If dealing with dampness in your home has your back against the wall, you're in the right place.
That's because a new wall panel has been designed to resist both moisture and abuse. The new product is made from a unique gypsum fiber formula that offers protection from both moisture and mold. The panels are water resistant through their core and approved for use in wet areas, including tub surrounds in bathrooms.
Designed to be installed and finished like traditional drywall, the Fiberock® Brand Aqua-Tough™ Interior Panels from United States Gypsum Company (which created the drywall industry when it introduced Sheetrock® Brand Gypsum Panels nearly a century ago) feature a smooth surface that can either be painted or finished with ceramic tile. They are made from 95 percent recycled materials, making them an environmentally friendly product option.
The panels are extremely versatile and can be used in all types of residential and commercial applications. Their abuse-resistant qualities make them useful for high-traffic areas such as garages, basements and hallways, while their resistance to moisture means they can be used in a wide variety of wet areas, including bathrooms and kitchens.
The new panels can be finished using a variety of techniques and are suitable for use on both walls and ceilings. They may be used behind ceramic or other types of tile, but their drywall "look" gives them a smooth, flat, paintable surface. So if a room design calls for tile on the lower part of the wall (with a painted, textured or wallpapered finish above), or if an entire tub or shower area is to be tiled while using a different finish outside, there's no need to change wallboard products.
Available in 1/2- and 5/8-inch (fire-resistant) thicknesses and in lengths ranging from 4 to 12 feet, the gypsum fiber panels can be cut using a utility knife and straight edge, but handsaws or low-rpm power saws can also be used.
Depending on the applications, the panels can be fastened using corrosion-resistant buglehead screws or hot-dipped galvanized roofing nails.
By: Stacey Moore