WALLED OFF

So what's on the horizon for wallboard? Although housing starts are expected to cool slightly this year, the wallboard industry is bullish on growth and expects a “vibrant” market, says Beyer. Demand is outpacing supply, so Georgia-Pacific and other manufacturers have announced plant expansions. Beyer says his company is eyeing more product innovation and increased growth in 10-foot- and 12-foot-long products.

For all of its great attributes, however, wallboard is susceptible to damage. USG, for its part, is looking at solving this problem by re-engineering some of its products to be more durable in high-traffic areas, says Nivens. The company is also promoting its ½-inch sag-resistant products and is developing a gypsum/wood product that would stand up to the rigors of basements, garages, and hallways.

Finally, the wallboard industry is hoping to increase its efforts to promote recycled-content wallboard. “The performance of the product is no different from virgin-content product,” says John Mandel, a USG spokesperson. In fact, USG will soon launch a recycling program to start collecting wallboard waste from job-sites in three key markets. The industry wants to do good while helping houses look good.

For more product information, visit ebuild, Hanley Wood's interactive product catalog, at www.builderonline.com or www.ebuild.com.

LOW VOLUME: Supress drywall products are engineered to absorb noise in places such as common areas, children's rooms, home theaters, and music rooms. The manufacturer says the product scores and snaps like regular wallboard and is available in standard 4-foot-by-8-foot panels in ½-inch, 5/8-inch, ¾-inch, and 1-inch thicknesses. Supress Products. 800-456-4061. www.supressproducts.com.

HUMIDITY CONTROL: The manufacturer says its Humitek gypsum panel is the first moisture- and mold-resistant wallboard that is installed and finished in a traditional manner without the need for skim coating or other steps that require extra labor. Identified by its light-blue paper face, Humitek is available in ½-inch and 5/8-inch thicknesses and in 8-foot, 10-foot, and 12-foot lengths. USG. 800-874-4968. www.usg.com.

STRETCH OUT: Stretch54 gypsum wallboard is almost 6 inches wider than standard 48½-inch gypsum wallboard panels, which makes it much easier to create 9-foot-high walls. Because the board covers more space, installers can hang walls faster and have fewer seams to tape, float, and finish, the manufacturer says. The board also results in lower costs because of reduced material and labor, the company adds. Temple-Inland. 800-231-6060. www.temple.com.

GREAT WALL: Protecta AR 100 abuse-resistant drywall product features a fiberglass-enhanced, high-density gypsum core and a reinforced, heavy face paper that the manufacturer says guards against impact, indentation, and surface abrasion. Designed for use in high-traffic interior areas, Protecta AR cuts and snaps like standard dry-wall, the company adds. Lafarge North America. 800-237-5505. www.lafargenorthamerica.com.

ARMOR ALL: Unlike traditional wallboard, DensArmor Plus interior panels feature a gypsum core with coated glass-mat facings that provide protection from incidental moisture and resistance to mold growth. The core is also reinforced with inorganic glass fibers that increase the product's strength. It is available in 8-foot and 12-foot lengths. G-P Gypsum Corp. 404-652-4000. www.gpgypsum.com.