June 28, 2007 -- USG's Tile and Flooring Division has introduced two poured, self-leveling cement underlayments, plus an accompanying floor patch and primer-sealer, all under the DUROCK™ brand name. Both of the new underlayments utilize a uniquely engineered cement chemistry offering high compressive strengths, outstanding performance and unrivaled versatility. These self-leveling underlayments come pre-sanded in a bag, mix easily at the job site and can be applied in a wide range of commercial, institutional and residential flooring applications. They are available nationally through tile and flooring distributors.
New Durock Brand Poured Underlayments
DUROCK brand Multi-Use self-leveling underlayment is a high-quality, economical floor underlayment designed to smooth wood and concrete floors in wood frame, renovation and light-commercial construction. Because it sets rapidly, the product facilitates the return of light trade traffic within a few hours. Its proprietary, non-shrinking technology creates an exceptionally smooth, crack-resistant surface.
The underlayment eliminates the need for installing metal lath over wood or shot blasting concrete, saving time and money. It can be applied easily from 3/4 to 3 inches thick over both wood and concrete subfloors. The product's compressive strength of 3,500 psi, which is achieved within seven to 10 days, makes it a superior option for higher-traffic areas.
The underlayment provides an ideal topping for radiant heat installations, especially those installed on plywood or OSB subfloors. In addition, its high compressive strength meets resilient floor industry requirements for commercial goods. The underlayment also helps maximize sound isolation between floor/ceiling assemblies.
DUROCK brand Quick Dry self-leveling underlayment is a cementitious underlayment developed for use in commercial, institutional and rehab construction. With exceptional compressive strengths of 5,000 to 6,000 psi, it provides a smooth, hard surface over concrete slabs, pre-stressed concrete or concrete slabs at thicknesses ranging from featheredge to 3 inches.
The underlayment's patented technology minimizes downtime with quick setting and drying times (along with high production rates), enabling floors to be repaired one day and the business or facility to be reopened the next day. Floor coverings can be installed within 15 hours after the underlayment has been poured - a significant advance in flooring underlayment technology. Moreover, the product's innovative self-sealing technology eliminates the need to seal the underlayment prior to application of the finished floor adhesive.
The underlayment requires no shot blasting and can be used with virtually any finished floor covering, including carpeting, ceramic tile, wood laminate, hardwood and vinyl. It also can be stained or used by itself as a finished floor in conjunction with an approved coating system, providing a distinctive gray-colored look that mimicks natural cement when protected with an approved clear coat. The product exceeds the industry's commercial resilient floor-covering requirements as a high-performance underlayment.
DUROCK brand floor patch is a polymer-modified blend of engineered cements designed to patch a variety of wood, concrete and gypsum-based floor underlayments (the industry's only patch that is recommended for use with gypsum-based floor underlayments).
Self-drying and fast setting, the material mixes easily with water and can be applied at thicknesses from featheredge to 1/2 inch. Intended for use by professional flooring contractors, the product can be used to fill joints, cracks, holes, voids and depressions. It leaves a smooth finish prior to the installation of floor coverings such as vinyl, vinyl composition tile (VCT), carpet, wood, engineered laminates, parquet, ceramic tile, slate and marble. Fast drying times permit floor coverings to be applied within 20 minutes of the patching application.
DUROCK brand primer-sealer was developed to prime and seal porous concrete, precast concrete and wood subfloors prior to applying DUROCK Multi-Use or Quick Dry underlayment. It also can be used as a sealer on the surface of dry DUROCK Multi-Use underlayment before the floor-covering adhesive is applied. The primer-sealer reduces the alkalinity of concrete floor surfaces without negatively impacting the floor-covering adhesive, and enhances bonding between the adhesive and underlayment. The product resists mildew and will not stain finished floors.
For additional information, contact USG, 550 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661-3676, call (800) USG-4YOU or visit the company's Web site at www.usg.com.
USG Corporation is a Fortune 500 manufacturer and distributor of high-performance building systems through its United States Gypsum Company, USG Interiors, Inc. and L&W Supply Corporation subsidiaries. Headquartered in Chicago, the company serves the residential and non-residential construction markets, repair and remodel construction markets, and industrial processes. USG's wall, ceiling, flooring and roofing products provide leading-edge building solutions for customers, while L&W Supply center locations efficiently stock and deliver building materials nationwide.
John Mandel
(312) 436-4523
jmandel@usg.com