USG INTRODUCES FASTER-DRYING POURED UNDERLAYMENT/TOPPING PRODUCT

DRYING TIME OF JUST 15 HOURS SPEEDS CONSTRUCTION TURNAROUND

To minimize downtime during flooring installations, USG's Specialty Products Division has added LEVELROCK® Brand QUIK-TOP™ Floor Underlayment to its family of LEVELROCK poured engineered cement underlayments. This new self-leveling, high-strength (5,000 to 6,000 psi) product dries within 15 hours, allowing applicators to 'pour and cover in the same day.'

Designed for use in commercial and multifamily renovations, as well as new construction, LEVELROCK QUIK-TOP underlayment is ideal for repairing damaged or uneven flooring or for topping rough or spalled concrete. The underlayment can be applied over cement or gypsum concrete subfloors 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick, providing a smooth and level surface. It creates a monolithic surface that accepts a variety of floor coverings, including carpeting, ceramic tile, wood laminate, hardwood and vinyl. The underlayment also can function as an attractive decorative finished floor when used with an approved Valspar coating system, providing a distinct aesthetic look for condominiums, offices, retail outlets, schools, hospitals, airports and other applications.

The product's quick drying time (conventional poured concrete requires 28 days or more, while standard gypsum-concrete underlayments need five to seven days or more to dry, depending on the thickness) and high production rates allow for continued trade traffic within hours of installation. Speedier overall job completion and improved scheduling flexibility enable businesses to resume working operations sooner.

"LEVELROCK QUIK-TOP's rapid drying properties represent a major advancement in fast-track flooring construction technology," said Dennis Socha, business development manager for USG's Specialty Products Division. "The product not only offers an extremely strong, economical, high-performance surface that won't flake or powder, but the resulting faster turnaround time allows the space to resume generating revenue more quickly."

In addition, LEVELROCK QUIK-TOP underlayment can be used in conjunction with existing LEVELROCK systems in order to meet UL (Underwriters Laboratories) fire-rated design requirements and IBC (International Building Code) sound criteria.

The underlayment's quick drying time also limits the potential for mold and mildew formation by covering the surface too early. Moreover, because the product formulation has less water than competing products, it introduces less moisture into the structure.

"Like other LEVELROCK Brand floor underlayments, LEVELROCK QUIK-TOP is installed by a network of trained applicators who work closely with quality control teams from USG and Alcorp Marketing, Inc. (the dedicated sales organization for LEVELROCK)," said Ray Kaligian, director of product and business development, USG's Specialty Products Division. "Because the product is self-leveling and doesn't require shotblasting, it installs quickly, easily and economically. As a result, minimal surface preparation is needed and expensive pre-treatments are eliminated."

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For additional information, contact the Specialty Products Division of USG at P.O. Box 806278, Chicago, IL 60680-4124, call (800) 487-4431 or visit the division's Web site at www.levelrock.com.

The Specialty Products Division of USG is a leading producer and marketer of a wide range of industrial products used in manufacturing, tooling, plastics, coatings, construction, flooring, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, food processing, statuary, ceramics, road repair and other applications.

USG Corporation is a Fortune 500 manufacturer and distributor of high-performance building systems through its United States Gypsum Company, USG Interiors, Inc. and L&W Supply Corporation subsidiaries. Headquartered in Chicago, the company serves the residential and non-residential construction markets, repair and remodel construction markets, and industrial processes. USG's wall, ceiling, flooring and roofing products provide leading-edge building solutions for customers, while L&W Supply center locations efficiently stock and deliver building materials nationwide. For additional information, visit the USG Web site at www.usg.com.