1. Commercial Bathroom/Locker Room
Mold/Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Panels are ideal for periodically high humidity and moisture areas.
Mold/Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Panels are a performance-specific product that incorporates an improved mold- and moisture-resistant core covered by either treated moisture- and mold-resistant paper facers or naturally mold-resistant fiberglass mats. The long edges of each panel are wrapped by the facer material and are typically tapered to improve joint treatment while the product’s short edges are cut square. Mold/Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Panels are produced in 1/2” (12.7 mm) or 5/8” (15.9 mm) thicknesses, widths of 48” (1220 mm) or 54” (1372 mm) and lengths from 8’ (2440 mm) to 16’ (4880 mm). The product is available in three core formulations – a 1/2” standard version, a 1/2” Type C option and a more common fire-resistant 5/8” Type X choice. The applicable product standard for mold-resistant gypsum board is ASTM C1396.
Mold/Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Panels are handled, stored, installed and finished just like traditional gypsum panel products, but they can also provide some additional long-term benefits related to the appearance, operation and even well-being of a facility and its occupants.o Moisture Protection – Repelling both liquid and vapor forms of moisture is the first objective of Mold/Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Panels. The more moisture they prevent from being absorbed through their surface and retained, the better they protect the entire wall or ceiling assembly from a deterioration of materials or performance. The maximum water absorption value for this product is 5% of board weight. Refer to GA-235 Gypsum Board Typical Mechanical And Physical Properties.
To achieve the design and performance objectives specified for the walls and ceilings of your commercial project, a number of important limitations should be followed to ensure success. These recommendations are intended to provide general information only about considerations that are common in this category of special performance gypsum products:
Refer to GA-216 Application And Finishing Of Gypsum Panel Products.
Products vary by brand. For more specific limitations related to the gypsum panel you are considering, consult with the product’s manufacturer.
Below are answers to typical questions our technical experts address on a routine basis. These answers may provide additional information you are seeking as well. To submit an inquiry of your own, click here.
I understand that even Mold/Moisture Resistant Gypsum Panels should not be used in so-called “wet areas.” Can you explain where this product can and cannot be used?
Mold/Moisture Resistant Gypsum Panels are excellent for use in high humidity areas and even where an occasional splash of water is expected. Appropriate areas include powder rooms, adjacent to showers or tubs, behind counter areas/base cabinetry where plumbing fixtures are located, and in laundry rooms, mud rooms, etc.. However, neither the model codes nor the Tile Council of North America’s (TCNA) Handbook allow for the use of these boards behind the tile in the shower or tub area or as a base under the pan or around a swimming pool or sauna. For acceptable materials in wet areas, consult the local code or the TCNA.
To read more about the testing procedures to evaluate the moisture-resistant characteristics of the core and facers of a gypsum panel product, refer to ASTM C473.
To read more about the testing procedures to evaluate the mold-resistant properties of the core and facers of a gypsum panel product, refer to ASTM D6329.
Mold/Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Panels are an excellent material for interior wall construction wherever increased protection against the absorption and infiltration of moisture and/or enhanced resistance to the growth of mildew and mold are desired as compared to traditional drywall. This includes areas with periodic, elevated humidity, moisture vapor and dampness levels due to water usage within the space or environmental conditions nearby. Some examples in commercial buildings involve:
Produced with both Type C and Type X fire-resistant core options, Mold/Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Panels are UL-classified for use in a wide range of fire-rated assemblies to help address project design requirements for increased fire protection.
Mold/Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Panels provide enhanced mold and moisture resistance to interior ceiling applications compared to standard gypsum wallboard. They are suitable for installation on ceilings in the same environments where they can be used for wall construction and in their fire-resistant core variations for floor/ceiling assemblies where Type C or Type X gypsum panels are approved.
Mold and/or moisture resistance are special-performance properties added to many different interior and exterior gypsum products in recent years. Refer to the manufacturer’s information resources for details regarding the mold and moisture resistance of gypsum panel products you are considering. Some of these products include exterior sheathing, shaftliner panels and abuse-resistant gypsum board.
SOUND CONTROL
Managing noise transmission between adjacent spaces in a structure and between interior and exterior is a vital design consideration. As a component part of many different wall and floor/ceiling assemblies, gypsum panel products can contribute significantly to a solution. Learn about basic sound-control concepts, noise-attenuation strategies, effectiveness classifications and the beneficial value of gypsum panel products. more