Fiberglass-faced gypsum sheathing is a rugged building material suitable for indoor use for walls ceilings and tile base and as a base layer for exterior siding and masonry. Its design improves upon the standard gypsum board by increasing its strength and its resistance to decomposition while retaining its ease of installation.
Structural Integrity
Fiberglass-faced gypsum sheathing features a layer of gypsum board sandwiched between two layers of fiberglass. This design gives the sheet improved structural integrity and breakage resistance over standard gypsum sheathing. The fiberglass allows you to anchor heavier objects to the sheathing without utilizing an underlying stud. Using fiberglass-faced gypsum sheathing on the exterior of your building gives an added layer of protection against tornadoes and hurricane-strength winds. Combined with a brick or solid wood exterior siding, it has greater strength than standard exterior wallboard.
Installation
Contractors and homeowner do not need to buy any specialized tools to install fiberglass-faced gypsum. They can use standard construction tools to cut and secure the panels to framing. Tools needed for use are a tape measure, utility knife, drywall screws and a drill. The sheathing come in a standard 4-by-8 sheets and fit all standard drywall lifts. You finish fiberglass-faced gypsum with the same technique as standard gypsum except you utilize fiberglass seam tape instead of paper. This ensures that the seam has as much structural integrity as the rest of the sheathing.
Water Resistance
The fiberglass face of the gypsum sheathing is naturally waterproof, allowing you to use it in wet environments as long as it is properly finished with fiberglass seam tape. It is ideal for use in bathrooms as a tile backer or behind shower surrounds to prevent water from entering the walls. The fiberglass exterior offers superior mold growth resistance compared to paper-faced gypsum sheathing. It is an ideal solution to use when facing the possibilities of construction delays when utilized on the exterior. The sheathing will hold up to rain and snow for long periods without any signs of decomposition or loss of integrity.
Fire Proof
The fiberglass mat making up the face of this product is resistant to fire and high temperatures. Combined with the natural fire-resistance properties of the gypsum it offers optimum fire protection. Used within the interior of a building it will slow the progress of a fire between rooms and to upper floors.
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