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For rough cuts, place the Magnesium oxide board
sheet rough side up, scour along a
straight line with the knife, then snap
along the scoured line.
Pass the knife again along the other
side to separate the two sheets to get a clean cut.
Finer cuts are achieved by using power tools such as circular saw, jigsaw, bench top
saw, etc. (Please note the section of Health and Safety Practices regarding dust) |
 Installing
Magnesium oxide board may be fixed to either light or heavy gauge domestic type steel frames, timber frames or timber battens over masonry. All the framing and substrate used must comply with relevant building regulations and standards.
It is also important to ensure that the frame is square and straight to provide the flush face to receive the sheeting.
Steel frame
Steel studs must be a minimum of 32mm wide at joint face, and 0.55mm gauge
minimum BMT (Base Metal Thickness).
Steel framing must comply with the requirements of NZS3404 "Steel Structure
Standards"
Steel sections shall be galvanised or zinc coated of 0.55 - 1.0mm BMT (Base Metal Thickness)
Timber frame:
Timber framing must comply with the requirements of NZS3604 "Timber Framed Buildings" and any other relevant standard.
Studs must be provided at 600mm centres
maximum, and noggins at 1200 mm centres
nominal.
Furthermore, timber studs must be a minimum 45mm wide at sheet joints.
Masonry Substrate
It is important to ensure that the substrate is allowed enough time to dry before the
installation of Magnesium oxide board The wall surface must be clean, dry and free from any
outside matter that may affect the straightness of the battens.
 General
Boards should be installed individually. They should be lifted off the floor and kept
away from the ceiling by approximately 6mm to allow for any frame movement /
shrinking / expansion.
Magnesium oxide board may be screwed or nailed to the frame as appropriatly. Use MAG Drive fasteners suitable for the frame in place, ensuring that the screws have enough length to provide a good grip to the frame.
When using MAG Drive self embedding screws ensure that they do not go more than 0.5mm below the surface of the board, kept no less than 12mm away from the sheet edges, and 50mm away from the corners of the board.
Furthermore, ensure that screws do not over-spin, thus lose grip of the frame.
Jointing
For straight joints, align the recessed ends together, making sure that the joints are dry, clean and free from grease, oils or any other materials.
Embed the appropriate jointing tape (50mm wide paper or fibre mesh jointing tape) in a fine layer of jointing compound. Add another layer of jointing compound to the desired finish, wiping off any excess materials.
Both recessed edge and butt joints require joint setting by using jointing products.
The performance of every wall joint is the responsibility of its installer, as this is governed by the standard of workmanship and installation practices.
There are several factors that may affect the joint performance, such as framing quality, movement and vibrations, moisture, humidity, temperature, etc. These factors must be carefully understood and considered by the installer when selecting jointing compounds, by ensuring that the product selected has the physical attributes required to perform these considering factors. For corner joints, use a suitable corner reinforcement product, and finish off with appropriate jointing compounds.
If working conditions are hot and dry, dampen the area around the joint prior to working.
Note
Jointing compound can also be used to cover fastener heads and any other
imperfections. Feather out towards the outside, allow to fully dry before sanding.
Finishing
Magnesium oxide board can be finished in a variety of ways including Paint, Plaster, Wallpaper, Tile or as required.
Notes
1-For wet areas, the waterproofing requirements of all relevant codes, standards and regulations must be met.
2-Water proofing membranes manufacturers specifications and application methods must be consulted and complied with.
Glancing Light
In some instances, joints may be visible due to glancing light. To eliminate this effect, consider the following:
1-Alter the light source.
2-Work closely with the builder or designer to minimise this.
3-Ensure the joints are set in a professional tradesman-like way.
Painting
Depending on the type of paint used, sanding is recommended prior to the application of paint. It is also important to ensure that all surfaces are clean, dry and free from any dust or sanding residue.
Brand named paints usually give better results. Always follow the paint manufacturer recommendations for paint suitability, mixing instructions, and application.
Note
Use of a 'Sealer Coat' or 'Preparation Undercoat' is recommended. Also ensure that any imperfections are cured or dealt with before the application of paint.
For expert opinions from paint manufacturers, please download the recommendations on painting Magnesium oxide board from Dulux and Resene.
Tiling
Magnesium oxide board is considered as one of the best products on the market for tiling.
It is recommended that only flexible tile adhesive be used for tile applications. Please refer to adhesive manufacturer for suitability and application information.
It is also important to note that the weight loading of the tiles depends on the
thickness of the Magnesium oxide board used, and also on stud centres.
Support angles are necessary to transfer the weight of the tiles onto the framing,
where a structural engineer is to determine their suitability and positioning.
Support angles need to be fixed onto the supporting frame, and the overall wall mass and stability needs to be considered.
Maintenance
It is recommended that all the cleaning and maintenance of the finishing be carried out regularly and in strict accordance with its manufacturer. Joints must also be maintained and kept free of dirt and grime.
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