Dec 16 2014
Third-party testing results confirm that Georgia-Pacific Gypsum's DensDeck® Prime Roof Boards display superior puncture and impact resistance, protecting thermoplastic roofing membranes better than high-density polyisocyanurate (HD ISO) cover boards.
Thermoplastic membranes tested in assemblies with 1/4" DensDeck(R) Prime boards underneath were 83 percent more puncture resistant than membranes with 1/2" HD ISO or with no cover board at all.
All types of commercial roofing membranes are susceptible to everyday punctures from a variety of sources. Rigid objects with sharp edges like dropped tools; heavy equipment; winds which blow branches and debris onto roofs; and frequent foot traffic for general maintenance and repair can cause punctures at any time, explained Todd Kuykendall, director of Marketing and Product Management, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum. "DensDeck® Prime cover boards support membranes so they can resist puncture damage, allowing them to do their job as the front-line protection of the roof assembly against water intrusion," he said.
The independent ASTM D5635 puncture test results indicate that thermoplastic membranes do not puncture as easily when 1/4" DensDeck® Prime Roof Boards are used as a cover board, as compared with HD ISO boards. Thermoplastic membranes tested in assemblies with 1/4" DensDeck® Prime boards underneath were 83 percent more puncture resistant, on average, than membranes with 1/2" HD ISO or no cover board at all.
Durable and versatile DensDeck® Prime roof boards can potentially save money for roofing contractors, building owners and facility managers by eliminating or reducing the need for costly repairs due to punctures during and after completion of the roof installation, Kuykendall added. "The facts are clear – in these puncture tests, HD ISO performed similar to no cover board at all, allowing thermoplastic membranes to puncture more easily," he said.
DensDeck® Prime Roof Board Stands Up to Hail
In addition to puncture resistance testing, the independent company also conducted tests simulating the impact of hail in a variety of roofing scenarios – and the results were similar.
FM 4473 (using NBS -- National Bureau of Standards -- 23 standards) hail test results indicate that DensDeck® Prime boards offer key benefits against hail damage versus HD ISO products:
- Less likelihood of membrane damage -- Assemblies with DensDeck® Prime panels exhibited less indentation that stressed the membrane and can potentially result in membrane failure;
- More resilience during hail events – Assemblies with DensDeck® Prime panels withstood larger hail sizes that may cause cover board fractures.
Read more about the results, and view additional information about the testing, including videos of hail and puncture testing, at http://www.buildgp.com/densdeck-hail-resistance or http://buildgp.com/densdeck-puncture-resistance.