
22 Mar Main Applications of Magnesium Oxide Wallboard in Modern Construction
You can see magnesium oxide wallboard application in many new buildings. Builders use this wallboard for inside walls, room dividers, ceilings, and decorations. It is beneficial because it does not burn easily and keeps out water. You will also find it in schools, hospitals, and stores where safety is important. Outside, workers utilize magnesium oxide wallboard application for strong covers and siding. This wallboard is a green choice that is tough and lasts a long time everywhere.
Key Takeaways
Magnesium oxide wallboard does not catch fire. It is a safe choice for places like schools and hospitals.
This wallboard does not let water in easily. It stops mold and damage in wet rooms like bathrooms and kitchens.
Magnesium oxide wallboard helps lower energy bills. It keeps buildings warm in winter and cool in summer.
Magnesium oxide wallboard is good for the environment. It can be recycled and makes less carbon dioxide than gypsum board.
Magnesium oxide wallboard lasts a long time. It needs fewer repairs and less maintenance, which saves time and money.
Magnesium Oxide Wallboard Application: Interior Uses

Walls and Partition Systems
Magnesium oxide wallboard application works for many inside walls. Builders pick it for office, school, and hospital partitions. It keeps people safe because it does not burn. It also stops fire better than other boards. This board does not soak up water like gypsum board. Your walls will not get bigger or moldy in wet places. The table below shows how magnesium oxide wallboard and gypsum board are different for inside walls:
Attribute | Magnesium Oxide Wallboard | Gypsum Board |
|---|---|---|
Fire Resistance | Up to 4 hours, does not burn | 30–60 minutes, weakens in fire |
Moisture Resistance | Highly resistant, does not swell or mold | Absorbs water, can grow mold |
Impact Strength | More than 4.5 Kilo Joules | Less than 1 Kilo Joule |
Environmental Impact | Eco-friendly, recyclable | Energy-intensive, hard to recycle |
You need special screws and tools to put up magnesium oxide boards. Use screws that do not rust and a saw with a carbide blade. This helps you cut the board clean and finish strong. Keep the boards dry and use glue for corners. These steps help your walls last longer and stay tough.
Ceilings and Subflooring
Magnesium oxide board is good for ceilings and subfloors inside. Its dense structure keeps out water. You do not have to worry about mold or water damage. Gypsum boards can get wet and moldy, but magnesium oxide boards stay strong. This gives you a safer and cleaner room.
Magnesium oxide wallboard application is great for subfloors because it holds heavy weight. It does not crack or bend like plywood. Cement boards are strong but heavy and hard to use. Magnesium oxide board has high compressive strength, up to 25 MPa. This helps floors stay steady. This is important for tall buildings that need strong floors.
Material | Compressive Strength (MPa) |
|---|---|
Magnesium Oxide | 12 to 25 |
Plywood | Varies, generally lower |
Cement Board | Strong but heavier |
Wet Areas and Bathtub Enclosures
Magnesium oxide wallboard application is good for wet rooms like bathrooms and kitchens. It does not take in much water, so it stays strong. The table below shows why it works well in wet places:
Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
Moisture Resistance | Suitable for high-humidity environments |
Mold Prevention | |
Structural Integrity | Maintains strength and durability in wet areas |
In bathtub spaces, magnesium oxide board only takes in 0.34% water. This stops swelling and damage. Cement board can take in more water, up to 1.58% after soaking. Magnesium oxide boards protect your wet rooms better.
Magnesium oxide wallboard takes in only 0.34% water, so it does not swell or break.
Cement board can swell up to 1.58% after soaking for 504 hours.
Soundproofing with Magnesium Oxide Boards
Magnesium oxide wallboard application helps block noise in rooms. It stops sound better than regular gypsum board. Its dense structure gives higher sound ratings. You can see the difference in the table below:
Type of Wallboard | STC Rating |
|---|---|
Magnesium Wallboard | 53 to 54 |
DragonBoard MgO Panels | Up to 59 |
EXACOR Underlayment Panels | Up to 60 |
Regular gypsum board has a sound rating near 30. Special soundproof gypsum boards reach 40 to 42. Magnesium oxide board can go even higher, so it blocks more noise. It also resists hits and fire very well. Magnesium oxide boards keep their shape in wet rooms, so your quiet walls last longer.
Tip: Use magnesium oxide wallboard application in bedrooms, offices, and classrooms to make rooms quieter and more peaceful.
Magnesium Oxide Board Application: Exterior Uses
Facades and Exterior Siding
Magnesium oxide boards are good for outside walls and siding. People use them on homes, stores, and public buildings. These boards protect against rain, wind, and sun. They do not rust or break in bad weather. They stay strong and keep their shape, even near the ocean or in wet places.
If you pick magnesium oxide boards for siding, you get many good things:
Energy efficiency: These boards help keep heat in or out. This can make your heating and cooling bills lower.
Cost-effectiveness: You save money because you fix less and pay less for energy.
Moisture resistance: The boards stop water from getting inside. This keeps your walls dry and safe.
Mold prevention: You do not have to worry about mold growing behind the siding.
Durability in harsh conditions: These boards last a long time, even in storms or very hot or cold weather.
Exceptional fire resistance: The boards can stop fire for up to four hours. This helps keep your building safe.
Stability in wet conditions: The boards do not bend or swell. Your siding stays flat and strong.
You can use these boards for new buildings or when fixing old ones. Many big projects and public places use magnesium oxide boards. They are waterproof and last longer than fiber cement siding. Fiber cement can soak up water if you do not seal it well. Magnesium oxide boards stay strong in heat and wet air.
Note: Always put a special coating or paint on magnesium oxide boards outside. This makes them last longer and look nice.
Sheathing and Soffits
Magnesium oxide boards are great for sheathing and soffits under roofs. You can use them in schools, stores, and other big buildings. These boards give you a strong, waterproof layer for your walls.
“MgO sheathing is classified as an A1 fire-rated material, which means it can withstand direct exposure to flames and extremely high temperatures without igniting, emitting toxic smoke, or compromising its structure.”
You can feel safe because your building has extra fire protection. These boards also stop bugs and do not rot. This makes them smart for soffits and roof edges. You can put them up with normal tools. They do not crack or split like wood.
If you want walls that are waterproof and safe from fire, magnesium oxide boards are a top pick for sheathing and soffits. You can trust them to protect your building for many years.
Protected Outdoor Applications
You can use magnesium oxide boards in covered outdoor places. These include walkways, balconies, and outdoor ceilings. The boards do not break or get weak when the weather changes from hot to cold.
Here is how magnesium oxide boards compare to other boards in freeze-thaw tests:
Board Type | Freeze-Thaw Durability | Bending Strength Change |
|---|---|---|
Magnesium Oxide | Small changes, similar to Fibre Cement | |
Fibre Cement | Good resistance | Small changes |
Gypsum Plasterboard | Inferior performance | Larger changes |
You can see magnesium oxide boards work as well as fiber cement in tough weather. They do much better than gypsum plasterboard, which can crack or get weak in cold, wet weather.
If you want outdoor spaces to stay dry and strong, magnesium oxide boards are a good choice. Always use a protective finish to help the boards last longer and look good.
Performance Comparison: Magnesium Oxide Boards vs Traditional Materials
Fire and Moisture Resistance
Are magnesium oxide boards fire resistant? Yes, they are. These boards give the best fire safety in buildings. They have an A1 non-combustible fire rating. This is the highest fire safety level. You can use them for fire-rated walls in schools, hospitals, and homes. The table below shows how magnesium oxide boards, gypsum board, and cement board compare for fire safety:
Property | MgO Board | Gypsum Board | Cement Board |
|---|---|---|---|
Fire Resistance Rating | A1 Non-Combustible | Fire-resistant up to 1 hour | Fire-resistant up to 2 hours |
Fire Endurance | Up to 4 hours | 30-60 minutes | Up to 2 hours |
Magnesium oxide boards protect from fire for up to four hours. Gypsum board lasts only one hour. Cement board lasts two hours. If you want fire resistance for a long time, magnesium oxide boards are the best.
Moisture resistance is important in buildings. Magnesium oxide boards do not swell or break in wet air. They keep their shape in bathrooms, kitchens, and outside walls. Some boards use other minerals, so they take in more water. Still, magnesium oxide boards resist water better than gypsum board.
Eco-Friendly Benefits
You help the earth when you pick magnesium oxide boards. These boards use less energy to make. They release less carbon dioxide than gypsum wallboard. The table below shows how they compare:
Material | CO2 Emissions (kg/ton) | Recyclability | Additional Environmental Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|
Magnesium Oxide Board | 340 | Higher recyclability | No harmful chemicals |
Gypsum Wallboard | 740 | Difficult to recycle | Mercury emissions during production |
Magnesium oxide boards trap carbon dioxide when made.
They do not use harmful chemicals.
Gypsum wallboard can release mercury, which is bad for people and nature.
You can recycle magnesium oxide boards. Drywall is hard to recycle. This means less trash in landfills and less pollution from your building project.
Structural Strength and Durability
You want walls that are strong and last a long time. Magnesium oxide boards have high compressive strength, from 12 to 25 MPa. They do not crack or break in busy places. The table below shows how they last compared to regular drywall:
Feature | Magnesium Oxide Wallboard | Traditional Drywall |
|---|---|---|
Resistance to Impact | High | Low |
Moisture Resistance | Excellent | Poor |
Mold Resistance | High | Low |
Durability in High Traffic | Superior | Inferior |
Repair Frequency | Low | High |
You will fix your walls less often and stay safer. Magnesium oxide boards stay strong in places with lots of people. They give you fire-rated walls and protect from fire for a long time. You can trust them for inside and outside building jobs.
You can use magnesium oxide wallboard for many jobs inside and outside. The table below shows how it works in different places:
Application Type | Key Properties |
|---|---|
Interior Walls | Smooth finish, strength, fire safety, supports finishes like paint and tiles. |
Moisture-Prone Exteriors | Engineered for durability, fire protection, and long-term performance. |
Protected Exterior Zones | Weather resistance and fire safety in soffits, eaves, and balcony ceilings. |
Magnesium oxide boards are made in a way that is good for the earth. They help you build safe and healthy buildings. These boards use natural materials and do not let out bad chemicals. You can use them for schools, hospitals, and other big projects. They last a long time and do not hurt the environment. This makes them a smart pick if you want to build in a green way.
FAQ
What makes magnesium oxide wallboard a good choice for green building?
You help the planet when you use this wallboard. It is made from natural minerals. You can recycle it easily. It is environmentally safe and does not release harmful chemicals during use.
Can you use magnesium oxide wallboard in wet areas?
Yes, you can. This wallboard does not absorb much water. It stays strong in bathrooms and kitchens. You get a durable and environmentally friendly solution for wet spaces.
Is magnesium oxide wallboard safe for indoor air quality?
You stay safe with this wallboard. It does not give off toxic fumes. It is environmentally clean and supports healthy air inside your building.
How does magnesium oxide wallboard handle fire?
You get top fire resistance with this wallboard. It does not burn easily. It protects your building for up to four hours during a fire.
Can you paint or finish magnesium oxide wallboard?
Yes, you can. You can paint, tile, or cover it with wallpaper. The surface is smooth and ready for many finishes.

Facades and Exterior Siding
Fire and Moisture Resistance