PROSOCO, Inc., the market leader of flashing materials, has teamed up with Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, one of the leading manufacturers of gypsum sheathing, to bring a time- and money-saving, revolutionary new product to the construction industry.

The DensElement™ Barrier System from Georgia-Pacific Gypsum is a new, patent-pending sheathing barrier system that integrates a water-resistive and air barrier within the gypsum core through AquaKOR™ Technology. The system comprises three GP-approved system components: DensElement™ Sheathing, PROSOCO R-Guard® FastFlash® liquid flashing to fill and seal joints, fasteners, and other penetrations, and PROSOCO PorousPrep water-based primer to prime exposed gypsum edges. As a system solution, the DensElement™ Barrier System eliminates the need to apply other water or air barriers that cover or coat the entire wall.

The DensElement™ Barrier System removes an entire step in the typical weatherization process for commercial buildings, significantly reducing the time it takes to install exterior walls and the water-resistive and air barrier, and ultimately saving time and labor.

“Just like Georgia-Pacific pioneered the sheathing market 30 years ago with DensGlass® GOLD Sheathing, PROSOCO was a pioneer of silyl-terminated polymer (STP) technology more than a decade ago,” said Dave Pennington, building envelope group manager for PROSOCO’s R-Guard products. “R-Guard® FastFlash® liquid flashing is the only fluid-applied flashing product on the market today with 10-plus years of proven performance. So it’s a perfect fit for PROSOCO to partner with another leader in the industry that makes time-tested and field-proven products.”

Pennington added, “In particular we’re excited about the DensElement™ Barrier System’s ability to save significant time during installation. At PROSOCO we’re always focused on how to help our customers save time and money, and the DensElement™ Barrier System can help them do just that.”

Through testing in the lab and on several job sites, the DensElement™ Barrier System has proven several significant advantages for architects, specifiers and contractors looking for a high-performing building envelope. The DensElement™ Barrier System saves time on the job site, reduces the need for skilled labor and ultimately saves money compared to alternatives.

“Products on the market today that cover the entire face of the sheathing, like building wrap, fluid-applied WRBs and peel-and-stick membranes, are time-consuming and labor-intensive to install,” said Jason Peace, director of product management and marketing for Georgia-Pacific Gypsum. “In some cases, they prevent moisture from escaping the wall cavity, causing harmful mold, mildew or deterioration.”

When finished with PROSOCO R-Guard® products, the DensElement™ Barrier System features a high vapor permeability that helps walls dry out if moisture is introduced, rather than trapping water inside where it can lead to moisture-related failures in walls.