Home Upgrade Program - Details

Featured Program Upgrades
The HOME UPGRADE PROGRAM demonstrates that the minor incremental cost of incorporating gypsum board upgrades is more than offset by the benefits derived. Specifically, the following four upgrade ideas, which you may already be implementing, offer you the opportunity to inform your customers that you use premium building materials and systems in your homes.

Upgrade from 1/2" regular gypsum board to 5/8" type X gypsum board. A home upgraded to 5/8" type X gypsum board offers improved occupant comfort through increased sound control, added safety through increased fire resistance, long term durability through increased impact resistance, and more flexibility in decorating through flatter, smoother wall and ceiling surfaces.

Use double layers of gypsum board on walls and ceilings. Building with multiple layers of gypsum board offers the home buyer improved room-to-room sound control resulting in increased occupant comfort and privacy.

Finish basements and garages with gypsum board. Promoting "basement ready" homes and finished garages offers the home buyer a convenient alternative to the inconvenience of finishing these areas at a later date and increases the livable space of the home.

Increase ceiling heights. Higher ceilings offer the home buyer a sense of increased living space while allowing more room for cabinets, shelving, and closets. Higher ceilings also allow for greater design flexibility of wall borders, ceiling fixtures, and windows.

General Considerations
The design ideas presented in the HOME UPGRADE PROGRAM can be implemented with ease by builders and generally require few modifications to existing home plans. Tradesmen involved with an upgrade project should be informed of the particular upgrade(s) as early as possible to ensure proper accommodation of system requirements.

Upgrade costs vary from project to project due to regional differences in prices for materials and labor. Builders are advised to run their own calculations to determine their unique project costs.

Getting Started
As a HOME UPGRADE PROGRAM participant, you are partnering with an established building industry association whose support will help you tell your customers that you build quality homes. Equally important is the opportunity to sell your homes more profitably. Once your customers see the many benefits and added value of a gypsum board upgraded home, all for a limited additional cost, they will opt for the upgrade(s) and you will realize the added profit in each and every gypsum board upgrade sale.

For additional information on getting started as a HOME UPGRADE PROGRAM participating builder, contact Shannon Bass at the Gypsum Association.