Georgia-Pacific Gypsum Doubles the Length of Weather Exposure Limited Warranty for Interior Panels to 12 Months

ATLANTA, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia-Pacific Gypsum – the first manufacturer to offer extended Weather Exposure Limited Warranties for fiberglass mat gypsum panels – is now doubling the weather exposure limited warranty for its entire line of DensArmor Plus®  interior panels from six months to 12 months.

All of the following Georgia-Pacific Gypsum fiberglass mat interior panels now offer a 12-month weather exposure limited warranty:

• DensArmor Plus® High-Performance Interior Panels
• DensArmor Plus® Abuse-Resistant Interior Panels
• DensArmor Plus® Impact-Resistant Interior Panels

These interior products join Georgia-Pacific Gypsum's exterior products – its flagship DensGlass® Sheathing and DensGlass® Shaftliner – in offering the industry-leading 12-month weather exposure limited warranty for the U.S. and Canadian markets.

According to Mike Clay, vice president, sales and marketing for Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, the move to lengthen the weather exposure limited warranty for the DensArmor Plus Interior Panels line was based on the ongoing stellar performance of the products, which were first introduced in 2002.

"Our panels are moisture- and mold-resistant, due to fiberglass mats instead of paper facings. Their use can potentially accelerate building schedules since they can be installed earlier in the construction cycle, even before the roof is sealed," said Clay.  "With the inevitability of delayed construction due to weather, this extended warranty gives confidence to construction professionals that our products will perform as expected."

Mike Betz of Island Acoustics, which provides acoustical ceilings, drywall and carpentry services in the New York City area, can attest to the quality, reliability and durability of DensArmor Plus High-Performance Interior Panels.

"Based on an aggressive construction schedule, we used DensArmor Plus High-Performance Interior Panels for my current project so we could begin drywall installation sooner than expected," Betz explained. "The panels performed above and beyond what we expected and thanks to Georgia-Pacific, the project is currently on-track to finish ahead of schedule."

Recently, the DensArmor Plus High-Performance Interior Panels*, along with DensShield® Tile Backer, became the first gypsum panel products to pass the industry's most stringent mold resistance test. The 12-week test, conducted in accordance with the US Environmental Protection Agency's ASTM D 6329 ** protocol, is three times longer and much more rigorous than ASTM D 3273, the current industry standard.

No other gypsum products manufacturer has announced test results showing zero mold growth for 12 full weeks for any product.

The 12-month weather exposure limited warranty extension and the 12-week test results continue the long history of "firsts" achieved by Georgia-Pacific Gypsum via its Dens™ family of products, which were first introduced more than 20 years ago. Georgia-Pacific Gypsum was the first company to offer fiberglass mat products, the first to score a 10, the highest rating, when tested, as manufactured, under ASTM D 3273 and the first to offer an extended weather exposure limited warranty.

The DensArmor Plus Interior Panels were also the first to be GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® and GREENGUARD Children & Schools(SM) Certified as low-emitting gypsum panels, and were among the first gypsum panels to be listed by The Collaborative for High Performing Schools® (CHPS™) as low-emitting materials.

For more information on the Dens line please visit www.gpgypsum.com.  To see online case studies, please visit http://www.youtube.com/gpdens.

* Test results limited to DensArmor Plus High-Performance Interior Panel and do not include DensArmor Plus Abuse-Resistant Interior Panels and DensArmor Plus Impact-Resistant Panels.

** For more information about the EPA's Environmental and Sustainable Technology Evaluations (ESTE) projects for microbial resistant building materials, visit www.epa.gov/etv/este.html#mrbmgw

About Georgia-Pacific

Headquartered at Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific is one of the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of building products, tissue, packaging, paper, cellulose and related chemicals. The company employs more than 40,000 people at approximately 300 locations in North America, South America and Europe. Georgia-Pacific creates long-term value by using resources efficiently to provide innovative products and solutions that meet the needs of customers and society, while operating in a manner that is environmentally and socially responsible and economically sound.  The company has long been among the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers, with brands such as Plytanium® plywood, DryPly® water repellent plywood, Ply-Bead® panels and Wood I Beam™ and XJ 85® joists offered by Georgia-Pacific Wood Products LLC.  DensArmor Plus® interior panels, DensGlass® Sheathing and ToughRock® drywall are offered by Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC. The familiar consumer tissue brands of Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP include Quilted Northern®, Angel Soft®, Brawny®, Sparkle®, Soft 'n Gentle®, Mardi Gras®, So-Dri® and Vanity Fair®.  Dixie Consumer Products LLC, a Georgia-Pacific company, manufactures the Dixie® brand of tabletop products.   For more information, visit www.gp.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all trademarks are owned by or licensed to Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC.

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification Program(SM).  GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified and GREENGUARD Children & Schools are service marks used under license through the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute.

The Collaborative for High Performing Schools and CHPS are trademarks of Collaborative for High Performing Schools Inc.

SOURCE Georgia-Pacific Gypsum