Magnesium Oxide Board (MgO) Facts and Questions (FAQ)
What is Magnum Board®?
Magnum Board® is a mineral based product that meets the criteria established to be considered both Eco-friendly and a Green Building Product. See “applications” below for the various products offered by Magnum® Building Products in the Magnum® Product Line.
Why Use Magnum Board®
Magnum Board® is definitely a unique product. It has been engineered to eliminate the toughest problems facing architects, engineers, contractors, builders and consumers today: Fire, Water, Insects, Mold, Mildew and Toxins. Magnum Board® products are virtually impervious to fire, water and insects; are non-flammable and non-combustible; do not feed mould or mildew; are unaffected by all insects such as borer; and are completely non-toxic.
Is Magnum Board® considered a Green, Sustainable Product?
Yes it is. Magnum Board® is a mineral product, completely free of toxins such as asbestos, formaldehyde or silica, is manufactured completely at ambient temperature, and is considered a green product.
Has Magnum Board® Been Tested?
Yes indeed. Magnum® Board has been subjected to some of the toughest testing being conducted on building materials today including the freeze / thaw and 2,000 hour weathering test which is a 20 year accelerated weathering test, and all of our products far exceeded ASTM requirements. We have completed all testing required by AC386 issued by the International Code Council (ICC) and in accordance with ASTM requirements including Underwriters Laboratory (UL) rated fire wall. This is indeed a one of a kind material. Our factory is ISO certified and is audited on a quarterly basis by both the ICC and UL helping to ensure consistent quality every order.
Is Magnum Board® dimensionally stable in freeze, thaw, heat and humidity cycles?
Yes it is. Unlike fibre-cement-type materials the coefficient of expansion for Magnum Board® is extremely low; therefore, when selecting and installing products such as our exterior weatherboards, there is no need to leave gaps between butt joints to accommodate for such expansion and contraction. This provides a much more aesthetically pleasing finish for many years to come.
What Are the Adhesion Values of Magnum Board®?
Excellent, allowing you to finish Magnum Board® with any product you desire such as paint, mineral plaster systems, wall paper, stone, tile, brick and much more. The excellent adhesion properties of Magnum Board® also make it a perfect product for Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS), Exterior Insulated Finish Systems (EIFS) and interior wall systems using fabrics.
Is the Cost of Magnum Board® Competitive with Other Products?
When considering overall installation and life cycle costs, absolutely. By using Magnum Board® you don’t have to worry about such things as insect damage caused by termites, carpenter ants and other such pests; decay caused by moisture and UV; warping, swelling and wood rot caused by water; mould and mildew; and, toxins that are found in many wood, plastics, gypsum board and cement based products.
In What Applications Can I Use Magnum Board®
Magnum Board® Products are extremely versatile and we have a product available for most every application. For example:
For the exterior:
- Magnum® wall sheeting
- Magnum® fascia
- Magnum® soffit
- Magnum® trim
- Magnum® weatherboards
For the interior:
- Magnum® wall board
- Magnum® ceiling board
- Magnum® tile backer
- Magnum® underlayment
- Magnum® one hour UL rated fire wall
- Magnum® flooring
How Do I Store Magnum Board®?
Storage and handling of Magnum Board® is simple. It does not require the same attention as do wood or gypsum type products. Magnum Board® can actually be submerged in water for months with virtually no dimensional change whatsoever; and, it leaches water quickly never feeding mould or mildew, or suffering decay or warping as does most wood and gypsum products. And since Magnum Board® is a homogenous product, you never have to worry about de-lamination.
Is Magnum Board® Easy to Install?
Indeed it is. Magnum Board® installs with screws or pneumatic nailing guns depending on the application you are using it for. Always follow the Magnum® Building Products installation recommendations.
Finishing interior walls and ceilings is also easy using standard joint compound and fiberglass joint tape. Since Magnum Board® is smooth on one side, you can achieve a level 5 beautiful and durable finish with much less work than typical gypsum board.
I've heard that MgO board can corrode steel framing. Is that true?
That is true for most brands of board. Magnum Board®, however, does not have this issue as it has spent considerable time and effort to develop a method that removes the magnesium chloride (MgCl2) from their products.
Is Magnum Board® Safe for Installers?
Yes. In fact installing Magnum Board® is as safe if not safer than installing any other material on the market today. Magnum® Board is a mineral based product free of carcinogens and silica and has been found to be non- toxic. So Magnum® Board is extremely safe for installers and consumers alike.
SAFETY NOTE: When installing Magnum Board® or any other product that creates dust, always follow the published cutting and installation guidelines for that product. Even non-toxic dust can cause irritation and other health issues.