Product solutions for data center wall and ceiling construction

The digital world runs on data centers. Fueled by the growth of cloud computing, the internet of things and artificial intelligence, the demand for these critical facilities is skyrocketing. The North American data center construction market was valued at $76.56 billion in 2024 and is expected to increase to $110.76 billion by 2030, according to Research and Markets.

Designing and building data centers, however, presents unique challenges. Architects and contractors must navigate complex requirements, including meeting ambitious sustainability and energy efficiency goals, balancing stringent acoustic and fire-safety regulations, and preventing potentially damaging moisture issues — often under demanding, fast-paced construction schedules. Fortunately, gypsum products offer durable and versatile solutions for these multifaceted challenges.

This article explores how products provided by National Gypsum Company and manufactured by its affiliate companies — Gold Bond Building Products, LLC; PermaBASE Building Products, LLC; and ProForm Finishing Products, LLC — can help you meet the specific demands of data center construction.

Resource alert: Download the complete data center infographic to explore the products designed for high-performance, reliable data center solutions.

Sustainability and energy efficiency challenges in data center construction

Data centers are energy-intensive facilities. To make up for their significant operational footprint, owners and operators often follow sustainable data center design and construction practices, including selecting low-embodied carbon materials, and pursuing certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Gypsum products can play a role in achieving these green building goals:

• Reduced carbon footprint: The Gold Bond® EVOLVE™ family of gypsum board products are an eco-friendly wall and ceiling board engineered to be up to 20% lighter than traditional 5/8" Fire-Shield® Gypsum Board. That translates to transportation fuel efficiency and less energy and water used during the manufacturing process, contributing to a lower embodied carbon footprint.

• Enhanced energy efficiency: DEXcell® roof board products help maintain weather proofing, thermal performance and prevent insulation degradation through its moisture resistant properties, meaning high-humidity environments are not a challenge.

• Improved indoor air quality: The Gold Bond® XP® and Gold Bond® eXP® families of gypsum products are UL GREENGUARD Gold certified, signifying low chemical emissions. Many ProForm® ready mix joint compounds also have UL GREENGUARD Gold certifications.

Navigating green building documentation can be complex. National Gypsum simplifies this with the Green Product Score online tool. Users can generate a customized report for their specific project location and selected products (marketed under the Gold Bond, PermaBASE and ProForm brands).

Reports identify products that have certifications, such as:

• Declare labels

• Environmental Product Declarations

• Health Product Declarations

• Indoor air quality certifications (GREENGUARD Gold)

• Recycled content information

• Regional materials calculations

Balancing acoustic and fire-rating challenges in data center construction

Architects designing data centers must deliver robust fire protection with effective acoustic control.

Data centers are inherently noisy environments, filled with the constant whir of server fans, the drone of massive HVAC systems, and the hum of power supply units. To combat data center noise pollution, designers can choose wall and ceiling assemblies that minimize sound transmission within the facility — for example, between server halls and office spaces.

Simultaneously, the concentration of high-powered electrical equipment creates significant fire risks from potential circuit overloads or overheating components. Data centers require comprehensive fire protection strategies, combining highly sensitive detection and specialized suppression systems (often minimizing water usage) with passive fire containment measures. Fire-rated wall and ceiling assemblies are essential components of this passive strategy, designed to compartmentalize fire, protect personnel and limit equipment damage.

Acoustic drywall solutions

When the project calls for high-level acoustic performance, the Gold Bond® SoundBreak® XP® product line provides the following specialized options:

• Gold Bond® SoundBreak® XP® Gypsum Board: Ideal for interior walls and ceilings where high sound transmission class ratings are required in non-fire-rated assemblies, such as separating sensitive office areas from noisy equipment rooms.

• Gold Bond® SoundBreak® XP® Fire-Shield® Gypsum Board: Provides superior acoustic performance and fire resistance for interior walls and ceilings requiring fire ratings. Approved for use in UL fire-rated designs requiring high STC ratings.

• Gold Bond® SoundBreak® XP® Fire-Shield C™ Gypsum Board: Features a Type C core for enhanced fire resistance, approved for use in UL fire-rated designs requiring high STC ratings.

Need an STC-rating refresher? Read our “6 variables that affect STC ratings” article.

Fire-resistant drywall solutions

Passive fire protection is nonnegotiable in data centers. To provide safe paths of escape for data center employees, these facilities include fire-rated partitions and floor-ceiling assemblies, as well as firewalls designed to prevent fire from spreading from one server building to another. Fire-rated gypsum assemblies work hand-in-hand with active detection and suppression systems to provide safe escape routes for workers and protect property.

To find the ideal match for your project’s specific needs, use the National Gypsum Fire & Sound Assembly Selector™. This tool allows you to easily align required fire ratings (from unrated up to 4-hour) with desired STC ratings for various assembly types.

The benefits of mold- and moisture-resistant drywall in data centers

Maintaining the precise climate within a data center involves a delicate balance of temperature and humidity control. The constant operation of powerful cooling systems can lead to condensation and potential moisture buildup, creating an environment where mold and mildew could thrive if not properly managed.

The Gold Bond® XP® family of gypsum board products is specifically designed with enhanced mold, mildew and moisture resistance integrated into the core and paper facings, providing essential protection. Different XP products offer additional performance benefits:

• Gold Bond® XP® Fire Shield® Gypsum Board: A mold and moisture resistant board with a specially treated, fire-resistant, Type X gypsum core for additional fire resistance.

• Gold Bond® EVOLVE XP™ Fire-Shield® Gypsum Board: Lightweight, eco-friendly mold and moisture resistant board with a Type X gypsum core.

• Gold Bond® XP® Ultra-Shield FS® Gypsum Board: A mold, mildew and moisture resistant board with a Type X core for single layer - steel stud and shaftwall systems.

Some data center operators choose more robust moisture resistant drywall to reduce the risk of moisture and mold damage. Using a fiberglass mat encased gypsum panel, such as Gold Bond® eXP ® Interior Extreme® Gypsum Panels, provides increased moisture resistance because it has a specially designed glass mat on the face, back and sides panels.

In addition, to ensure continuity of protection, gypsum board finishing products such as ProForm® Ready Mix Joint Compounds offer increased mold and mildew resistance.

Pro tip: Data centers require significant ventilation to keep the equipment from overheating, leading to substantial airflow that can cause movement in partition walls. Some experienced drywall contractors mitigate this by installing additional control joints beyond standard recommendations to accommodate potential movement. Learn more about control joint best practices.

“There’s so much movement with the air within these buildings, when all the equipment gets going,” ​said Steve Riggins, general manager at Precision Walls based in Greensboro, North Carolina. “We don’t adhere to the 30-foot spacing. We install them closer — every 20 feet or so.”

Gold Bond® Gridstone® Gypsum Ceiling Panels are dry-application gypsum panels that feature a piece of vinyl laminate for a smooth surface that can be wiped off and cleaned. Gold Bond® Gridstone® CleanRoom Ceiling Panels are ideal for data center environments, as they are specifically designed for areas requiring high air cleanliness and low airborne particulate levels.

Another time-saving technique is pre-rock construction, also called topping out the walls. Here’s how it’s done: Crews install drywall on the upper sections of walls first in the construction sequence, usually before the building envelope is fully enclosed or conditioned. This enables them to stay ahead of mechanical, electrical and plumbing installation crews. In addition, the MEP crews simply drill through the gypsum panels to insert piping, ducting and electrical lines, resulting in a clean finish that does not require patching.

​​“We have two weeks usually that we are able to start framing, start hanging, start finishing before the mechanical, electrical and plumbers start working,” Riggins said. “So, we get out in front. If we don’t, we are history.”

Gold Bond eXP gypsum board products are ideal for pre-rock construction in data centers because they provide mold, mildew and moisture resistance before the interior is conditioned.

High-performance products build resiliency into data centers

From achieving sustainability targets and enhancing energy efficiency to providing essential fire safety, acoustic control and moisture resistance, products provided by National Gypsum deliver robust solutions and tangible benefits for contractors facing tight schedules and challenging project requirements.

Ready to discuss your next data center project? Reach out to your regional construction design manager or contact the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team with your design and technical questions. Our experts are ready to help you specify the right products for optimal performance and efficiency.