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USG has established itself as a trusted name in the construction manufacturing industry for over 120 years through high-quality building materials. The resiliency needed to make it for over a century in the industry comes with the expectation of standing by the performance of your products, but also sustaining a deep knowledge of those products.
One of the small ways we can nurture this knowledge is through the FAQ section of USG.com. These frequently asked questions can ensure that our customers have the information needed to navigate the handling and installation of USG products without hassle.
With that in mind, here are ten FAQs from 2023 that had our customers reaching out for answers:
Besides their name, it mostly comes down to a weight difference between these two products. Sheetrock® Brand Plus 3® Joint Compound weighs about 25% less than Sheetrock® Brand All-Purpose Joint Compound. Plus 3® is also easier to sand and shrinks less, which can pay off in productivity over the course of an install.
One of the things that make USG Durock® Brand Cement Board Panels so easy to install is that it does not matter which side faces out.
Regardless of which side faces out during installation, you can still expect the same great performance that professionals and do-it-yourselfers have come to expect from USG Durock® Brand Cement Board.
For most interior applications, Durock® Brand Cement Board Panels are not affected by water and do not need to be waterproofed; Durock® is water durable but not waterproof. If you’re looking for added protection to water sensitive material behind the Durock®, you may consider adding a waterproofing membrane. TCNA guidelines recommend the use of a waterproof membrane in interior wet areas.
For exterior applications, consult your design professional as vapor permeance is climate dependent.
While it can vary depending on jobsite conditions, joint compound is able to dry completely in 24 hours. Ideal jobsite conditions for this estimation are a temperature of 70° and 70% humidity, but higher humidity and/or lower temperatures will lead to longer drying times—learn more about the effects of environmental conditions on the jobsite here.
First, clean the sides and lid of the container so no dried compound can fall into the mixture then level the joint compound surface with a knife.
The best way to store ready-mix compound is to cover the leveled surface of joint compound with approximately a half-inch of clean water before covering the container tightly. Simply pour off any water before reusing the ready-mix joint compound and remix to your desired working consistency. Store between 55-to-95°F in a dry location and protect from freezing or extreme heat as well as exposure to direct sunlight. The shelf life of an unopened container is up to nine months under proper storage conditions.
The maximum recommended control joint spacing without perimeter relief is 30 feet for both wall and ceiling applications. With perimeter relief, the maximum recommended control joint spacing is increased to 50 feet.
You can anticipate approximately two 4.5-gallon pails/cartons of Sheetrock® Brand UltraLightweight Joint Compound to finish 1000 sq. ft. of gypsum wallboard. This coverage rate is comparable to other USG ready-mix joint compounds.
Sheetrock® Brand Durabond® Joint Compounds and Sheetrock® Brand Easy Sand™ Joint Compounds are the best products to use for repairing cracks.
If you would prefer to use a ready-mixed joint compound, Sheetrock® Brand All Purpose Joint Compound also works well.
C-H Stud for USG Shaft Wall Systems come available in 2 ½”, 4”, and 6” sizes and 25, 22, and 20 gauge. Please contact your local USG Representative for pricing and availability.
Yes, these boards are compatible with both interior and exterior applications, and they can also be used in interior below-grade applications such as basements. In exterior applications Durock® cannot come in contact with the ground.