Compare Designs
Panelized vs. Demountable Walls
Panelized Walls Save Installation Time and Money
Some competitors contend to be prefabricated, modular and sometimes one-hour
fire rated... Don't be tricked in buying a labor intensive "demountable"
system with fire rated skins. When building departments require fire
rated products, it is the entire SYSTEM that must be fire rated not just the
skins. National Partitions panelized designs uses fully fabricated wall panels
for quick and easy installations and has the fire tests and certifications
required by building departments.
How to tell the difference:
Clue No. 1 --
THEIR product is a "demountable" gypsum and stud scheme and the wall
is greater than 3 inches thick.
To be clearer, what you get is a stack of vinyl faced gypsum board, rolls of
fiberglass insulation and a bundle of studs and tracks. There really isn't much
prefabricated about it, you might as well be a "dry-waller". The term
demountable is a nice way of saying "take it down, throw it away". The
thickness over 3" is a dead giveaway! Typically, you will see a 3-5/8"
dimension!
Their Explanation: It's cheap and it looks good when it is installed.
FACT: It's cheap because it's not fabricated, you get nothing more than
pieces (lots of them), and all that money you thought you saved will be lost
because you will spend several times that assembling this imposter. National's
unitized panel system is modular and will install in a fraction of the
imposters' time.
Clue No. 2 --
THEY can't produce a valid fire certification document!
Their Explanation: "It's an accepted construction for one hour ratings,
a certificate is not needed."
FACT: The current test is E119-95a, and ONLY National has developed
with its patent pending connections a unitized panel system to pass this test
and has the certification to prove it. To pass this test gypsum must be
mechanically fastened to the stud. Imposters use a snap in "T" to hold the
gypsum board, or clip that only is fastened on the perimeter; this will NOT
pass the fire test. Building departments want to see the certification.
Clue No. 3 --
THEIR Price will be as attractive as National Partitions ValueWall
System.
Their Explanation: New manufacturing efficiency allows this low price.
FACT: They don't manufacture this. The pieces are purchased from a
supplier, marked-up and resold to you. No one touches Nationals Easy Three
pricing, because we manufacture with high speed, automated processes, not just
assemble and resell like the others do.
Clue No. 4 --
THEIR product will have aluminum components.
Their Explanation: Aluminum is non-combustible.
FACT: Aluminum can't be used in a one -hour system, ANYWHERE. Not in
studs behind gypsum, not in windows and not in doors.
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