Recaptured Gypsum Used in Concrete Floor Underlayment
The Industrial Products Division of the —has announced that it is the first in the industry to introduce an environmentally friendly poured gypsum concrete underlayment.
Headquartered in Chicago, U.S. Gypsum Corporation is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry — the Supplier 100 of NAHB. The company’s manufacturing plant in Gypsum, Ohio, has recently begun using recaptured gypsum in making three LEVELROCK floor underlayment products: - LEVELROCK 2500 is an economical, fast-installing choice for multifamily and light commercial construction, with compressive strengths ranging from 2,500 to 3,200 pounds per square inch.
- LEVELROCK 3500 is an ideal option for hard-surface upgrades in multifamily projects and as a topping to correct cracked and uneven concrete floors. With compressive strengths ranging from 3,500-4,000 psi, it offers excellent performance for high-traffic areas in both new construction and remodeling projects. It also meets resilient floor industry underlayment requirements for commercial vinyl applications.
- LEVELROCK RH (Radiant Heat) is designed especially for use over radiant heat tubes, and provides an ideal thermal mass for efficient heat distribution, at compressive strengths from 2,500-3,200 psi.
During the last few decades, air pollution regulations have required coal-fired electrical power plants to add equipment to limit sulfur dioxide emissions and help reduce acid rain. Some power plants further process the gypsum that is a byproduct of this process so that it can be used for a number of products and applications, including gypsum wallboard and now flooring underlayment products. This also eliminates the need to dispose of the material in landfills.
U.S. Gypsum pioneered the use of recaptured gypsum more than 25 years ago and is the nation’s largest user of the material, today using more than 3 million tons of it annually. During the next decade, total annual production of all scrubber byproducts could almost double as new scrubbers are added at more power plants, increasing the use of recaptured gypsum in the gypsum industry and other markets, the manufacturer says. This feature is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on this page should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the featured product or the product manufacturer. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained on this page. | 
