DensElement® Barrier System

DensElement® Barrier System is an integrated water-resistive barrier and air barrier (WRB/AB) sheathing system that can be installed in all weather conditions for faster job completion.

Overview

Design Intent Meets Efficiency

Help protect your building envelope while achieving faster dry-in with DensElement® Barrier System.

The integrated WRB/AB gypsum sheathing of DensElement® Barrier System combines efficiency with high performance to help achieve faster dry-in and mitigate installation risks. Able to be used behind many of today’s top cladding choices, DensElement® Barrier System provides a water-resistive barrier and air barrier (WRB/AB) that can be installed in all weather conditions for faster job completion. ¹

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¹ DensDefy™ Liquid Barrier may be applied in temperatures as low as 25°F and cures in temperatures as low as 32°F.

Benefits

Build a Better Building Envelope

Save time by eliminating the need for manually applying a WRB/AB over sheathing.

Continuity

DensElement® Barrier System and DensDefy™ Products help ensure the continuity of your structure’s WRB/AB regardless of design complexity and, with the addition of NEW DensDefy™ Liquid Barrier, maintains continuity across multiple substrates.

Simplicity

DensElement® Barrier System, when properly sealed with DensDefy® Liquid Flashing, eliminates the need for a separate WRB/AB and puts a stop to compromising on your building envelope design during the construction process.

Faster to Done

By eliminating the need for a separate WRB/AB, DensElement® Barrier System helps to achieve dry-in in fewer steps, meaning your project gets completed faster.²

Flexibility

Because DensElement® Barrier System can be installed in challenging weather, schedules are accelerated, achieving dry-in faster while improving your structure’s resistance to normal moisture conditions and uncontrolled air movement.

² To achieve dry-in, all window openings and roof have to be installed.

Products

The Complete DensElement® Barrier System

DensElement® Barrier System and DensDefy™ Products combine to provide an easy-to-apply system to help get your projects done faster.

Integrated WRB/AB Panels

DensElement® Barrier System frees you from manually applying a WRB/AB over sheathing on your jobsite or in the factory. Resisting normal weather conditions and preventing uncontrolled air movement, it eliminates an entire step in the installation process and helps keep you on schedule.

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DensDefy™ Products

Compatible with DensElement® Barrier System to ensure continuity of WRB/AB. DensDefy™ Liquid Barrier, DensDefy® Liquid Flashing, and DensDefy® Transition Membrane products work together to help protect against water intrusion and mitigate the risk of unwanted air movement.

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Advantages

Design

Advanced technology meets intelligent design.

Research

Efficiency & Versatility

An Innovative 3-in-1 Sheathing, Water-Resistive Barrier and Air Barrier

More than 30 years ago, DensGlass® Sheathing disrupted commercial building design. Now DensElement® Barrier System continues that legacy of innovation by integrating three products in one: gypsum sheathing, water-resistive barrier and air barrier.

DensElement® Barrier System combines product ideation and experimentation.
Integrating the fiberglass mat and gypsum core to form a monolithic, hydrophobic surface transforms the entire gypsum sheathing into a WRB-AB that blocks bulk water while allowing vapor to pass through.

Simplified Time Savings Installation

All-around DensElement® benefits include faster install, dry-in, less crew needed and less jobsite waste.

Eliminates separate WRB-AB application step.
Installs in wet weather.
May be exposed to normal weather conditions for up to 12 months.

Innovation

High Performance

Real-world proven performance through innovation.

Tested and Proven

Compliance

When Independently Tested, DensElement® Barrier System's Performance Speaks for Itself

Our Testing Matrix demonstrates a sampling of the specific experiments performed on the system to replicate potential real-world exposure. This exhaustive testing resulted in the evidence needed for the International Code Council to confirm the performance of the DensElement® Barrier System as a combination exterior wall sheathing, water-resistive and air barrier (WRB-AB) system (ESR-3786).

DensElement® Barrier System Meets Established Water-Resistive Barrier and Air-Barrier Acceptance Criteria

DensElement® Sheathing is manufactured to meet ASTM C 1177. Application standards for DensElement® Sheathing, where applicable, are in accordance with Gypsum Association publication GA 253 for gypsum sheathing and ASTM C 1280.

Comparison

There's No Comparison

Compare DensElement® Barrier System installation vs. fluid-applied, self-adhered, and building wrap WRB-ABs — then draw your own conclusions.

Introducing Georgia-Pacific Building Products’ DensDefy™ Liquid Barrier

How to Apply Georgia-Pacific DensDefy™ Liquid Flashing

How to Apply Georgia-Pacific DensDefy™ Liquid Flashing to Rough Openings

Solutions

Innovative Solutions to Meet Your Needs

Prefabrication

Design-Build

Reduce Labor, Cost, and Delays through Prefabrication.

DensElement® Barrier System brings even more efficiency to off-site construction by reducing time-consuming steps that slow down production.

Without DensElement® Barrier System

Design

Approvals

Cut Sheathing

Install on Steel Frame

Water Control
Application on Surface

Heating

Drying

Insert Space to
Protect Water Control
Application for
Transport

Transport

Delivery

With DensElement® Barrier System

Design

Approvals

Cut DensElement®
Barrier System

Install on Steel Frame

Transport

Delivery

From Design to Build, Efficiently.

The collaborative Design-Build approach maximizes production speed and minimizes risks from design to constructability, aligning all involved project team members from the start.

Exactly What You Need, Right When You Need It.

Tapping into offsite construction opportunities throughout your project can increase efficiency to help save resources, time and money. Offsite construction helps your team move through the process early in your development cycle, so you can take full advantage of the benefits it has to offer.

Reliable Design Control Through Construction

Cladding Versatility

Weather Versatility

Less Time on the Job

Faster Turnaround from Design to Completion

³The results presented reflect the findings on specific construction assemblies, under test conditions. Actual results may vary depending on the system, the building, the installation methods, and other factors.

Resources