The private sector spent more than $61 billion on data center construction in 2025, according to CNBC. The average cost per facility is nearing $220 million as developers build larger, more complex projects. Data centers power cloud computing, AI and global communications, and consume massive amounts of energy and resources – generally 10 to 50 times that of commercial office buildings. So, building product solutions for data centers must enhance sustainability and thermal performance.

Structural strength, thermal performance and future sustainability

These high-performing building products will give your data centers the edge. For added confidence, these products can be used in fire-rated designs and have achieved UL GREENGUARD Gold certification.

Protect data centers with DEXcell Roof Boards

With exceptional compressive strength and durability, DEXcell^® Roof Board products cover the stringent requirements for data centers. They help maintain weather proofing, thermal performance and prevent insulation degradation through their moisture-resistant properties. They also safeguard against extreme weather, such as wind, hail and fire, and foot traffic. DEXcell roof boards protect the roof assembly investment along with everything within the data center.

Product solutions for data center walls and ceilings: eXP Interior Extreme Gypsum Panel

Internal heat from thousands of servers can cause data center temperatures and humidity to fluctuate. Mold- and mildew-resistant Gold Bond^® eXP^® Interior Extreme^® Gypsum Panels remain dimensionally stable under temperature changes. eXP Interior Extreme panels offer increased resistance to incidental moisture and are versatile enough to use throughout the entire data center.

PURPLE SoundBreak XP line provides high-level acoustical sound-damping

Creating a high STC‑rated environment is critical in data centers, where thousands of servers, high‑capacity cooling systems and backup power equipment generate continuous mechanical noise adjacent to offices and control rooms that require quiet. PURPLE^® Gold Bond^® SoundBreak^® XP^® provides industry‑leading acoustic performance with solutions engineered to reduce sound transmission in data‑center walls and ceilings.

Balance speed to market with sustainability

As demand accelerates, data centers must be delivered quickly without compromising sustainability commitments. These facilities consume significant energy and water, making material selection an important early opportunity to reduce embodied carbon and support long-term efficiency goals.

National Gypsum Company offers a portfolio of products manufactured with reduced energy and water use and supported by third-party sustainability documentation - EPDs, HPDs, and UL GREENGUARD Gold certifications - to help meet green building requirements. Gold Bond^® EVOLVE X™ Fire Shield^® Gypsum Board is an eco-friendly option contributing to a lower carbon footprint; eXP Interior Extreme delivers mold and moisture resistance for stable interior performance; SoundBreak XP improves acoustical control around noisy equipment; and Gold Bond^® Gridstone^® Gypsum Ceiling Panels support environments requiring high air cleanliness and low airborne particulate levels. Together, these solutions help data center project teams balance speed-to-market demands with the sustainability expectations driving today’s mission-critical developments.

More about creating resilient data centers

For additional detailed content about data center design, check out these NGConnects Blog posts:

• Product solutions for data center wall and ceiling construction
• Protecting data centers: the importance of roof coverboards