sharp knife to make the cut, the ruler will act as a guide. Next, the sheet breaks off, and its edges are cleaned with sandpaper.

4. All gaps between the sheets, as well as fasteners with self-tapping screws, are puttyed. Next, the grout is done and the base is coated with a primer. In this case, the surface is ready for finishing.