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NZ Building Code · Linings & GIBGIB Site Guide essentials: get the lining right first time
The plain-English fundamentals from the GIB Site Guide that keep your plasterboard passing inspection and free of cracks and callbacks.
The GIB Site Guide is the installation bible for plasterboard — the document a BCA inspector will quietly check your work against. Get the fundamentals right and the lining passes; ignore them and you get cracking, popped fasteners and callbacks no amount of stopping will hide.
Get the framing right before you lift a sheet
Good linings start behind the plasterboard. Dry, flat framing is what stops cracks and popped fasteners down the track.
- Moisture: framing moisture content should be a maximum of 18% — run a moisture probe over the framing before you line.
- Flatness: a framing variation of around 2–3mm over 1800mm is the acceptable tolerance to line against.
Fixing & sheet basics
Once the framing checks out, the sheet layout and fixing rules do the rest of the work.
- Sheet sizes: 1200/1350mm wide × 2400–6000mm long.
- Screws: allow roughly 800 screws per 100m² of wall for take-off and ordering.
- Adhesive: a 600ml daub adhesive covers around 28m².
Joints, control joints & where sheets land
Where the joints fall matters as much as how they’re fixed. Keep them clear of the natural crack points around openings.
- Off opening corners: don’t run a joint directly above a door or window edge — offset it at least 200mm.
- Control joints: space control joints at a maximum of 12.0m centres.
Finish levels
The finish level sets how much stopping and sanding the job needs, and it’s measured against AS/NZS 2589:2017.
- Level 4 is the standard finish for most areas.
- Level 5 is for critical-lighting areas, where oblique or strong light shows up every imperfection.
Plain-English guide, not advice. This page helps you understand and navigate the rules — it is general information, not design, engineering or consent advice, and it does not reproduce the copyrighted tables of NZS 3604 or any Standard. Always check the current Standard or Acceptable Solution and your BCA, and use a suitably qualified LBP, engineer or QS where it matters.
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Common questions
What is the maximum framing moisture content before lining with GIB?
The GIB Site Guide sets a maximum framing moisture content of 18%. Run a moisture probe over the framing before you line so you’re confident it’s dry enough.
How far should plasterboard joints be kept from door and window openings?
Keep joints off the corners of openings — don’t run a joint directly above a door or window edge, and offset it at least 200mm.
What’s the difference between a Level 4 and Level 5 GIB finish?
Level 4 is the standard finish for most areas. Level 5 is used in critical-lighting areas where strong or oblique light would show up imperfections. Both are defined against AS/NZS 2589:2017.
How many screws do I need per 100m² of GIB wall?
As a take-off guide, allow roughly 800 screws per 100m² of wall lining.
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