Trusscore Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Trusscore products are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is a thermoplastic synthetic polymer. PVC has a long history of being the key ingredient used to create pipes, cables, window profiles, flooring, and roofing because it’s incredibly durable and lightweight. These properties also lend themselves well to other types of building materials like wall and ceiling panels. To discover all the benefits of building with PVC-based panels like Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard, read this blog post.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard, Trusscore SlatWall, and Trusscore trims are available in one finish and in two color options: white and gray. If you're installing Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard or Trusscore SlatWall panels in combination with painted drywall, you may want to color match to create a unified design. Download our Painting Guidelines for our top recommendations from BeautiTone, Behr, Benjamin Moore, and Sherwin-Williams for matching white and gray Trusscore panels on adjacent walls.

Trusscore products are considered premium because they're strong, versatile, easy to install, and designed to outlast the buildings they're installed in. Trusscore products are also 100% recyclable (in addition to several other key benefits you may not know about). 

Trusscore products are made from PVC, which has a service life of up to 100 years. Trusscore products are also extremely durable: They're scratch, dent, and damage resistant, and are designed to outlive buildings they're installed in, so there's no worry about having to replace them over time. To learn more about the industry-leading strength of Trusscore, visit our Strength & Durability benefits page.

Like many other building materials, the price of Trusscore products may vary from coast to coast.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard ranges from $2.75 to $3.75 per square foot. White and gray Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels are available in 16-inch widths and in 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, 16-, and 20-foot lengths. They can be installed vertically or horizontally, which can affect the total cost of your project.

Trusscore SlatWall ranges from $6.00 to $7.00 per square foot and can be installed as a track, section, half wall, or full wall. White and gray Trusscore SlatWall panels are 6 inches high (7 ¼ inches including flange) and in 8-foot lengths. The total cost of Trusscore SlatWall will depend on your preferred design.

On average, a 20x20 garage outfitted with Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and Trusscore SlatWall panels can range from $3,000 to $5,000. To explore different design and budget options for your project, check out the Trusscore Cost & Materials Estimator. For detailed pricing, connect with a Trusscore retailer near you. 

Trusscore products are proudly manufactured in North America. We have two manufacturing facilities located in Palmerston, Ontario and Calgary, Alberta. Where possible, we source North American resources to produce products using quality raw materials.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels are available in 8', 10', 12', 14', 16', and 20' lengths. All Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels are 16" wide and 1/2" thick. For more information, visit our Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard product page.

Trusscore SlatWall panels are only available in 8' lengths. Trusscore SlatWall panels are 6" high (7 ¼” including flange) and are 5/8" thick. For more information, visit our Trusscore SlatWall product page.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard is compliant with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). We also meet Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) requirements. For more information about how Trusscore products meet regulatory guidelines for use in food processing and commercial agricultural facilities, visit our Hygienic benefits page.

Yes! Thanks to their pre-punched screw flange and tongue and groove interlocking system, Trusscore products are incredibly friendly for DIYers. Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard specifically weighs 40% less than drywall and installs four times faster with only one person needed for installation. Equipped with a set of basic tools, you can plan to have your Trusscore completed in a single afternoon.

To learn more about how easy Trusscore is to install, visit our Lightweight & Easy to Install benefits page. For step-by-step instructions on how to install Trusscore products on your own, visit our Installation Help page.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels have a smooth, clean finish that is scratch, dent, and damage resistant, which means they should never require painting like traditional drywall. However, we understand that sometimes people want a change and will decide to paint their panels to update or refresh their room’s look.

We recommend using 100% acrylic latex paint or acrylic latex paint with urethane additive to paint Trusscore panels. We also recommend using self-priming paints or primer and paint combination products where possible. For more information and product recommendations, download our Painting Guidelines document.

If you're installing Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard or Trusscore SlatWall panels in combination with painted drywall, you may want to color match to create a unified design. Our top recommendations from BeautiTone, Behr, Benjamin Moore, and Sherwin-Williams for matching white and gray Trusscore panels on adjacent walls are also included in the document above.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard, RibCore, and NorLock are all low volatile organic compound (VOC) compliant and meet the California Department of Public Health 01350 standard for low-emitting materials. During construction, pre-finished Trusscore panels install with screws and don't require sanding or painting, keeping the air free from contaminants and VOCs like drywall dust, glue, and paint.

For more information about how Trusscore products positively contribute to indoor environmental quality (IEQ), visit our Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) benefits page. To learn about how Trusscore products can contribute to credits in the IEQ category for LEED certification, visit our Trusscore & LEED Certification page.

Trusscore SlatWall holds up to 75 pounds per square foot. From bicycles to power tools, the high-strength storage capabilities of Trusscore SlatWall means you can store whatever you want on your walls. 

Trusscore offers several SlatWall accessory options that snap into place and can be easily moved around as your storage needs change including an 18" basket, a 24" wire shelf, single hooks, double hooks, bike hooks, and hose hooks. The non-proprietary design of Trusscore SlatWall also means our panels are compatible with any standard 3” slatwall accessory you find, including options from brands like Econoco, Uline, HandiSOLUTIONS, and MasterCraft. To explore your options, visit the 'SlatWall Accessories" tab on our Trusscore SlatWall product page.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard has a "Class A" fire rating with a flame spread index of 10 and smoke developed index of 380 per ASTM E84. Trusscore panels must be installed over a fire-rated wall or ceiling assembly if it's specified by local building code. For more information, visit our Fire Performance and Safety page.

The acoustic performance of Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard is very similar to conventional products like drywall, with our panels demonstrating similar sound absorption and sound blocking performance as ½” and 5/8” drywall when installed on wall and ceiling assemblies:

• Sound absorption — or the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) — is a measure of how much sound a material can absorb to reduce the amount of noise within a room. The NRC performance of Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard is estimated to be 0.15 (i.e., 15% of sound is absorbed), and drywall's performance is also 0.15.
• Sound blocking — or the Sound Transmission Class (STC) — is a measure of how well a material can block sound from passing through it into an adjacent space. A material’s STC reflects a sound’s decibel reduction from the space where the sound originates to the adjacent space. When installed on studs or joists, Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard has an estimated STC value of 30 to 35 (i.e., it reduces 30 to 35 decibels of sound), which is similar to the sound blocking performance of single-layer drywall.

Trusscore products aren't intended to contribute to the R value of an assembly and shouldn't be used in R value calculations. 

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) recommends water-resistant, non-porous materials to reduce flood damage and speed up recovery. With its water resistance, mold prevention, and easy-to-clean properties, Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard fully aligns with FEMA’s standards for flood resilience in flood-prone and hurricane-prone areas.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard is a highly durable building material that’s designed for interior applications. It’s made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is a thermoplastic material that inherently has fire-resistant properties. While FM approval is a widely recognized standard in various industries, it’s usually not applicable to Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard because Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard complies with other relevant fire safety standards and codes, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and the International Building Code (IBC). These standards outline the requirements for fire safety in buildings and address the use of specific materials. Trusscore ensures that its products meet or exceed these standards, providing assurance of their fire performance. To learn more about Trusscore fire performance, visit our Fire Performance and Safety page.

While Factor Mutual (FM) approval may not be relevant to Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard fire performance, our products do meet the necessary fire safety requirements and regulations. Trusscore takes the safety of its customers and their projects seriously. We continuously invest in research, development, and testing to ensure that our products deliver high standards of quality and performance.

Trusscore products are sold through a constantly growing network of retailers and distributors across North America. Visit our Where to Buy page to find a retailer near you.

No, you can't purchase products from the Trusscore office, the Trusscore Experience Showroom, or Trusscore manufacturing locations.

Trusscore products are sold through a constantly growing network of retailers and distributors across North America. Visit our Where to Buy page to find a retailer near you.

There are three ways to see Trusscore products in person before purchasing: 

1. Order samples through Amazon
2. Visit a Trusscore retailer with an in-store display or samples on-hand
3. Visit the Trusscore Experience Showroom in Kitchener, Ontario 

To figure out how much material you need for your project, use the Trusscore Project Planner. Simply input your project dimensions, specify if Trusscore SlatWall is included in your design, and choose your preferred colors. We'll whip up a cost estimate and detailed material list for you to bring to your favorite retailer.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and Trusscore SlatWall are available in white and gray, which means the design possibilities are endless when you pair the two products together. Visit our Designing and Estimating page to discover some of the most common and classic Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and Trusscore SlatWall combinations that you can recreate in your space.

Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or a professional contractor, our Installation Help page has everything you need to know about installing Trusscore products, including step-by-step instructions for installing Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard, Trusscore SlatWall, DockDeck by Trusscore, RibCore by Trusscore, and NorLock by Trusscore.

Pre-finished Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels weigh 40% less than drywall and install four times faster. Panels come with a pre-punched screw flange and a tongue and groove interlocking system, making installation a breeze for DIYers and contractors alike. Equipped with a set of basic tools, you can plan to have Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard installed in a single afternoon instead of days like drywall — plus, there's no mudding, taping, priming, or painting required.

To install most Trusscore products, you'll need a power saw, drill, tape measure, tin snips, putty knife, and silicone sealant (in wet environments only). However, some products will require a few additional or different tools. To see a full list of required tools for a specific product, download the product's installation guide on our Installation Help page.

Trusscore products are intended to be installed in an environment where the panels have been acclimatized to a temperature between 10° and 20°C (50° and 68°F) for at least 24 hours before installation. If you're installing Trusscore products below 10°C or 50°F, review and follow our Cold Temperature Installation Guidelines for best results. 

While the recommended maximum service temperature for Trusscore products is 50°C (122°F), we don't have a minimum temperature recommendation.

If you're using Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard in a high-moisture environment, we recommend installing the panels vertically. During installation, we also recommend applying a bead of silicone inside the grooved end of the panel and inside the entire length of each trim piece. For more information and installation tips, download our Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard Installation Guide.

There are several instances in which using silicone with Trusscore is necessary.

1. The most common will be whenever there is a presence of water on the panels. The amount of silicone used will differ depending on the application.
   In applications such as showers for example, a large amount of silicone is required to seal all panel seams, ends, and corners where water can penetrate. Refer to our Installing Trusscore in Shower Applications Guide for more details.
   An indoor pool, however, might use less silicone since the water is not constantly hitting the walls and you likely will only need to seal the bottom corner to direct water splashes away.

2. In commercial food processing applications, specifically in Canada, CFIA regulations call for the use of silicone on all joints for wall and ceiling cladding materials to provide a smooth, flush, and impervious joint.

3. For adhesion purposes. For example, when replacing a damaged Trusscore panel and fastening with screws is not an option, silicone must be applied to the back of the panel to hold it in place. Also, when installing Outside Corner Square trim, silicone is used to adhere the trim to the Trusscore panels instead of screws for a clean finish.

Each of these instances are unique in their requirements, so refer to our blog post Adhesives & Sealants 101: Everything You Need to Know for information on which silicone to use. Always consult the silicone manufacturer label to determine the best product to use for the surfaces in your application.

Yes, you can install a baseboard heater on Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard. However, it's important to note that the maximum service temperature of Trusscore panels is 50°C or 122°F, and a baseboard heater that exceeds this temperature may cause deformation in the panels. If you're concerned, contact the baseboard heater manufacturer to determine the appliance's highest operating temperature.

To organize your space and attach items to your wall, we recommend installing Trusscore SlatWall. Trusscore SlatWall is a high-strength, on-the-wall storage solution that seamlessly integrates with Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels and can be instantly accessorized with snap-in hooks, baskets, and shelves. 

However, we understand Trusscore SlatWall may not meet your specific design needs. If you still want to mount or fasten items directly to Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard, keep this advice in mind: 

• When hanging an item directly on a Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panel, items should never be directly fastened without back support.
• Lightweight items (i.e., less than 30 pounds) can be attached directly to Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard using adhesive hooks such as Command™ Hooks or using spring toggle bolt kits. 
• Moderate weight items should be fastened directly to the supporting structure of the wall or ceiling through Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard. Mounting holes should be slightly oversized to accommodate for expansion and contraction of the panel.
• Heavyweight items should be mounted directly to the supporting structure to avoid crushing your Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels. We recommend cutting away the Trusscore material at the mounting points and then using metal spacers (i.e., stack of washers or nuts) to keep heavy items flush to the Trusscore panels but not crush them.

For more information and installation tips, download our Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard Installation Guide.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard can be installed with any readily available corrosion-resistant #8/#10 gauge screws with a flat-bottomed, low profile head (i.e., truss head, pancake head, round or washer head, cabinet, and other low profile screws) and a minimum head diameter of 3/8”. We recommend different types of screws for different wall assemblies: 

Stainless steel screws are only required for highly corrosive or moist environments. For more information and installation tips, download our Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard Installation Guide.

When installing vertically, a screw is required for every two feet of Trusscore panel or trim.
When installing horizontally, a screw is required on each stud location (usually every sixteen or twenty-four inches).
For more information and installation tips, download our Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard Installation Guide.

The Trusscore Trusted Installer Program makes it easy to find a local professional to install Trusscore for you. Visit our Find an Installer page to connect with an installer in your area.

Trusscore does not act as a thermal barrier for plastic foam insulation. If building code requires a thermal barrier to surround plastic foam insulation, ensure a suitable barrier is in place before installing Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard or Trusscore SlatWall.

For more installation information for each Trusscore product, visit our Installation Help page.

When cutting Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and Trusscore SlatWall panels to size, we recommend using a saw blade designed to cut vinyl products to avoid cracking or chipping the panels. We recommend using one of the following blades: ​ 

Alternatively, we recommend installing a standard saw blade in reverse direction. Coarse-toothed blades should be avoided. In cold weather, move your saw through the panel slowly to prevent chipping or cracking. We recommend performing a test cut, if possible, to confirm the performance of your cutting tool. 

If you need to cut holes into Trusscore panels for electrical boxes, lights, taps, and more, we recommend using one of these jigsaw, oscillating saw, or hole saw blades:

When creating a square cut-out, we recommend taking the following steps: 

1. Measure the location of the opening on the wall.  
2. Mark the perimeter of your opening on the panel.  
3. Drill a ½” hole in the corner of the required opening.
4. Insert the blade into the hole and proceed to cut out along your marked lines. If you’re making this cut after the panel has been installed, ensure the space behind the area to be cut is free of obstructions, electrical wires, plumbing, and any other object.​

For more information and installation tips for Trusscore products, download the product's installation guide on our Installation Help page.

Following our Installation Guidelines will minimize the amount of last panels in your Trusscore project. When you do reach the last panel of your install, follow these tips for help with finishing the job.

1. Measure the remaining space where the last panel will be installed. Ensure you leave a ¼" gap at the top, bottom, and width of the panel.
2. Cut the panel to size, removing the groove (screw flange) side.
3. Using a putty knife(s), gently bend the top, bottom, and corner trim back to create enough space to insert the last panel into all trims.
4. Slide the panel back toward the previously installed panel, pressing firmly together to ensure a proper connection.
5. The last panel does not need to be fastened as it will be held in place by the trims.

Following these steps will help you successfully install the last panel, ensuring a professional and seamless finish.

In the off chance that one of your Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels is damaged, it is possible to replace the panel without removing the ones that are adjacent. 

The process is fast, straightforward, and requires only a few common tools. We’ll walk you through it with a two-minute video and instructions, Learn More.

Trusscore products are designed to outlive the buildings they’re installed in, but — just in case — all products are backed by industry leading warranties. Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and Trusscore SlatWall both have 20-year standard warranties and limited lifetime extended warranties. For more information or to register your product, visit our Warranty page.

Yes, you can pressure wash Trusscore products. To safely pressure wash Trusscore products, we recommend:

1. Using a small- to mid-size power washer with less than 3,000 psi
2. Using a wide spray nozzle angle (40° or greater is preferred) to distribute the water pressure across the wall
3. Keeping the power washing nozzle at least 4 to 6 feet away from the wall at all times

For more information on how to properly clean Trusscore products, download our Care & Maintenance Guide for Homeowners or for Industrial applications.

Trusscore products have a smooth, non-porous surface that can easily be wiped down, pressure washed, or disinfected.

For day-to-day cleaning, we recommend washing the panels using a sponge or soft cloth and a mild cleaning solution. If dirt is difficult to remove, we recommend cleaning the walls using a solution that contains 1/3 cup of laundry detergent (e.g., Tide®), 2/3 cup of tri-sodium phosphate (e.g., TSP®), and 3.79 liters (or 1 gallon) of water.

If hand washing doesn't get the job done, try pressure washing. To safely pressure wash Trusscore products, we recommend:

1. Using a small- to mid-size power washer with less than 3,000 psi
2. Using a wide spray nozzle angle (40° or greater is preferred) to distribute the water pressure across the wall
3. Keeping the power washing nozzle at least 4 to 6 feet away from the wall at all times

For more information on how to properly clean and disinfect Trusscore products, download our Care & Maintenance Guide for Homeowners or for Industrial applications.

If the environment is particularly dry and dirty, you can apply an anti-static spray like Staticide to prevent buildup. For more care and maintenance recommendations, download our Care & Maintenance Guide for Homeowners or for Industrial applications.

Yes, Trusscore products are 100% recyclable. There are currently ways to recycle Trusscore off-cuts and excess material:

1. Drop it off in a Return Polymers FULL-CIRCLE Recycling Program bin.
2. Recycle it through a municipal facility or private recycling facility where PVC material is accepted.
3. Return it to a Trusscore manufacturing site.

For more information about how to recycle Trusscore products, visit our Recycling Program page.  

At Trusscore, we’re changing how people construct buildings and the environmental footprint left behind when they do. With sustainability at the core of our corporate mission, our goal is to minimize the environmental impact of our PVC-based products throughout their entire life cycle: 

• During manufacturing, we minimize the raw material used to manufacture our products by operating a zero-waste facility, using recycled materials wherever possible, and regrinding excess material created during production.  
• On the market, we offer a range of custom product sizes to reduce material waste during installation. Plus, Trusscore products are so durable they're designed to outlive the buildings they're installed in.
• And after you purchase Trusscore, we offer a full circle recycling program so off-cuts and excess material can be recycled up to six or seven times to make new PVC-based building materials. 

For more information on how we're reducing our carbon footprint and minimizing the environmental impact of our products, visit our Sustainability page.