21 Dec MGO Board vs. Traditional Materials: Fire Safety in Construction
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Choosing the building material is a tedious task, isn’t it? It’s like picking the most useful needle from a haystack. It should fulfill all the requirements, be easy to handle, durable and functional, and not cost much.
Also, the building material must provide the utmost safety against fire.
Now, you might wonder if it is possible to find building material that meets all these requirements. Well, YES!
MgO boards can be the best fire safety material in construction compared to traditional building materials. This blog post will provide a detailed comparison of MgO boards and conventional building materials. So, without further ado, let’s get into the topic.
Traditional Building Material
As soon as life starts, people use building materials, from wood to concrete, gypsum, plywood, and whatnot. As human requirements change, the choice of construction material also changes.
In the early days, wood was the only material used to build homes. Fast-forward to now, and tens of materials are available depending on geography, price, and choice of material.
Concrete, wood, cement, Gypsum, and plywood are some traditional building materials. Each has its pros and cons.
MgO Boards: A Brief Overview
MgO boards are a popular building material, and all the properties make them stand out. If you prefer durability, the box is checked. If you need something for aesthetics, the box is checked again. If you prioritize safety and comfort, MgO boards are a big yes.
All in all, MgO boards are the perfect building material because of their following properties:
- High fire resistance
- Moisture resistance
- Excellent noise resistance
- High strength and durability
- Fungal and mold resistance
- Variety of shapes and sizes
- Versatile usage
MgO boards are also an eco-friendly building material. From manufacturing to end-of-life, they have little to no environmental impact.
Now that we know what MgO boards are and what makes them a perfect building material let’s compare them to traditional building materials for fire safety.
Comparison of MgO Boards and Traditional Material
| Feature | MgO Board | Traditional Materials |
| Fire Resistance Rating | Excellent – MgO boards can achieve fire ratings up to 4 hours, providing robust fire protection. | Mixed – Concrete performs well, but wood and standard drywall offer limited protection and may need additional fireproofing. |
| Combustibility | Non-combustible – MgO boards don’t catch fire, making them ideal for high-risk fire areas. | Variable – Wood is combustible and can accelerate fire spread, while concrete and gypsum are non-combustible but may degrade under heat. |
| Smoke and Fume Emission | Very Low – Produces minimal smoke or toxic fumes, which improves air quality during a fire. | High – Wood and some treated materials release toxic smoke, posing additional hazards in enclosed spaces. |
| Thermal Stability | Stable – Retains structural integrity at high temperatures, aiding in fire containment. | Moderate to Low – Wood weakens or burns under heat, while gypsum loses integrity when water content evaporates. |
| Suitability for Applications | Versatile – Works for walls, ceilings, floors, and cladding, especially in fire-rated applications. | Specific – Wood is usually structural; gypsum is for interiors only; concrete is heavy and often costly to install. |
| Moisture Resistance | Concrete performs well, but wood and standard drywall offer limited protection and may need additional fireproofing. | Mixed – Gypsum degrades with moisture; wood absorbs it, increasing susceptibility to fire; concrete is generally resilient. |
| Environmental Impact | High-MgO boards are mold and mildew-resistant, maintaining fire resistance even in humid conditions. | Mixed – Wood is renewable but requires chemical treatments; gypsum and concrete production are energy-intensive. |
A comparison of MgO boards and traditional building materials like wood and Gypsum showed that MgO boards are excellent at resistance against fire.
Firstly, the material is non-combustible and can withstand temperatures up to 800 °C. Moreover, the material remains intact even when the temperature goes as high as 1200°C and maintains its structural integrity. This fire resistance ability makes MgO boards a good choice for fire-prone areas.
Also, MgO boards do not release harmful chemicals and fumes when burned. This is another plus point because traditional materials like wood release a lot of carbon and other harmful materials that harm human health and the environment.
Related to this point, MgO boards have low environmental impacts during and after life. Traditional materials, when burnt, become part of soil or water and pollute it. On the contrary, MgO boards do not release harmful chemicals.
Based on all these features, MgO boards have versatile applications in indoor and outdoor environments. Wood and other materials have limited applications. Some materials are suitable for indoor environments, while others are best for outdoor environments.
Characteristics Comparison of MgO Boards and Traditional Boards
Here is a comparison of the fire safety of MgO boards and other building materials, taking fire resistance, combustibility, and other crucial factors into account.
| Feature | MgO Board | Cement Board | Plywood | Gypsum Board | Concrete |
| Fire Resistance | High (up to 4 hrs) | Moderate-High | Low | Low-Moderate | High |
| Combustibility | Non-combustible | Non-combustible | Combustible | Non-combustible | Non-combustible |
| Smoke Emission | Very low | Low | High | Moderate | Very low |
| Thermal Stability | Stable | Stable | Weakens quickly | Weakens | Stable |
| Moisture Resistance | High | High | Low | Low | High |
| Installation | Easy | Moderate | Easy | Easy | Labor-intensive |
| Cost | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Low | High |
| Eco-Friendliness | High | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Low |
The effectiveness and performance of different building materials were compared, and MgO boards stood out as a building material.
Sulfycor: Your Ultimate Solution to Get the Best MgO Boards
Are you intrigued to buy MgO boards? You’re at the right place. Sulfycor is a big name in the magnesium board manufacturing industry. Based in China, Sulfycor offers high-quality MgO boards that are useful for residential and commercial buildings. Here’s what Sulfycor offers:
- Chloride-free magnesium boards
- Customized boards for versatile usage
- Wide variety of MgO boards
- 24/7 service
- High-quality material
- Deliver at your doorstep
By offering all these benefits, we’ve satisfied clients in 20 countries—you can be the next one!
Hit DM on our socials or call us for exceptional magnesium oxide boards.
To Sum It Up!
That is everything you need to compare MgO boards and traditional building materials for fire resistance.
Although concrete sets a bar as the best building material, MgO boards have the upper hand due to their exceptional fire resistance ability. The material maintains structural integrity even at high temperatures.
Moreover, it does not release harmful fumes when burned. These properties make it an exceptional building material compared to traditional materials like wood. To get the best one, look no further than Sulfycor.