When it comes to building or renovating in a coastal environment, contractors know it’s not just about using high-quality building materials like stainless steel and reinforced concrete — you also need to consider the drywall.
Coastal regions are infamous for their high levels of humidity and moisture, and that can cause some serious damage to drywall that’s not built to withstand these conditions.
So when contractors need drywall designed to stand up against moisture, they choose PURPLE XP® Drywall provided by National Gypsum Company.
This article is sponsored by National Gypsum Company.
Coastal Homes and Their Unique Challenges
While coastal homes offer stunning views and a serene sea breeze, they also come with unique challenges when it comes to moisture.
Moisture from high humidity and water spray can seep into a coastal home through all angles — including the roof, walls, or foundation. And if you don’t address it promptly, it can cause some significant damage that will compromise the home’s structural integrity and lead to mold growth.
Mold is a contractor’s worst nightmare. It loves moisture and can quickly spread, causing costly structural damage, and posing serious health risks — such as respiratory issues, allergies, and even infections — to the home’s occupants.
To protect against moisture damage in coastal homes, contractors use mold- and mildew-resistant products. For instance, PURPLE XP Drywall provided by National Gypsum has been specifically designed for use in coastal environments.
Why PURPLE Drywall?
What makes the PURPLE family of products unique is it fights the effects of moisture you can’t see until the damage is done.
Those effects aren’t always visible. But over time, damage from mold and mildew can build up and affect everything on the surface and under it. PURPLE drywall products have earned the best possible score on industry materials testing for mold resistance.
That’s a key advantage in coastal homes as well as in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, garages and other places where moisture collects.
PURPLE drywall is made of a specially treated, moisture- and fire-resistant gypsum core. That core is sandwiched between heavy moisture-, mold- and mildew-resistant, 100 percent recycled paper that’s purple on the front and gray on the back.
So, why the color purple? It’s not just for looks — this distinctive hue also makes it easy for contractors and builders to identify the special drywall and ensure it is used in the appropriate areas of the building.
Case Study: Yves Cote Drywall
As a third-generation family-owned business, the team at Yves Cote Drywall knows the importance of using high-quality materials that stand up to the harsh coastal environment.
That’s why they trust PURPLE XP Drywall for coastal home installations. The company’s focus is on high-end custom homes and waterfront properties in the northwest region of Florida.
So, when the owners of a waterfront home in Pensacola Beach contracted them to install their drywall, the team was confident they had the right materials they needed to get the job done.
Surrounded by about 140 feet of water access, the home has 12-foot ceilings throughout, along with open porches and windows. So, plenty of surfaces will be in frequent contact with high-moisture air.
“In a house like this, we make sure that we do the best job from the beginning — so we choose PURPLE XP Drywall provided by National Gypsum to make sure that we have the best product that’s going to handle the moisture, because it’s going to be exposed to humidity all the time,” Noah Cote says.
Benefits of the PURPLE Family of Products
In addition to its mold and mildew resistance, the PURPLE family of products have several other benefits, including:
- Fire Resistance: PURPLE drywall products are UL classified for fire resistance and surface burning characteristics.
- Sound Reduction: Reduce noise transmission between rooms or dwelling units with PURPLE SoundBreak XP Wall® Board, which features an acoustically enhanced, high-density gypsum core.
- Impact Resistance: Perfect for use in basements, garages, playrooms and other spaces susceptible to unintended impacts. PURPLE XP® Hi-Impact® Drywall combines moisture-, mold- and mildew-resistance with added protection against accidental holes.
- Easy to Install: All PURPLE drywall features GridmarX® installation guide marks printed on the board to assist with faster and more accurate installation. These marks — seen at 16-inch, 24-inch, and 32-inch increments across the field of the board — help installers quickly identify fastener lines for studs and joist framing and you can easily cover GridMarX with standard paint.
Get PURPLE XP Drywall Now
Overall, PURPLE drywall provided by National Gypsum is an important choice for coastal homes and buildings due to its resistance to moisture and mold, durability, and strength. It can help ensure the longevity and safety of the structure and provide peace of mind for homeowners and builders alike.
To learn more about the PURPLE family of products visit AskForPurple.com.
