A: MgO Board is a strong, high-quality, fire-proof, mineral-based building material used to replace plywood, fiber cement panels, OSB, and gypsum wallboards. It is an extremely versatile product for use in both interior and exterior construction. It is made from bonding certain elements, including magnesium and oxygen, which results in an extremely strong cement-like material. Similar compounds have been used for hundreds of years in world-renowned structures such as the Great Wall of China, Rome's Pantheon, and Taipei 101.
A: MgO Board is a unique, cost-effective building material that is widely available across the U.S. The product is engineered to address some of the toughest building challenges faced by architects, contractors, installers, builders, and consumers, including resistance to fire, moisture, mold, mildew, and insects.
A: MgO Board is an extremely versatile product that can be used in many applications, both interior and exterior.
Exterior Applications include:
- Wall sheathing
- Fascia
- Soffit
- Trim
- Lap Siding
Interior Applications include:
- Wall panels
- Ceiling boards
- Tile backers
- Drop ceiling tiles
- Fire wall systems
Specialty Applications include:
- Office cubicles
- Room dividers
- Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS)
A: MgO boards are typically sold in standard sizes of 4 × 8 feet and 4 × 10 feet. The length can be customized between 8 feet and 10 feet. A variety of thickness options are available, ranging from 3mm to 19mm.
A: Yes. MgO Board is safer than many comparable building products. It is a mineral-based product made with non-toxic ingredients, completely recyclable, and resistant to mold, mildew, and allergens, making it ideal for people with allergies or asthma.
A: MgO Board offers many cost benefits. Due to its strength and durability, MgO Board increases the lifespan of structures such as homes and buildings. The cost per sheet of MgO Board MgO Panels for the same thickness is higher than regular gypsum but comparable or less than specialty types, and generally less than most cement products.
A: No. MgO Board is considered moisture-resistant; however, during extended exposure periods, moisture can affect it, and it will undergo hydrothermal expansion. When used outdoors, Magboard should be covered or coated to protect it from the elements.
A: It is made by combining oxygen and magnesium under heat and pressure, commonly called “MgO,” due to its chemical composition of magnesium (chemical symbol Mg) and oxygen (chemical symbol O). MgO is ground into a powder, then mixed with water to form a cement-like adhesive material. MgO Board also contains other components, but MgO is the primary component.
Pure magnesium, in its raw form, is flammable, but MgO is completely nonflammable and used for fireproofing.
Our MgO Board magnesium oxide boards have a strictly regulated chloride content during our manufacturing process, averaging about 8%. Additionally, our dissolvable (free) chloride ion content is less than 5%, and our sulfate content averages 0.2%.
A: MgO Board MgO Panels are made from natural minerals, Magnesium oxide, Chloride, and Sulphate, also known as Epsom salts, along with wood dust (cellulose), perlite or vermiculite, and a glass fiber mesh. There are no volatile organic compounds or toxic ingredients used. Caution: while the materials used are not harmful, it is strongly recommended that everyone wear proper silica/concrete dust respirators when using MgO Board due to the dust created during cutting and sanding.
A: MgO Board can be easily stored indoors due to its high moisture and humidity resistance. It should be stored in a cool, dry place, like any sheet building material. To protect edges and corners, carry boards on their side. Boards should be laid flat on dunnage, loose wood, matting, or other materials, not directly on the ground. Avoid letting MgO Board bow. Do not stack any other materials on top of MgO Board.
A: MgO Board's strong adhesion properties make it ideal for a variety of finishes such as paint, plaster, synthetic stucco, wallpaper, stone, tile, and brick. MgO Board is also excellent for use in Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS), Exterior Insulated Finish Systems (EIFS), and interior wall systems utilizing fabrics.
When finishing MgO Board MgO Panels after installation, start with a primer since the panels are alkaline. We recommend a primer suitable for concrete or masonry. There are popular paint brands that react molecularly with MgO Board cement to form a highly UV-resistant coating that lasts for years. Acrylic stucco topcoats or polymer-modified cement base coats can also be used and applied individually to the board. Before completing the entire project, test topcoats and paints. To accurately test the adhesion of the topcoat, apply paint to a small area of MgO Board, let it dry and cure, then score an "X" with a sharp knife, cover it with masking tape, press firmly, and rip it off quickly. If the paint stays on the board, it indicates a successful bond.
A: The choice of thickness for MgO Board depends on the project requirements:
- Ceilings: For ceilings where the board will be screwed to light gauge steel or wood, use 8mm or thicker. If you plan to countersink the screw head, opt for a thicker board. For drop ceilings using MgO panels, 2mm or 6mm boards are suitable.
- Walls: For most walls, a board thickness of 10mm to 12mm is common. For walls requiring higher fire resistance and impact resistance, use 15mm to 20mm thick boards.
- Floor decking typically use boards that are 18mm thick.
- Thinner boards can be used if the wall has continuous backing of cement or rigid insulation. This is crucial when weight is a concern. For instance, in mobile homes, 6mm boards have been used as fully supported wall covering.
- For applications requiring increased strength, such as in sports facilities, or where noise reduction is needed, or for supporting bar countertops, thicker boards of 20mm are recommended.
A: To fasten MgO Board panels, use corrosion-resistant fasteners and add extra support by applying a barrier coat of epoxy, ceramic, or a similar adhesive. Drywall screws suitable for MgO Board should have a stainless steel or phosphoric coating for better compatibility. For ease of installation, opt for screws with self-countersinking heads. If using a nail gun, select appropriate nails or pins for wood and light gauge steel framing. To finish MgO Board joints, any top-quality joint compound can be used. Check compatibility with MgO Board by consulting the product manufacturer. Use finely ground hydraulic cement fillers, such as RapidSet One Pass, to create industrial-strength joints. Urethanes also adhere well to MgO Board panels. If tape and mud are preferred, choose a self-adhesive fiberglass tape and a mud or plaster suited for moist environments. Most lightweight pre-mixed muds do not tolerate moisture well, but MgO Board MgO Panels can absorb some moisture and will eventually equilibrate with the surrounding structure.
A: The density of MgO Board is approximately 1.1 gram per cubic centimeter, which translates to just over 2.3 pounds per square foot for 12mm (1/2 inch) boards. They are typically heavier than gypsum boards but lighter than standard cement boards.
A: For optimal cutting results, use a thin carbide circular saw or a worm drive saw. Edges can be routed using carbide tooling. If it is a large-scale construction project, consider using a diamond bit. MgO Board panels can also be scored with a razor blade and snapped from the smooth side, though this method may require additional finishing as it does not provide as clean of an edge. To prevent micro-cracking at cut edges, it is recommended to glue all corners.
A: MgO Board are ideally suited for use as a subfloor. They are also available in appropriate thicknesses and strengths for use as structural sheathing. The proper grade of the board for your project depends on factors such as floor design, joist span, spacing, and both dead and live load considerations.