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First Things First…
The Importance Of The Building Envelope
At construction sites around the country, a familiar sight - a facade sheathed
in bright gold - is repeated over and over again. That gold is the signature
look of a product which has been a staple of commercial construction projects
since 1984 – DensGlass® Sheathing by Georgia-Pacific Gypsum. A
moisture-resistant gypsum panel that is used for exterior walls, ceilings and
soffits, DensGlass features fiberglass mats and a moisture-resistant core to
deliver the benefit of moisture and mold resistance during and after the
construction process.
 At
Commerce Park at Northbrook, an office condominium project in Suwanee, Georgia,
developed by architect and developer Kenneth Klebanoff AIA, LEED AP of Trylon
Architects, DensGlass was selected as a critically-important building material.
Klebanoff, a specialist in commercial, office and retail construction, as well
as a project management consultant, said the choice was easy as he has used the
product in a number of projects. “I have had good experience with DensGlass and
in its ability to withstand weather in the construction process,” noted
Klebanoff. “We also appreciate the fact that it does not support mold growth
should there be water intrusion.”
Water intrusion and mold growth are common concerns on commercial construction
job sites. In addition to the unavoidable rain, which can negatively effect
construction schedules, it seems no area in the country has been spared the
burden of extreme weather. High winds, torrential rain and the amped-up wrath of
Mother Nature have made moisture-related problems and potential delays more of
an issue than ever.
“We are seeing weather become a big deterrent in the construction process, and
the success of a structure after it’s built,” noted Warren Barber, Dens® and
ToughRock® Brand Product Manager, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum. “Today’s construction
and design professionals need to be more cognizant than ever of the concepts of
durability and moisture protection when it comes to the products they choose,
starting with the building envelope.”
 Klebanoff
agreed. “As architects we are, of course, very concerned with the appearance of
the building enclosure. But first and foremost, the building must perform, and
that starts with selecting the correct materials.”
Given the building envelope’s importance in creating a durable, sustainable and
successful structure, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum developed DensGlass Sheathing, the
first of its iconic Dens® Brand gypsum product offerings of fiberglass mat-based
moisture- and mold-resistant products. Georgia-Pacific Gypsum offers a 12-month
weather exposure limited warranty against delamination and deterioration
resulting from exposure to normal weather conditions, an industry first
(complete warranty details are available at www.gpgypsum.com or by calling
1-800-225-6119). In 2008, enhancements were added including the product’s
ability to withstand winds in excess of 155 mph (Category 5 hurricane) when
installed horizontally with the appropriate screw type and spacing over a
properly engineered wall system and in accordance with the appropriate
specifications. And, like all Dens Brand gypsum products, DensGlass resists mold
growth, and has scored a 10, the highest level of performance for mold
resistance under the ASTM D 3273 test method.
“The success of those projects that utilize our products is our goal, as well as
addressing those needs of modern commercial construction,” concluded Barber. “We
are proud to see our bright gold color on projects all over the world, as it
means we have built strong relationships and have gained the trust of the design
and construction community.” |
