Work Smarter with Pre-Rock Installation
Running a jobsite can be extremely stressful. Between unpredictable weather, inspections, supply delays, trade coordination and site access—too many things can throw off your timeline.
And the kicker is, while you get the lion’s share of the blame, most of these issues are outside of your control. If you’re a contractor that’s been left trying to pull time out of thin air, you know how important it is to control what you can by using proven strategies like top-down construction and pre-rock to keep jobs on track.
Pre-Rock for Aggressive Timelines
Pre-rock isn’t just a buzzword—it’s how smart crews get ahead. Hanging drywall before the building is fully enclosed can shave days off your schedule and clear the way for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) trades to move in faster for rough-ins. But here’s the catch: not every gypsum drywall panel is built for this kind of exposure to the elements. If your drywall isn’t mold resistant, pre-rock can backfire the moment a storm rolls in.
DensArmor Plus® Interior Panels are specifically designed to handle the exposure risks that come with pre-rock. They’re made from fiberglass mat gypsum board, which is mold resistant, supports healthy indoor air and can help you avoid costly rework down the line.
Why Use DensArmor Plus® Interior Panels?
Traditional paper-faced drywall panels do not belong in exposed construction zones … or any place where moisture can seep in. The face paper is made from cellulose, a plant-based material that absorbs moisture and feeds mold. If used for pre-rock, the potential moisture infiltration and mold growth can weaken the drywall panel and compromise the structure, crew and occupants. Plus, moisture-damaged drywall may mean costly rework.
DensArmor Plus® Interior Panels have fiberglass mat facers, so they aren’t a food source for mold. In fact, they have achieved a perfect score of 10 on the ASTM D3273 mold resistance test. No material is completely mold-proof; but when compared to paper-faced panels, DensArmor Plus® Interior Panels clearly stand out as the better choice for pre-rock.
The mold resistance in DensArmor Plus® Interior Panels helps construction crews avoid weather-related delays and get to dry-in faster. These panels carry a 12-month exposure warranty and can stand up to ambient moisture and incidental wettings throughout construction. This means your project’s interior work can progress safely and efficiently, regardless of most outside conditions.
Where They Work Best
DensArmor Plus® Interior Panels were created for interior walls in wet areas like basements and bathrooms where moisture and mold resistance matter most. Designed for direct attachment to wood or metal framing, these panels can be installed on flat and curved surfaces.
These panels are often used in multifamily homes, as well as commercial structures. They have been installed in areas with heavy foot traffic and potential moisture exposure—such as schools, hotels, stadiums, and hospitals—where it can be critical to use a high-quality, sustainable, mold-resistant product.
Finishing and Emissions
DensArmor Plus® Interior Panels are built for durability, but also finish beautifully. They have a tighter fiberglass mat weave to achieve a smooth, Level 4 finish when used with a high-build primer. And the panels have tapered edges, so it’s easy to finish joints cleanly and efficiently.
DensArmor Plus® Interior Panels are also GREENGUARD Gold certified, which means they meet some of the industry’s strictest chemical emissions standards. This certification is issued by a third-party lab, UL Solutions, and verifies that the product has low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Why You Want to Avoid VOCs
VOCs are chemicals that become vapor or gas at room temperature. They’re often found in building materials, paints, adhesives, sealants and even cleaning products. VOCs can lead to poor indoor air quality, with consequences like eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness and allergic reactions. VOCs can affect your crew’s health during installation and are linked to serious risks in high concentration or long-term exposure.
This is why it helps to use GREENGUARD Gold certified products in sensitive environments like daycares, schools and healthcare facilities. GREENGUARD Gold products may also contribute to LEED® or other green building certification programs.
More Interior Solutions from a Single Manufacturer
When specifying materials for specific areas in your project, there are some big advantages to using products from the same manufacturer:
1. Streamlined Customer Service & Support
Instead of dealing with multiple vendors, you get one point of contact for orders, questions and troubleshooting. Georgia-Pacific provides dedicated regional sales numbers and a 24/7 technical hotline. Whether you need pricing or have an installation question, we’ve got your back.
2. One Warranty
A single warranty simplifies claims and keeps you covered across assemblies. All Dens® fiberglass-mat interior panels carry a 12-month exposure warranty against weather-related damage during construction.
So, check out the entire Dens® Suite of Gypsum Products for more moisture- and mold-resistant interior solutions—including DensGlass® Shaftliner for use in stairwells and vertical chases. Fire resistance is critical in these spaces, so it’s good to know that DensGlass® Shaftliner is non-combustible in accordance with ASTM E136. See the full project catalog on our website.