Residential Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing
Helping to Make Your Home Safe and Durable
Most homeowners are familiar with gypsum drywall, the material that a home’s interior walls are usually made from. Less known is Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing, a product used to build outer walls. Unlike traditional sheathings, Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing enhances fire, moisture, and mold resistance, and is unappealing to pests. These are reasons why commercial buildings use Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing instead of traditional sheathings, and why you should demand the same benefits for you and your family.
Fire Resistant
Mold & Moisture Resistant
Unappealing to Pests
Quick Facts
Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing:
- Is suitable for use with virtually any siding material (vinyl, fiber cement, stucco, brick, etc.)
- Helps to enhance the fire resistance of a home especially when combined with other noncombustible building materials (e.g., steel studs, mineral wool insulation, brick, etc.)
- Features a durable fiberglass outer surface providing a barrier against water penetration
- Contains no organic material to attract or sustain mold and pests
- Contains no detectable volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can impact indoor air quality
Download the Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing Design Guide for Residential Construction
Explore the technical requirements for using Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing on residential structures and more.
GET THE DESIGN GUIDE
Read More About Gypsum Sheathing in Walls & Ceilings
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my home be better in the long run for using Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing?
Between the fire-, mold-, and moisture-resistant properties and the long lifespan of the Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing, your home will be secure and protected from the elements. Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing is more fire-resistant than OSB, and should moisture infiltrate the wall assembly, Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing will not expand, swell, or rot.
I’m in an area prone to wildfires. Does the use of Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing improve the fire resistance of a home?
Yes. It can be used where fire-resistant construction is required, making it ideal for construction in areas governed by the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) due to the risk of wildland fire.
I’m in an area with a hot and humid climate. How does Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing perform here?
Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing is ideal for hot and humid climate zones like yours. Unlike traditional sheathings, the product is highly resistant to expansion and contraction when exposed to variable and extreme environments. Gypsum expands and contracts negligibly, per the National Research Council of Canada (NRCC), while OSB will expand 0.15% per 1% change in the moisture content of the material.
Can I request that my builder or architect use Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing instead of OSB?
Of course. If your builder or architect is inexperienced with using Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing, please have them contact the Gypsum Association or any member company for technical assistance.