NGConnects by National Gypsum Company

As the demand for AI, cloud services and streaming skyrockets, data center construction has become one of the fastest-growing sectors. However, these facilities present a high-stakes balancing act: They must be sustainable and quiet yet incredibly fire resistant and built at record speed. Listen or watch Tim Hessert, vice president of sales at National Gypsum Company, talk with host Chris Whitmire, director of product marketing, about the role of high-performance building products in securing the digital frontier. Listeners will learn: The four pillars of data center design: Why architects and contractors must juggle sustainability, fire safety, acoustics and speed. The weight of sustainability: How the Gold Bond® EVOLVE™ family of gypsum board products contribute to efforts to reduce embodied carbon and promote responsible material sourcing. The fire/sound balancing act: How the use of specialized gypsum board products such as Gold Bond® XP® Ultra-Shield FS® and the SoundBreak® XP® family of products meets 2- and 3-hour fire ratings while reducing constant server noise. Moisture resilience in high-cooling environments: Why fiberglass mat products such as Gold Bond® eXP® Interior Extreme® are essential for handling the high humidity created by massive HVAC systems. Roof protection for critical infrastructure: The importance of DEXcell® roof coverboards in protecting expensive equipment from wind, hail and maintenance traffic. Beating the clock with modern methods: How GridMarX® installation guide marks and the Max 12® and MaX 16® optimized fastener patterns, along with "topping out" construction, can significantly reduce installation time. Want to know more? Explore the data centers applications page View the data centers infographic Read the data center construction blog article Use the Fire & Sound Assembly Selector™ Read about the importance of roof cover boards in protecting data centers Watch the NGConnects Podcast on YouTube. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover?  We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected]. National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider of reliable, high-performance building products manufactured by its affiliate companies and marketed under the Gold Bond®, ProForm® and PermaBASE® brands. The National Gypsum name has been synonymous with high-quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service since 1925. The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

When constructing commercial buildings, stakeholders often focus on the steel frame, the glass facade or the foundation, but the walls inside are just as critical to a project's success. Making the right choice about gypsum board — also known as drywall — can be the difference between a successful project and one plagued by delays, budget overruns and long-term issues. Listen or watch Jessica Janosko, Southeast area sales manager, talk with host Chris Whitmire, director of product marketing, about when to invest in high-performance gypsum boards to cut risks in commercial projects. Listeners will learn: The different priorities architects, contractors and building owners have regarding budget, timing and aesthetics The definition of value engineering and the specific risks, such as diminished resilience and increased maintenance costs, of downgrading specified boards The critical technical differences between abuse-resistant boards (surface-level protection) and impact-resistant boards (penetration protection) How to protect shaft enclosures, built early in the construction schedule, from rain and mold damage by using glass mat gypsum panels over paper-faced options Strategies for "topping out" construction to simplify mechanical, electrical and plumbing crew scheduling How investing upfront in acoustically enhanced boards can prevent costly and disruptive renovations later Want to know more?  Read the article, "How high-performance gypsum boards cut risk in commercial projects" Visit the Why Invest resources page  Download the Why Invest infographic Explore the difference between abuse-resistant and impact-resistant gypsum boards Understand how the Gold Bond® SoundBreak® XP® family of products can improve acoustics in schools, healthcare facilities and mixed-used developments Download today's show transcript or watch NGConnects on YouTube. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected]. Find all NGConnects Podcasts episodes at nationalgypsum.com/podcasts. National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider of reliable, high-performance building products manufactured by its affiliate companies and marketed under the Gold Bond®, ProForm® and PermaBASE® brands. The National Gypsum name has been synonymous with high-quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service since 1925. The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

A day doesn't pass without an architect reaching out to the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or the National Gypsum regional Construction Design Managers for assistance with acoustic wall assemblies. That's why returning guests, Sam Halverson and Scott Hughes, joined host Chris Whitmire to discuss the six variables that affect STC ratings.  Listeners will learn:  The science of sound waves How wall assemblies are tested and Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings calculated Common STC ratings and their equivalent sound blocking ability The six variables — stiffness, mass, cavity absorption, cavity depth, decoupling and damping — that affect STC ratings  Considerations when using resilient channels and resilient sound isolation clips How the Gold Bond® SoundBreak® family of sound products can be used to achieve target STC ratings Want to know more?  Read the article, "6 variables that affect STC ratings" Watch the "Science of sound | choosing drywall products for better acoustics" video Read this article, "Choosing building materials for better acoustics" for help with acoustic product selection  Use the Fire & Sound Assembly Selector Download The SoundBook® Listen or watch the NGConnects podcast episode, "Understanding the ratings behind acoustical wall, ceiling and roof assemblies"  Explore products, download brochures and watch webinars and more on our Sound Control resource page Expand your acoustic design knowledge beyond wall assemblies by reading these blog articles "Using roof coverboard to reduce outside sound transmission" "How to reduce sound transmission in floor-ceiling assemblies" Connect with us! Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected]. Find all NGConnects Podcast episodes at nationalgypsum.com/podcasts. National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider of reliable, high-performance building products manufactured by its affiliate companies and marketed under the Gold Bond®, ProForm® and PermaBASE® brands. The National Gypsum name has been synonymous with high-quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service since 1925. The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Buildings such as data centers, distribution facilities, big box retailers, schools and hospitals contain precious lives and expensive equipment. The roof system is essential to protecting these assets from everyday service traffic and wind pressures to extreme weather events such as hail, hurricanes and tornadoes. Hard roof coverboards offer numerous benefits that enhance the durability, safety and performance of the entire roof assembly. In this episode, Chris Whitmire, director of product marketing for National Gypsum, talks to Warren Barber, senior manager gypsum & specialty systems/DEXcell, about the science behind the benefits of using DEXcell Roof Boards, manufactured by Gold Bond Building Products, LLC and PermaBASE Building Products, LLC, which are affiliates of National Gypsum Company. Listeners will learn: What are hard coverboards and their essential role in commercial roofing systems How hard coverboards provide a smooth, flat surface for the membrane and protect insulation from foot and equipment traffic How hard coverboards improve the roof's performance ratings against fire, wind,and hail The role of hard coverboards in improving thermal performance Want to know more? Read the article, "Strengthening commercial low-slope roofing systems with DEXcell Roof Boards" Read the article, "Protecting data centers: the importance of roof cover boards" Read the article, "How DEXcell Roof Boards deliver Class A fire ratings for sloped roofs" Read the article, "How DEXcell Roof Boards improve roof assembly thermal performance" Download the DEXcell Roof Board Product Brochure Watch the Discover the versatility of DEXcell Cement Road Board video case study Watch the Choosing products to design resilient buildings video Explore DEXcell Roof Board products Connect with us! Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected]. Find all NGConnects Podcast episodes at nationalgypsum.com/podcasts. National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider of reliable, high-performance building products manufactured by its affiliate companies and marketed under the Gold Bond®, ProForm® and PermaBASE® brands. The National Gypsum name has been synonymous with high-quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service since 1925. The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Plus, meet the new EVOLVE family of sustainable gypsum boards and learn its role in lowering a project's embodied carbon Whether it's a project seeking LEED status, an architectural firm participating in the AIA 2030 Commitment or a construction company aiming to achieve carbon reduction goals, sustainability documentation such as Environmental Product Declarations and Health Product Declarations are essential to today's construction world. Join Chris Whitmire, national product director, Amy Hockett, National Marketing Manager - Architectural Services & Sustainability, and Scott Hughes, construction design manager, for aconversation about these material transparency documents. The trio also delves into the EVOLVE™ family of products, the latest sustainable solution from Gold Bond Building Products, LLC, an affiliate of National Gypsum Company. Listeners will learn: The role EPDs and HPDs play in sustainable construction What's included in a life cycle assessment How to use an EPD What's in an HPD How to use an HPD Which sustainability programs require EPDs and HPDs Where to find sustainability documents on nationalgypsum.com How EVOLVE products are manufactured to have lower embodied carbon compared to traditional gypsum boards Want to know more? Read the Understanding EPDs and HPDs in Modern Construction blog article Explore the Simplifying Environmental Documentation Terms blog article Visit our library of sustainability documents and sort by type, manufacturer or product family to quickly find those you need Discover the EVOLVE family of products Download today's show transcript or watch NGConnects on YouTube. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected]. Find all NGConnects podcasts at nationalgypsum.com/podcasts. National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider for products manufactured by Gold Bond Building Products, LLC, PermaBASE Building Products, LLC and ProForm Finishing Products, LLC. The National Gypsum name has been synonymous with high-quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service since 1925. The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL ® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Understand these critical life safety systems to avoid costly installation errors The gypsum board shaftwall system was first implemented in 1973 to accommodate increasingly tall buildings and was first used in the World Trade Center. Shaftwall assemblies enclose all manner of shafts: elevators, stairs, trash chutes and ventilation ducts to name a few. They are designed to prevent fire from spreading between floors via these shafts and to protect stairways as an escape route for building occupants during fires. Gypsum board is lighter than traditional shaft enclosure materials, such as masonry, and provides efficient and economical installation. In this episode, Sam Halverson, construction services manager with the 1-800-NATIONAL Construction Services team, talks with host Chris Whitmire about why it's important to correctly design and install shaftwall enclosures. Listeners will learn: The purpose and history of shaft enclosures The difference between 1-hour and 2-hour UL fire-rated shaftwall systems A breakdown of materials used to construct a shaftwall and how it is constructed Gold Bond Building Products gypsum boards and shaftliner panels recommended for use in shaft enclosures How a shaftwall is designed to be fire-rated from both sides Tips for including elevator guide rail support posts in a shaftwall When the building code requires shaft enclosures to have impact resistance How shaftwall assemblies can be used as ceiling assemblies Best practices for ensuring fire-resistance continuity in shaftwall corners   Want to know more? Visit the shaftwall systems resource page Watch the shaftwall installation video, available in English and Spanish Explore shaftliner products manufactured by Gold Bond Building Products, an affiliate manufacturer of National Gypsum Company Download a compilation of shaftwall assemblies and details from The PURPLE Book ® Download The Wood Book™ for shaftwall assembly details in wood-framed buildings Read the blog article, "Understanding shaftwall design in commercial construction" Read the blog article, "Designing shaft enclosures for wood-frame buildings"   Connect with us! Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected]. Be the first to hear the NGConnects Podcast, subscribe here for early access. Find all NGConnects Podcasts at nationalgypsum.com/podcasts. National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider of reliable, high-performance building products manufactured by its affiliate companies and marketed under the Gold Bond®, ProForm® and PermaBASE® brands. The National Gypsum name has been synonymous with high-quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service since 1925.   The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

When specifying gypsum board for commercial projects, it is important to differentiate between abuse-resistant and impact-resistant types to ensure the contractor selects the correct board. Otherwise, the building owner may experience unexpected damage, resulting in callbacks and repairs. Listeners will learn:  The difference between standard, abuse-resistant and impact-resistant gypsum boards How Gold Bond® XP® Hi-Abuse® Gypsum Board, Gold Bond® XP® Hi-Impact®, Gold Bond® eXP® Interior Extreme® AR Gypsum Panels and Gold Bond® eXP® Interior Extreme® IR Gypsum Panels are constructed How the four tests that make up ASTM C1629 Standard Classification for Abuse-Resistant Nondecorated Interior Gypsum Panel Products and Fiber-Reinforced Cement Panels are conducted and how Gold Bond products perform in each test Situations where glass mat abuse- and impact-resistant products are recommended over paper-faced products When to recommend abuse-resistant vs. impact-resistant gypsum board based on the size, use and expected occupancy of a space The importance of listing abuse- and impact-resistant products separately in the specification to avoid confusion over which product is needed Want to know more?  Read the "Abuse- vs. impact-resistant gypsum board" blog article Earn a one-hour learning credit by taking the updated "Abuse and Impact Resistant Gypsum: Stronger and Safer Walls"  continuing education course Read the "Shorten construction schedules with eXP products"  blog article to learn about the benefits of pre-rock construction Explore Gold Bond abuse- and impact-resistant products Download the XP® Family of Interior Products  brochure Download the eXP Family of Glass Mat Products  brochure   Download today's show transcript or watch NGConnects on YouTube. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected]. Be the first to hear the NGConnects podcast. Subscribe here for early access. Find all NGConnects podcasts at nationalgypsum.com/podcasts. National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider of reliable, high-performance building products manufactured by its affiliate companies and marketed under the Gold Bond®, ProForm® and PermaBASE® brands. The National Gypsum name has been synonymous with high-quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service since 1925. The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Understanding the different levels of gypsum board finishes is crucial for achieving the desired look and durability in any construction project. While the five levels of finish build each upon the next to create smoother and more refined surfaces, this podcast explores what separates the two highest-quality finishes: Level 4 and Level 5. Listeners will learn: The requirements for Level 0–5 drywall finishes The role the putty knife size plays as a drywall finisher ascends through the finish levels The key differences between Level 4 and Level 5 finishes Design scenarios where a Level 5 finish is recommended The role of the skim coat in a Level 5 finish Best practices to clearly communicate to the architect, drywall finisher and building owner which finish level is needed Want to know more? Watch the ProForm Finishing Products Five Levels of Finish video Download the Five Levels of Finish for Gypsum Board infographic Download the ProForm Finishing Products Five Levels of Finish guide Explore the ProForm Finishing Products joint compound offerings Download today's show transcript or watch NGConnects on YouTube. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected]. Be the first to hear the NGConnects podcast. Subscribe here for early access. Find all NGConnects podcasts at nationalgypsum.com/podcasts. National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider of reliable, high-performance building products manufactured by its affiliate companies and marketed under the Gold Bond ®, ProForm ® and PermaBASE ® brands. The National Gypsum name has been synonymous with high-quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service since 1925. The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL ® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Noise pollution can have harmful effects on human health, ranging from simple annoyance and distraction to increased blood pressure and stress.* Effectively reducing the distance sound can travel is critical to creating pleasant spaces where people live, work and play. The first step toward designing quality acoustical assemblies is understanding the differences between Sound Transmission Class (STC), Impact Insulation Class (IIC), Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC) and Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class (OITC). Listeners will learn:  Why noise reduction is important What the four acoustic ratings — STC, IIC, CAC and OITC — measure and how they are tested Real-world examples of noise challenges gypsum board acoustical assemblies solve The role National Gypsum's Fire & Sound Assembly Selector can play in selecting assemblies that meet both acoustical and fire ratings Want to know more?  Explore our Fire & Sound Assembly Selector to streamline planning and estimating Take a look at the Gold Bond® SoundBreak® XP® family of products Download The SoundBook®, the industry's leading resource for technical details and sound-rated assembly drawings Download the CAC assemblies mentioned in the episode Download the Sound Solutions Guide Take a deep dive into acoustical design by reading our library of acoustics-focused blog posts: Making sense of acoustical ratings alphabet soup 6 variables that affect STC ratings Using roof coverboard to reduce outside sound transmission Choosing building materials for better acoustics How to reduce sound transmission in floor-ceiling assemblies Understanding acoustical assemblies with The SoundBook Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected]. "Clean Air Act Title IV: Noise Pollution," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, last updated February 13, 2025. The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Area separation walls in multifamily wood-frame construction are an essential part of designing safety into the structure. They give residents time to escape during a fire and are designed and constructed to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent units. Construction Services Manager Sam Halverson explains the technical details of area separation walls with National Gypsum Director of Product Marketing Chris Whitmire in this episode of the NGConnects Podcast. Listeners will learn:  Which types of construction utilize area separation walls   The purpose of area separation walls and how they are constructed Fireblocking requirements and materials  How to repair area separation walls How to install doors in area separation walls The differences between 2-hour and 3-hour area separation walls Whether plumbing and mechanical can be installed inside the flanking walls of an area separation wall Want to know more?  Watch the "How to Build an Area Separation Wall" video to see how a 2-hour area separation wall is constructed, including clip spacing, clip attachment, fireblocking, and floor and roof intersections A Spanish-language version of the video, "Cómo Construir un Muro de Separación de Área," shows the same process Find UL fire-rated assemblies that fulfill fireblocking requirements in The Wood Book™: 2-hour firewall at floor intersection, page 99 2-hour firewall at stepped roof intersection, page 104 2-hour firewall blocking plan, page 110 Read our "5 questions about multifamily and area separation walls" blog post Download the area separation wall FAQ Connect with us!   Watch this episode on the National Gypsum YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/nationalgypsum   Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected].   Find all NGConnects podcasts at nationalgypsum.com/podcasts.   About National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider of reliable, high-performance building products manufactured by its affiliate companies and marketed under the Gold Bond®, ProForm® and PermaBASE® brands.   The National Gypsum name has been synonymous with high-quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service since 1925.   The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Specifying continuous insulation has become common as communities adopt more current versions of the International Energy Conservation Code. At the same time, current exterior design trends for commercial, multifamily and mixed-use retail/residential favor mixed-material facades which break up storefronts and lend a scaled down neighborhood feel. Combining veneers — thin brick, thin stone, stucco and tile, to name a few — empowers architects and builders to create unique exteriors.   In this episode, Eddie Neel, market manager for PermaBASE® Building Products, talks to Chris Whitmire, director of product marketing at National Gypsum Company, about how PermaBASE CI® Insulated Cement Board provides a simple solution to both challenges.  Listeners will learn: What continuous insulation is and how it can help meet energy code requirements How PermaBASE CI is constructed and how it simplifies the installation of mixed material exteriors that also meet energy code requirements The concept of "R-values" as it pertains to buildings and materials   Which adhered veneers work with PermaBASE CI and how they are installed Recommendations for horizontal and vertical transitions between different adhered veneers When to install control joints on adhered veneers installed on PermaBASE CI Want to know more? Read our "PermaBASE CI simplifies mixed-material veneer facades" and "Why continuous exterior insulation boost energy efficiency" blog posts Download our "PermaBASE vs. Metal Lath" one-sheet to understand the time-saving benefits of cement board Watch our "Thin Stone Veneer Wall System Installation with PermaBASE Cement Board" and "Commercial Thin Brick Installation with PermaBASE CI Insulated Cement Board" videos to see how adhered veneers are installed on PermaBASE CI Download the "PermaBASE CI Insulated Cement Board Masonry Veneer Systems" brochure Download the "PermaBASE Building Products Exterior Applications Guide"  Connect with us!   Watch this episode on the National Gypsum YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/nationalgypsum   Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected].   Find all NGConnects podcasts at nationalgypsum.com/podcasts. Be the first to hear of new NGConnects podcasts by subscribing here for early access.   About   National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider of reliable, high-performance building products manufactured by its affiliate companies and marketed under the Gold Bond®, ProForm® and PermaBASE® brands.   The National Gypsum name has been synonymous with high-quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service since 1925.   The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

What is the difference between Type X and Type C gypsum board and when should you use each? Chris Whitmire, director of product marketing at National Gypsum Company, sits down with Mark Chapman, senior manager of the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team, to discuss the nuances between these types of gypsum board and how to best use them in fire-rated assemblies.  Listeners will learn: How Type X gypsum board is defined by ASTM C1396, Standard Specification for Gypsum Board, for ½", ⅝" and 1" thicknesses and how each relates to hour ratings  What Type C gypsum board is How to use Type C gypsum board to reduce the layers of standard Type X in floor-ceiling assemblies How Type X and Type C products are specified in fire-rated assemblies Whether these boards are interchangeable Want to know more? Read our "Comparing Type X vs. Type C gypsum board" blog post Explore Type X and Type C gypsum board products manufactured by Gold Bond® Building Products, an affiliate of National Gypsum   Connect with us! Watch this episode on the National Gypsum YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/nationalgypsum   Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected].   Find all NGConnects podcasts at nationalgypsum.com/podcasts.   About   National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider of reliable, high-performance building products manufactured by its affiliate companies and marketed under the Gold Bond®, ProForm® and PermaBASE® brands.   The National Gypsum name has been synonymous with high-quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service since 1925.   The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.