Magnesium Oxide Wallboards Vs. Magnesium Oxide Boards 

30 Nov Magnesium Oxide Wallboards Vs. Magnesium Oxide Boards 

Are you planning a makeover but confused about different building materials? Or is it complicated to pick the best material from the various available options? This thing gets me nervous. 

Magnesium oxide wallboards and boards share the exact origin. The only difference is in applications. As usage varies, the dimensions and physical attributes, like thickness, also change. 

MgO boards are thicker and can be used in indoor and outdoor environments. Magnesium oxide wallboards are used as a substitute for traditional wallboards. Handling MgO boards can be quite tricky. 

Scroll in detail to find the difference between Magnesium oxide wallboards and magnesium oxide boards. 

What are Magnesium Oxide Wallboards? 

Magnesium Oxide wallboards are a sustainable substitute for gypsum drywall. Their composition is similar to that of MgO boards. The only difference is in their appearance and durability properties. 

Magnesium oxide wallboards are made of Magnesium and oxygen. The boards are made with fiberglass mesh, woven fabric, and cellulose at high temperatures and pressure.

Read the guide on how the MgO boards are made. Get a detailed view of material extraction, manufacturing, and end-use. 

As stated earlier, Magnesium oxide wallboards have limited applications in the construction industry. However, they can be used as a substitute for traditional drywalls, so they can be used for partitions, outer walls, etc. 

What are Magnesium Oxide Boards? 

Magnesium oxide (MgO) boards are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional building materials. MgO boards are made with similar processes. The constituents are exactly like Magnesium oxide wallboards. Nevertheless, MgO boards come in different shapes and sizes, and that’s why they have more applications in the construction industry. Some of these applications are:

• Flooring and subflooring 
• Wall sheathing 
• Roofing 
• Exterior cladding

MgO boards are the most sustainable building materials to date. Their constituent materials are abundant in nature. Compared to traditional building materials, the energy required in manufacturing is very low, and emissions during production are very low. 

And here’s the catch: MgO boards do not harm the environment after usage. The material is biodegradable and recyclable. So, you can change it into more helpful material with little effort. 

However, these boards are slightly expensive and require utmost care during handling. But if it comes with ALL these benefits, it’s worth spending, right?

Now that we know what magnesium oxide wallboards and MgO boards are, let’s look at their similarities. After all, we know both have the same primary material, so they’re more likely to be the same.

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Similarities Between Magnesium Oxide Wallboards and Magnesium Oxide Boards 

The construction industry is booming at an exponential rate across the globe. With eco-consciousness, the demand for Magnesium oxide boards and wallboards increases.  

• First, both types of boards share the same constituent material. 
• Both of the boards have high fire resistance. 
• Magnesium oxide wallboards and MgO boards are not welcoming to mold and mildew. 
• They are highly resistant to fungus. 
• Both types of boards can block the noise efficiently.
• They have high impact resistance. 
• These boards have high moisture resistance and do not deform easily. 
• Magnesium oxide boards and MgO wallboards are recyclable and biodegradable, making them an eco-friendly alternative to traditional building materials. 

Some of the other things that are similar between these boards are:

As you can see, both of these boards share multiple properties. From physical appearance to features and characteristics, there are many similarities. This is why Magnesium oxide boards are becoming popular in the construction industry. 

Now that the overview of both types of boards is done, let’s head to the key differences. 

Magnesium Oxide Wallboards Vs. Magnesium Oxide Boards

Despite all the similarities, there are some obvious differences. Based on these differences, their applications vary. Here’s an overview of the critical differences between Magnesium oxide wallboards and MgO boards:

1. Thickness and Density

Magnesium oxide boards come in different sizes and dimensions. Since wallboards are usually designed for interior wall and ceiling applications, they are thinner and less dense. MgO boards are often used for more diverse purposes; therefore, their thickness and density vary.

Read the complete guide to know how thick it is MgO boards. 

2. Primary Applications

Regarding the applications of both boards, Magnesium oxide wallboards are mainly used for interior walls and partitions. Besides this, they are used for ceilings in commercial and residential buildings.

On the other hand, the thickness variation makes MgO boards a versatile building material. The boards have applications for indoor and outdoor environments. They can be used for:

• Exterior sheathing 
• Subflooring 
• Roof decking 
• Tile backing

To know more about the applications of MgO boards, check out this post. 

3. Load-bearing Capacity

Another critical difference between these boards is their weight-bearing capacity. MgO boards are thick and have high density. Therefore, they have high impact strength and do not bend easily. This property increases their demand for multiple purposes. 

On the other hand, magnesium oxide wallboards are thinner and cannot bear much weight. Therefore, they are an ideal substitute for drywalls. 

4. Finishing 

Ideally, Magnesium oxide wallboards have a smooth surface and do not require finishing. You can paint them directly. At the same time, the MgO boards have a rather rough texture and need extra effort for fine finishing and then painting. 

5. Customization

There are limited options to customize the wallboards. Their only purpose is to make a partition. However, MgO boards are available in a wider range of thicknesses and sizes to accommodate various construction needs. There are different sizes of MgO boards, and so do the applications. 

6. Performance in wet areas

Both MgO boards and wallboards have good moisture resistance, and that’s because they are made from similar materials. However, there are certain differences between these two. MgO boards exhibit:

• High moisture resistance due to higher density and thickness
• Can withstand direct water exposure for extended periods
• Suitable for exterior applications and high-moisture interior environments (e.g., bathrooms, kitchens, basements)
• Less prone to warping or deterioration in humid conditions
• They are often used in marine environments due to their salt-water resistance

On the other hand, MgO wallboards are relatively thin, so they might not withstand exposure to water for too long. However, they still have good moisture resistance capability for indoor environments. Magnesium wallboards are not suitable for extreme weather. If you’re planning to use MgO wallboards outside, you need to consider additional waterproofing. 

7. Fire resistance

As we know, Magnesium is highly resistant to fire. The material remains intact at 750 degrees and does not melt until 1200 degrees. However, there are some differences between these two. 

MgO boards are generally thick and have a high fire rating. With customization, you can even get a fire rating of up to 4 hours. With these customization options, you can use them in areas prone to frequent fires.

MgO wallboards offer decent resistance against fire. However, they are more suitable for interior applications. Since the thickness options are not available and generally the wallboards are thin, they have a slightly low fire rating. But what makes them shine is their excellent fire resistance compared to drywalls. 

Interesting read: Are MgO boards flammable?

8. Thermal Insulation

The heat does not dissipate easily since MgO boards are thick and have high density. Thus, the boards provide good thermal insulation. Using them for flooring, ceiling, and wall sheathing can give good thermal insulation to your home. 

Whereas, 

Magnesium oxide wallboards are generally thin and have less thermal insulation, so they are suitable for internal applications only. 

9. Acoustic properties

The acoustic performance of Magnesium oxide wallboards and boards varies due to differences in their usage. 

MgO Boards are thicker and slightly denser and, therefore, have inherent sound insulation. But, since the boards are made to withstand extreme weather conditions, they’re better able to exhibit these properties. Hence, additional treatments may be required for optimal sound insulation. 

Despite their comparatively low acoustic performance, these boards are used in commercial and residential buildings to maintain a calm environment. They can be combined with other materials to create high-performance acoustic systems. 

MgO wallboards have specific acoustic properties for interior use. Their thickness and density are optimized for typical interior sound insulation needs. 

10. Installation and Handling

Another important aspect of difference is their handling. MgO wallboards are thin and lightweight, so they are easy to install. On the other hand, MgO boards are difficult to handle because they are more dense. Moreover, their applications vary and, therefore, require specialized techniques for installation. 

11. Maintenance and Repair

Both materials are low-maintenance due to their resistance to mold and mildew. MgO wallboards are easier to repair using methods similar to drywall repair, allowing for seamless blending of patched areas. 

MgO boards may require more effort for repairs due to their hardness, But they’re highly durable and less likely to need repairs.

12. Cost Analysis

The initial cost of magnesium oxide boards is slightly higher than Magnesium oxide wallboards. The total initial cost for MgO boards can be up to 70% more than for MgO wallboards. However, the MgO boards are more durable and require little repair, which can offset the higher initial cost. Magnesium oxide wallboards require more maintenance than MgO boards. 

Since MgO boards do not require frequent maintenance, they save much money. Moreover, their efficient insulation properties reduce the energy cost of warming the place. This can significantly affect long-term cost-effectiveness, especially in extreme climates.

MgO wallboards may require replacement within a 20-year timeframe, especially in high-traffic or high-moisture areas. Meanwhile, MgO boards are less likely to need replacement.

Although both of these boards have unique applications, finding quality boards can be a tedious task. Scroll down to find where you can get the best one. 

Get the Best MgO Boards From Sulfycor

Sulfycor is a leading Magnesium oxide board manufacturer originating in Guangxi, China. We have over eight years of experience. What stands out is the high-end machinery that maintains the quality of our products. 

Meeting the ISO standards, the MgO boards are chloride-free and meet the health safety standards. There are a variety of MgO boards available to replace the traditional wallboards. We provide customization options to meet the customer demands.

Sulfycor has satisfied clients in over 20 countries; you can be the next one. Discuss your project via phone or contact us through our social media handles. Our experts will ensure you get the same product on your doorstep.

Conclusion

The building industry is evolving. Sustainable construction materials are replacing traditional materials. MgO boards and wallboards are an eco-friendly alternative to gypsum wallboards and construction materials. 

MgO wallboards are generally thin and specifically used for partitions. Meanwhile, MgO boards have versatile applications in indoor and outdoor environments. They are thicker and denser, making them a little difficult to handle. Besides this, they are a little expensive. 

But consider MgO boards if you’re playing a long-term game, and get the best one from Sulfycor.