EP4: Understanding the ratings behind acoustical wall, ceiling and roof assemblies
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
Release Date: 04/08/2025
EP5: What’s the difference between a Level 4 and a Level 5 finish?
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
Understanding the different levels of gypsum board finishes is crucial for achieving the desired look and durability in any construction project. While the five levels of finish build each upon the next to create smoother and more refined surfaces, this podcast explores what separates the two highest-quality finishes: Level 4 and Level 5. Listeners will learn: The requirements for Level 0–5 drywall finishes The role the putty knife size plays as a drywall finisher ascends through the finish levels The key differences between Level 4 and Level 5 finishes Design scenarios where a Level 5...
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EP4: Understanding the ratings behind acoustical wall, ceiling and roof assemblies
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
Noise pollution can have harmful effects on human health, ranging from simple annoyance and distraction to increased blood pressure and stress.* Effectively reducing the distance sound can travel is critical to creating pleasant spaces where people live, work and play. The first step toward designing quality acoustical assemblies is understanding the differences between Sound Transmission Class (STC), Impact Insulation Class (IIC), Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC) and Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class (OITC). Listeners will learn: Why noise reduction is important What the four...
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EP3: Key insights into area separation wall use and construction
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
Area separation walls in multifamily wood-frame construction are an essential part of designing safety into the structure. They give residents time to escape during a fire and are designed and constructed to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent units. Construction Services Manager Sam Halverson explains the technical details of area separation walls with National Gypsum Director of Product Marketing Chris Whitmire in this episode of the NGConnects Podcast. Listeners will learn: Which types of construction utilize area separation walls The purpose of area...
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EP2: Simplify mixed-material exteriors in any climate with PermaBASE CI
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
Specifying continuous insulation has become common as communities adopt more current versions of the International Energy Conservation Code. At the same time, current exterior design trends for commercial, multifamily and mixed-use retail/residential favor mixed-material facades which break up storefronts and lend a scaled down neighborhood feel. Combining veneers — thin brick, thin stone, stucco and tile, to name a few — empowers architects and builders to create unique exteriors. In this episode, Eddie Neel, market manager for PermaBASE® Building Products, talks to Chris...
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EP1: How to use Type X and Type C gypsum board in UL assemblies
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
What is the difference between Type X and Type C gypsum board and when should you use each? Chris Whitmire, director of product marketing at National Gypsum Company, sits down with Mark Chapman, senior manager of the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team, to discuss the nuances between these types of gypsum board and how to best use them in fire-rated assemblies. Listeners will learn: How Type X gypsum board is defined by ASTM C1396, Standard Specification for Gypsum Board, for ½", ⅝" and 1" thicknesses and how each relates to hour ratings What Type C gypsum...
info_outlineNoise pollution can have harmful effects on human health, ranging from simple annoyance and distraction to increased blood pressure and stress.* Effectively reducing the distance sound can travel is critical to creating pleasant spaces where people live, work and play. The first step toward designing quality acoustical assemblies is understanding the differences between Sound Transmission Class (STC), Impact Insulation Class (IIC), Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC) and Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class (OITC).
Listeners will learn:
- Why noise reduction is important
- What the four acoustic ratings — STC, IIC, CAC and OITC — measure and how they are tested
- Real-world examples of noise challenges gypsum board acoustical assemblies solve
- The role National Gypsum’s Fire & Sound Assembly Selector can play in selecting assemblies that meet both acoustical and fire ratings
Want to know more?
- Explore our Fire & Sound Assembly Selector to streamline planning and estimating
- Take a look at the Gold Bond® SoundBreak® XP® family of products
- Download The SoundBook®, the industry’s leading resource for technical details and sound-rated assembly drawings
- Download the CAC assemblies mentioned in the episode
- Download the Sound Solutions Guide
- Take a deep dive into acoustical design by reading our library of acoustics-focused blog posts:
- Making sense of acoustical ratings alphabet soup
- 6 variables that affect STC ratings
- Using roof coverboard to reduce outside sound transmission
- Choosing building materials for better acoustics
- How to reduce sound transmission in floor-ceiling assemblies
- Understanding acoustical assemblies with The SoundBook
Do you have a question you’d like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected].
“Clean Air Act Title IV: Noise Pollution,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, last updated February 13, 2025.
The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.