Independent, ASTM E-based Tests Show Acoustical Effectiveness of Innovative DensDeck® Roof Board System for Lightweight Commercial Roofs

LOUISIANA, February 22, 2010 – Georgia-Pacific Gypsum – long an innovator in the development and use of fiberglass mat-based gypsum panels – announced that its assembly for retrofitting lightweight commercial roof decks based on its DensDeck®  Roof Board product can reduce sound penetration by more than 50 percent.

According to the results of acoustical performance tests conducted in December 2009 by Architectural Testing Inc., the Georgia-Pacific Gypsum roof deck assembly with remediation components received a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of 54, versus a rating of 43 for the baseline assembly alone. This 11 decibel improvement equals a reduction in sound penetration of more than 50 percent.

Georgia-Pacific Gypsum will showcase its innovative roofing assembly, as well as the testing results, in Booth #2727 at the 2010 International Roofing Expo, February 22 to 24, in New Orleans.

The assembly’s significant reduction in sound penetration is just one of its many features. Another is that the lightweight assembly is added on to the existing roof, a sustainability benefit since it eliminates the need to dispose of existing roofing materials. Also, when properly installed the sophisticated design helps prevent the accumulation of moisture between the new and old roofing assemblies, which is a common problem with retrofitted roofs.

“As airports expand and flight paths change, the need for creating a quieter in-building environment is evolving dramatically,” said Reinhard Schneider, DensDeck Roof Board product manager, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum. “We have spent nearly a decade developing a number of sound isolating new roof assemblies to address this problem, and we’re delighted that these independent tests confirm the effectiveness of the DensDeck Roof Board -based remediation system, as well.”

Components of the DensDeck Roof Board Roofing Assembly
The DensDeck Roof Board-based lightweight commercial roofing sound remediation assembly includes the following layered components, which were used in the acoustical tests:

• 1” rigid mineral fiber board
• 5/8” DensDeck Roof Board
• 45-mil TPO roofing membrane

The assembly is designed for buildings with low-slope roofs in the vicinity of airports or other high-decibel environments. These include hotels, apartments, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools and other low-rise commercial buildings.

The acoustical tests of the Georgia-Pacific remediation assembly were conducted in accordance with four industry-standard testing methodologies (ASTM E 90-09, ASTM E 413-04, ASTM E 1332-90 and ASTM E 22350-04).

About DensDeck Roof Boards
With billions of square feet installed in a complete range of roofing systems and climate extremes, DensDeck Roof Boards have proven their toughness and versatility. The unique construction has been shown to withstand delamination, deterioration, warping and job site damage far more effectively than paper-faced gypsum board and other conventional roofing products such as wood fiberboard and perlite. Among the product line’s features:

• Treated gypsum core for moisture resistance and sound insulation
• Fire, rot and hail resistant
• Holds up well under normal foot traffic while stiffening and stabilizing roof decks
• Easy to install in all types of roof systems
• Ideal product for direct membrane application

For more information on DensDeck Roof Board, please visit www.densdeck.com <http://www.densdeck.com>

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 more than 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 <http://www.gp.com/> .