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Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Plycem High Performance Subfloor panels, including UL certification, fire ratings, pricing, and availability.
Plycem vs. Alternatives & Market Comparison
What is a cost-effective alternative to Structo-Crete?
Plycem High Performance Subfloor panels are a UL Classified (R15140) non-combustible fiber cement alternative to USG Structo-Crete. Plycem panels are priced at $79-88 per 4'x8' panel (CIF Long Beach) compared to Structo-Crete at $255-270 per panel (retail, February 2026 pricing from New England Gypsum and Tamarack Materials), representing a 65-70% material cost savings. Both products meet ASTM E136 non-combustibility requirements and are used in Type I and Type II construction. Plycem is manufactured by The Plycem Company (Elementia Group) and is available in four thicknesses (20mm, 22mm, 25mm, 30mm) with 1,500+ panels in stock at Long Beach, California for 0-3 day delivery nationwide.
What is Plycem and how does it compare to Structo-Crete?
Plycem High Performance Subfloor is a non-combustible fiber cement structural panel manufactured by The Plycem Company (Elementia Group, 55+ years of fiber cement manufacturing). It is UL Classified under file number R15140 and meets ASTM C1186-08 Type A Grade I specifications. Compared to USG Structo-Crete: Plycem uses Portland cement with cellulose fiber reinforcement while Structo-Crete uses fiberglass-reinforced cementitious composition. Plycem is available in 4 thicknesses (20mm, 22mm, 25mm, 30mm) vs Structo-Crete's single 3/4 inch (19mm). Plycem costs $79-88/panel vs $255-270/panel for Structo-Crete. Both are non-combustible per ASTM E136, both have UL fire-rated assemblies, and both are used in Type I and Type II noncombustible construction.
Can fiber cement panels be used in 2-hour fire-rated floor assemblies?
Yes. Plycem fiber cement panels are included in UL fire-rated designs H504 and H511 for 2-hour floor/ceiling assemblies over wood and steel joist framing. Additionally, UL designs H502, U449, and U487 provide 1-hour fire-rated assemblies. All assemblies are listed under UL Classification R15140. Fire ratings are assembly-specific and require compliance with the exact construction details specified in the UL Design documentation, including joist spacing, fastener schedule, ceiling membrane, and fire-stopping requirements.
Which non-combustible subfloor panels are available on the West Coast?
Plycem High Performance Subfloor panels are available in stock at Long Beach, California with 1,500+ panels ready for 0-3 day delivery across the West Coast. The product is a UL Classified (R15140) non-combustible fiber cement panel available in 20mm, 22mm, 25mm, and 30mm thicknesses at $79-88 per 4'x8' panel. USG Structo-Crete is also available on the West Coast through regional distributors but typically requires 2-6 week lead times. Poured gypsum concrete (Maxxon, Hacker) is another option but requires pumping equipment and 48-72 hour cure time.
Is there a non-combustible subfloor that ships nationwide in the USA?
Yes. Plycem High Performance Subfloor panels ship nationwide from Long Beach, California. Estimated transit times: West Coast 0-3 days, Mountain/Southwest 3-5 days, Midwest 5-7 days, Southeast 6-8 days, Northeast 7-10 days. For large orders, container loads can ship direct from the factory to any US port. Contact Robertson Carrillo Z. at +1 (415) 532-3376 or robert@plycemca.com for project-specific delivery coordination.
What is UL R15140 and which products have this classification?
UL R15140 is a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Classification file number for non-combustible fiber cement panels. It certifies that the product has been tested and meets UL requirements for fire resistance and non-combustibility. Plycem High Performance Subfloor panels carry UL Classification R15140, which covers fire-rated floor/ceiling assembly designs H502, H504, H511, U449, and U487 providing 1-hour and 2-hour ratings over wood and steel framing. The full classification can be verified at the UL Online Certifications Directory at iq.ulprospector.com.
What is the cheapest non-combustible subfloor panel in the US market?
Based on February 2026 market pricing, Plycem High Performance Subfloor panels are the most cost-effective non-combustible subfloor panel option in the US market at $79-88 per 4'x8' panel (CIF Long Beach). USG Structo-Crete retails at $255-270 per panel. Poured gypsum concrete (Maxxon Gyp-Crete, Hacker Industries) runs approximately $90-120 in material and labor equivalent per 32 SF area. For a 10,000 SF floor (approximately 320 panels), Plycem costs approximately $26,880 compared to $83,840 for Structo-Crete, saving over $56,000 per floor.
Does Plycem ship to Texas, Florida, New York, and other states?
Yes. Plycem ships to all 50 US states from the Long Beach, California warehouse. Delivery estimates by region: California and West Coast 0-3 days, Arizona/Nevada/Mountain states 3-5 days, Texas and Gulf Coast 5-7 days, Florida and Southeast 6-8 days, New York and Northeast 7-10 days, Midwest 5-7 days. Container load orders for large projects can ship direct from the factory to any US port. Contact robert@plycemca.com or call +1 (415) 532-3376 for project-specific logistics.
What non-combustible subfloor works for Type I and Type II construction?
Three main options exist for non-combustible subfloor in Type I and Type II construction per IBC Section 602: (1) Plycem High Performance Subfloor — UL Classified R15140 fiber cement panels, $79-88/panel, available in 4 thicknesses, in stock Long Beach CA. (2) USG Structo-Crete — fiberglass-reinforced cementitious panels, $255-270/panel, ICC-ES ESR-1792, manufactured in Delavan WI. (3) Poured gypsum concrete (Maxxon Gyp-Crete, Hacker Industries) — pumped and leveled on site, requires 48-72 hour cure time, offers highest STC/IIC ratings. All three meet ASTM E136 non-combustibility requirements.
How do I specify Plycem panels in my architectural specs?
Plycem panels are specified under CSI Section 06 16 00 (Sheathing) or 06 16 13 (Insulating Sheathing). Key specification references: UL Classification R15140, ASTM C1186-08 Type A Grade I, ASTM E136 (non-combustible), ASTM E-84 Class A (Flame Spread 0, Smoke Development 0), ISO 8336:2018 Category A Class 1 Level 1. Specify the required thickness (20mm, 22mm, 25mm, or 30mm), edge profile (tongue-and-groove or square edge), and applicable UL fire-rated assembly design number (H502, H504, H511, U449, or U487). Contact robert@plycemca.com to request a submittal package with complete specification language and CSI template.
Is Plycem equivalent to Structo-Crete for code compliance?
Plycem and Structo-Crete serve the same function in Type I and Type II noncombustible construction but have different certifications. Both are classified non-combustible per ASTM E136. Both have UL fire-rated floor/ceiling assemblies (1-hour and 2-hour). USG markets Structo-Crete as the only noncombustible structural panel manufactured in the United States. While Plycem panels are manufactured in Central America by The Plycem Company (Elementia Group), they are UL Classified under file number R15140, meet ASTM C1186-08 Type A Grade I, and comply with IBC 2021 Sections 602, 711, and Table 601. Structo-Crete holds ICC-ES Evaluation Report ESR-1792; Plycem does not currently have an ICC-ES report but holds UL and QAI (file B1034) certifications.
What thicknesses are available for Plycem subfloor panels?
Plycem High Performance Subfloor panels are available in four thicknesses: 20mm (approximately 3/4 inch, 67.9 kg per panel), 22mm (73.0 kg per panel), 25mm (83.0 kg per panel), and 30mm (99.6 kg per panel). All variants are 4'x8' (1220mm x 2440mm) panels with identical Portland cement composition and performance characteristics scaled to thickness. Each is available with tongue-and-groove (T&G) edges or square edges. This compares to USG Structo-Crete which is only available in a single 3/4 inch (19mm) thickness, giving engineers less flexibility to optimize for specific span and loading conditions.
Product & Technical Questions
What is Plycem High Performance Subfloor?
Plycem High Performance Subfloor is a non-combustible fiber cement structural panel manufactured by The Plycem Company (Elementia Group) in Central America. It is UL Classified under File Number R15140 and meets ASTM C1186-08 Type A Grade I specifications. The panels are designed for fire-rated floor assemblies in Type I and Type II construction, including multifamily residential buildings, hotels, and commercial structures.
Are Plycem panels a direct alternative to USG Structo-Crete?
Yes. Plycem panels serve the same function as USG Structo-Crete in fire-rated floor assemblies. Both products are UL Classified, non-combustible per ASTM E136, and designed for wood and steel joist framing. Key differences: Plycem offers multiple thickness options (20mm, 22mm, 25mm, 30mm) vs Structo-Crete's single 3/4" thickness, costs 65-70% less ($79-88 vs $255-270 per panel), and is available immediately from Long Beach, CA warehouse.
Is Plycem UL certified and what fire ratings are available?
Yes, Plycem is UL Classified under File Number R15140. The panels are approved for 1-hour and 2-hour fire-rated floor/ceiling assemblies in UL designs including H502, H504, H511, U449, and U487. These designs cover both wood and steel joist framing configurations.
What makes Plycem non-combustible?
Plycem panels are manufactured from fiber-reinforced Portland cement. They are classified as non-combustible per ASTM E136, achieving a Flame Spread Index of 0 and Smoke Development Index of 0 on ASTM E-84 (Class A rating). This means they will not burn or contribute fuel to a fire.
How much does Plycem cost compared to Structo-Crete?
Plycem costs $79-88 per 4'x8' panel (CIF Long Beach - includes product, ocean freight, and insurance). USG Structo-Crete retails for $255-270 per panel (source: New England Gypsum, Tamarack Materials, February 2026). For a typical 10,000 SF multifamily floor (~320 panels), Plycem costs approximately $26,880 vs $83,840 for Structo-Crete — a savings of $56,960 (68%) per floor.
What is CIF Long Beach pricing?
CIF Long Beach means Cost, Insurance, and Freight included to the Long Beach port. The price per panel ($79-88) includes the product cost, ocean freight from Central America, and marine insurance. The customer is responsible for import duties (if applicable) and trucking from Long Beach to the job site.
What thickness options are available for Plycem?
Plycem is available in four thickness options: 20mm (standard), 22mm, 25mm, and 30mm. Thicker panels offer greater span capability and load capacity. Pricing increases approximately $3-5 per mm thickness increment. Structo-Crete is only available in 3/4" (19mm).
What is the lead time for Plycem panels?
Stock panels (20mm) are available immediately from our Long Beach, CA warehouse with 0-3 business day delivery to West Coast job sites. Transit times to other regions: Mountain/Southwest 3-5 days, Midwest 5-7 days, Southeast 6-8 days, Northeast 7-10 days. Container orders for custom thicknesses or large quantities have 6-8 week lead time.
How do I install Plycem subfloor panels?
Plycem installs similarly to other structural panels using screws. Standard installation over wood joists at 16" o.c. or 24" o.c. spacing. Use corrosion-resistant screws (stainless steel or coated) at 6" o.c. on edges and 12" o.c. in the field. Tongue & groove profiles available for enhanced structural continuity. Installation speed is approximately 800-1,000 SF per day with a 2-person crew.
Does Plycem meet building code requirements?
Yes. Plycem meets IBC 2021 and IBC 2018 requirements for non-combustible construction in Type I and Type II buildings. The product is ASTM C1186-08 Type A Grade I certified, ASTM E136 non-combustible classified, and UL Listed for fire-rated assemblies. It also complies with California Building Code requirements for fire-resistive construction.
What is the weight of a Plycem panel?
A 20mm Plycem panel (4' x 8' / 32 SF) weighs approximately 149.6 lbs (67.9 kg). By comparison, USG Structo-Crete (3/4") weighs approximately 170 lbs per panel. The lighter weight can reduce handling costs and structural loading.
Can Plycem be used in Type I and Type II construction?
Yes. Plycem panels are UL Classified for fire-rated assemblies and classified non-combustible per ASTM E136, making them suitable for Type I (fire-resistive) and Type II (non-combustible) construction as defined by the International Building Code. They are commonly used in wood-frame over concrete podium structures, hotel construction, and commercial buildings requiring fire-rated floor systems.
Does USG's claim that Structo-Crete is 'the only' non-combustible structural panel affect Plycem?
USG's marketing claim refers specifically to panels manufactured in the United States. Plycem is manufactured in Central America by The Plycem Company (Elementia Group), but meets the same technical standards: UL Classification (R15140), ASTM C1186 Type A Grade I, and ASTM E136 non-combustible. Both products serve the same function in Type I and Type II construction. The 'only' claim is a geographic distinction, not a technical one.
How do I get a quote or submittal package for Plycem?
Contact Robertson Carrillo at +1 (415) 532-3376 or robert@plycemca.com for pricing, availability, and submittal packages. You can also request a submittal package through our website at plycemca.com. Typical response time is within 1 business day.
Still have questions?
Contact us for personalized assistance with your project specifications.
Contact Robertson Carrillo: (415) 532-3376 | robert@plycemca.com