Low-Slope Commercial Roofing

Roof Cover Boards Provide Outstanding Performance
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Advertorial course provided by USG
Robert C. Grupe, CSI, Director, Architectural and Technical Solutions, USG C

The trend in high-performance cover boards has been the use of gypsum-based products that have been rendered water and mold resistant. Many of the products contain high levels of recycled materials, assisting in the procurement of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits. Calcination3 issues have been overcome with some gypsum-based products, permitting application of membranes in Type IV asphalt with no blistering of the membrane.

Today's cover boards are available in thicknesses ranging from 1/4 to 3/4 inch. Boards are fabricated from various materials and have different properties, such as fire resistance, void bridging and wind uplift resistance. Product literature and system approvals from FM Global and Underwriters Laboratories should be reviewed carefully to identify the appropriate cover board for a project.

Cover boards are compatible with a wide variety of adhesives and hot asphalt, as well as mechanical fasteners. Again, manufacturers' literature and approvals should be reviewed carefully to determine the appropriate installation methods for specific projects.

1 A module is the measurement from the center of the high rib to the center of the next high rib (or flute)
2 National Roofing Contractors Association bulletins
3 The release of chemically bound moisture within the gypsum
crystal when heated

About USG

USG Corporation is a Fortune 500 company with subsidiaries 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.

United States Gypsum Company, a subsidiary of USG Corporation, has recently introduced SECUROCKâ„¢ Brand Roof Board. The company also manufactures SHEETROCK® Brand Gypsum Panels, the leading and best-known brand of drywall in the United States, along with a wide variety of joint treatment products. In addition, U.S. Gypsum makes a variety of plaster and veneer plaster products, as well as DUROCK® Brand Cement Board and FIBEROCK® Brand Gypsum Fiber Panels.

USG Interiors, Inc., another subsidiary of USG Corporation, is a leading manufacturer of acoustical ceiling panels, specialty ceilings and suspension systems.

For technical advice about roof cover boards, contact USG at 125 S. Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60606-4678, call USG's Architectural Services Department at 800-USG-4YOU or visit the company's Web site atwww.usg.com.

800-USG-4YOU
www.USG.com

 

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Originally published in Architectural Record.
Originally published in September 2005

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