News Release

REVOLUTIONARY NEW FORTACRETE STRUCTURAL PANELS COMBINE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY AND FIRE RESISTANCE

The Structural Technologies Group at building products leader United States Gypsum Company has introduced FORTACRETE^® Structural Panels, a revolutionary new structural panel technology that provides superior structural integrity and fire resistance compared to other panel products.

The patented fiberglass-reinforced cement panels are the result of more than five years of research and development.  This innovative technology, which is intended for the construction of floors in light-commercial applications, enables customers to build structures faster and more economically than is feasible with other construction products and methods.

“FORTACRETE panel technology is unique because it combines high performance on multiple fronts in a single panel,” said Ron Bruggeman, general manager of U.S. Gypsum’s Structural Technologies Group.  “While some existing panel products provide fire resistance – a critical industry requirement – only FORTACRETE panels combine fire resistance with structural properties and other key performance benefits.”

The key benefits of FORTACRETE panels include:

• Structural integrity:  The panels offer a high strength-to-weight ratio
• Fire resistance:  Because the panels are non-combustible, they provide fire-rated performance
• Economical:  The panels reduce installation costs compared with poured or pre-cast concrete, while the conventional panel construction process speeds installation
• Light weight:  The panels weigh just 75 lbs. per cubic foot, compared with pre-cast concrete at 120 lbs. per cubic foot
• Dimensional integrity:  They will not swell or buckle
• Acoustical performance:  The panels can be used in sound-rated floor and ceiling systems
• Resist moisture and mold:  FORTACRETE panels exceed industry standards for moisture and mold resistance
• Superior finish:  Smooth and void-free, the panels provide an excellent substrate for numerous floor finish materials

The first commercial applications for FORTACRETE Structural Panels will focus on structural floors in buildings with seven or fewer stories.  The flooring panels are a key part of a new, total floor-ceiling system comprising cold-formed steel framing, FORTACRETE Structural Panels and ceiling assemblies that provides a two-hour fire rated system with structural and acoustic performance properties.

The panels are offered in a 4- by 8-foot, ¾-inch-thick size.  A tongue-in-groove edge design permits the panels to interlock; once in place, the panels leave only a hairline seam.

Besides the primary benefits of the new technology, FORTACRETE panels provide an exceptional structural flooring material for several key reasons:

• High diaphragm shear resistance, reducing the need for additional cross bracing
• No panel lipping or swelling at the joints after installation
• Many flooring finishes can be applied directly to the FORTACRETE sub-floor
• Panels are warranted against defects in manufacturing for the life of the building

Contractors who have worked with the panels have confirmed that the technology simplifies and speeds the construction process.  The interlocking panel design ensures that abutting panel edges remain in position with one another to maintain a flat floor surface.  The dimensional stability of the board permits rapid panel placement, speeding workflow and reducing callbacks.

Because of their light weight, FORTACRETE panels can be lifted and placed manually, without the need for cranes.  They are delivered in pallets and can withstand most weather conditions, also easing on-site storage concerns.

“This new technology facilitates more efficient design and construction of light-commercial buildings,” said Jim Reicherts, manager of strategic marketing for U.S. Gypsum’s Structural Technologies Group.  “It eliminates the need for multiple trades typically required when pre-cast or poured concrete are installed.  FORTACRETE panels cut and saw like wood and can be easily installed solely by carpenters, which saves builders considerable time and money.”

FORTACRETE flooring panels are being produced initially for the Midwest market from United States Gypsum’s new plant in Delavan, Wisconsin.  The Structural Technologies Group will ultimately leverage the product’s unique properties into other new building systems and applications for Type I and Type II light-commercial construction.

For additional information, contact United States Gypsum Company’s Structural Technologies Group, 21925 Field Parkway, Deer Park, IL 60010 or email them at fortacrete@usg.com.

United States Gypsum Company is a subsidiary of USG Corporation, a Fortune 500 company with business units that are market leaders in their key product groups:  gypsum wallboard, joint compound and related gypsum products; cement board; gypsum fiber panels; ceiling panels and grid; and building products distribution

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