The Problem with Traditional Materials

Drywall, OSB, and plywood have been the backbone of construction for decades, but they come with issues—water damage, mold, and energy inefficiency. The industry has long accepted these limitations as unavoidable… until now.

A Utah Company Leading the Change

Proven Experience in the Toughest Environments

HydroBlok™, led by veteran entrepreneur Colin House, has already demonstrated its performance in over 100,000 installations worldwide, including in luxury hotels like Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis.

Now, the company is bringing that same proven technology beyond bathrooms and showers to entire buildings.

Inside HydroBlok's™ Composite Advantage

A Better Board from the Inside Out

HydroBlok™ board features:

• A closed-cell XPS foam core

• Cementitious layers reinforced with fiberglass mesh

• An optional smooth white finish for paint-ready drywall applications

This creates a 100% waterproof, mold-proof, and Class A fire/smoke rated composite—four times more thermally efficient than conventional gypsum or wood-based panels.

Leadership and Vision

“I’ve never seen a response like this in my career,” says House, who previously revitalized the mattress brand Intellibed, later acquired by Purple in 2022.

At Intellibed, House learned that even a superior product fails without clear messaging and solid distribution. With HydroBlok™, he’s applying that playbook to an even larger opportunity: drywall, sheathing, stucco, and structural substrates.

The Lightweight Revolution

Faster Installs, Easier Labor

HydroBlok's™ board weighs two-thirds less than traditional drywall—reducing not only freight costs but also the physical strain on workers.

“A single 5/8-inch drywall sheet weighs about 105 pounds—and when you’re installing hundreds of them, it’s brutal,” says Mikki Paradis, a Raleigh-based contractor who recently adopted HydroBlok.

A Broader Workforce and Safer Sites

At a third the weight, HydroBlok opens the trade to more workers—including women—who have been excluded from heavy labor roles.

Paradis adds:

“If I were still hanging traditional 5/8th board like I was 20 years ago, I’d be seeing a chiropractor every week.”

Waterproofing that Eliminates Risk

HydroBlok's™ waterproof and mold-proof design is a game changer for multi-family and HUD-financed projects.

“Water intrusion is the most expensive problem in residential construction. HydroBlok eliminates that risk,” Paradis notes.
“It doesn’t just meet HUD durability standards—it exceeds them.”

Faster Builds, Lower Costs

Builders report up to 30% savings in material and labor, and 50% faster build times, thanks to HydroBlok's™ all-in-one design that replaces vapor barriers, membranes, and insulation layers.

Real-World Results

Jed Nilson, CEO of Nilson Homes, is deploying HydroBlok™ across developments tied to Governor Spencer Cox’s $300 million affordable housing initiative in Utah.

“We’re literally replacing a 4×8 sheet of drywall or OSB with a 4×8 sheet of HydroBlok,” says Nilson. “It’s simple, but the downstream impact is huge—fewer steps, faster timelines, and healthier homes.”

Labor Efficiency and Healthier Workflows

Crews have reported:

• Reduced fatigue thanks to lighter handling

• Fewer jobsite delays due to simplified installation

• Improved coordination between interior and exterior work phases

Nilson adds,

“Replacing OSB with HydroBlok™ eliminates three or four steps on stucco builds. That helps us align timelines and finish homes faster.”

Scaling Up and Moving Onshore

Bringing Production Home

Previously dependent on imports from China and Thailand, HydroBlok™ began onshoring production to Utah in 2024—reducing freight costs, avoiding tariffs, and creating local jobs.

“We were ahead of the curve,” says House. “Manufacturing locally lets us innovate faster.”

The Innovation Experience Center

HydroBlok's™ Draper HQ now houses engineering, R&D, and an Innovation Experience Center where builders can experience the product firsthand.

“Once people see it, the value becomes obvious,” says House. “They realize how much faster and simpler construction can be.”

Industry Momentum

From Bathrooms to Buildings

Building on its shower success, HydroBlok™ Inc. secured exclusive North American rights and expanded its applications to broader building sectors.

Key Milestones

Over the past year, HydroBlok™ has:

• Completed multiple industry certifications

• Filed dozens of patents and trademarks

• Created training programs for builders and contractors

• Held over 100 validation meetings with industry experts

• Earned Top Innovation recognition at the 2025 International Builders Show

Market Traction

HydroBlok is now in advanced discussions with national builders, distributors, and retailers—a clear signal that the market is ready for a smarter, faster, and stronger material.

The Composite Future

A Shift Already Underway

HydroBlok™ exemplifies a broader industry shift—from legacy materials to engineered composites, similar to how aviation evolved from wood to aluminum to carbon fiber.

“OSB replaced plywood. Now it’s time to replace OSB,” House asserts.

Positioned to Scale

With:

• Proven field performance

• A seasoned leadership team

• A clear onshore manufacturing strategy

HydroBlok™ is positioned as one of the few material innovations truly ready to reshape construction at scale.