Moisture-Resistant Plasterboard Brisbane: Wet Area Lining That Meets NCC 2022
Knauf Moistureshield in stock across Brisbane, Redlands, Gold Coast, and Northside. The right board for bathrooms, laundries, and wet area walls.
What Is Moisture-Resistant Plasterboard?
Moisture-resistant (MR) plasterboard is a gypsum board with a treated core and moisture-resistant paper facing that resists the absorption of water vapour and incidental splashing better than standard plasterboard. It is manufactured to AS/NZS 2588 and is the board type required by NCC 2022 for wet area wall linings in residential and commercial buildings.
MR plasterboard is not waterproof, it does not act as a waterproofing membrane. In wet areas such as shower recesses, AS 3740 (Waterproofing of Domestic Wet Areas) requires a separate waterproofing membrane to be applied over the board and into wall-floor junctions before tiling. MR board provides the correct substrate for the membrane and tile system and resists the ongoing humidity of the space once installed.
Using standard plasterboard in wet area applications is a compliance failure that can result in board deterioration, mould growth, tile failure, and costly remediation. MR board is the only plasterboard approved for wet area use in Australian residential construction.
Where MR Plasterboard Is Required
Bathroom Walls
All wall linings in bathrooms, including walls not directly adjacent to the shower, require MR plasterboard under NCC 2022. Both tiled and painted bathroom walls require MR board as the substrate.
Shower Recesses
Shower recess walls require MR plasterboard plus a waterproofing membrane applied to AS 3740 before tiling. The membrane must extend 1800mm above the floor on shower walls.
Laundry Walls
Laundry wall linings require MR plasterboard in areas subject to splash, steam, and ongoing humidity from washing machines and trough areas.
Kitchen Splashbacks
Kitchen splashback areas behind sinks and cooktops require MR plasterboard where the substrate is to receive tiles or other impervious finishes applied to the board surface.
Commercial Wet Areas
Commercial bathrooms, change rooms, commercial kitchens, and other high-humidity commercial spaces require MR plasterboard for all wall linings per NCC Volume 1.
Balcony and External Soffits
In some external and semi-exposed locations, MR board provides better durability than standard board where the surface will be painted and is exposed to condensation or indirect weather.
Products We Stock
Knauf Moistureshield
Knauf Moistureshield is Australia's most widely used moisture-resistant plasterboard. It features a treated green-tinted gypsum core and moisture-resistant paper facing, providing significantly better resistance to moisture absorption than standard board. Aquachek is CodeMark certified and is the standard MR board for NCC wet area compliance in Queensland residential and commercial projects. Available in 10mm and 13mm thicknesses in standard lengths.
Knauf Moistureshield
Knauf Moistureshield is a high-performance moisture-resistant plasterboard with a green-coloured moisture-resistant core. It meets the requirements of AS/NZS 2588 Class H (high moisture resistance) and is suitable for all NCC wet area applications. Knauf Moistureshield is compatible with all standard waterproofing membranes and tile adhesives and is available in 10mm and 13mm thicknesses.
James Hardie Villaboard
For high-performance wet area applications, shower recesses, around baths, floor-to-wall junctions in commercial bathrooms, James Hardie Villaboard fibre cement lining is an alternative to MR plasterboard. Villaboard is a fibre cement sheet that provides superior moisture resistance and dimensional stability compared to gypsum MR board and is the preferred substrate for shower areas in commercial and high-end residential construction. Ask our team about Villaboard availability and appropriate applications.
Is 10mm or 13mm moisture resistant plasterboard better for a laundry?
For laundry and kitchen walls, 13mm moisture resistant plasterboard is the safer specification. It is stiffer across 600mm stud centres, holds fixings for cabinets and laundry tubs more reliably, and gives a flatter substrate for tiling. 10mm MR board suits 450mm centres and lighter duty walls where nothing heavy is fixed back to it.
The thickness decision is really a framing decision. Check the stud centres first, then the weight of what is going on the wall, then the tile weight the board is rated to carry. Where a wall carries wall-hung cabinetry, a vanity or a heavy tile, step up rather than down.
Comparing wet area boards for laundry and kitchen walls
| Board | Thickness | Approx. weight | Best suited to | Tiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knauf Moistureshield | 10mm | approx. 7 kg/m2 | Wet area ceilings and walls at 450mm centres, light duty | Light tiles, check the rated tile weight |
| Knauf Moistureshield | 13mm | approx. 9 kg/m2 | Bathroom, laundry and kitchen walls at 600mm centres | Suits standard wall tiling |
| James Hardie Villaboard | 6mm | approx. 8 kg/m2 | Shower recesses and wet zones where a fibre cement substrate is called for | Suits heavier tiles |
| James Hardie Villaboard | 9mm | approx. 12 kg/m2 | Commercial wet areas and higher duty walls | Suits heavier tiles |
Weights are typical figures for comparison. Confirm the current published value and the rated tile weight against the manufacturer's data sheet for the product you actually buy, because these change between product revisions.
Which moisture resistant plasterboard is easiest to install?
MR plasterboard is the easier of the two to install. It scores and snaps with a utility knife exactly like standard board, and a 10mm sheet is noticeably lighter to lift than fibre cement. Fibre cement wet area sheet needs shears or a scoring tool and dust control when cut, but it is the required substrate in some shower and commercial applications.
If the system you are building calls for fibre cement, the extra handling is not optional. Where either is permitted and the wall is a standard domestic laundry or kitchen, MR plasterboard is faster to hang and finish.
Is moisture resistant plasterboard waterproof?
No. MR plasterboard resists moisture, it does not stop water. The core and liner are treated to handle humidity and incidental splash, but a wet area still needs a compliant waterproofing membrane over the board in the areas the standard nominates. Treat the board as a substrate, not as the waterproofing layer.
Where can I buy moisture resistant plasterboard sheets near me?
Bayside Plasterboard stocks moisture resistant plasterboard sheets at four trade yards across South East Queensland: Morningside in Brisbane, Chandler in the Redlands, Caboolture on the northside and Carrara on the Gold Coast. Collect from the counter or book a site delivery. Call (07) 3245 4488 to confirm stock at your nearest branch before you drive out.
| Branch | Address | Typically serves |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane (Morningside) | 367 Thynne Road, Morningside | Inner east, southside and Brisbane CBD sites |
| Redlands (Chandler) | 3/1424 New Cleveland Road, Chandler | Redlands, bayside and eastern corridor sites |
| Northside (Caboolture) | 10 Piper Street, Caboolture | Moreton Bay, Morayfield, Bribie Island and Petrie sites |
| Gold Coast (Carrara) | 106 Eastlake Street, Carrara | Gold Coast and northern Gold Coast sites |
We supply South East Queensland only. If your site sits outside Brisbane, the Redlands, Moreton Bay or the Gold Coast, call us and we will tell you honestly whether we can service it.
What drives the price of MR plasterboard?
Trade pricing moves with thickness, sheet length, brand, quantity and whether you collect or we deliver. We do not publish live trade rates because they change with volume and account terms, so the fastest way to a real number is a quote. Send the sheet sizes and quantities and we will price it the same day.
Have your sheet size, thickness, quantity and delivery suburb ready. Request a quote or call (07) 3245 4488.
MR Plasterboard FAQs
Is moisture-resistant plasterboard waterproof?
No. MR plasterboard resists moisture absorption and is more durable in humid conditions than standard board, but it is not waterproof. In shower recesses and floor-to-wall junctions, AS 3740 requires a separate waterproofing membrane to be applied over the board before tiling. The membrane waterproofs the space; the MR board provides the correct substrate for the membrane system.
Is 10mm or 13mm moisture resistant plasterboard better for a laundry?
13mm is the safer specification for laundry and kitchen walls. It is stiffer across 600mm stud centres, holds fixings for cabinets and tubs more reliably, and gives a flatter substrate for tiling. 10mm suits 450mm centres and lighter duty walls.
Which moisture resistant plasterboard brands are easiest to install?
Knauf Moistureshield scores and snaps like standard plasterboard, so it is the quickest to hang and finish. James Hardie Villaboard is fibre cement, needs shears or a scoring tool and dust control, but is the required substrate in some shower and commercial applications.
What does MR plasterboard mean?
MR stands for moisture resistant. It is plasterboard with a treated core and liner made for bathrooms, laundries and kitchens. It resists humidity and splash but is not waterproof on its own and still needs a compliant membrane in the areas the standard nominates.
Where can I buy moisture resistant plasterboard sheets near me?
Bayside Plasterboard stocks MR plasterboard at four South East Queensland yards: Morningside, Chandler, Caboolture and Carrara. Collect from the counter or book a site delivery. Call (07) 3245 4488 to confirm branch stock.
How much does moisture resistant plasterboard cost?
Price moves with thickness, sheet length, brand, quantity and whether you collect or we deliver. We do not publish live trade rates because they move with volume and account terms. Send your sizes and quantities and we will quote the same day on (07) 3245 4488.
What thickness MR plasterboard do I need for bathrooms?
10mm MR board is suitable for bathroom walls on stud framing at 450mm centres. 13mm is recommended for studs at 600mm centres and provides better rigidity and impact resistance. For tiled shower walls, 10mm or 13mm MR board is standard, though James Hardie Villaboard fibre cement is preferred in commercial and high-specification residential shower applications for its superior dimensional stability.
Can I tile directly over MR plasterboard?
In wet areas (shower recesses), you cannot tile directly over MR board, AS 3740 requires a waterproofing membrane to be applied first. In splash zones outside the shower recess (general bathroom walls, splashbacks), tiles can be applied directly to MR board using an appropriate flexible tile adhesive. Always consult the tile adhesive manufacturer's instructions for substrate preparation requirements.
How do I identify MR plasterboard on site?
Moisture-resistant plasterboard is typically green or blue in colour on the face paper, distinguishing it clearly from standard white plasterboard. Knauf Moistureshield has a green face; Knauf Moistureshield has a green core visible on cut edges. Always check the product labelling when taking delivery to confirm the correct board type has been supplied.
Do I need MR board on all walls in a bathroom, or just the shower?
NCC 2022 requires MR plasterboard for all wall linings in a wet area room, not just the shower recess. This includes non-tiled walls adjacent to the bath, vanity walls, and the back of bathroom doors where the lining faces into the bathroom. Standard plasterboard is not permitted as the wall lining substrate anywhere within a defined wet area room under the NCC.
MR Plasterboard in Stock Across Brisbane
Knauf Moistureshield available from all four Bayside Plasterboard branches.