Full Answer
What is Gypcrete and how is it made?
Like concrete, Gypcrete or gypsum concrete is a composite mixture of cementitious and filler materials. It is made with a fixed ratio of sand, Portland cement, and gypsum plaster. Let me assume you’re familiar with concrete; you might already point out the difference in constituents, that is, the use of aggregate.
Is Gypcrete a good choice for a multi-story building?
To your surprise, gypcrete fits perfectly in this role compared to normal concrete. However, concrete and gypcrete are popular construction materials often used by designers and architects in multi-story buildings. But with more options in hand, the selection process becomes daunting, especially when all qualify for your scenario.
Is Gypcrete or concrete better for wood floors?
However, if you intend to install vinyl-coated wood, gypcrete is definitely a better choice than concrete. While concrete bonds with other materials, it does not adhere to the vinyl-coated wood as well as gypcrete, and it isn’t as secure since the bond isn’t strong.
Does Gypcrete crack when installed over drywall?
The gypcrete may get cracked when compacted or impacted by a hard floor like ceramic tile because of lack of durability. If you’re utilizing gypcrete, it is our recommendation that you apply gypcrete after drywall.
Is gypcrete stronger than concrete?
A 1.5-inch slab of gypsum concrete weighs 13 pounds per square foot versus 18 pounds per square foot for regular concrete. Even though gypsum concrete weighs less, it still has the same compressive strength as regular concrete, based on its application as underlayment or top coat flooring.
Does gypcrete break down?
Even though it has many advantages, Gypcrete also has some notable disadvantages. Because it is lightweight, it's also prone to cracking as an underlayment to installed floorings above it. Its surface area is soft and chalky, which makes it susceptible to crumbling and becoming detached from the subfloor beneath it.
What is the purpose of gypcrete?
The brand name Gypcrete; a Maxxon Corporation trademark has become used universally as the term for gypsum concrete by construction professionals and architects. It's used extensively in condominium, apartment and hotel constructions for sound reduction, fire resistance, radiant heating and floor leveling.
What is the difference between gypcrete and concrete?
While gypcrete, when properly installed, provides an ideal layer of underlayment, and it is an excellent floor leveler, it is not a structural element and you cannot rely on it to provide any structure and stability. Concrete, on the other hand, is used precisely for its structural strength and reliability.
Can you use gypcrete as a finished floor?
Gypsum can't be used as a finished floor, but it can serve as an underlayment for a variety of other floor coverings.
Is gypcrete cheaper than concrete?
One of the first noticeable differences is that gypcrete is generally cheaper than concrete, but depending on the mixture, can also be more expensive. Gypcrete costs between $1.75 per square foot to $6.00 per square foot, whereas concrete costs $2.50 to $4.50 per square foot.
Is gypcrete a subfloor?
Gypcrete is a sub-floor option that is often used in multi-family and commercial buildings due to its sound control and fire control properties. Gypcrete is a cousin to concrete and made of a lightweight sand mixture that makes it much lighter than concrete, though less durable.
What can I replace gypcrete with?
Pourable gypsum based cementitious material can be applied over tubing radiant stapled to a subfloor by licensed applicators. In contrast, Thermalboard is easy to install, cost effective, and suitable for all flooring goods.
Can you install tile over gypcrete?
Tile and dimensional stone can be installed over Gyp-Crete 2000 in areas designated as interior, dry, and above grade floors for residential and light commercial traffic.
Can you walk on gypcrete?
Use heating , drying and dehumidification and ventilation equipment to control moisture and supply enough heat for the gypcrete to dry. Allow the gypcrete to fully dry for five to seven days, although you can walk on it after 90 minutes to finish light construction work.
How thick is gypcrete?
over concrete, the minimum thickness of Gyp-Crete is usually 1⁄2" (13 mm). however, the 1.4 mix design can be featheredged. in wood renovation, Gyp-Crete is installed at a minimum depth of 3⁄4" (19 mm).
Does gypcrete have aggregate?
Since Gypsum Concrete (GypCrete) is manufactured to prevent shrinking, cracking, or curling, radiant heat tubes will last longer and be able to transfer heat across a broader space. The uniform density and smaller sand aggregates in Gypsum Concrete (GypCrete) help achieve a higher level of radiant heat.
Gypcrete and Concrete: The Basics
Before we get into talking about what the similarities and differences between the two are, it’s probably a good idea to first figure out exactly what both of them are, so let’s do that first.
Similarities of Gypcrete and Concrete
Now that we know exactly what gypcrete and concrete are, let’s find out what similarities they share.
Differences Between Gypcrete and Concrete
Now, let’s get into the differences – something that will be key in helping you choose the better of the two materials for your job.
Gypcrete vs. Concrete: Which of the Two Should You Use?
When it comes down to it, for anything structural in nature, such as for driveways, sidewalks, floors, foundations, and load bearing walls, you need to use concrete. However, for simple floor underlayment, for use with radiant heating, for fire and soundproofing, and for other such non-structural applications, gypcrete is the material of choice.
Summary
At the end of the day, both concrete and gypcrete are good building materials, but they just don’t have the same applications. Choosing the right one is of course essential to the overall success of your final project.
What is gypsum concrete?
Gypsum concrete is a building material used as a floor underlayment used in wood-frame and concrete construction for fire ratings, sound reduction, radiant heating, and floor leveling . It is a mixture of gypsum plaster, Portland cement, and sand.
What is the name of the additives in Gyp-Crete?
Additives listed include polyvinyl alcohol, an extender such as sodium citrate or fly ash, a surfactant such as Colloid defoamer 1513 DD made by Colloids, Inc., and a fluidizer based on sodium or potassium derivatives of naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate. One example mix is shown below.
How to prepare a sand and gypsum mix?
To prepare the mix, the sand and calcined gypsum are added to the hopper and mixed. Most of the required water is added to the mixing tank, then the sand and calcined gypsum are mixed in. Once all the sand and calcined gypsum have been mixed in, the rest of the water is added until the proper consistency is attained.
Why is gypsum calcined at atmospheric pressure better than gypsum calcine
It was stated that gypsum calcined at atmospheric pressure produced poor results due to it having flaky particles, and that gypsum calcined under a pressure of 15-17 psi produced better results because it had denser, crystalline particles.
How much gypsum can a 7 man crew lay?
A 7-man work crew can lay 4–6 times as much gypsum concrete in a work day as regular poured Portland cement. This is due to the ease of leveling the very runny gypsum concrete versus normal concrete.
What is the purpose of polyvinyl alcohol in concrete?
6.5-8.5 gal. 19%. The purpose of the polyvinyl alcohol is to prevent the surface of the concrete from becoming dusty. While the exact mechanism is not known, it is thought that as the concrete sets, water migrates to the surface, bringing with it fine, dusty particles. When the water evaporates, the dusty particles are deposited on the surface.
When did gypsum concrete become widely used?
In the 1980s Gypsum concrete again became widely used in the United States for radiant heat flooring as plastic PEX tubing could be used with Gypsum concrete for radiant heat flooring without concern for corrosion on the PEX tubing.
When was gypsum concrete installed?
Gypsum concrete has been installed and specified since the late 1970s. The introduction of an aggregate such as sand to the hemihydrate slurry will reduce the strength of the hardened mass because it spreads the new hydrated gypsum crystals apart.
How much water is gypsum soluble in?
Gypsum is soluble in water at a rate of 2 g/L (1 oz/3.64 gal) of water. This means a solution rate of 2 g/L of water, 0.45 kg (1 lb) of gypsum would require the equivalent to about 227 L (60 gal) of water. For example, if 227 L of water were poured onto a floor that was being supported by a gypsum underlayment—such as in a bathroom ...
How much gypsum can be poured?
Gypsum levelers can also be poured up to 76 mm (3 in.) in a single lift as opposed to approximately 25 mm (1 in.) for traditional cement levelers. Conclusion. Gypsum concrete is a favorable material to use as an underlayment for a variety of reasons.
How long does it take for gypsum to cure?
Poured gypsum floors achieve high compressive strengths in hours versus a typical 28-day cure cycle for traditional cements. Gypsum-based underlayment will ‘melt’ when exposed to water. Gypsum is soluble in water at a rate of 2 g/L (1 oz/3.64 gal) of water.
What is a self leveler gypsum?
a cement that sets in water and is capable of doing so underwater. Gypsum completely fulfills this definition, and it is proper to call gypsum-based self-levelers a ‘gypsum cement’ (as it comes from the bag) and a ‘gypsum concrete’ (after it is sets up as a floor underlayment).
How does sand integrate with slurry?
One way to maximize how sand integrates with the slurry is to make sure the particles range in size and shape. Sand that is too angular and flat is not as good as sand that has a rounded shape. Sands that have a more rounded shape tend to ‘roll’ more than flat-shaped sand.
Is gypsum a good material for cracking?
It requires less preparation, has excellent flow properties, can be poured deeper, and offers potential for better crack resistance. Some products manufactured with FGD gypsum can reach 90 percent recycled content and achieve higher compressive strengths than other materials.
