New Fiberock Brand Aqua-Tough Interior Panels Provide Outstanding Resistance To Abuse, Water, Mold and Fire
'Tough to the Core' Panels Are Ideal for Schools, Healthcare Facilities and Homes

CHICAGO, October 15, 2003 - A distinctive new type of abuse-resistant interior wall panel that offers superior protection from moisture and mold is now available for all types of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential applications from United States Gypsum Company, a subsidiary of USG Corporation (NYSE: USG).

FIBEROCK® Brand AQUA-TOUGH™ Interior Panels are engineered to provide increased resistance to abuse while outperforming paper-faced or glass-mat-faced panels. Their unique AQUA-TOUGH formulation provides water resistance through the core, and the panels are approved for use in wet areas, including tub surrounds. Independent laboratory tests confirm that the panels provide superior mold resistance when they are tested per ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) D3273-00 standards.

Designed to be installed and finished like traditional wallboard, the new panels feature a smooth surface that can either be painted or finished with ceramic tile. They are available in ½- and 5/8-inch thicknesses, with the 5/8-inch-thick panels earning UL classification for fire resistance (Type X).

"These innovative panels kick off a new era in substrate performance," said Diane Earll, U.S. Gypsum's FIBEROCK product marketing manager. "They are ideal for use in high-traffic areas where resistance to abuse, moisture, mold and fire are especially important qualities, such as in schools, healthcare facilities and homes."

Like other FIBEROCK products, the new panels are manufactured using U.S. Gypsum's unique gypsum fiber technology. They are made from 95 percent recycled materials, making them an environmentally friendly product option in sustainable building construction.

The new product line has also earned the "Green Cross" certificate from Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), the nation's leading national testing company that evaluates manufacturers' environmental claims. In addition, the panels are an excellent option in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ applications.

Unlike traditional water-resistant gypsum board, FIBEROCK interior panels derive both strength and water resistance from their uniform composition. The panels are strong and water resistant all the way through; other panels rely on their facing material for strength, for fastener holding and as a primary water barrier. If the facing is torn or pierced - or if water penetrates the cut end of the board, causing delamination - products of this type can lose their strength, as well as their water resistance. By comparison, FIBEROCK panels have no face layer to separate from the core, and won't lose their strength when cut.

Because the interior panels resist moisture, they may be used as a substrate for ceramic or other tile, but their drywall "look" enables them to be given a smooth finish using typical drywall finishing techniques. As a result, there is no need to change products if a room design calls for tile on the lower part of the wall (with a painted, textured or wallpapered finish above), or if an entire tub or shower area is to be tiled while a different finish is desired in the rest of the room.

Both the ½- and 5/8-inch-thick panels are available in widths of 36 or 48 inches and lengths ranging from 4 to 12 feet. They are designed to be cut using a utility knife and straight edge, but handsaws or low-rpm power saws can also be used. Depending upon the application, the panels can be fastened using corrosion-resistant buglehead screws or hot-dipped galvanized roofing nails.

FIBEROCK Brand AQUA-TOUGH Interior Panels expand U.S. Gypsum's popular FIBEROCK product line, which also includes FIBEROCK Brand Sheathing - AQUA-TOUGH; FIBEROCK Brand Underlayment - AQUA-TOUGH; FIBEROCK Brand Panels - Abuse-Resistant; and FIBEROCK Brand Panels - VHI Abuse-Resistant.

For additional information, contact United States Gypsum Company, 125 S. Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60606-4678, call (800) USG-4YOU or visit the company's Web site at www.usg.com.

United States Gypsum Company is a subsidiary of USG Corporation, a Fortune 500 company with business units that are market leaders in their key product groups: gypsum wallboard, joint compound and related gypsum products; cement board; gypsum fiber panels; ceiling panels and grid; and building products distribution.