It's Been a Good Run, Drywall.

FIRE SAFETY: We've had some great questions about fire ratings and sound rating specifics. Here's some more info on that. The gist of it is that this performs the same as 1/2" drywall. You can use it anywhere you use 1/2" drywall but, just like 1/2" drywall, it does not have a 1 hour fire rating. In the few specific locations that require that, it's suggested that you stick with 5/8"" drywall. • Fire Performance: Just like drywall, Trusscore panels have a Class A fire rating (a flame spread index of 10 and smoke developed index of 380 per ASTM E84). This rating measures how effectively the panels limit flame spread and smoke development in the event of a fire. For areas requiring walls that restrict fire spread between rooms, Trusscore must be installed over an approved fire-rated wall assembly or other approved material. • VOCs or Off Gassing: Trusscore panels are comparable to low VOC paints, they are low VOC compliant and meet the strictest standards the US has, the California Department of Public Health 01350 standard for low-emitting materials. • The Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) performance of Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard is estimated to be 0.15 (i.e., 15% of sound is absorbed). 1/2" Drywall's performance is also 0.15. • The STC or Sound Transmission Class of Trusscore is 30 to 35. 1/2” Drywall's STC is 33. STC is a measurement of how much sound the material lets through.

For a garage, I can see using this. However, unless you're a fan of making your home look like a mobile home trailer, I just can't see using this in the interior of a home.

I work at a PVC pipe manufacturing company, when PVC burns, it will release a number of harmful toxic fumes, like Hydrogen Chloride Gas, which will burn your eyes and lungs and can be fatal with high exposure. So if you have this product in your entire house to replace drywall and a fire starts, the smoke and fumes alone can kill you within less than a minute. Here in Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹 where I'm from most homes are made with brick and mortar, not drywall for internal walls, however, this product has become very popular in doing the ceiling, so we call it PVC ceiling, some are white or you can get textured patterns or even marble type design patterns etc. It's not illegal in Trinidad, but more importantly some insurance companies won't accept it because of it's potential hazards as stated above.

If you've ever looked at vinyl siding and thought "Man, I'd love to put that inside my home", this product is for you!

Drywall has a feature that this PVC wall does not. As an Ex-Fire Marshall, I'll tell you right up front, it won't stop or slow the spread of fire and is far more likely to feed the fire, endangering Firefighters and occupants everywhere it is used. Not to mention that PVC is a primary source of noxious fumes when it burns. It increases the likelihood of Firefighters and occupants getting poisoned by the emanating fumes. It's a serious deficit that should cause it to be banned from primary living spaces. It's a cheap cop out. It's used in China and it doesn't stand up well. It doesn't weather well, and it doesn't last. It's an unsafe junk product. I am also a Certified Quality Assurance Auditor for over 35 years.

Basically siding for indoors.

My biggest issue with this is that if it were to catch on fire, the amount of poisonous gasses and thick dark smoke it would produce would be tremendous rendering escape more difficult. I could be wrong, but that was one of my first thoughts.

"That would look great in my living room" said no one, ever.

Good run, no doubt, but it's sad how difficult things have become in the present generation. I was wondering how to utilise some money I had. I used some of it for e-commerce business, but that sank. I'm thinking of how to use what's left to invest, but I don't really know which way to go.

I looked at some of these comments and haven't seen anyone asking about VOCs. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. How much off-gassing takes place? What did the room smell like after installation? This may be okay in a garage, but I wouldn't want it in a room where people spend a lot of time. Volatile organic compounds in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic products readily evaporate; as a result, hazardous gases enter the ecosystem, and cause cancer in humans and other animals. Something to consider.

I put some PVC panels in the bathroom because they're waterproof. The problem is, they become literal electro magnets for dirt.

Soooooo its basically siding.

First thing I noticed was holy crap your entire garage has plywood over the studs already?

Seems dangerous. We cant even use pvc pipe in certain HVAC installs because of the offgassing if it burns

Yeah, finally: More plastic. And "PVC is recyclable" - maybe, in theory. But ultimately, it will end in a landfill or will be burned, releasing cancerogenic gases. There is a better alternative to drywall: Clay sheets. Made from clay with fibreglass net reinforcement. Clay can be recycled endlessly, even at home. And, due to its ability to control moisture, makes a fantastic inside climate.

PVC has a huge coefficient of expansion compared to drywall. Where uneven heating occurs, I wonder if buckling will be an issue. Another thing we do'nt need is more plastic in the landfill.

The Grenfell Tower block fire in 2017 showed what plastic walls do to a building. The tower had the "safer" PE as opposed to PVC (which releases toxic fumes), but it helped the fire spread quickly. 72 died.

Not safe for internal walls. The toxic off gasing during a fire will take any breathing thing out quickly in a confined space. I'd never place that inside a living structure. Drywall does have some fire resistance.

Can you imagine the vapors in there during a hot 100+ degree day? All that pvc warming up...

I've actually been looking at this for months. Glad to see your review. Planning to do my garage and likely laundry room with it.