BUILDING MATERIALS CORP OF AMERICA
424B3, 1998-02-11
ASPHALT PAVING & ROOFING MATERIALS
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PROSPECTUS

                                    OFFER FOR
                    ALL OUTSTANDING 8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2007
                IN EXCHANGE FOR SERIES B 8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2007
                                       OF

                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA
               THIS EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT,

                     NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MARCH 10, 1998.

                               -----------------

     Building Materials Corporation of America, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company" or "BMCA"), hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Prospectus and the accompanying Letter of
Transmittal (the "Exchange Offer"), to exchange $1,000 principal amount of its
Series B 8% Senior Notes due 2007 (the "New Notes") for each $1,000 principal
amount of its 8% Senior Notes due 2007 (the "Old Notes"), of which an aggregate
principal amount of $100,000,000 is outstanding.

     The form and terms of the New Notes are identical to the form and terms of
the Old Notes except that the New Notes have been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and will not bear any
legends restricting the transfer thereof. The New Notes will evidence the same
debt as the Old Notes and will be issued pursuant to, and entitled to the
benefits of, the Indenture governing the Old Notes (the "Indenture"). See
"Description of the New Notes."

     The Exchange Offer is being made in order to satisfy certain contractual
obligations of BMCA. There will be no cash proceeds to BMCA from the exchange
pursuant to the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange Offer" and "Description of the
New Notes." As used herein, the term "Notes" means the Old Notes and the New
Notes treated as a single class.

     The New Notes will bear interest from and including their respective dates
of issuance. Holders whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange will receive
accrued interest thereon to, but not including, the date of issuance of such New
Notes, such interest to be payable with the first interest payment on such New
Notes. Holders whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange will not receive any
payment in respect of interest thereon accrued after the issuance of the New
Notes.

     BMCA will accept for exchange any and all Old Notes validly tendered and
not withdrawn prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on March 10, 1998
unless extended (as so extended, the "Expiration Date"). Tenders of Old Notes
may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date. The Exchange Offer is
subject to certain customary conditions. See "The Exchange Offer." The Exchange
Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of Old Notes being
tendered for exchange.

     Based on no-action letters issued by the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") to third parties, BMCA believes that the
New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale,
resold and otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other than any such holder
that is an "affiliate" of BMCA within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in
the ordinary course of such holder's business, such holder is not engaging in
and does not intend to engage in a distribution of such New Notes and such
holder has no arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of
such New Notes. Any holder who tenders in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of
participating in a distribution of New Notes cannot rely on such interpretation
by the staff of the Commission and must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
secondary resale transactions. Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for
its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resales of such New Notes. The letter of transmittal
accompanying this Prospectus (the "Letter of Transmittal") states that, by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it
may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer
in connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where
such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. BMCA has agreed that, for a period of
180 days after the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus available to
any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of
Distribution."

     The New Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will
rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the
Company, including the Company's 11 3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 2004
(the "Deferred Coupon Notes"), the Company's 8 5/8% Senior Notes due 2006 (the
"2006 Notes") and the Company's $75 million credit facility entered into on
August 29, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement"). At September 28, 1997, the outstanding
indebtedness from borrowings of the Company and its subsidiaries was $419.6
million and the other outstanding liabilities of the Company and its
subsidiaries, as reflected on the Company's consolidated balance sheet,
including trade payables and accrued expenses, were $158.5 million. The
Indenture limits the incurrence of Debt (as defined) and the issuance of
Preferred Stock (as defined) by the Company and its subsidiaries. See "Risk
Factors" and "Description of New Notes--Certain Covenants."

     Prior to the Exchange Offer, there has been no public market for the New
Notes. BMCA does not intend to list the New Notes on any securities exchange or
to seek approval for quotation through any automated quotation system and there
can be no assurance that an active public market for the New Notes will develop.

                               -----------------

     SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 11 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
WHICH HOLDERS OF OLD NOTES SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE
OFFER.

 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
   EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED
     UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
                 TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                               -----------------

                 THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS FEBRUARY 9, 1998
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                                     SUMMARY

     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. As
used herein, "Company" includes the Company's consolidated subsidiaries.
Information regarding the Company retroactively reflects the formation of the
Company.

                                   THE COMPANY

     The Company is a leading national manufacturer of a broad line of asphalt
roofing products and accessories for the residential and commercial roofing
markets. The Company's products are produced at 26 manufacturing facilities. The
Company believes that it holds the number one or two market position in each of
the product lines in which it competes (based on unit sales), including
leadership of the fast growing, premium laminated residential shingle market.
The Company's Timberline(R) product is the leading brand in the residential
roofing market, and the Company's Ruberoid(R) product is the leading brand in
the modified bitumen market, the latter being the fastest growing segment in the
commercial roofing industry.

     On January 1, 1997, GAF Corporation ("GAF"), the indirect parent of the
Company, effected a series of transactions (collectively, the "Separation
Transactions") involving its subsidiaries that resulted in, among other things,
U.S. Intec, Inc. ("USI"), a leading national manufacturer of commercial roofing
products and an indirect subsidiary of GAF, becoming a subsidiary of the
Company. The financial and statistical data regarding the Company presented
herein reflect the results of USI from and after October 20, 1995, the date on
which USI was acquired by a subsidiary of GAF, except as expressly set forth
herein. The Separation Transactions also included transferring the Company's
glass fiber manufacturing facility in Nashville, Tennessee (and certain related
assets and liabilities) to GAF Fiberglass Corporation ("GFC"), a subsidiary of
GAF. In connection therewith, GFC entered into a long-term supply agreement with
the Company pursuant to which GFC agreed to produce glass fiber for the Company.
See "Certain Relationships."

     The Company has registered, through 1996, nine consecutive years of
increases in operating income. During the five-year period ended December 31,
1996, the Company's net sales and operating income have increased at average
annual compound rates of approximately 14.9% and 18.3%, respectively, and its
operating income margin has increased from 6.2% to 7.2%. The Company believes
that its growth is primarily attributable to (i) improvement in its product mix,
driven by a business strategy which emphasizes the Company's higher-margin
products; (ii) its low cost manufacturing operations; (iii) substantial capital
spending programs for new property, plant and equipment that have enabled the
Company to expand capacity and reduce manufacturing costs; (iv) the strength of
its national distribution system; and (v) broadening its products lines through
niche-type acquisitions.

                                INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

     The United States residential roofing industry comprises manufacturers of
asphalt, tile, wood, slate and metal roofing materials, with asphalt roofing
representing approximately 90% of industry residential roofing unit sales in
1996. Residential asphalt roofing materials comprise higher margin, premium
laminated shingles and strip shingles, which represented approximately 27% and
73%, respectively, of industry asphalt roofing unit sales in 1996. Total asphalt
residential roofing unit sales grew during the past five years (from January 1,
1992 through December 31, 1996) at an average annual compound rate of
approximately 6%, during which period unit sales of laminated and strip shingles
grew at average annual compound rates of approximately 18% and 4%, respectively.
While the Company believes that the growth of laminated shingle sales will
continue to exceed the growth of the overall residential asphalt roofing market,
the Company expects increased competition in this product line.

     The United States commercial roofing industry comprises manufacturers of
asphalt built-up roofing, modified bitumen, single-ply polymer and other roofing
products. Approximately 70% of commercial roofing industry membrane unit sales
utilize asphalt built-up roofing and modified bitumen products, both of which
the Company manufactures. Over the past five years, commercial roofing industry
membrane unit sales experienced an increase of 7%, while unit sales of modified
bitumen products grew at a rate of approximately 12%, the latter due principally
to shifts in customer preferences.

     Over the past five years, approximately 80% of industry sales, as well as
those of the Company, of both residential and commercial asphalt roofing
products were for re-roofing, as opposed to new construction. As a result,

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the exposure of both the Company and the industry to cyclical downturns in the
new construction market is substantially lower than other building material
manufacturers which produce, for example, gypsum, wood and cement. Management
expects that demand for re-roofing will continue to increase as the existing
housing stock ages and as homeowners upgrade from standard strip roofing
shingles to premium laminated shingles for enhanced aesthetics and durability.

RESIDENTIAL ROOFING PRODUCTS

     Residential roofing represented approximately 66% of the Company's net
sales in 1996. The Company believes that it is the largest manufacturer of
laminated shingles and the second largest manufacturer of strip shingles in the
United States. The Company believes that it has been among the most innovative
industry leaders in terms of the introduction of new products, having been the
first to develop the three-dimensional premium laminated roofing shingle,
Timberline(R), which created an entirely new product line within the asphalt
roofing industry. The Company produces two lines of shingles, the Timberline(R)
series and the Sovereign(R) series, as well as certain specialty shingles
principally for regional markets.

     The Company's sales of laminated shingles represented approximately 37% of
its residential sales in 1996, with sales of laminated shingles having grown
during the five years ended December 31, 1996 at an average annual compound rate
of approximately 13%. The Timberline(R) series offers a premium laminated
product line that adds dramatic shadow lines and substantially improves the
appearance of a roof. The series includes the GAF Timberline(R) 25 shingle, a
mid-weight laminated shingle which serves as an economic trade-up for consumers;
the Timberline(R) shingle, offering a wood shake appearance, enhanced visual
depth, contrast simulating shadows and superior fire resistance and durability;
and the Timberline Ultra(R) shingle, a super heavyweight laminated shingle with
the same design features as the Timberline(R) 25 shingle, together with added
durability.

     The Company's sales of strip shingles have grown at an average annual
compound rate of approximately 9% during the past five years, representing
approximately 50% of the Company's residential sales in 1996. The Sovereign(R)
series includes the standard 3-tab Sentinel(R) shingle, the Company's
residential volume leader; the Royal Sovereign(R) shingle, a heavier weight
3-tab shingle; and the Marquis(R) shingle, a super heavyweight 3-tab shingle.

     All of the Company's asphalt roofing shingles have a Class A fire rating
and are made from glass fiber mat, coated with waterproofing asphalt on both
sides and surfaced with colored ceramic-coated mineral granules. The Company's
other residential roofing products include Timbertex(R), Timber Ridge(TM) and
Ridgetex(TM) Hip and Ridge shingles, Shingle-Mate(R) underlayment, Weather
Watch(R) ice and water barrier, a waterproof underlayment, and Cobra(R) ridge
vent, a ventilation system on a coil, all of which enable the Company to offer a
complete system of residential roofing components.

COMMERCIAL ROOFING PRODUCTS

     Commercial roofing represented approximately 34% of the Company's net sales
in 1996. The Company manufactures a broad line of modified bitumen products,
asphalt built-up roofing and roofing accessories. The Company believes that it
is the second largest manufacturer of asphalt built-up roofing and the largest
manufacturer of modified bitumen products in the United States. The Company also
manufactures perlite roofing insulation products, which consist of low thermal
insulation products installed below the roofing membrane. The Company also
markets isocyanurate foam as roofing insulation, packaged asphalt and
accessories such as vent stacks, roof insulation fasteners, cements and
coatings.

                                BUSINESS STRATEGY

     The principal elements of the Company's business strategy are the
following:

INCREASE EMPHASIS ON HIGHER MARGIN, PREMIUM PRODUCTS

     One of the Company's strategies to grow sales and profitability has been to
improve its product mix, with an increasing emphasis on laminated shingles and
longer-life, high performance premium strip and specialty shingles, which sell
at higher prices and profit margins than standard strip shingles. From January
1, 1992 and through

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                                       2
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December 31, 1996, the Company's unit sales of such premium shingles have
increased at an average annual compound rate of approximately 16%. This growth
has enabled the Company to increase its premium product mix of residential
sales. Management expects to continue this strategy to improve product mix by
increasing sales of premium shingles.

ENHANCE LOW COST MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS

     The Company believes that its plants are among the most modern in the
industry, due in part to the fact that, since 1985 and through December 31,
1996, the Company has invested in excess of $240 million in new property, plant
and equipment (of which more than $135 million has been invested since the
beginning of 1990), principally in order to increase capacity and implement
process improvements to reduce manufacturing costs.

CAPITALIZE ON ITS NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

     The Company has one of the industry's largest sales forces, which is
supported by a staff of technical professionals who work directly with
architects, consultants, contractors and building owners. The Company markets
its roofing products through its own sales force of approximately 210 full-time
employees and independent sales representatives. A major portion of the
Company's roofing product sales are to wholesale distributors who resell the
Company's products to roofing contractors and retailers. The Company believes
that the wholesale distribution channel offers the most attractive margins of
all roofing market distribution channels and represents the principal
distribution channel for professionally installed asphalt roofing products, and
that its nationwide coverage has contributed to its roofing products being among
the most recognized and requested brands in the industry.

BROADEN PRODUCT LINES THROUGH NICHE-TYPE ACQUISITIONS

     The Company's acquisition strategy is focused on niche-type acquisitions,
designed to either complement existing product lines, further the geographic
reach of the Company's business or increase its market shares, and preferably
those which can benefit from the Company's strong national distribution network,
manufacturing technology and marketing expertise. Recent acquisitions by the
Company include the acquisition of the assets of the Leatherback Industries
division of Hollinee Corporation, which is engaged in the manufacture and sale
of asphalt-saturated roofing felts and other felt and construction paper
products; the acquisition of the assets of Major Group, Incorporated, the
manufacturer of the TOPCOAT(R) Roofing System, a liquid-applied polymer membrane
system designed to protect and waterproof existing metal roofing; and the
acquisition of USI, a leading national manufacturer of commercial roofing
products.

                                      * * *

     The Company's executive offices are located at 1361 Alps Road, Wayne, New
Jersey 07470 and its telephone number is (973) 628-3000. Industry information is
based upon Company estimates and data from the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers
Association, F.W. Dodge, Drucker Research Co. Inc. or Single Ply Roofing
Institute.

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                                       3

<PAGE>

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                              THE EXCHANGE OFFER

     The Exchange Offer is being made with respect to all of BMCA's outstanding
8% Senior Notes due 2007 (the "Old Notes"). On October 20, 1997, BMCA issued and
sold $100 million in aggregate principal amount of the Old Notes in a private
placement (the "Offering"). The form and terms of the New Notes are the same as
the form and terms of the Old Notes, except that the New Notes have been
registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, will not bear legends
restricting the transfer thereof. The New Notes will evidence the same debt as
the Old Notes and will be issued pursuant to, and entitled to the benefits of,
the Indenture pursuant to which the Old Notes were issued. The Old Notes and the
New Notes are sometimes referred to collectively herein as the "Notes." See
"Description of the New Notes."

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The Exchange Offer .............   $1,000 principal amount of New Notes in exchange for each     
                                     $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes. As of the date        
                                     hereof, $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Old  
                                     Notes are outstanding. The terms of the New Notes and the   
                                     Old Notes are substantially identical. 

                                   Based on an interpretation by the staff of the Commission set
                                     forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, BMCA
                                     believes that New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer
                                     in exchange for Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold and
                                     otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other than any such
                                     holder that is an "affiliate" of BMCA within the meaning of
                                     Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act), without
                                     compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
                                     provisions of the Securities Act, provided that (i) such New
                                     Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of business of such
                                     holder, (ii) such holder is not engaging in and does not intend
                                     to engage in a distribution of such New Notes, and (iii) such
                                     holder does not have an arrangement or understanding with any
                                     person to participate in the distribution of such New Notes.
                                     Any holder who tenders in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of
                                     participating in a distribution of the New Notes cannot rely on
                                     such interpretation by the staff of the Commission and must
                                     comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
                                     requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a
                                     secondary resale transaction. Each broker-dealer that receives
                                     New Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes, where
                                     such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result
                                     of market-making activities or other trading activities, must
                                     acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the
                                     requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
                                     resales of such New Notes. See "The Exchange Offer--Purpose and
                                     Effect" and "Plan of Distribution."
                                   
Registration Agreement .........   In connection with the issuance of the Old Notes pursuant to  
                                     the Offering, BMCA agreed to use its best efforts to cause  
                                     a registration statement to become effective with respect   
                                     to an exchange offer of a new security for the Old Notes    
                                     (the "Registration Agreement"). See "The Exchange           
                                     Offer--Purpose and Effect."                                 

Expiration Date ................   The Exchange Offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York   
                                     City time, on March 10, 1998, or at such later date or    
                                     time to which it is extended (as so extended, the          
                                     "Expiration Date"). BMCA does not intend to extend the    
                                     Exchange Offer, although it reserves the right to do so.   

Withdrawal .....................   The tender of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be  
                                     withdrawn at any time prior to 12:00 midnight, New York      
                                     City time, on

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                                     the Expiration Date. Any Old Notes not accepted for exchange  
                                     for any reason will be returned without expense to the        
                                     tendering holder thereof as promptly as practicable after     
                                     the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.          
                                   
Interest on the New Notes and
 Old Notes .....................   The Notes will pay interest in cash at the rate of 8% per annum,
                                     payable on April 15 and October 15 each year, commencing on
                                     April 15, 1998 to the persons who are registered holders on the
                                     immediately preceding April 1 and October 1. See "Description
                                     of the New Notes--Principal, Maturity and Interest."

Conditions to the Exchange
  Offer ........................   The Exchange Offer is subject to certain customary            
                                     conditions, each of which may be waived by BMCA. The        
                                     Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any principal amount 
                                     of Old Notes being tendered for exchange pursuant to the    
                                     Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange Offer--Conditions."       

Procedures for Tendering
  Old Notes ....................   Each holder of Old Notes wishing to accept the Exchange Offer  
                                     must complete, sign and date the Letter of Transmittal, or   
                                     a facsimile thereof, in accordance with the instructions     
                                     contained herein and therein, and mail or otherwise deliver  
                                     such Letter of Transmittal, or such facsimile, together      
                                     with such Old Notes and any other required documentation,    
                                     to The Bank of New York (the "Exchange Agent ") at the       
                                     address set forth herein. Tendered Old Notes must be         
                                     received by the Exchange Agent by 12:00 midnight, New York   
                                     City time, on the Expiration Date. By executing the Letter   
                                     of Transmittal, each holder will represent to the Company    
                                     that, among other things, (i) the New Notes acquired         
                                     pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the     
                                     ordinary course of business of such holder, (ii) the holder  
                                     is not engaging in and does not intend to engage in a        
                                     distribution of such New Notes, (iii) the holder does not    
                                     have an arrangement or understanding with any person to      
                                     participate in the distribution of such New Notes, and (iv)  
                                     the holder is not an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405  
                                     promulgated under the Securities Act, of the Company.         
                                     Pursuant to the Registration Agreement, the Company is       
                                     required to file a registration statement for a continuous   
                                     offering pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act in    
                                     respect of the Old Notes of any holder that would not        
                                     receive freely tradeable New Notes in the Exchange Offer or  
                                     is ineligible to participate in the Exchange Offer and       
                                     indicates that it wishes to have its Old Notes registered    
                                     under the Securities Act. See "The Exchange                  
                                     Offer--Procedures for Tendering."                            
                                                                                                  
                                   
Book-Entry Transfer ............   The Exchange Agent will make a request to establish an           
                                     account with respect to the Old Notes at the Book-Entry        
                                     Transfer Facility (as defined herein) for purposes of the      
                                     Exchange Offer within two business days after receipt of       
                                     this Prospectus, and any financial institution that is a       
                                     participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's systems      
                                     may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes by causing the       
                                     Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Old Notes        
                                     into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry            
                                     Transfer Facility in accordance with such Book-Entry           
                                     Transfer Facility's procedures for transfer. However,          
                                     although delivery of Old Notes may be effected through         
                                     book-entry transfer at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, in    
                                     order to properly tender                                       

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                                     Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, the Letter of Transmittal   
                                     (or facsimile thereof), with any required signature        
                                     guarantees and any other required documents, must, in any  
                                     case, be transmitted to and received by the Exchange Agent 
                                     at its address set forth herein on or prior to the         
                                     Expiration Date or the guaranteed delivery procedures      
                                     described below must be complied with.                     
                                   
Special Procedures for
 Beneficial Owner ..............   Any beneficial owner whose Old Notes are registered in  
                                     the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust        
                                     company, or other nominee (with respect to the New Notes,   
                                     each, a "Registered Holder") and who wishes to tender such  
                                     Old Notes should contact the Registered Holder promptly and 
                                     instruct such Registered Holder to tender on such           
                                     beneficial owner's behalf. If such beneficial owner wishes  
                                     to tender on such owner's own behalf, such owner must,      
                                     prior to completing and executing the Letter of Transmittal 
                                     and delivering such owner's Old Notes, either make          
                                     appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Old   
                                     Notes in such beneficial owner's name or obtain a properly  
                                     completed bond power from the Registered Holder. The        
                                     transfer of registered ownership may take considerable      
                                     time. See "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering."   
                                                                                                 
Guaranteed Delivery
 Procedures ....................   If a Registered Holder of the Old Notes desires to tender     
                                     such Old Notes and the Old Notes are not immediately        
                                     available, or time will not permit such holder's Old Notes  
                                     or other required documents to reach the Exchange Agent     
                                     before the Expiration Date, or the procedure for book-entry 
                                     transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis, a tender    
                                     may be effected according to the guaranteed delivery        
                                     procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed     
                                     Delivery Procedures."                                       

Acceptance of Old Notes
 and Delivery of New Notes .....   The Company will accept for exchange any and all Old Notes     
                                     which are properly tendered in the Exchange Offer prior to   
                                     12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date.  
                                     The New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be  
                                     delivered promptly following the Expiration Date. See "The   
                                     Exchange Offer--Terms of the Exchange Offer."                
                                                                                                  
Exchange Agent .................   The Bank of New York is serving as the Exchange Agent in  
                                     connection with the Exchange Offer.                     
                                   
Consequences of Failure
 to Exchange ...................   The liquidity of the market for a holder's Old Notes could be 
                                     adversely affected upon completion of the Exchange Offer if 
                                     such holder does not participate in the Exchange Offer. See 
                                     "The Exchange Offer--Consequences of Failure to Exchange."  
                                   
Federal Income Tax
 Consequences ..................   The exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer should not be a   
                                     taxable event for federal income tax purposes. See "Certain 
                                     Federal Income Tax Considerations."                         
                                   
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                                       TERMS OF THE NEW NOTES

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<S>                                <C>  
Issuer .........................   Building Materials Corporation of America, a direct      
                                     wholly-owned subsidiary of GAF Building Materials      
                                     Corporation ("GAFBMC") and an indirect wholly-owned  
                                     subsidiary of GAF Corporation ("GAF").               
                                   
Issue ..........................   $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Series B 8% Senior
                                     Notes due 2007 (the "New Notes").                         
                                   
Maturity .......................   October 15, 2007.

Interest Payment Dates .........   The New Notes will pay interest in cash at a rate of 8% per    
                                     annum, payable on April 15 and October 15, commencing April  
                                     15, 1998.                                                    
                                   
Change of Control
 Put and Call ..................   Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, holders of the   
                                     Notes may require the Company to repurchase such holder's  
                                     Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal   
                                     amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if  
                                     any, to the repurchase date, and the Company will have the 
                                     option to purchase the Notes in whole at a price equal to  
                                     100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus the        
                                     Applicable Premium (as defined), together with accrued and 
                                     unpaid interest, if any, to the repurchase date. The Notes 
                                     are not otherwise redeemable by the Company.               
                                   
Ranking ........................   The Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Company
                                     and will rank pari passu with all other unsecured and      
                                     unsubordinated obligations of the Company, including the   
                                     Deferred Coupon Notes, the 2006 Notes and the Credit       
                                     Agreement. Immediately following the issuance of the Notes,
                                     the Company will not have any subordinated obligations. At 
                                     September 28, 1997, the Company and its subsidiaries had   
                                     outstanding indebtedness from borrowings of $419.6 million 
                                     and other outstanding liabilities of the Company and its   
                                     subsidiaries, as reflected on the Company's consolidated   
                                     balance sheet, including trade payables and accrued        
                                     expenses, were $158.5 million. On a pro forma basis,       
                                     assuming consummation of the Offering and application of   
                                     the net proceeds therefrom, the Company would have had as  
                                     of September 28, 1997 total outstanding consolidated       
                                     long-term debt of $518.9 million. The Indenture governing  
                                     the Notes (the "Indenture") limits the incurrence of Debt 
                                     (as defined) and the issuance of Preferred Stock (as       
                                     defined) by the Company and its subsidiaries. See          
                                     "Description of the New Notes--Certain Covenants."         
                                                                                                
Certain Covenants ..............   The Indenture limits the Company and its subsidiaries from    
                                     incurring additional Debt, issuing Preferred Stock and      
                                     incurring Liens (as defined). The Indenture also contains   
                                     covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of    
                                     the Company and its subsidiaries to pay certain dividends   
                                     or make certain other Restricted Payments (as defined) and  
                                     Restricted Investments (as defined), engage in transactions 
                                     with Affiliates (as defined) and agree to certain           
                                     additional limitations on dividends and other payment       
                                     restrictions affecting subsidiaries. Under the terms of the 
                                     Indenture, as of September 28, 1997, the Company would have 
                                     been able to make Restricted Payments and Restricted        
                                     Investments in the aggregate amount of                      

====================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       7

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================
<S>                                <C>
                                   
                                     approximately $138.9 million. The Indenture also limits the 
                                     ability of the Company to consolidate or merge with, or     
                                     transfer all or substantially all of its assets to, another 
                                     person. However, such covenants are subject to a number of  
                                     important qualifications and exceptions. See "Description   
                                     of the New Notes--Certain Covenants."                       
                                     
Registration Rights ............   The Company has agreed to use its best efforts to cause to    
                                     become effective by February 17, 1998, a registration       
                                     statement with respect to the Exchange Offer. In the event  
                                     that the Exchange Offer is not completed by April 18, 1998, 
                                     the Company will use its best efforts to cause to become    
                                     effective a shelf registration statement with respect to    
                                     the resale of the Old Notes and to keep such shelf          
                                     registration statement effective until two years after the  
                                     date of original issuance of the Old Notes. 

                                   If by April 18, 1998 (i) the Exchange Offer is not completed and
                                     (ii) no shelf registration statement with respect to the resale
                                     of the Old Notes is declared effective, additional interest
                                     will accrue on the Old Notes from and including April 18, 1998
                                     until but excluding the earlier of (i) the completion of the
                                     Exchange Offer and (ii) the effective date of such shelf
                                     registration statement. Such additional interest will be
                                     payable in cash semiannually in arrears on April 15, and
                                     October 15, at a rate per annum equal to 0.50% of the aggregate
                                     principal amount outstanding of Old Notes. See "Description of
                                     the New Notes--Principal, Maturity and Interest" and "The
                                     Exchange Offer--Purpose and Effect."
                                   
Use of Proceeds ................   There will be no cash proceeds to the Company from the 
                                     exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer.             
                                   
Risk Factors ...................   Prospective holders of the New Notes should carefully  
                                     consider the specific factors set forth under "Risk  
                                     Factors," as well as the other information and data  
                                     included in this Prospectus.                         

====================================================================================================
</TABLE>


                                       8

<PAGE>
================================================================================

                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA

     Set forth below are summary consolidated financial data of the Company. The
Company's financial statements have been prepared on a basis which retroactively
reflects the formation of the Company at the beginning of the years presented.
As of January 1, 1997, USI became a subsidiary of the Company through a capital
contribution to the Company by its parent, G-I Holdings Inc. Accordingly, the
Company's historical consolidated financial statements include USI's results of
operations from the date of its acquisition by G-I Holdings (October 20, 1995),
including sales of $21.8, $99.0 and $76.3 million for the years ended December
31, 1995 and 1996 and the nine months ended September 29, 1996, respectively,
and net income (loss) of $(0.5), $1.3 and $0.8 million, respectively. See Note 1
to Consolidated Financial Statements. The results for the nine months ended
September 28, 1997 include the results of the Leatherback business from its date
of acquisition (March 14, 1997). The results of any interim period are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The pro
forma balance sheet data give effect to the issuance of the Notes as if the
Offering had been completed as of September 28, 1997. The pro forma operating
data give effect to the issuance of the Notes, the acquisitions of the assets of
the Leatherback Industries division of Hollinee Corporation and Major Group,
Incorporated (the "Acquisitions") and the issuance of the 2006 Notes as if such
transactions had been completed as of January 1, 1996. The pro forma financial
information does not purport to project the financial position or the results of
operations for any future period or to represent what the financial position or
results of operations would have been if the issuance of the Notes, the
Acquisitions or the issuance of the 2006 Notes had been completed at the dates
indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                              NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                          --------------------------
                                                                                           SEPT. 29,      SEPT. 28,
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              1996            1997
                                                 ----------------------------------       ----------     -----------
                                                  1994          1995           1996       (UNAUDITED)    (UNAUDITED)
                                                 ------         ----           ----
                                                                 (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIO DATA)
<S>                                              <C>          <C>             <C>            <C>           <C> 
OPERATING DATA:
 Net sales ...................................   $593.1       $687.2          $852.0         $648.4        $723.6
 Operating income ............................     44.7         45.9            61.4           51.2          59.8
 Interest expense ............................     13.1         24.8            32.0           23.7          30.5
 Income before income taxes ..................     27.8         16.5            27.9           27.0          38.2
 Net income ..................................     16.7         10.1            17.1           16.5          23.3

<CAPTION>

                                                                          SEPTEMBER 28, 1997
                                                                     ---------------------------
                                                                                         AS
                                                       DECEMBER 31,     ACTUAL       ADJUSTED(5)
                                                           1996       (UNAUDITED)    (UNAUDITED)
                                                       ------------   -----------    -----------
                                                                     (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Cash and short-term investments ...................     $230.8         $136.8         $234.3
 Total working capital .............................      247.3          195.6          293.0
 Total assets ......................................      701.6          694.7          794.0
 Long-term debt less current maturities (2) ........      405.7          415.9          515.2
 Total stockholder's equity ........................      143.2          116.5          116.5
                                                                                     
<CAPTION>



                                                                                              NINE MONTHS ENDED    
                                                                                        ---------------------------
                                                                                           SEPT. 29,      SEPT. 28,
                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                1996            1997
                                                  --------------------------------       -----------    -----------
                                                  1994          1995          1996       (UNAUDITED)    (UNAUDITED)
                                                  ----          ----          ----       -----------    -----------
                                                                 (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIO DATA)
<S>                                              <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>  
OTHER DATA:
 Depreciation ................................   $16.8          $20.3         $23.9          $18.1         $16.8
 Goodwill amortization .......................     1.1            1.2           1.7            1.2           1.4
 Capital expenditures and acquisitions .......    54.3           54.1          25.6           15.7          56.7
 EBITDA (3) ..................................    58.8           62.8          85.4           70.0          86.9
 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1) ......    2.72x          1.58x         1.78x          2.02x         2.14x
 Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense (3) .....    4.47x          2.53x         2.67x          2.95x         2.85x
                                                
===================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       9
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==================================================================================================


                                                                             NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                            YEAR ENDED    ------------------------
                                                           DECEMBER 31,    SEPT. 29,      SEPT. 28,
                                                               1996          1996           1997
                                                           ------------    --------       --------
                                                               (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIO DATA)
                                                                          (UNAUDITED)

<S>                                                          <C>            <C>           <C> 
PRO FORMA OPERATING DATA(5):
 Interest expense ......................................     $46.5          $34.8         $36.7
 Net income ............................................      11.4           12.3          19.6
 Adjusted EBITDA(4) ....................................      92.9           75.8          87.6
 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1) .................      1.37x          1.53x         1.81x
 Ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense(4) .......      2.00x          2.18x         2.39x

</TABLE>

- ----------------

(1)  For purposes of these computations, earnings consist of income before
     income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest on
     indebtedness (including amortization of debt issuance costs), plus that
     portion of lease rental expense representative of interest (estimated to be
     one-third of lease rental expense).

(2)  See "Capitalization" and Note 9 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(3)  EBITDA is calculated as income before income taxes, increased by interest
     expense, depreciation and goodwill amortization. As an indicator of the
     Company's operating performance, EBITDA should not be considered as an
     alternative to net income or any other measure of performance under
     generally accepted accounting principles.

(4)  The Adjusted EBITDA data are being presented because such data relate to
     debt covenants under the Indenture. Calculations of the ratio of Adjusted
     EBITDA to interest expense have been performed in accordance with the
     definitions in the Indenture, except that the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to
     interest expense for the nine months ended September 29, 1996 and September
     28, 1997 has been calculated based on operating data for such nine-month
     periods rather than for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters
     ended on such dates. See "Description of the Notes." 

     The details of the calculations of Adjusted EBITDA are set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  PRO FORMA            
                                                                                        --------------------------------
                                                                                                    NINE        NINE     
                                                                    NINE MONTHS ENDED     YEAR     MONTHS      MONTHS    
                                                                   --------------------   ENDED     ENDED       ENDED    
                                                                   SEPT. 29, SEPT. 28,   DEC. 31,  SEPT. 29,   SEPT. 28,
                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,     1996      1997        1996      1996        1997
                                       -------------------------   --------- ----------  ---------  --------   ---------
                                       1994      1995      1996   (UNAUDITED)(UNAUDITED)(UNAUDITED)(UNAUDITED)(UNAUDITED)
                                     -------    -------   -------  ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

                                                                       (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                  <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>
Income before income taxes                                                                                      
 (before giving effect to the                                                                                   
 Acquisitions) ....................  $27,819    $16,549   $27,864   $26,956   $38,172    $13,390     $15,939    $31,979
Add:                                                                                                            
 Interest expense .................   13,149     24,822    32,044    23,741    30,494     46,518      34,758     36,687
 Goodwill amortization ............    1,064      1,170     1,664     1,201     1,421      1,664       1,201      1,421
 Depreciation .....................   16,796     20,252    23,857    18,072    16,796     23,857      18,072     16,796
 EBITDA adjustment for                                                                                          
  Acquisitions (a) ................      --         --        --        --        --       7,431       5,805        698
                                     -------    -------   -------   -------   -------    -------     -------    -------
Adjusted EBITDA ...................  $58,828    $62,793   $85,429   $69,970   $86,883    $92,860     $75,775    $87,581
                                     =======    =======   =======   =======   =======    =======     =======    =======
</TABLE>


     (a) EBITDA adjustment for Acquisitions is to reflect incremental EBITDA as
if the Acquisitions had occurred as of January 1, 1996.

(5)  The principal assumption used in preparing the Pro Forma Operating Data is
     that each of the following events occurred as of January 1, 1996: the
     issuance of $100 million principal amount of Notes at an interest rate of
     8% per annum; the issuance of $100 million principal amount of the 2006
     Notes at an interest rate of 8-5/8% per annum; the repayment of
     approximately $22 million of indebtedness of USI outstanding in 1996; and
     the Acquisitions. The net effect of such assumptions is to decrease the
     Company's pro forma income before income taxes by $9.2, $6.8 and $6.0
     million for the year 1996 and the first nine months of 1996 and 1997,
     respectively. As a result, the Company's pro forma provision for income
     taxes decreased by $3.5, $2.6 and $2.3 million for the year ended 1996 and
     the first nine months of 1996 and 1997, respectively, based on an effective
     marginal income tax rate of 39%.

================================================================================

                                       10

<PAGE>

                                  RISK FACTORS

     In addition to the other matters described in this Prospectus, the
following risk factors should be carefully considered by each holder of the Old
Notes before accepting the Exchange Offer, although the risk factors set forth
below are generally applicable to the Old Notes as well as the New Notes.

SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE

     The Company has substantial consolidated debt outstanding. At September 28,
1997, the Company had total outstanding consolidated long-term debt of $419.6
million and common stockholder's equity of $116.5 million. On a pro forma basis,
assuming consummation of the Offering and application of the net proceeds
therefrom, the Company would have had as of September 28, 1997 total outstanding
consolidated long-term debt of $518.9 million and common stockholder's equity of
$116.5 million. In addition, subject to certain restrictions contained in the
Credit Agreement, the indentures relating to the Deferred Coupon Notes and the
2006 Notes and the Indenture, the Company may incur additional indebtedness. The
substantial leverage of the Company has important consequences for holders of
the Notes, including the risk that the Company may not generate sufficient cash
flow from operations to pay principal and interest on its indebtedness or to
invest in its businesses. While the Company believes, based upon its historical
and anticipated performance, that it should be able to satisfy its obligations
(including the Notes) from operations and appropriate refinancings and
otherwise, no assurance to that effect can be given. While other measures to
raise cash to satisfy obligations include potential sales of assets or equity,
the Company's ability to raise funds by selling either assets or equity is
dependent on results of operations, market conditions, restrictions contained in
the indentures relating to the Deferred Coupon Notes and the 2006 Notes, the
Indenture and the Credit Agreement and other factors. In the event that the
Company is unable to refinance indebtedness or raise funds through sales of
assets or equity or otherwise, its ability to pay principal of and interest on
the Notes would be adversely affected.

PARENTS' DEPENDENCE UPON COMPANY'S CASH FLOW

     The parent corporations of the Company are dependent upon the cash flow of
their subsidiaries in order to satisfy their obligations, including
asbestos-related claims and certain tax liabilities. The parent corporations of
the Company are GAF, G-I Holdings Inc., a direct wholly owned subsidiary of GAF
("G-I Holdings"), G Industries Corp. and GAFBMC, and, except for the stock of
the Company, the only significant asset of such parent corporations is the stock
of GFC. In the event that such parent corporations should become unable to meet
their cash requirements from sources other than the Company, subject to the
terms of the Indenture, they might take various actions, including, among other
things, seeking to cause (i) the Company to make distributions to its
stockholder by means of dividends or otherwise, (ii) the Company to make loans
to its parent corporations, or (iii) GAFBMC to sell common stock of the Company.
There can be no assurance that any of the foregoing could be effected on
satisfactory terms or that they would be sufficient to enable such affiliates to
satisfy their obligations. In addition, creditors of the parent corporations
could seek to cause GAFBMC to sell common stock of the Company or take similar
action in order to satisfy liabilities owed to such creditors. See "--Asbestos
Claims Filed Against GAF," "--GAF Group Federal Income Tax Liability" and Notes
3, 5 and 12 to Consolidated Financial Statements

ASBESTOS CLAIMS FILED AGAINST GAF

     Bodily Injury Claims. In connection with its formation, BMCA contractually
assumed and agreed to pay the first $204.4 million of liabilities for
asbestos-related bodily injury claims relating to the inhalation of asbestos
fiber ("Asbestos Claims") of its parent, GAFBMC. As of March 30, 1997, BMCA had
paid all of its assumed asbestos-related liabilities. G-I Holdings and GAFBMC
have jointly and severally agreed to indemnify BMCA against any claims related
to asbestos-related liabilities, other than those contractually assumed by BMCA,
in the event that claims in connection with liabilities not assumed by BMCA are
asserted against it.

     GAF has advised the Company that, as of September 28, 1997, it had been
named as a defendant in approximately 65,500 pending lawsuits involving alleged
Asbestos Claims, having resolved approximately 232,500 Asbestos Claims. Since
December 31, 1996 and through September 28, 1997, GAF has settled approximately
9,000 Asbestos Claims and received notice of approximately 15,100 new Asbestos
Claims.

     The reserves of GAF and G-I Holdings for asbestos bodily injury claims, as
of September 28, 1997, were $277.1 million (before estimated present value of
recoveries from products liability insurance policies of $184.3 million and

                                       11

<PAGE>


related deferred tax benefits of $33.4 million). GAF and G-I Holdings have
advised the Company that certain components of the asbestos-related liabilities
and the related insurance recoveries have been reflected on a discounted basis
in their financial statements. See Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements
and "Business--Legal Proceedings--Insurance Matters."

     The amount of such reserves was based on the effectiveness of a proposed
class action settlement of future Asbestos Claims (the "Settlement") and on
assumptions which relate, among other things, to the number of new cases filed,
the cost of resolving (either by settlement or litigation) pending and future
claims, the realization of related tax benefits, the favorable resolution of
pending litigation against certain insurance companies and the amount of GAF's
recoveries from various insurance companies. See "Business--Legal
Proceedings--Insurance Matters." On June 25, 1997, the United States Supreme
Court affirmed the ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third
Circuit that the class proposed in the Settlement was not certifiable, thus
rendering the Settlement inoperable. GAF and G-I Holdings have advised the
Company that they are presently evaluating the effect of this Supreme Court
decision on the amount of their reserves for asbestos-related liabilities
(including the impact on discounted reserves), that such analysis could result
in GAF and G-I Holdings increasing their estimates of asbestos-related
liabilities, and that it is not currently possible to estimate the range or
amount, if any, of such possible additional reserves. GAF and G-I Holdings have
stated that they remain committed to effectuating a comprehensive resolution of
Asbestos Claims, that they are presently exploring a number of options, both
judicial and legislative, to accomplish such resolution, but that there can be
no assurance that these efforts will be successful.

     The Company believes that it will not sustain any additional liability in
connection with asbestos- related claims. While the Company cannot predict
whether any asbestos-related claims will be asserted against it or its assets,
or the outcome of any litigation relating to such claims, it believes that it
has meritorious defenses to such claims. Moreover, it has been jointly and
severally indemnified by G-I Holdings and GAFBMC with respect to such claims.
Should GAF or GAFBMC be unable to satisfy judgments against it in
asbestos-related lawsuits, its judgment creditors might seek to enforce their
judgments against the assets of GAF or GAFBMC, including its holdings of common
stock of the Company, and such enforcement could result in a change of control
with respect to the Company.

     For additional information regarding asbestos-related matters, see
"Business--Legal Proceedings" and Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

GAF GROUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX LIABILITY

     The Company, as a member of the GAF consolidated group for federal income
tax purposes, is jointly and severally liable for federal income tax liabilities
of the GAF consolidated group (including with respect to the Separation
Transactions and tax liability relating to Rhone-Poulenc Surfactants and
Specialties, L.P. (the "surfactants partnership")), but is indemnified under
certain circumstances for such tax liabilities principally by GAF and G-I
Holdings. On September 15, 1997, GAF received a tax assessment for the 1990
fiscal year relating to the surfactants partnership which could result in GAF
incurring liabilities significantly in excess of GAF's deferred tax liability.
GAF has advised the Company that it believes GFC will prevail in this matter
although there can be no assurance in this regard. The Company believes that the
ultimate disposition of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on
its financial position or results of operations. See "Certain Relationships--Tax
Sharing Agreement" and Note 5 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

CONTROLLING STOCKHOLDER

     The Company is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of GAF, which is
controlled by Samuel J. Heyman, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer of GAF, G-I Holdings, GAFBMC and the Company. Accordingly, Mr.
Heyman has the ability to elect the entire Board of Directors of each such
company and determine the outcome of any other matter submitted to their
respective stockholders for approval. In particular, subject to the terms of the
Indenture, Mr. Heyman has the ability to effect certain corporate transactions,
including merger, consolidations and the sale of all, or substantially all, of
the Company's assets. See "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management."

CHANGE OF CONTROL; ACCELERATION OF DEBT

     The Credit Agreement currently prohibits the Company from repurchasing any
Notes. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of the Notes will
have the right to require the Company to repurchase such holder's

                                       12

<PAGE>

Notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest,
if any, to the repurchase date. There can be no assurance that the Company will
have sufficient funds available or will be permitted by its debt agreements to
repurchase the Notes upon the occurrence of a Change of Control. The Company's
failure to repurchase tendered Notes would constitute an Event of Default (as
defined) under the Indenture, which would in turn constitute a default under the
Credit Agreement and the indentures governing the Deferred Coupon Notes and the
2006 Notes. See "Description of the Notes--Change of Control Put and Call."

     The Credit Agreement provides the Company with a $75 million unsecured
revolving credit facility, the full amount of which is available for letters of
credit, provided that total borrowings and outstanding letters of credit may not
exceed $75 million in the aggregate. If a change of control as defined in the
Credit Agreement occurs, the credit facilities thereunder could be terminated
and the loans thereunder accelerated by the lenders party thereto, an event
which could also cause the Deferred Coupon Notes, the 2006 Notes and the Notes
to be accelerated. See "Capitalization." Such an event could have a material
adverse impact on the Company.

CERTAIN AGREEMENTS

     The Company purchases from International Specialty Products Inc. ("ISP"), a
Delaware corporation that prior to the Separation Transactions was a subsidiary
of GAF, all of its colored mineral granules requirements (except for the
requirements of its California roofing plant which are supplied by a third
party) under a supply contract which was renewed for one year, effective as of
January 1, 1997, and is subject to annual renewal unless terminated by the
Company or ISP. In December 1995, USI commenced purchasing substantially all of
its requirements for colored roofing granules from ISP (except for the
requirements of its Stockton, California and Corvallis, Oregon plants which are
supplied by a third party) pursuant to a supply contract. In 1996 and the first
nine months of 1997, the Company and USI purchased in the aggregate
approximately $50.5 million and $40.8 million, respectively, of mineral products
from ISP. Although the Company believes that, if necessary, it would be able to
secure alternative sources for colored granules, there can be no assurance that
the Company will be able to obtain sufficient quantities of such products in a
timely manner and upon acceptable terms. See "Certain Relationships--Certain
Purchases."

     As part of the Separation Transactions, the Company transferred to GFC its
Nashville, Tennessee facility, which manufactures a significant portion of the
Company's glass fiber requirements and entered into a supply contract with GFC
under which GFC produces glass fiber for the Company. See "Certain
Relationships--Certain Purchases."

     Pursuant to a management agreement which expires December 31, 1998, ISP
provides certain general management, administrative and facilities services to
BMCA and USI (including the use of BMCA's headquarters in Wayne, New Jersey),
for which BMCA and USI paid ISP management fees of $3.9 million and $3.5 million
in 1996 and the first nine months of 1997, respectively. As of January 1, 1997,
BMCA and GFC entered into a management agreement under which BMCA provides
certain general management, administrative and financial services to GFC. Under
the management agreement which expires December 31, 1998, GFC is obligated to
pay BMCA an annual management fee of $1,000,000. See "Certain
Relationships--Management Agreements."

     The Company and its subsidiaries have entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement
(as defined) with GAF and G-I Holdings with respect to the payment of federal
income taxes and certain related matters. See "Certain Relationships--Tax
Sharing Agreement."

     See "Description of the Notes--Certain Covenants--Limitations on
Transactions with Affiliates" for limitations that will be imposed by the
Indenture on transactions with affiliates of the Company.

RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE AND ABSENCE OF A PUBLIC MARKET

     Prior to the exchange of the New Notes offered hereby, there has been no
public market for any of the Notes, and there can be no assurance as to (i) the
liquidity of any such market that may develop, (ii) the ability of the holders
of New Notes to sell their New Notes or (iii) the price at which the holders of
New Notes will be able to sell their New Notes. If such market were to exist,
the New Notes could trade at prices that may be higher or lower than their
principal amount or purchase price, depending on many factors, including
prevailing interest rates, the market for similar notes, and the financial
performance of the Company. The Company does not intend to list the New Notes on
any securities exchange or to seek approval for quotations through any automated
quotation system and no active market for the New Notes is currently
anticipated. There is no assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for
the New Notes. Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., BNY Capital Markets, Inc. and Chase
Securities Inc. have advised the Company that they

                                       13

<PAGE>


currently anticipate making a secondary market for the New Notes, but they are
not obligated to do so, and there is no assurance that an active or liquid
public trading market will develop for the New Notes.

EXCHANGE OFFER PROCEDURE

     Issuance of the New Notes in exchange for Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be made only after a timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of
certificates for such Old Notes or a timely Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined)
of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and all
other required documents. All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility
(including time of receipt) and acceptance of Old Notes tendered for exchange
will be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination
will be final and binding on all parties. Therefore, holders of Old Notes
desiring to tender such Old Notes in exchange for the New Notes should allow
sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. Old Notes that are not tendered or
are tendered but not accepted will, following the consummation of the Exchange
Offer, continue to be subject to the existing restrictions upon transfer thereof
and the Company will have no further obligation to provide for the registration
under the Securities Act of such Old Notes except as described herein. See "The
Exchange Offer--Purpose and Effect." In addition, any holder of Old Notes who
tenders in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution
of the New Notes will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale
transaction. Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account in
exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer
as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such New Notes. See "Plan of Distribution." To the extent that Old Notes are
tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, the trading market for untendered
and tendered but unaccepted Old Notes could be adversely affected. The Company
does not intend to extend the Exchange Offer although it reserves the right to
do so. See "The Exchange Offer."


                                       14

<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION

     The following table sets forth the Company's short-term debt and current
maturities of long-term debt and consolidated capitalization as of September 28,
1997 and as adjusted on a pro forma basis to give effect to the issuance of the
Notes. This table should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               AS OF SEPTEMBER 28, 1997
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
                                                                               -------------------------
                                                                                                 AS
                                                                                 ACTUAL      ADJUSTED(1)
                                                                                 --------    -----------
                                                                                      (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                              <C>          <C>
Short-term Debt and current maturities of Long-term Debt:
 Short-term debt ..............................................................  $   --       $   --
 Current maturities of long-term debt .........................................     3,728        3,728
                                                                                 --------     --------
    Total .....................................................................  $  3,728     $  3,728
                                                                                 ========     ========
Long-term Debt (excluding current maturities)(2):
 11-3/4 Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 2004 .................................  $253,955     $253,955
 8-5/8% Senior Notes due 2006 .................................................    99,542       99,542
 8% Senior Notes due 2007 .....................................................      --         99,254
 Bank credit facilities(3) ....................................................      --           --
 Industrial revenue bonds .....................................................    11,125       11,125
 Obligations on mortgaged properties ..........................................     3,744        3,744
 Obligations under capital leases .............................................    47,536       47,536
                                                                                 --------     --------
    Total Long-term Debt (excluding current maturities) .......................  $415,902     $515,156
                                                                                 ========     ========
Stockholder's Equity:
 Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock,
  $.01 par value per share; 100,000 shares authorized, no shares issued .......  $   --       $   --
 Common stock and additional paid-in capital ..................................   131,911      131,911
 Accumulated deficit ..........................................................   (16,889)     (16,889)
 Other ........................................................................     1,522        1,522
                                                                                 --------     --------
    Total Stockholder's Equity ................................................  $116,544     $116,544
                                                                                 ========     ========
    Total Capitalization ......................................................  $532,446     $631,700
                                                                                 ========     ========
</TABLE>
- ----------

(1)  For an explanation of the assumptions used to arrive at such adjusted
     information, see "Notes to Selected Financial Data."

(2)  For a description of long-term debt, see Note 9 to Consolidated Financial
     Statements.

(3)  On August 29, 1997, the Company's bank credit facilities were replaced with
     the Credit Agreement, a new three-year $75 million bank facility. See
     "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
     Operations--Liquidity and Financial Condition" and Note 9 to Consolidated
     Financial Statements.

                                       15

<PAGE>


                             SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     Set forth below are selected consolidated financial data of the Company.
The results of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results
to be expected for the full year. The historical financial information gives
effect to the formation of the Company as if it had occurred on January 1, 1992
and the Company's financial statements have been prepared on a basis which
retroactively reflects the formation of the Company at the beginning of the
periods presented, except that the Company's assumption of the first $204.4
million of liability relating to pending and previously settled asbestos-related
bodily injury cases and related income tax benefits of $79.7 million have been
reflected as a charge of $124.7 million to stockholder's equity upon the
Company's formation as of January 31, 1994. As of January 1, 1997, USI became a
subsidiary of the Company through a capital contribution to the Company by G-I
Holdings. Accordingly, the Company's historical consolidated financial
statements include USI's results of operations from the date of its acquisition
by G-I Holdings (October 20, 1995), including sales of $21.8, $99.0 and $76.3
million for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, and for the nine months
ended September 29, 1996, respectively, and net income (loss) of $(0.5), $1.3
and $0.8 million, respectively. See Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The results for the nine months ended September 28, 1997 include the results of
the Leatherback business from its date of acquisition (March 14, 1997).

     The pro forma balance sheet data give effect to the issuance of the Notes
as if the Offering had been completed as of September 28, 1997. The pro forma
operating data give effect to the issuance of the Notes, the Acquisitions and
the issuance of the 2006 Notes as if such transactions had been completed as of
January 1, 1996. The pro forma financial information does not purport to project
the financial position or the results of operations for any future period or to
represent what the financial position or results of operations would have been
if the issuance of the Notes, the Acquisitions or the issuance of the 2006 Notes
had been completed at the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                            -----------------------
                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                   SEPT. 29,   SEPT. 28,
                                   -----------------------------------------------------        1996       1997
                                    1992        1993        1994        1995       1996     (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
                                   ------      ------      ------      ------     ------    ----------- -----------

                                                           (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIO DATA)

<S>                                <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>   
OPERATING DATA:
 Net sales ......................  $508.5      $559.2      $593.1     $687.2      $852.0      $648.4     $723.6
 Operating income ...............    34.6        41.5        44.7       45.9        61.4        51.2       59.8
 Interest expense ...............     3.6         2.0        13.1       24.8        32.0        23.7       30.5
 Income before income taxes(1) ..    23.1        33.0        27.8       16.5        27.9        27.0       38.2
 Income before cumulative effect
   of accounting change(1) ......    14.1        20.4        16.7       10.1        17.1        16.5       23.3
 Net income(1) ..................     6.5        20.4        16.7       10.1        17.1        16.5       23.3


<CAPTION>
                                                                                              SEPTEMBER 28, 1997
                                                                                            -----------------------
                                                         DECEMBER 31,                                       AS
                                   -----------------------------------------------------      ACTUAL    ADJUSTED(6)
                                    1992        1993        1994        1995       1996     (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
                                   ------      ------      ------      ------     ------    ----------- -----------

                                                                     (IN MILLIONS)

<S>                                <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>   
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Total working capital ..........  $ 33.8      $  4.8      $ 36.2     $ 54.6      $247.3      $195.6     $293.0
 Total assets ...................   297.3       259.4       452.3      559.3       701.6       694.7      794.0
 Long-term debt less current
   maturities(3) ................    34.1        38.7       229.2      310.3       405.7       415.9      515.2
 Total Stockholder's equity
   (deficit) ....................   110.0        85.9       (28.9)      15.8       143.2       116.5      116.5

</TABLE>


                                                      16



<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                            -----------------------
                                                                                             SEPT. 29,   SEPT. 28,
                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                      1996        1997
                                   -----------------------------------------------------    -----------------------
                                    1992        1993        1994        1995       1996     (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
                                   ------      ------      ------      ------     ------    ----------- -----------

                                                           (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIO DATA)

<S>                                <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>   
OTHER DATA:
 Depreciation ...................  $ 12.8      $ 14.5      $ 16.8     $ 20.3      $ 23.9      $ 18.1     $ 16.8
 Goodwill amortization ..........     0.6         0.6         1.1        1.2         1.7         1.2        1.4
 Capital expenditures and
   acquisitions .................    15.6        19.0        54.3       54.1        25.6        15.7       56.7
 EBITDA (4) .....................    40.2        50.1        58.8       62.8        85.4        70.0       86.9
 Ratio of earnings to fixed
   charges (2) ..................     5.13x       8.60x       2.72x      1.58x       1.78x       2.02x      2.14x
 Ratio of EBITDA to interest
   expense (4) ..................    11.11x      24.51x       4.47x      2.53x       2.67x       2.95x      2.85x


<CAPTION>
                                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                YEAR ENDED   ---------------------
                                                                               DECEMBER 31,  SEPT. 29,   SEPT. 28,
                                                                                   1996        1996        1997
                                                                               ------------  ---------   ---------

                                                                                 (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIO DATA)
                                                                                             (UNAUDITED)

<S>                                                                                <C>         <C>        <C>  
PRO FORMA OPERATING DATA (6):
 Interest expense ............................................................     $46.5       $34.8      $36.7
 Net income ..................................................................      11.4        12.3       19.6
 Adjusted EBITDA (5) .........................................................      92.9        75.8       87.6
 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2) ......................................       1.37x       1.53x      1.81x
 Ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense (5) ............................       2.00x       2.18x      2.39x

</TABLE>

- ----------

(1)  Income before income taxes for the year 1992 includes a pre-tax provision
     of $6.2 million in connection with the Company's estimated liability
     related to warranty claims for a discontinued product. Income before
     cumulative effect of an accounting change in 1992 includes the after-tax
     effects of the foregoing item. 

     Effective January 1, 1992, the Company adopted SFAS No. 106, "Employers'
     Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions." The cumulative
     effect as of January 1, 1992 of adopting SFAS No. 106 was a one-time charge
     against earnings of $7.7 million, after a related income tax benefit of
     $4.2 million.

(2)  For purposes of these computations, earnings consist of income before
     income taxes and the cumulative effect of accounting change, plus fixed
     charges. Fixed charges consist of interest on indebtedness (including
     amortization of debt issuance costs), plus that portion of lease rental
     expense representative of interest (estimated to be one-third of lease
     rental expense).

(3)  See "Capitalization" and Note 9 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(4)  EBITDA is calculated as income before income taxes, increased by interest
     expense, depreciation and goodwill amortization. As an indicator of the
     Company's operating performance, EBITDA should not be considered as an
     alternative to net income or any other measure of performance under
     generally accepted accounting principles.

(5)  The Adjusted EBITDA data are being presented because such data relate to
     debt covenants under the Indenture. Calculations of the ratio of Adjusted
     EBITDA to interest expense have been performed in accordance with the
     definitions in the Indenture, except that the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to
     interest expense for the nine months ended September 29, 1996 and September
     28, 1997 has been calculated based on operating data for such nine-month
     periods rather than for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters
     ended on such dates. See "Description of the Notes." Also see "Summary
     Financial Data" for the details of the calculations of Adjusted EBITDA.

(6)  The principal assumption used in preparing the Pro Forma Operating Data is
     that each of the following events occurred as of January 1, 1996: the
     issuance of $100 million principal amount of Notes at an interest rate of
     8% per annum; the issuance of $100 million principal amount of the 2006
     Notes at an interest rate of 85 @ 8% per annum; the repayment of
     approximately $22 million of indebtedness of USI outstanding in 1996; and
     the Acquisitions. The net effect of such assumptions is to decrease the
     Company's pro forma income before income taxes by $9.2, $6.8 and $6.0
     million for the year 1996 and the first nine months of 1996 and 1997,
     respectively. As a result, the Company's pro forma provision for income
     taxes decreased by $3.5, $2.6 and $2.3 million for the year ended 1996 and
     the first nine months of 1996 and 1997, respectively, based on an effective
     marginal income tax rate of 39%.


                                       17

<PAGE>


                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     Building Materials Corporation of America (the "Company"), an indirect
subsidiary of GAF Corporation ("GAF") and G-I Holdings Inc. ("G-I Holdings"),
was formed in January 1994 to acquire the operating assets and certain
liabilities of GAF Building Materials Corporation ("GAFBMC"), the Company's
parent. See Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements. As a result of the
Separation Transactions consummated on January 1, 1997, USI became a subsidiary
of the Company through a capital contribution to the Company by G-I Holdings.
Accordingly, the Company's historical consolidated financial statements include
USI's results of operations from the date of its acquisition by G-I Holdings,
including sales of $21.8, $99.0 and $76.3 million for the years ended December
31, 1995 and 1996, and the nine months ended September 29, 1996, respectively,
and net income (loss) of $(0.5), $1.3 and $0.8 million, respectively. The
Separation Transactions also included transferring the Company's glass fiber
manufacturing facility in Nashville, Tennessee (and certain related assets and
liabilities) to GFC and a contribution by G-I Holdings of approximately $82.5
million in cash and short-term investments to the Company. In that connection,
GFC entered into a long-term supply agreement with the Company under which GFC
has agreed to produce glass fiber for the Company. See "Certain Relationships."

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   First Nine Months of 1997 Compared With First Nine Months of 1996

     Net sales for the first nine months of 1997 were $723.6 million, an 11.6%
increase over last year's sales of $648.4 million. The increase in sales
reflected increased unit volumes of both residential and commercial roofing
products, as well as the sales of the Leatherback Industries business. Average
selling prices in the 1997 period declined slightly for residential roofing
products and were higher for commercial roofing products compared to the 1996
period.

     Gross profit margin increased to 28.0% for the first nine months of 1997
compared with 27.4% for the same period in 1996, resulting primarily from lower
raw material costs and improved product mix. Selling, general and administrative
expenses increased slightly as a percentage of net sales from 19.3% to 19.5% in
1997, mainly reflecting increased costs of distribution incurred early in the
year.

     Operating income for the first nine months of 1997 was $59.8 million, a
16.8% increase over the $51.2 million recorded last year. The increase in
operating income was attributable to the increased sales and improved margins.

     Interest expense increased to $30.5 million in the first nine months of
1997 from $23.7 million last year, due primarily to higher debt levels. Other
income, net, was $8.9 million compared with other expense, net, of $0.5 million
last year. The improvement was primarily due to higher investment income.

     For the first nine months of 1997, the Company recorded net income of $23.3
million compared with net income of $16.5 million for the first nine months of
1996. The 41.3% increase in net income was attributable to higher operating and
other income, partially offset by increased interest expense.

   1996 Compared With 1995

     Net sales for 1996 increased $164.8 million (24.0%) to $852.0 million
compared with $687.2 million in 1995. The sales growth reflected a 13.2%
increase in sales for BMCA (excluding the effect of USI sales) due to increased
unit volumes of both residential and commercial roofing products and higher
average residential selling prices, and also reflected USI sales of $99.0
million for the full year 1996 compared with $21.8 million for the period in
1995 after the date of acquisition.

     Gross profit margin improved to 27.0% in 1996 from 26.4% in 1995, resulting
primarily from higher average residential selling prices, partially offset by
higher raw material costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses
increased 24.3% to $166.7 million in 1996 from $134.1 million in 1995, primarily
reflecting higher distribution and selling costs to support the increased level
of sales, and also reflecting $13.0 million higher expenses as a result of the
inclusion of USI for the full year 1996. Selling, general and administrative
expenses as a percentage of net sales increased slightly from 19.5% in 1995 to
19.6% in 1996.

     Operating income in 1996 was $61.4 million, an increase of $15.5 million
(33.8%) compared with $45.9 million in 1995. The higher operating income was
attributable to the increased sales and improved gross profit margins and
included $4.3 million operating income from USI.


                                       18



<PAGE>


     Interest expense was $32.0 million in 1996 compared with $24.8 million in
1995, principally reflecting higher debt levels. Other expense, net, decreased
to $1.5 million in 1996 from $4.5 million in 1995. The improvement was primarily
attributable to higher investment income (up $4.8 million) partially offset by
increased expenses related to the sale of the Company's receivables (up $.6
million) and certain litigation costs.

     The Company recorded net income in 1996 of $17.1 million compared with net
income of $10.1 million in 1995. The 68.9% increase in net income was primarily
attributable to higher operating income and lower other expense, net, partially
offset by higher interest expense.

   1995 Compared With 1994

     Net sales for 1995 increased $94.1 million (15.9%) to $687.2 million,
compared with $593.1 million in 1994. The sales growth primarily reflected
higher unit volumes of both residential and commercial roofing products,
including $21.8 million of sales of USI, acquired in October 1995, and those of
the business of International Permalite Inc. ("IPI"), acquired in March 1994,
and higher average selling prices.

     Gross profit margin decreased from 28.3% in 1994 to 26.4% in 1995,
resulting principally from higher raw material costs, partially offset by the
higher average selling prices. Selling, general and administrative expenses
increased 9.7% to $134.1 million, primarily reflecting higher distribution and
selling costs to support the increased level of sales, and also reflecting $3.6
million of USI expenses from the date of USI's acquisition. Selling, general and
administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of net sales from 20.6% in
1994 to 19.5% in 1995.

     The Company recorded operating income of $45.9 million in 1995, up 2.5%
compared with $44.7 million in 1994, due principally to the higher sales
volumes, partially offset by the lower gross profit margins.

     Interest expense was $24.8 million in 1995 compared with $13.1 million in
1994. The increase was attributable to the issuance in June 1994 of the Deferred
Coupon Notes. See Note 9 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

     Other expense, net, increased to $4.5 million in 1995 from $3.8 million in
1994. The increase was primarily attributable to increased expenses related to
the sale of the Company's receivables (up $1.2 million) and certain litigation
costs, partially offset by higher interest income from the Company's loan to a
related party (up $0.9 million).

     The Company recorded net income in 1995 of $10.1 million compared with net
income of $16.7 million in1994. The lower net income was primarily attributable
to higher interest expense, partially offset by improved operating income.

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

     The Company used $15.9 million of cash for operations during the first nine
months of 1997, reinvested $56.7 million in capital programs and acquisitions,
and generated $28 million from net sales of available-for-sale and
held-to-maturity securities, for a net cash outflow of $44.6 million before
financing activities.

     Cash invested in additional working capital totaled $52.3 million during
the first nine months of 1997. This amount primarily reflected an increase in
inventories of $9.1 million and a $57.6 million increase in receivables,
including a $27 million increase in the receivable from the trust which
purchases the Company's trade accounts receivable, partially offset by a $15.3
million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Cash used in
operations also reflected a $22.3 million outflow for related party
transactions, and a $14.3 million cash outlay for net purchases of trading
securities.

     Cash used in financing activities for the first nine months of 1997 totaled
$35.9 million, principallyreflecting $46 million of distributions to the
Company's parent, $3.1 million of asbestos payments and $2.6 millionin
repayments of long-term debt, partially offset by $15.6 million of proceeds from
the sale of the Company'strade receivables.

     As a result of the foregoing factors, cash and cash equivalents decreased
by $80.4 million during the first nine months of 1997 to $44.1 million
(excluding $92.7 million of trading, available-for-sale and held-to-maturity
securities and other short-term investments).

     The Company generated $53.1 million of cash from operations during 1996,
invested $25.6 million for capital programs, and invested $38.9 million for net
purchases of available-for-sale securities and other short-term 


                                       19



<PAGE>


investments, for a net cash outflow of $11.4 million before financing
activities. Cash from operations included a cash outflow of $3.4 million for net
purchases of trading securities.

     Cash invested in additional working capital totaled $14.9 million during
1996. This amount primarily reflected an increase in inventories of $8.1 million
and a $5.1 million increase in receivables, reflecting higher sales levels.

     The Company generated $90.0 million from financing activities in 1996. On
December 9, 1996, the Company issued $100 million principal amount of the 2006
Notes. In addition, principally as part of the Separation Transactions, G-I
Holdings made cash contributions to the Company in 1996 of $86.1 million (not
including contributions of $23.1 million of available-for-sale and
held-to-maturity securities, also as part of the Separation Transactions). The
Company utilized the net proceeds from the issuance of the 2006 Notes to repay
indebtedness owed by USI to G-I Holdings of approximately $30 million and to pay
the purchase price for the March 1997 acquisition of the assets of the
Leatherback Industries division of Hollinee Corporation. The remainder of
proceeds from the issuance of the 2006 Notes of approximately $42.1 million was
utilized for general corporate purposes.

     Financing activities in 1996 also included $8.0 million of proceeds from
the sale of the Company's receivables, offset by $34.9 million of repayments of
long-term debt, $66.2 million of asbestos payments and $2.5 million of financing
fees and expenses related to the issuance of the 2006 Notes.

     As a result of the foregoing factors, cash and cash equivalents increased
by $78.6 million during 1996 to$124.6 million (excluding $106.2 million of
trading, available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities and other short-term
investments).

     The Company's investment strategy is to seek returns in excess of money
market rates on its available cash while minimizing market risks. There can be
no assurance that the Company will be successful in implementing such a
strategy. The Company invests primarily in international and domestic arbitrage
and securities of companies involved in acquisition or reorganization
transactions, including at times, common stock short positions which are offsets
against long positions in securities which are expected, under certain
circumstances, to be exchanged or converted into the short positions. With
respect to its equity positions, the Company is exposed to the risk of market
loss. See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

     In June 1996, the Company's bank credit facilities were extended to June
1997 on the same terms and conditions. Such facilities provided for revolving
lines of credit of up to $32 million and letters of credit of up to $41 million,
provided that total borrowings and outstanding letters of credit could not
exceed $42 million. On August 29, 1997, such facilities were replaced with the
Credit Agreement, which provides the Company with a $75 million unsecured
revolving credit facility, the full amount of which is available for letters of
credit, provided that total borrowings and outstanding letters of credit may not
exceed $75 million in the aggregate. As of September 28, 1997, $38.6 million of
letters of credit were outstanding and no amounts had been borrowed under the
Credit Agreement. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company is
subject to certain financial covenants, including interest coverage and leverage
ratios, and dividends and other restricted payments are limited. The Company was
in compliance with such covenants as of September 28, 1997.

     Additional borrowings by the Company are subject to certain covenants
contained in the indentures relating to the Deferred Coupon Notes, the 2006
Notes and the Credit Agreement.

     The objectives of the Company in utilizing interest rate swap agreements
are to lower funding costs, diversify sources of funding and manage interest
rate exposure. As of September 28, 1997, the total notional amount of interest
rate swaps outstanding was $65.5 million, and the amount of underlying debt
relating to such swaps was $254.0 million. By utilizing interest rate swap
agreements, the Company reduced its interest expense by $0.2, $1.5, $2.2, $1.6
and $1.5 million in 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the first nine months of 1996 and
1997, respectively. See Note 9 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

     See Note 9 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information
regarding the debt instruments ofthe Company.

     Upon its formation on January 31, 1994, the Company assumed the first
$204.4 million of GAFBMC's liabilities relating to then pending cases and
previously settled asbestos-related bodily injury cases, all of which had been
paid as of March 30, 1997. Accordingly, as of January 31, 1994, the Company's
stockholder's equity reflected a charge of $124.7 million, representing the
Company's assumption of the aforementioned asbestos liabilities net of a


                                       20



<PAGE>


corresponding income tax benefit. At September 28, 1997, the Company had total
outstanding consolidated indebtedness of $419.6 million, of which $3.7 million
matures prior to September 30, 1998, and stockholder's equity of $116.5 million.
The Company anticipates funding such obligations from its cash and investments,
operations and/or borrowings (which may include borrowings from affiliates). See
"Business--Legal Proceedings" for further information regarding asbestos-related
matters.

     In March 1993, the Company sold its trade accounts receivable
("receivables") to a trust, without recourse, pursuant to an agreement which
provided for a maximum of $75 million in cash to be made available to the
Company based on eligible receivables outstanding from time to time. In November
1996, the Company repurchased the receivables sold pursuant to the 1993
agreement and sold them to a special purpose subsidiary of the Company, BMCA
Receivables Corporation, without recourse, which in turn sold them to a new
trust, without recourse, pursuant to new agreements. The new agreements provide
for a maximum of $115 million in cash to be made available to the Company based
on eligible receivables outstanding from time to time. This facility expires in
December 2001.

     The Company makes loans to, and borrows from, G-I Holdings and its
subsidiaries at prevailing market rates. As of September 28, 1997, no loans were
owed to the Company by G-I Holdings and no loans were owed by the Company to
affiliates. In addition, the Company makes non-interest bearing advances to
affiliates, of which $27.2 million were outstanding at September 28, 1997.

     The parent corporations of the Company are essentially holding companies
without independent businesses or operations and, as such, are presently
dependent upon the cash flow of their subsidiaries, principally the Company, in
order to satisfy their obligations, including asbestos-related claims and
certain potential tax liabilities including tax liabilities relating to
Rhone-Poulenc Surfactants & Specialties, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
which operates, among other businesses, GFC's former surfactants chemicals
business. The parent corporations of the Company are GAF, G-I Holdings, G
Industries Corp. and GAFBMC, and, except for the Company, the only significant
asset of such parent corporations is GFC. GAF has advised the Company that it
expects to obtain funds to satisfy such obligations from, among other things,
dividends and loans from subsidiaries (principally the Company) and from
payments pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement between GAF and the Company. The
indentures relating to the Notes, the 2006 Notes and the Deferred Coupon Notes
and the Credit Agreement contain restrictions on the amount of dividends, loans
and other restricted payments (as defined therein) which may be paid by the
Company. As of September 28, 1997, after giving effect to the most restrictive
of the aforementioned restrictions, the Company could have paid dividends and
other Restricted Payments of up to $82.0 million. The Company does not believe
that the dependence of its parent corporations on the cash flows of their
subsidiaries should have a material adverse effect on the operations, liquidity
or capital resources of the Company. For further information, see Notes 3, 5, 9
and 12 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

     The Company believes that it will have access to working capital or other
assets sufficient to meet its capital and operating needs for the foreseeable
future. The Company intends to use a substantial amount of the net proceeds from
the Offering to fund the cost of its capital expenditure programs.

     For further information with regard to income taxes, see Note 5 to
Consolidated Financial Statements.

     The Company does not believe that inflation has had a material effect on
its results of operations during thepast three years. However, there can be no
assurance that the Company's business will not be affected by inflationin the
future.

     For a discussion of seasonality, see "Business--Seasonal Variations and
Working Capital."

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     The discussions in this Prospectus contain both historical information and
forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that any such
forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, these statements
involve uncertainties that affect, among other things, the Company's operations,
markets, products, services and prices. These uncertainties include economic,
competitive, governmental and technological factors. Forward-looking statements
contained herein are not historical facts, but only predictions. No assurances
can be given that projected results or events will be achieved.


                                       21

<PAGE>


                                    BUSINESS


     The Company, incorporated under the laws of Delaware in 1994, is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of GAF Building Materials Corporation ("GAFBMC"). The
Company acquired the operating assets and certain liabilities of GAFBMC in 1994.
GAFBMC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of G Industries Corp. ("G Industries"),
which is a holding company that also owns all of the capital stock of GAF
Fiberglass Corporation ("GFC"). G Industries is a wholly-owned subsidiary of G-I
Holdings Inc. ("G-I Holdings"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAF. GAF is
controlled by Samuel J. Heyman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of each of
GAF, G-I Holdings, GFC and the Company and Chief Executive Officer of each of
GAF, G-I Holdings, G Industries, GAFBMC, GFC and the Company. GAF was organized
by Mr. Heyman for the purpose of effecting the acquisition in March 1989 of the
predecessor company to GAF in a management-led buyout.


     The Company is a leading national manufacturer of a broad line of asphalt
roofing products and accessories for the residential and commercial roofing
markets. The Company's products are produced at 26 manufacturing facilities. The
Company believes that it holds the number one or two market position in each of
the product lines in which it competes (based on unit sales), including
leadership of the fast growing, premium laminated residential shingles and
modified bitumen commercial roofing markets. Based on brand awareness studies,
the Company's Timberliner product is the leading brand in residential roofing,
and the Company's Ruberoidr product is the leading brand in the modified bitumen
commercial roofing, the latter being the fastest growing segment in the
commercial roofing industry. The Company does business under the name "GAF
Materials Corporation."


     The Company operates 16 roofing manufacturing facilities, five roofing
accessory plants, one glass mat manufacturing plant, two perlite roofing
manufacturing plants, one liquid roofing membrane and adhesive plant and one
fiber-cement siding plant. The Company has registered, through 1996,
nine consecutive years of increases in operating income. During the five year
period ended December 31, 1996, the Company's net sales and operating income
have increased at average annual compound rates of approximately 14.9% and
18.3%, respectively, and its operating income margin has increased from 6.2% to
7.2%. The Company believes that its growth is primarily attributable to (i)
improvement in its product mix, driven by a business strategy which emphasizes
its higher-margin products; (ii) its low cost manufacturing operations; (iii)
substantial capital spending programs for new property, plant and equipment that
have enabled the Company to expand capacity and reduce manufacturing costs; (iv)
the strength of its national distribution system; and (v) broadening its product
lines through niche-type acquisitions.


     Effective as of January 31, 1994, GAFBMC transferred to the Company all of
its business and assets (other than three closed manufacturing facilities,
certain deferred tax assets and receivables from affiliates). The Company
contractually assumed all of GAFBMC's liabilities, except (i) all of GAFBMC's
environmental liabilities, other than environmental liabilities relating to the
Company's plant sites and its business as then conducted, (ii) all of GAFBMC's
tax liabilities, other than tax liabilities arising from the operations or
business of the Company, and(iii) all of GAFBMC's asbestos-related liabilities,
other than the first $204.4 million of such liabilities (whether for indemnity
or defense) relating to then-pending asbestos-related bodily injury cases and
previously settled asbestos-related bodily injury cases which the Company
contractually assumed and agreed to pay. All of the Company's assumed
asbestos-related liabilities had been satisfied as of March 30, 1997. G-I
Holdings and GAFBMC have agreed, jointly and severally, to indemnify the Company
from liabilities not assumed by the Company, including asbestos-related and
environmental liabilities not expressly assumed by the Company and for all tax
liabilities of the GAF consolidated tax group other than tax liabilities arising
from the operations or business of the Company. See Note 3 to Consolidated
Financial Statements, "Risk Factors--Parents' Dependence upon Company's Cash
Flow" and "Certain Relationships--Tax Sharing Agreement."

     USI was acquired by G-I Holdings in October 1995 and became a subsidiary of
the Company on January 1, 1997 as part of the Separation Transactions. The
financial and statistical data regarding the Company contained herein reflect
the results of USI from and after October 20, 1995, the date on which USI was
acquired by G-I Holdings, except as expressly set forth herein. For pro forma
information, see "Selected Financial Data."

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

     The United States residential roofing industry comprises manufacturers of
asphalt, tile, wood, slate and metal roofing materials, with asphalt roofing
representing approximately 90% of industry residential roofing unit sales in
1996. Residential asphalt roofing materials comprise higher margin, premium
laminated shingles and strip shingles, 


                                       22



<PAGE>


which represented approximately 27% and 73%, respectively, of industry asphalt
roofing unit sales in 1996. Total asphalt residential unit sales grew during the
past five years (from January 1, 1992 through December 31, 1996) at an average
annual compound rate of approximately 6%, during which period unit sales of
laminated and strip shingles grew at average annual compound rates of
approximately 18% and 4%, respectively. While the Company believes that growth
of laminated shingle sales will continue to exceed the growth of the overall
residential asphalt roofing market, the Company expects increased competition in
this product line.

     The United States commercial roofing industry comprises manufacturers of
asphalt built-up roofing, modified bitumen, single-ply polymer and other roofing
products. Approximately 70% of commercial roofing industry membrane unit sales
utilize asphalt built-up roofing and modified bitumen products, both of which
the Company manufactures and markets. Over the past five years, commercial
roofing industry membrane unit sales experienced an increase of 7%, while unit
sales of modified bitumen products grew at a rate of approximately 12%, the
latter due principally to shifts in customer preferences.

     Over the past five years, approximately 80% of industry sales, as well as
those of the Company, of both residential and commercial roofing products were
for re-roofing, as opposed to new construction. As a result, the exposure of
both the Company and the industry to cyclical downturns in the new construction
market is substantially lower than other building material manufacturers which
produce, for example, gypsum, wood and cement. Management expects that demand
for re-roofing will continue to increase as the existing housing stock ages
andas homeowners upgrade from standard strip roofing shingles to premium
laminated shingles for enhanced aesthetics and durability.

RESIDENTIAL ROOFING PRODUCTS

     Residential roofing represented approximately 66% of the Company's net
sales in 1996. The Company believes that it is the largest manufacturer of
laminated shingles and the second largest manufacturer of strip shingles in the
United States. The Company produces two lines of shingles, the Timberline(R)
series and the Sovereign(R) series, as well as certain specialty shingles
principally for regional markets.

     The Company's sales of laminated shingles represented approximately 37% of
its residential sales in 1996, with sales of such shingles having grown during
the five years ended December 31, 1996 at an average annual compound rate of
approximately 13%. The Timberline(R) series offers a premium laminated product
line that adds dramatic shadow lines and substantially improves the appearance
of a roof.

     The Company's sales of strip shingles have grown at an average annual
compound rate of approximately 9% during the past five years and represented
approximately 50% of the Company's residential sales in 1996. The Sovereign(R)
series includes a line of standard strip shingles and heavier weight 3-tab
shingles designed to capitalize on the demand for quality shingles.

     All of the Company's asphalt roofing shingles have a Class A fire rating
and are made from glass fiber mat, coated with waterproofing asphalt on both
sides and surfaced with colored ceramic-coated mineral granules. The Company's
other residential roofing products include Timbertex(R) and Ridgetex(TM) Hip &
Ridge shingles, Shingle-Mate(R) underlayment, Weather Watch(R) ice and water
barrier, a waterproof underlayment, and Cobra(R) ridge vent, a ventilation
system on a coil, all of which enable the Company to offer a complete system of
residential roofing components.

COMMERCIAL ROOFING PRODUCTS

     Commercial roofing represented approximately 34% of the Company's net sales
in 1996. The Company manufactures a broad line of modified bitumen products,
asphalt built-up roofing and roofing accessories. The Company markets commercial
roofing through BMCA and USI and believes that it is the second largest
manufacturer of asphalt built-up roofing products and the largest manufacturer
of modified bitumen products in the United States. The Company also manufactures
perlite roofing insulation products and accessories, which consist of low
thermal insulation products for commercial roofing installation below the
roofing membrane. The Company also markets isocyanurate foam as roofing
insulation, packaged asphalt and accessories such as vent stacks, roof
insulation fasteners, cements and coatings.

INCREASING EMPHASIS ON HIGHER MARGIN, PREMIUM PRODUCTS

     One of the Company's strategies to grow sales and profitability has been to
improve its product mix, with an increased emphasis on laminated shingles and
longer-life, high performance premium strip and specialty shingles, 


                                       23
<PAGE>


which sell at higher prices and profit margins than standard strip shingles.
From January 1, 1992 and through December 31, 1996, the Company's unit sales of
premium shingles have increased at an average annual compound rate of
approximately 16%. This growth enabled the Company to significantly increase its
premium product mix of residential sales. Management expects to continue this
strategy to improve product mix by increasing sales of premium shingles.

SUBSTANTIAL CAPITAL PROGRAMS

     The Company believes that its plants are among the most modern in the
industry, due in part to the fact that since 1985 and through December 31, 1996,
the Company has invested in excess of $240 million in new property, plant and
equipment (of which more than $135 million has been invested since the beginning
of 1990), principally in order to increase capacity and implement process
improvements to reduce manufacturing costs and has included the installation of
efficient in-line lamination equipment in a number of its roofing plants, as
well as the modernization of the Company's glass mat facilities. The Company has
been able to reduce its manufacturing costs as a result of this capital program,
the vertical integration discussed above, and the rigorous application of its
process and quality control standards. 

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

     The Company believes that it has been among the most innovative industry
leaders in terms of the introduction of new products, having been the first to
develop the three-dimensional laminated roofing shingle, Timberliner, which
created an entire new product line within the asphalt roofing industry. New
products introduced by the Company in just the last four years include: the
Timberline(R) 25 and Timberline Ultra(R) shingles, which offer wood shake
appearance, enhanced visual depth and contrast simulating shadows; the
Marquis(R) shingle, a heavyweight three-tab shingle designed for northern
markets which offers greater flexibility and added durability in cold
temperatures; the Grand Sequoia(R) shingle, a premier architectural shingle; and
Ruberoid(R) 20/30, a polymer modified bitumen roofing system which utilizes
fiberglass reinforcements coated with modified asphalt to form a durable high
performance two-ply roofing membrane and which requires no additional treatment
or coating to qualify for an Underwriters Laboratory Class A rating. In 1995,
the Company introduced GAF CompositeRoof(TM), a new commercial roofing product
that combines the tensile strength of built-up roofing with the flexibility and
superior elongation of modified bitumen membranes. In 1997, the Company
introduced Flexply(TM) 6, an enhanced performing premium built-up roofing felt,
and Stratavent(R), a premium venting base sheet used in built-up roofing
systems. See "--Legal Proceedings--Other Litigation."

ACQUISITIONS

     The Company's acquisition strategy is focused on niche-type acquisitions,
designed to either complement existing product lines, further the geographic
reach of the Company's business or increase its market shares, and preferably
those which can benefit from the Company's strong national distribution network,
manufacturing technology and marketing expertise. Recent acquisitions by the
Company include the acquisition of the assets of the Leatherback Industries
division of Hollinee Corporation, which is engaged in the manufacture and sale
of asphalt-saturated roofing felts and other felt and construction paper
products; the acquisition of the assets of Major Group, Incorporated, the
manufacturer of the TOPCOAT(R) Roofing System, a liquid-applied polymer membrane
system designed to protect and waterproof existing metal roofing; and the
acquisition of USI, a leading national manufacturer of commercial roofing
products. 

RESIDENTIAL ROOFING

     The Company is a leading manufacturer of a complete line of premium
residential roofing products, with residential roofing product sales
representing approximately 66% of the Company's net sales in 1996. The Company
has improved its sales mix of residential roofing products in recent years by
increasing its emphasis on laminated products which generally are sold at higher
prices with more attractive profit margins than its standard strip shingle
products. The Company believes that it is the largest manufacturer of laminated
residential roofing shingles, and the second largest manufacturer of standard
shingles, in the United States.

     The Company produces two principal lines of roofing shingles, the
Timberliner series and the Sovereignr series, as well as certain specialty
shingles for regional markets.


                                       24
<PAGE>



     The Timberline(R) Series. The Timberline(R) Series offers a premium
laminated product line that adds dramatic shadow lines and substantially
improves the appearance of a roof. The series includes the GAF Timberline(R) 25
shingle, a mid-weight laminated shingle which serves as an economic trade-up for
consumers, with a 25-year limited warranty; the Timberline(R) shingle, with a
30-year limited warranty, offering a woodshake appearance, enhanced visual depth
and contrast simulating shadows and superior fire resistance and durability; and
the Timberline Ultra(R) shingle, with a 40-year limited warranty, a super
heavyweight laminated shingle with the same design features as the Timberline(R)
25 shingle, together with added durability.


     The Sovereign(R) Series. The Sovereign Series includes the standard 3-tab
Sentinel(R) shingle with a 20-year limited warranty; the Royal Sovereign(R)
shingle, a heavier 3-tab shingle with a 25-year limited warranty, designed to
capitalize on the "middle market" for quality shingles; and the Marquis(R)
Weathermax(TM) shingle, a super heavyweight 3-tab shingle with a 30-year limited
warranty.


     Specialty Shingles. The Company's specialty asphalt shingles include:
Slateline(R) and Slateline(R) Color Contrast(TM) shingles offering the
appearance of slate, labor savings in installation because of their larger size
and a 30-year limited warranty; Dubl-Coverage(R) Tite-On(R) shingles offering a
design feature that enables the shingles to lock together to form a double layer
roof, and a 25-year limited warranty; and the Grand Sequoia(R) shingle, a
premier architectural shingle with a 40-year limited warranty.

     WeatherStopper(TM) Roofing System. In addition to shingles, the Company
supplies all the components necessary to install a complete roofing system. The
Company's WeatherStopper(TM) Roofing System begins with Weather Watch(R) and
stormguard waterproof underlayments for eaves, valleys and flashings to prevent
water seepage between the roof deck and the shingles caused by ice build-ups and
wind-driven rains. The Company's WeatherStopper(TM) Roofing System also includes
Shingle-Mate(R) glass reinforced underlayment, Timbertex(R), Timber Ridge(TM),
Ridgetex(TM) Hip and Ridge shingles which are significantly thicker and larger
than standard hip and ridge shingles and provide dramatic accents to the slopes
and planes of a roof and the Cobra(R) Ridge Vent which provides attic
ventilation.

COMMERCIAL ROOFING

     The Company manufactures a full line of modified bitumen products, asphalt
built-up roofing, liquid applied membrane and roofing accessories for use in the
application of commercial roofing. Commercial roofing represented approximately
34% of the Company's net sales in 1996. Approximately 70% of commercial roofing
industry membrane unit sales utilize asphalt built-up roofing and modified
bitumen products, both of which the Company manufactures. The Company believes
that it is the second largest manufacturer of asphalt built-up roofing products
and the largest manufacturer of modified bitumen products in the United States.

     The Company provides comprehensive solutions to solve most commercial
roofing needs. The Company manufactures glass membranes under the trademarks
GAFGLAS(R) and Permaglas(R), which are made from asphalt impregnated glass fiber
mat for use as a component in asphalt built-up roofing systems. Most of the
Company's GAFGLAS(R) and Permaglas(R) products are assembled on the roof by
applying successive layers of roofing membrane with asphalt and topped, in some
applications, with gravel. Thermal insulation is often applied beneath the
membrane. The Company also manufactures base sheets, flashings and other roofing
accessories for use in these systems and perlite roofing insulation products,
which consist of low thermal insulation that is installed as part of a
commercial roofing application below the roofing membrane. In addition, the
Company sells isocyanurate foam as roofing insulation, packaged asphalt and
accessories such as vent stacks, roof insulation fasteners, cements and coating.

     Modified bitumen products are sold under the Ruberoid(R) trademark by the
Company and under the Brai(R) trademark by USI and are used primarily in
re-roofing applications or in combination with glass membranes in GAF
CompositeRoof(TM) systems. These products consist of a roofing membrane
utilizing polymer-modified asphalt, which strengthens and increases flexibility
and is reinforced with a polyester non-woven mat or a glass mat. Modified
bitumen systems provide high strength characteristics, such as weatherability,
water resistance, and labor cost savings due to ease of application.

MARKETING AND SALES

     The Company has one of the industry's largest sales forces, which is
supported by a staff of technical professionals who work directly with
architects, consultants, contractors and building owners. The Company markets


                                       25
<PAGE>


its roofing products through its own sales force of approximately 160 full-time
employees and independent sales representatives operating from five regional
sales offices located across the United States. System solutions are promoted at
the contractor level by the sales force. USI markets its roofing products
through approximately 50 full-time employees and independent sales
representatives. A major portion of the Company's roofing product sales are to
wholesale distributors who resell the Company's products to roofing contractors
and retailers. The Company believes that the wholesale distribution channel
offers the most attractive margins of all roofing market distribution channels
and represents the principal distribution channel for professionally installed
asphalt roofing products, and that its nationwide coverage has contributed to
its roofing products being among the most recognized and requested brands in the
industry. In addition, the Company's sales to large national retailers are
growing rapidly and expanding the availability of the Company's products on a
nationwide basis.

     No single customer accounted for as much as 10% of the Company's 1996
sales, except for American Builders and Contractors Supply Co., Inc., which
accounted for approximately 11% of such sales.

RAW MATERIALS

     The major raw materials required for the manufacture of the Company's
roofing products are asphalt, mineral stabilizer, glass fiber, glass fiber mat
and granules. Asphalt and mineral stabilizer are available from a large number
of suppliers and the Company currently has contracts with several of these
suppliers, with others available as substitutes. Prices of most raw materials
have been relatively stable, rising moderately with general industrial prices,
while the price of asphalt tends to move in step with the price of crude oil.

     Five of the Company's roofing plants have easy access to deep water ports
thereby permitting delivery of asphalt by ship, the most economical means of
transport. The Company's Chester, South Carolina plant manufactures glass fiber
mat substrate. The Company purchases from ISP substantially all its requirements
for colored roofing granules (except for the requirements of its California
roofing plant which are supplied by a third party) under a supply contract that
was renewed for one year effective January 1, 1997 and is subject to annual
renewal unless terminated by the Company or ISP. In addition, in December 1995,
USI commenced purchasing substantially all of its requirements for colored
roofing granules from ISP (except for the requirements of its Stockton,
California and Corvallis, Oregon plants which are supplied by a third party)
pursuant to a supply contract. As part of the Separation Transactions, the
Company transferred to GFC its Nashville, Tennessee facility, which manufactures
a significant portion of the Company's glass fiber requirements, and entered
into a supply contract with GFC under which GFC produces glass fiber for the
Company. 

SEASONAL VARIATIONS AND WORKING CAPITAL

     Sales of roofing products in the northern regions of the United States
generally decline during the winter months due to adverse weather conditions.
Generally, the Company's inventory practice includes increasing inventory levels
in the first and the second quarter in order to meet peak season demand (June
through November).

WARRANTY CLAIMS

     The Company provides certain limited warranties covering most of its
residential roofing products for periods ranging from 20 to 40 years. Although
terms of warranties vary, the Company believes that its warranties generally are
consistent with those offered by its competitors. The Company also offers
limited warranties and guarantees of varying duration on its commercial roofing
products. The Company currently believes that the reserves established for
estimated probable future warranty claims are adequate.

COMPETITION

     The roofing products industry is highly competitive and includes a number
of national competitors, which in the residential roofing market are
Owens-Corning, Tamko, Elcor and Celotex, and in the commercial roofing market
are Johns Manville, Celotex, Firestone and Carlisle. In addition, there are
numerous regional competitors.

     Competition is based largely upon products and service quality,
distribution capability, price and credit terms and the Company believes that it
is well positioned in the marketplace as a result of its broad product lines in
both the residential and commercial markets, consistently high product quality,
strong sales force and national distribution capabilities. As a result of the
growth in demand for premium laminated shingles, a number of roofing
manufacturers, 


                                       26



<PAGE>


including the Company, have increased their laminated shingle production
capacity in recent years and the Company expects increased competition in this
area.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

     The Company's research and development activities are focused primarily on
the development of new products, process improvements and the testing of
alternative raw materials and supplies. The Company's research and development
activities, dedicated to residential, commercial and fiberglass products, are
located at technical centers at Wayne, New Jersey, Nashville, Tennessee and Port
Arthur, Texas. The Company's research and development expenditures were
approximately $2.5 million, $3.1 million and $4.5 million in 1994, 1995 and
1996, respectively.

PROPERTIES

     The corporate headquarters and principal research and development
laboratories of the Company are located at a 100-acre campus-like office and
research park owned by a subsidiary of ISP, at 1361 Alps Road, Wayne, New Jersey
07470. The Company occupies its headquarters pursuant to its management
agreement with ISP. See "Certain Relationships--Management Agreements."

     The principal real properties either owned by, or leased to, the Company or
its subsidiaries are described below. Unless otherwise indicated, the properties
are owned in fee. In addition to the principal facilities listed below, the
Company maintains sales offices and warehouses, substantially all of which are
in leased premises under relatively short-term leases.

      LOCATION                                 FACILITY
      --------                                 --------
      Alabama
       Mobile ...............................  Plant, Warehouse*
      Arizona
       Chandler .............................  Warehouse*
      California
       Fontana ..............................  Plant, Sales Office
       Hollister ............................  Plant, Plant*
       Ontario ..............................  Plant, Sales Office
       Stockton .............................  Plant, Plant, Warehouse*
      Florida
       Tampa ................................  Plant, Sales Office*
      Georgia
       Monroe ...............................  Plant, Warehouse*
       Savannah .............................  Plant, Sales Office
      Indiana
       Mount Vernon .........................  Plant, Sales Office
      Illinois
       Naperville ...........................  Sales Office*
      Kentucky
       Florence .............................  Plant
      Maryland
       Baltimore ............................  Plant, Warehouse*
      Massachusetts
       Millis ...............................  Plant, Sales Office
       Walpole ..............................  Plant*
      Minnesota
       Minneapolis ..........................  Plant, Sales Office, Warehouse*
      New Jersey
       Branchburg ...........................  Warehouse*
       North Branch .........................  Plant
       North Brunswick ......................  Sales Office*, Warehouse*
       Wayne ................................  Headquarters, Corporate
                                                 Administrative Offices,
                                                 Research Center*


                                       27
<PAGE>


      New Mexico
       Albuquerque ..........................  Plant
      Ohio
       Wadsworth ............................  Plant*, Warehouse*
      Oregon
       Corvallis ............................  Plant
      Pennsylvania
       Erie .................................  Plant, Sales Office, Warehouse*
       Wind Gap .............................  Plant
      South Carolina
       Chester ..............................  Plant
      Tennessee
       Nashville ............................  Research Center
      Texas
       Dallas ...............................  Plant, Sales Office, Warehouse*
       Fannett ..............................  Warehouse
       Houston ..............................  Plant, Warehouse, Warehouse*
       Nederland ............................  Plant
       Port Arthur ..........................  Plant, Warehouse, Office

- ----------
  * Leased Property

     The Company believes that its plants and facilities, which are of varying
ages and are of different construction types, have been satisfactorily
maintained, are in good condition, are suitable for their respective operations
and generally provide sufficient capacity to meet production requirements. Each
plant has adequate transportation facilities for both raw materials and finished
products. In 1996, the Company made capital expenditures in the amount of $25.6
million relating to plant, property and equipment.

PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS

     The Company owns approximately 47 domestic and 83 foreign patents or patent
applications and owns or licenses approximately 143 domestic and 55 foreign
trademark registrations. While the Company believes the patent protection
covering certain of its products to be material to those products, such patents
are not of material significance to the Company's business.

     The Company believes that the duration of the existing patents and patent
licenses is satisfactory.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

     Since 1970, a wide variety of federal, state and local environmental laws
and regulations relating to environmental matters (the "Regulations") have been
adopted and amended. By reason of the nature of the operations of the Company
and its predecessor and certain of the substances that are, or have been, used,
produced or discharged at their plants or at other locations, the Company is
affected by the Regulations. The Company has made capital expenditures averaging
approximately $500,000 during each of the last three years in order to comply
with the Regulations (which expenditures are included in additions to property,
plant and equipment) and anticipates that aggregate capital expenditures
relating to environmental compliance in each of 1998 and 1999 will
beapproximately $600,000.

     The Regulations deal with air and water emissions or discharges into the
environment, as well as the generation, storage, treatment, transportation and
disposal of solid and hazardous waste, and the remediation of any releases of
hazardous substances and materials to the environment. The Company believes that
its manufacturing facilities comply in all material respects with applicable
Regulations, and, while it cannot predict whether more burdensome requirements
will be adopted in the future, it believes that any potential liability for
compliance with the Regulations will not materially affect its business,
liquidity or financial position.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     Bodily Injury Claims. In connection with its formation, BMCA contractually
assumed and agreed to pay the first $204.4 million of liabilities for
asbestos-related bodily injury claims relating to the inhalation of asbestos
fiber


                                       28
<PAGE>


 ("Asbestos Claims") of its parent, GAFBMC. As of March 30, 1997, BMCA had
paid all of its assumed asbestos-related liabilities. G-I Holdings and GAFBMC
have jointly and severally agreed to indemnify BMCA against any claims related
to asbestos-related liabilities, other than those contractually assumed by BMCA,
in the event that claims in connection with liabilities not assumed by BMCA are
asserted against it.

     GAF has advised the Company that, as of September 28, 1997, it had been
named as a defendant in approximately 65,500 pending lawsuits involving alleged
Asbestos Claims, having resolved approximately 232,500 Asbestos Claims. Since
December 31, 1996 through September 28, 1997, GAF has settled approximately
9,000 Asbestos Claims and received notice of approximately 15,100 new Asbestos
Claims.

     The reserves of GAF and G-I Holdings for asbestos bodily injury claims, as
of September 28, 1997, were $277.1 million (before estimated present value of
recoveries from products liability insurance policies of $184.3 million and
related deferred tax benefits of $33.4 million). GAF and G-I Holdings have
advised the Company that certain components of the asbestos-related liabilities
and the related insurance recoveries have been reflected on a discounted basis
in their financial statements. See Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements
and "--Insurance Matters."

     The amount of such reserves was based on the effectiveness of a proposed
class action settlement of future Asbestos Claims (the "Settlement") and on
assumptions which relate, among other things, to the number of new cases filed,
the cost of resolving (either by settlement or litigation) pending and future
claims, the realization of related tax benefits, the favorable resolution of
pending litigation against certain insurance companies and the amount of GAF's
recoveries from various insurance companies. See "--Insurance Matters." On June
25, 1997, the United States Supreme Court affirmed the ruling of the United
States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit that the class proposed in the
Settlement was not certifiable, thus rendering the Settlement inoperable. GAF
and G-I Holdings have advised the Company that they are presently evaluating the
effect of this Supreme Court decision on the amount of their reserves for
asbestos-related liabilities (including the impact on discounted reserves), that
such analysis could result in GAF and G-I Holdings increasing their estimates of
asbestos-related liabilities, and that it is not currently possible to estimate
the range or amount, if any, of such possible additional reserves. GAF and G-I
Holdings have stated that they remain committed to effectuating a comprehensive
resolution of Asbestos Claims, that they are presently exploring a number of
options, both judicial and legislative, to accomplish such resolution, but that
there can be no assurance that these efforts will be successful.

     The Company believes that it will not sustain any additional liability in
connection with asbestos-related claims. While the Company cannot predict
whether any asbestos-related claims will be asserted against it or its assets,
or the outcome of any litigation relating to such claims, it believes that it
has meritorious defenses to such claims. Moreover, it has been jointly and
severally indemnified by G-I Holdings and GAFBMC with respect to such claims.
Should GAF or GAFBMC be unable to satisfy judgments against it in
asbestos-related lawsuits, its judgment creditors might seek to enforce their
judgments against the assets of GAF or GAFBMC, including its holdings of common
stock of the Company, and such enforcement could result in a change of control
with respect to the Company.

     Asbestos-in-Building Claims. GAF has also been named as a co-defendant in
asbestos-in-buildings cases for economic and property damage or other injuries
based upon an alleged present or future need to remove asbestos containing
materials from public and private buildings ("Building Claims"). Since these
actions were first initiated 14 years ago, GAF has not only successfully
disposed of approximately 144 such cases at an average disposition cost
(including cases disposed of at no cost to GAF) of approximately $18,000 per
case (all of which have been paid by insurance under reservation of rights), but
is a co-defendant in only 4 remaining lawsuits. See "--Insurance Matters." BMCA
has not assumed any liabilities with respect to Building Claims, and G-I
Holdings and GAFBMC have jointly and severally agreed to indemnify BMCA against
any such liabilities in the event any such claims are asserted against it.

     Insurance Matters. GAF and G-I Holdings had available, as of September 28,
1997, to pay asbestos-related bodily injury claims aggregate insurance coverage
of $193.7 million (which amount was used in the reserve calculation referred to
in "Bodily Injury Claims" and is reduced as asbestos-related liabilities are
satisfied), $13.2 million of which is the subject of negotiations with various
insurers and/or the Coverage Action described below, and which $13.2 million of
coverage GAF believes will be available to it either by agreement with its
insurance carriers or, if necessary, by legal action. In addition to the $193.7
million of insurance referred to above, GAF and G-I Holdings have $57.2 million
of additional insurance which may be available to pay a portion of the Asbestos
Claims, which has not been included in the reserve calculations.


                                       29
<PAGE>



     Concurrently with the filing of the class action complaint relating to the
Settlement, the members of the Center for Claims Resolution (the "CCR"), a
non-profit organization of asbestos defendant companies including GAF, filed a
third-party action with the United States District Court in Philadelphia against
certain product liability insurers whose policies will or may be called upon to
respond to asbestos-related bodily injury claims (the "Coverage Action"). The
third-party complaint sought a declaratory judgment on behalf of certain CCR
members, including GAF, against various third-party defendant product liability
insurers to the effect that those insurers are obligated to provide coverage for
Asbestos Claims. On June 27, 1997, GAF and other members of the CCR filed a
motion for leave to file amended third party complaints for coverage for
Asbestos Claims without reference to the Settlement and for leave to consolidate
their amended third party complaints. The insurers who are defendants in GAF's
amended third-party complaint are Atlanta International, Employers Mutual and
Northbrook. The insurance carrier third-party defendants have raised various
defenses to the Coverage Action including that the action creates a procedural
morass, fails to name indispensable parties, and that the separate amended
complaints of the various CCR members should not be consolidated.

     In October 1983, GAF filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles, California Superior
Court against its past insurance carriers to obtain a judicial determination
that such carriers were obligated to defend and indemnify it for Building
Claims. GAF is seeking declaratory relief as well as compensatory damages. This
action is presently in the pre-trial pleading stage. The parties have agreed to
hold this action in abeyance until such time as they are better able to evaluate
developments as they may occur in the Building Claims. Because such litigation
is in early stages and evidence and interpretations of important legal questions
are presently unavailable, it is not possible to predict the future of such
litigation.


     In all the Building Claims, GAF's defense costs have been paid by one of
its primary carriers. While GAF expects that such primary carrier will continue
to defend and indemnify GAF, such primary carrier has reserved its rights to
later refuse to defend and indemnify GAF and to seek reimbursement for some or
all of the fees paid to defend and resolve the Building Claims. GAF believes
that it will be able to resolve such cases for amounts within the total
indemnity obligations available from such primary carrier. GAF further believes
that it would prevail if the carrier's claims for reimbursement of fees paid to
defend and resolve these cases were adjudicated by a court.


ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION

     BMCA, together with other companies, is a party to a variety of proceedings
and lawsuits involving environmental matters ("Environmental Claims") under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA")
and similar state laws, in which recovery is sought for the cost of cleanup of
contaminated sites, a number of which are in the early stages or have been
dormant for protracted periods.

     In connection with its formation, BMCA contractually assumed all
environmental liabilities of GAFBMC relating to existing plant sites and the
business of BMCA as then conducted, and the estimates referred to below reflect
those environmental liabilities assumed by BMCA and other environmental
liabilities of the Company. The environmental liabilities of GAFBMC which were
not assumed by BMCA, for which G-I Holdings and GAFBMC have agreed to indemnify
the Company, relate primarily to closed manufacturing facilities. G-I Holdings
estimates that, as of September 28, 1997, its liability in respect of the
environmental liabilities of GAFBMC not assumed by BMCA was approximately $14.5
million, before insurance recoveries reflected on its balance sheet of $6.4
million, as compared to BMCA's estimate of its liability as of September 28,
1997 in respect of assumed and other environmental liabilities of $1.0 million,
before insurance recoveries reflected on its balance sheet (discussed below) of
$0.5 million ("estimated recoveries").

     At most sites, BMCA anticipates that liability will be apportioned among
the companies found to be responsible for the presence of hazardous substances
at the site. Although it is difficult to predict the ultimate resolution of
these claims, based on BMCA's evaluation of the financial responsibility of the
parties involved and their insurers, relevant legal issues and cost sharing
arrangements now in place, BMCA estimates that its liability in respect of all
Environmental Claims, including certain environmental compliance expenses, will
be as discussed above.

     After considering the relevant legal issues and other pertinent factors,
BMCA believes that it will receive the estimated recoveries and it may receive
amounts substantially in excess thereof. BMCA believes it is entitled to
substantially full defense and indemnity under its insurance policies for most
Environmental Claims, although BMCA's insurers have not affirmed a legal
obligation under the policies to provide indemnity for such claims.


                                       30
<PAGE>



     The estimated recoveries are based in part upon interim agreements with
certain insurers. BMCA terminated these agreements in 1995, and on March 8, 1995
GAF commenced litigation on behalf of it and its subsidiaries in the United
States District Court for the District of New Jersey seeking amounts
substantially in excess of the estimated recoveries. The action was dismissed by
the Court in December 1997 for lack of federal jurisdiction and the defendant
insurers have filed a notice of appeal. On June 16, 1997 GAF filed a similar
action against the insurers in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Somerset
County, which action is proceeding. While BMCA believes that its claims are
meritorious, there can be no assurance that BMCA will prevail in its efforts to
obtain amounts equal to, or in excess of, the estimated recoveries.


     The Company believes that it will not sustain any liability for
environmental liabilities of GAFBMC other than those that it has contractually
assumed or that relate to the operations of its business. While the Company
cannot predict whether any claims for non-assumed environmental liabilities will
be asserted against it or its assets, or the outcome of any litigation relative
to such claims, it believes that it has meritorious defenses to such claims.
Moreover, it has been jointly and severally indemnified by G-I Holdings and
GAFBMC with respect to such claims, and G-I Holdings has advised BMCA that it
believes it has and will have sufficient resources to enable it to satisfy its
environmental liabilities. The possible consequences to the Company of the
failure of G-I Holdings and GAFBMC to satisfy judgments against them in
environmental-related lawsuits are described in the second to last paragraph of
"Risk Factors--Asbestos Claims Filed Against GAF."

OTHER LITIGATION

     Litigation is pending between the Company and Elk Corporation of Dallas
("Elk") in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
relating to certain aspects of the Company's laminated shingles, which Elk
claims infringe design and utility patents issued to it. Elk also asserts that
the Company has appropriated the trade dress of Elk's product. Elk seeks
injunctive relief, damages and attorneys' fees. The Company denies infringement
of Elk's patents or appropriation of Elk's trade dress, and has sued for a
declaration that Elk's patents are invalid and unenforceable and that the
Company's shingles do not infringe any of Elk's rights, and has sought money
damages for Elk's unfair competition. On October 10, 1997, the Court issued an
opinion holding that Elk's design patent is unenforceable because it was
obtained through fraud and inequitable conduct. The Company believes that it
will prevail on the balance of Elk's claims as well.


     On or about April 29, 1996, an action was commenced in the Circuit Court of
Mobile County, Alabama against GAFBMC on behalf of a purported nationwide class
of purchasers of, or current owners of, buildings with asphalt shingles
manufactured by GAFBMC since January 1979. The action alleges, among other
things, that such shingles were defective and seeks unspecified damages on
behalf of the purported class. On or about January 7, 1997, an action was
commenced in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County against GAFBMC
on behalf of a purported nationwide class of owners of buildings with shingles
manufactured by GAFBMC who allegedly have suffered damages since January 1991.
The action alleges, among other things, that such shingles were defective and
seeks unspecified damages on behalf of the purported class. In August 1997, the
Company filed a motion to deny class certification of the action, which motion
remains pending. On or about September 19, 1997, an action was commenced in the
Superior Court of New Jersey, Passaic County, against GAFBMC and GAF on behalf
of a nationwide class of owners of structures with roof shingles manufactured
and distributed by GAFBMC and which were installed from 1988 to 1993. The action
alleges, among other things, that such shingles were defective andseeks
unspecified damages on behalf of the purported class. On or about December 1,
1997, an action was commenced in the Supreme Court of the State of New York,
County of Nassau, against GAFBMC and GAF on behalf of a nationwide class of
owners of structures with roof shingles manufactured and distributed by GAFBMC
which were installed between 1985 and 1993. The action alleges, among other
things, that such shingles were defective and seeks unspecified damages on
behalf of the purported class. Plaintiffs have not moved for class certification
in any of these actions.


     On August 14, 1996, an action was commenced in Pointe Coupee Parish,
Louisiana, against GAF and GAFBMC on behalf of a purported nationwide class of
those who own or did own single family residences on which GAF Timberliner
shingles were installed. The Company was not served or otherwise notified of the
action until November 1996. Without any notice to the Company, in August 1996,
the court in Pointe Coupee conditionally certified the nationwide class,
reserving the right to decertify the class or otherwise modify this order. The
Company has appealed the state court's conditional class certification. The
action alleges that the shingles were defective and seeks unspecified damages on
behalf of the purported class.


                                       31
<PAGE>


     The Company does not believe a class is warranted in any of these actions,
and intends to vigorouslyoppose them.

                                      * * *

     The Company believes that the ultimate disposition of the cases described
above under "Environmental Litigation," "Asbestos-in-Building Claims" and "Other
Litigation" will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse
effect on the Company's liquidity, financial position or results of operations.

EMPLOYEES


     At September 30, 1997, the Company employed approximately 3,000 people
worldwide, approximately 1,045 of which were subject to 16 union contracts. The
contracts are effective for three to four-year periods. During 1997, five labor
contracts expired and were renegotiated. The Company believes that its relations
with its employees and their unions are satisfactory.


     The Company has in effect various benefit plans, which include a
non-qualified retirement plan for a group of executives, a capital accumulation
plan for its salaried and certain hourly employees, a flexible benefit plan for
its salaried employees, a retirement plan for certain of its hourly employees,
and group insurance agreements providing life, accidental death, disability,
hospital, surgical, medical and dental coverage. In addition, the Company has
contracted with various health maintenance organizations to provide medical
benefits. The Company and, in many cases, its employees contribute to the cost
of these plans.


                                       32


<PAGE>

                                   MANAGEMENT

     The following table sets forth the name, age, position and other
information with respect to the directors and executive officers of the Company.
Each person listed below is a citizen of the United States.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME AND POSITION HELD(1)                          AGE             AND FIVE-YEAR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
- -------------------------                          ---             --------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>    <C>                                              

Samuel J. Heyman ................................  58     Mr. Heyman has been a director and Chairman of
 Director, Chairman and Chief                              BMCA since its formation and Chief Executive
 Executive Officer                                         Officer of BMCA since June 1996. He has served as
                                                           a director and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                                           of ISP since its formation in May 1991 and Chief
                                                           Executive Officer of GAFBMC since May 1994. Mr.
                                                           Heyman has held the same offices with GAF, G-I
                                                           Holdings and certain of its subsidiaries since
                                                           April 1989, prior to which he held the same
                                                           position with GAF's predecessor from December 1983
                                                           to April 1989. Mr. Heyman has been a director of
                                                           USI since October 1995, and of ISP Holdings Inc.
                                                           ("ISP Holdings") since its formation. He is also
                                                           the Chief Executive Officer, Manager and General
                                                           Partner of a number of closely held real estate
                                                           development companies and partnerships whose
                                                           investments include commercial real estate and a
                                                           portfolio of publicly traded securities.

Sunil Kumar .....................................  48     Mr. Kumar has been the President, Chief Operating
 Director, President and                                   Officer and a director of BMCA since July 1996,
 Chief Operating Officer                                   March 1996 and May 1995, respectively. He was
                                                           President, Commercial Roofing Products Division,
                                                           and Vice President of BMCA from February 1995 to
                                                           March 1996. He has been Vice Chairman and a
                                                           director of USI since October 1995. From 1992 to
                                                           February 1995, he was Executive Vice President of
                                                           Bridgestone/Firestone Inc., a retail distributor
                                                           and manufacturer of tires and provider of
                                                           automobile services. From 1982 to 1990, Mr. Kumar
                                                           was President of Firestone Building Products
                                                           Company, and from 1990 to 1992 he was Vice
                                                           President of Bridgestone/Firestone.

James P. Rogers .................................  46     Mr. Rogers has been a director of BMCA since its
 Director and Executive Vice                               formation and Executive Vice President of BMCA
 President                                                 since December 1996. Mr. Rogers has been
                                                           Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
                                                           Officer of GAF, G-I Holdings and certain of its
                                                           subsidiaries and Executive Vice President-Finance
                                                           of ISP since December 1996. He was Senior Vice
                                                           President of such corporations from November 1993
                                                           to December 1996 and of BMCA from its formation to
                                                           December 1996. Mr. Rogers has been a director and
                                                           Senior Vice President of USI since October 1995 and
                                                           ISP Holdings since its formation. Mr. Rogers was
                                                           Treasurer of BMCA from its formation until December
                                                           1994. Mr. Rogers has served as Treasurer of G-I
                                                           Holdings, GAF and certain of its subsidiaries
</TABLE>

                                                      33
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME AND POSITION HELD(1)                          AGE             AND FIVE-YEAR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
- -------------------------                          ---             --------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>    <C>                                              
                                                           since March 1992 and was Vice President-Finance of
                                                           such corporations from March 1992 to October 1993.
                                                           From August 1987 to March 1992, Mr. Rogers was
                                                           Treasurer of Amphenol Corporation, a manufacturer
                                                           of electronic connectors.

Richard A. Weinberg .............................  38     Mr. Weinberg has been Senior Vice President and
 Senior Vice President and                                 General Counsel of BMCA since May 1996. He has
 General Counsel                                           been Senior Vice President and General Counsel of
                                                           GAF, G-I Holdings, ISP and certain of their
                                                           subsidiaries since May 1996 and of ISP Holdings
                                                           since its formation. He was Vice President and
                                                           General Counsel of BMCA from September 1994 to May
                                                           1996, Vice President-Law of BMCA from May 1994 to
                                                           September 1994 and Vice President-Law of GAFBMC
                                                           from April 1993 to May 1994. Mr. Weinberg was
                                                           employed by Reliance Group Holdings Inc., a
                                                           diversified insurance holding company, as Staff
                                                           Counsel from October 1987 to January 1990 and as
                                                           Assistant Vice President and Corporate Counsel from
                                                           January 1990 to April 1993.

Donald W. LaPalme ...............................  60     Dr. LaPalme has been Senior  Vice President-Operations
 Senior Vice President--Operations                         of BMCA and certain of its subsidiaries since April
                                                           1996. He was Vice President-Operations of BMCA and
                                                           certain of its subsidiaries from January 1994 to
                                                           April 1996 and held the same position with GAFBMC
                                                           from 1987 to May 1994. From 1985 to 1987 he was
                                                           plant manager and Director of Manufacturing
                                                           Polymers of GFC's Calvert City, Kentucky
                                                           manufacturing facility. From 1981 to 1984 he was
                                                           Vice President of Manufacturing of GAF's Building
                                                           Materials Division.

William C. Lang .................................  54     Mr. Lang has been Senior Vice President and Chief
 Senior Vice President and Chief                           Financial Officer of BMCA since April 1997. He was
 Financial Officer                                         Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
                                                           Duane Reade, a regional drug store chain, from 1993
                                                           to 1996. From 1990 to 1992, Mr. Lang was President
                                                           and Chief Financial Officer of Furr's, Inc., a
                                                           large supermarket chain.

Danny J. Adair ..................................  53     Mr. Adair has been President and Chief Executive
 President and Chief Executive                             Officer of USI since 1982.
 Officer, U.S. Intec, Inc.




</TABLE>
                                                      34
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME AND POSITION HELD(1)                          AGE             AND FIVE-YEAR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
- -------------------------                          ---             --------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>    <C>                                              

William W. Collins ..............................  47     Mr. Collins has been Senior Vice President--Marketing
 Senior Vice President--Marketing                          and Sales--Residential Roofing Products of BMCA
 and Sales, Residential Roofing                            since November 1997. He was Vice President--
 Products                                                  Marketing and Sales, Commercial Roofing Products
                                                           of BMCA from March 1996 to November 1997, Vice
                                                           President-Sales, Commercial of BMCA from December
                                                           1995 to March 1996, Director of Insulation,
                                                           Accessories and Cobra(R) Products of BMCA from
                                                           February 1995 to December 1995 and Director of
                                                           Special Projects of BMCA from July 1992 to February
                                                           1995. From February 1991 to July 1992, he was Vice
                                                           President-Sales & Marketing of Berger Building
                                                           Products, Incorporated.


Robert Tafaro ...................................  47     Mr. Tafaro has been Vice President-Marketing and
 Vice President--Sales and                                 Sales, Commercial Roofing Products of BMCA
 Marketing, Commercial Roofing                             since November 1997. He was Vice President-
 Products                                                  Residential Marketing of BMCA from May 1997 to
                                                           November 1997, Director of Residential Marketing of
                                                           BMCA from February 1997 to May 1997, Eastern
                                                           Regional Sales Manager of BMCA from July 1993 to
                                                           February 1997 and Field Sales Manager of BMCA from
                                                           August 1989 to July 1993.
</TABLE>

- -------------
(1) Under BMCA's By-laws, each director and executive officer continues in
    office until BMCA's next annual meeting of stockholders and until his
    successor is elected and qualified.

                                                      35
<PAGE>


                                            EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table


     The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation for each
of the last three fiscal years awarded to or earned by the Chief Executive
Officer and certain other executive officers of BMCA as of December 31, 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                               LONG TERM
                                                            ANNUAL COMPENSATION              COMPENSATION
                                               --------------------------------------------  ------------
                                                                                              SECURITIES
                                                                                   OTHER      UNDERLYING
                                                                                  ANNUAL       SAR (S)/               ALL OTHER
  NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION(7)               YEAR     SALARY     BONUS(1)    COMPENSATION  OPTIONS(O)(1)           COMPENSATION
  ------------------------------               ----     ------     --------    ------------  -------------           ------------
<S>                                            <C>    <C>          <C>             <C>        <C>                     <C>
  Samuel J. Heyman                             1997           (7)          (7)          (7)        (7)                       (7)
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer        1996           (7)          (7)          (7)        (7)                       (7)
                                               1995           (7)          (7)          (7)        (7)                       (7)

  Sunil Kumar                                  1997   $293,550             (1)       $ 0      7,609(O)                $16,693(2)
   President and Chief Operating Officer       1996    274,500     $165,000            0      2,190(O)/8,609(S)(8)     13,561(2)
                                               1995    208,336(2)    60,000(2)    28,608(2)   9,201(S)                  8,475(2)

  Danny J. Adair                               1997   $216,686             (1)       $ 0      2,637(O)                $11,286(3)
   President and Chief Executive Officer,      1996    216,686     $ 53,093            0      1,550(O)                  3,972(3)
   U.S. Intec, Inc.                            1995    216,686(3)    25,000            0          0                     3,953(3)

  Donald W. LaPalme                            1997   $162,481             (1)       $ 0      3,076(O)                $16,102(4)
   Senior Vice President-Operations            1996    154,750     $ 59,774            0      1,200(O)                 14,519(4)
                                               1995    148,500       34,000            0          0                    14,381(4)

  Joseph J. Okaly                              1997   $158,242             (1)       $ 0      2,033(O)                $12,960(5)
   Senior Vice President-                      1996    125,000     $ 35,763            0        900(O)                 11,212(5)
   Materials Management                        1995    108,375       22,000            0          0                    10,033(5)

  William W. Collins                           1997   $148,242             (1)       $ 0      8,218(O)                $13,828(6)
   Senior Vice President-Marketing & Sales,    1996    128,000     $ 42,588            0        900(O)                 12,092(6)
   Residential Roofing Products                1995    110,071       20,000            0          0                     9,859(6)
</TABLE>


- -------------

(1)  Bonus amounts are payable pursuant to BMCA's Executive Incentive
     Compensation Program. Bonus amounts for the fiscal year ended December 31,
     1997 have not yet been determined. The stock appreciation rights (S) relate
     to shares of GAF common stock. The options (O) relate to shares of
     redeemable convertible preferred stock of BMCA. See "--Options/SARs."

(2)  Included in "Other Annual Compensation" for Mr. Kumar are $19,897 in
     payment of moving related expenses and a "tax gross-up" of $8,711 in 1995.
     Included in "All Other Compensation" for Mr. Kumar are $11,450, $10,750,
     and $5,664, representing BMCA's contribution to the GAF Capital
     Accumulation Plan in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively; $3,280, $1,636 and
     $1,636 for premiums paid by BMCA for a life insurance policy in 1997, 1996
     and 1995, respectively; and $1,963, $1,175 and $1,175 for the premiums paid
     by BMCA for a long-term disability policy in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
     respectively. Mr. Kumar commenced employment with the Company in February
     1995.

(3)  Included in "All Other Compensation" for Mr. Adair are $3,244, $1,260 and
     $1,260 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, for the premiums paid for a
     life insurance policy; $1,701, $2,212 and $2,193 for premiums paid on a
     long-term disability policy in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively; and
     $6,341, $500 and $500 representing the Company's contribution to the GAF
     Capital Accumulation Plan, in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. USI became
     a subsidiary of the Company in 1995.

(4)  Included in these amounts for Dr. LaPalme are: $11,700, $11,000 and
     $11,000, representing BMCA's contribution under the GAF Capital
     Accumulation Plan in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively; $3,127, $2,754 and
     $2,646 for the premiums paid by BMCA for a life insurance policy in 1997,
     1996 and 1995, respectively; and $1,275, $765 and $735 for the premiums
     paid by BMCA for a long-term disability policy in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
     respectively.

(5)  Included in these amounts for Mr. Okaly are: $10,981, $10,390 and $9,261,
     representing BMCA's contributions under the GAF Capital Accumulation Plan
     in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively; $783, $284 and $267 for the



                                       36
<PAGE>


     premiums paid by BMCA for a life insurance policy in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
     respectively; and $1,196, $538 and $505 for premiums paid by BMCA for a
     long-term disability policy in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

(6)  Included in these amounts for Mr. Collins are: $11,513, $10,633 and $9,859,
     representing BMCA's contribution under the GAF Capital Accumulation Plan in
     1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively; $1,244 and $849 for the premiums paid by
     BMCA for a life insurance policy in 1997 and 1996, respectively; and $1,071
     and $610 for the premiums paid by BMCA for a long-term disability policy in
     1997 and 1996, respectively.

(7)  The salaries and other compensation of Messrs. Heyman, Weinberg and Rogers
     are paid by ISP, an affiliate of BMCA. Mr. Heyman, Mr. Rogers and Mr.
     Weinberg render services to BMCA pursuant to a management agreement. See
     "Certain Relationships--Management." No allocation of compensation for
     services is made pursuant to such management agreement.

(8)  Excluded are options to purchase redeemable preferred stock of ISP Holdings
     Inc. See Note (2) to the second table under "--Options/SARs" below.

OPTIONS/SARS

     The following table summarizes options ("BMCA Preferred Options") to
acquire BMCA's Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock granted during 1997 to the
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table above. No BMCA
Preferred Options were exercised by such persons in 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    BMCA PREFERRED STOCK OPTION
                                                                         GRANTS IN 1997(1)
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     NUMBER OF      % OF TOTAL        POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
                                                    SECURITIES        OPTIONS         ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF BOOK
                                                    UNDERLYING    GRANTED TO ALL           VALUE APPRECIATION
                                                      OPTIONS   EMPLOYEES IN FISCAL   -----------------------------
                                                      GRANTED          1997                5%               10%
                                                    ----------  -------------------   -----------         --------
        <S>                                            <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>     
        Sunil Kumar ...............................    7,609           10.9%             $90,084          $328,506
        Danny J. Adair ............................    2,637            3.8               31,220           113,850
        Donald W. LaPalme .........................    3,076            4.4               36,405           132,756
        Joseph J. Okaly ...........................    2,033            2.9               24,066            87,761
        William W. Collins ........................    2,033            2.9               24,066            87,761
                                                       6,185            8.8               67,920           247,680
</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  The BMCA Preferred Options represent options to purchase shares of
     Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock of BMCA (the "Preferred Stock").
     Each share of Preferred Stock is convertible, at the holder's option, into
     shares of common stock of BMCA at a formula price based on Book Value (as
     defined in the option agreement) as of the date of grant. The BMCA
     Preferred Options vest over seven years from the date of grant. Dividends
     will accrue on the Preferred Stock from the date of issuance at the rate of
     8% per annum. The Preferred Stock is redeemable, at the Company's option,
     for a redemption price equal to the exercise price per share plus accrued
     and unpaid dividends. The common stock of BMCA issuable upon conversion of
     the Preferred Stock is subject to repurchase by the Company under certain
     circumstances, at a price equal to current Book Value. The exercise price
     of the options is equal to the fair value per share of the Preferred Stock
     at the date of grant. The BMCA Preferred Options have no expiration date.
     The potential realizable values are calculated on the basis of a seven-year
     period from the date of grant.

                                       37
<PAGE>

<TABLE>


                BMCA PREFERRED STOCK OPTIONS/GAF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
<CAPTION>

                                                 NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                                                      UNDERLYING
                                                      UNEXERCISED          VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-
                                                    BMCA PREFERRED             MONEY BMCA PREFERRED
                                                OPTIONS(O)/GAF SARS(S)       OPTIONS(O)/GAF SARS(S) AT
                                                    AT 12/31/97 (1)                 12/31/97(3)
       NAME                                    EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE     EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
       ----                                    -------------------------   ---------------------------

       <S>                                <C>                <C>                           <C>
       Sunil Kumar(2)                     3,680/14,130(S)    876/8,923(O)                  (3)
       Danny J. Adair                                        620/3,567(O)                  (3)
       Donald W. LaPalme                                     480/3,796(O)                  (3)
       Joseph J. Okaly                                       360/2,573(O)                  (3)
       William W. Collins                                    360/8,758(O)                  (3)
</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  The stock appreciation rights relating to GAF common stock ("GAF SARs")
     represent the right to receive a cash payment based upon the appreciation
     in value of the specified number of shares of common stock of GAF over the
     determined initial book value per share of common stock of GAF (adjusted
     for the Separation Transactions) and interest on such book value at a
     specified rate. The GAF SARs vest over a five-year period, subject to
     earlier vesting under certain circumstances including in connection with a
     change of control, and have no expiration date.

(2)  Excluded are options to purchase 24,095 shares of redeemable convertible
     preferred stock of ISP Holdings Inc. ("ISP Holdings Options") and 9,201
     stock appreciation rights relating to ISP Holdings common stock("ISP
     Holdings SARs") held by Mr. Kumar. The value of the unexercised ISP
     Holdings Options and ISP Holdings SARs at December 31, 1997 has not yet
     been determined. The ISP Holdings SARs are on substantially the same terms
     as the GAF SARs described in Note (1) above.

(3)  The value of the unexercised GAF SARs and BMCA Preferred Options at
     December 31, 1997 has not yet been determined.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

     The directors of BMCA do not receive any compensation for their services as
such.

                                       38
<PAGE>


         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     All of the outstanding common stock of BMCA (the "Common Stock") is owned
of record by GAFBMC. All of the outstanding common stock of GAFBMC is owned of
record by G Industries, which is 100% owned by G-I Holdings, which in turn is
100% owned by GAF.

     The following table sets forth information with respect to the ownership of
Common Stock, as of January 1, 1998, by each other person known to BMCA to own
beneficially more than 5% of the Common Stock outstanding on that date, by each
director of BMCA and by all executive officers and directors of BMCA as a group.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       AMOUNT AND
                                                                        NATURE OF
                                      NAME AND ADDRESS OF              BENEFICIAL      PERCENT OF    TOTAL VOTING
TITLE OF CLASS                         BENEFICIAL OWNER                 OWNERSHIP        CLASS          POWER
- --------------                        -------------------              -----------    ----------     ------------
<S>                                   <C>                                <C>            <C>            <C> 
Common Stock .......................  Samuel J. Heyman                   1,000,010      100%(1)        100%(1)
                                      1361 Alps Road
                                      Wayne, New Jersey 07470

                                      All directors and executive
                                       officers of BMCA as a
                                       group (9 persons)                 1,000,010      100%(1)        100%(1)
</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  The number of shares shown as being beneficially owned by Mr. Heyman and by
     all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group attributes
     ownership of GAFBMC's shares to Mr. Heyman. As of January 1, 1998, Mr.
     Heyman beneficially owned approximately 96.7% of the capital stock of GAF.


                                       39


<PAGE>

                              CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS

MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS

     Pursuant to a management agreement which expires December 31, 1998, ISP
(which is controlled by BMCA's Chief Executive Officer, Samuel J. Heyman)
provides certain general management, administrative and facilities services to
BMCA and USI (including the use of BMCA's headquarters in Wayne, New Jersey),
for which BMCA and USI paid ISP management fees of $3.9 million in 1996. In
addition to the management fee, BMCA paid approximately $0.8 million to ISP in
1996 primarily for telecommunications and information services and approximately
$0.3 million to ISP in 1996 for certain legal services, which in each case were
not then contemplated by the management agreement. In connection with the
Separation Transactions, BMCA and ISP modified the management agreement to
incorporate such services into the management agreement and, in that connection,
increased the management fee payable by the Company to ISP to $4.7 million for
1997. Effective January 1, 1998, the term of the management agreement was
extended through the end of 1998, and BMCA and ISP further modified the
agreement to provide for separate lease payments by BMCA for the use of BMCA's
headquarters and to adjust the management fees payable to ISP by the Company
under the management agreement to approximately $3.3 million for 1998. Certain
of BMCA's executive officers receive their compensation from ISP, with ISP being
indirectly reimbursed therefor by virtue of the management fee.

     As of January 1, 1997, BMCA and GFC entered into a management agreement
under which BMCA provides certain general management, administrative and
financial services to GFC. Under the management agreement which expires December
31, 1998, GFC is obligated to pay BMCA an annual management fee of $1,000,000.

     Due to the unique nature of the services provided under the management
agreements, comparisons with third party arrangements are difficult. However,
BMCA believes that the terms of each of the management agreements taken as a
whole are no less favorable to BMCA than could be obtained from an unaffiliated
third party.

CERTAIN PURCHASES

     BMCA purchases from ISP all of its colored mineral granules requirements,
except for the requirements of its California roofing plant, under a supply
contract which was renewed for one year, effective as of January 1, 1997, and is
subject to annual renewal unless terminated by BMCA or ISP. In December 1995,
USI commenced purchasing substantially all of its requirements for colored
roofing granules from ISP (except for the requirements of its Stockton,
California and Corvallis, Oregon plants which are supplied by a third party)
pursuant to a supply contract. In 1996, BMCA and USI purchased in the aggregate
approximately $50.5 million of mineral products from ISP.

     As part of the Separation Transactions, the Company transferred to GFC its
Nashville, Tennessee facility, which manufactures a significant portion of the
Company's glass fiber requirements, and entered into a supply contract with GFC
under which GFC produces glass fiber for the Company on terms which the Company
believes are at least as favorable to the Company as could be obtained from an
unaffiliated third party.

TAX SHARING AGREEMENT

     BMCA and its subsidiaries have entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with
GAF and G-I Holdings with respect to the payment of federal income taxes and
certain related matters (the "Tax Sharing Agreement"). During the term of the
Tax Sharing Agreement, which shall be effective for the period during which BMCA
or any of its domestic subsidiaries is included in a consolidated federal income
tax return filed by GAF, BMCA is obligated to pay G-I Holdings an amount equal
to those federal income taxes BMCA would have incurred if BMCA (on behalf of
itself and its domestic subsidiaries) filed its own federal income tax return.
Unused tax attributes will carryforward for use in reducing amounts payable by
BMCA to G-I Holdings in future years, but cannot be carried back. Were BMCA to
leave the GAF consolidated tax group (the "GAF Group"), it would be required to
pay to G-I Holdings the value of any tax attributes it would succeed to under
the consolidated return regulations to the extent such attributes reduced the
amounts otherwise payable by BMCA under the Tax Sharing Agreement. Under certain
circumstances, the provisions of the Tax Sharing Agreement could result in BMCA
having a greater liability thereunder than it would have had if it (and its
domestic subsidiaries) had filed its own separate federal income tax return.
Under the Tax Sharing Agreement, BMCA and each of its domestic subsidiaries are
responsible for any taxes that would be payable by reason of any adjustment to
the tax returns of GAF or its subsidiaries for years prior to the adoption of
the Tax Sharing Agreement that relate to the business or assets of BMCA or any
domestic subsidiary of BMCA. Although, as 

                                       40
<PAGE>


a member of the GAF Group, BMCA is severally liable for all federal income tax
liabilities of the GAF Group, including tax liabilities not related to the
business of BMCA, G-I Holdings and GAF have agreed to indemnify BMCA and its
subsidiaries for all tax liabilities of the GAF Group other than tax liabilities
(i) arising from the operations of BMCA and its domestic subsidiaries and (ii)
for tax years pre-dating the Tax Sharing Agreement that relate to the business
or assets of BMCA and its domestic subsidiaries. The Tax Sharing Agreement
provides for analogous principles to be applied to any consolidated, combined or
unitary state or local income taxes. Under the Tax Sharing Agreement, GAF makes
all decisions with respect to all matters relating to taxes of the GAF Group.
The provisions of the Tax Sharing Agreement take into account both the federal
income taxes BMCA would have incurred if it filed its own separate federal
income tax return and the fact that BMCA is a member of the GAF Group for
federal income tax purposes.

INTERCOMPANY BORROWINGS

     BMCA makes loans to, and borrows from, G-I Holdings and its subsidiaries
from time to time at prevailing market rates (between 5.68% and 6.03% per annum
during 1996). The highest amount of loans made by BMCA to G-I Holdings during
1996 was $45.4 million and the highest amount of loans made to BMCA by G-I
Holdings and its subsidiaries during 1996 was $24.3 million. As of September 28,
1997, no loans were owed to BMCA by G-I Holdings and no loans were owed by BMCA
to affiliates. In addition, BMCA makes non-interest bearing advances to
affiliates, of which $27.2 million were outstanding at September 28, 1997.

     Prior to the consummation of the Separation Transactions, letters of credit
for the benefit of BMCA were provided under ISP's revolving credit agreement.
The highest amount of such letters of credit during 1996 was $0.1 million.

                                       41

<PAGE>

                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER

PURPOSE AND EFFECT

     The Old Notes were issued by BMCA on October 20, 1997. In connection
therewith, BMCA entered into the Indenture and the Registration Agreement, which
agreements require that BMCA file a registration statement under the Securities
Act with respect to the New Notes and, upon the effectiveness of such
registration statement, offer to the holders of the Old Notes the opportunity to
exchange their Old Notes for a like principal amount of New Notes, which will be
issued without a restrictive legend and, except as set forth below, may be
reoffered and resold by the holders without registration under the Securities
Act. Upon the completion of the Exchange Offer, BMCA's obligations with respect
to the registration of the Old Notes and the New Notes will terminate, except as
provided below. A copy of the Indenture and the Registration Agreement have been
filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part. As a result of the filing and the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, certain prospective increases in the interest rate on the Old Notes
provided for in the Registration Agreement will not occur. Following the
completion of the Exchange Offer, holders of Old Notes not tendered will not
have any further registration rights, except as provided below, and the Old
Notes will continue to be subject to certain restrictions on transfer.
Accordingly, the liquidity of the market for the Old Notes could be adversely
affected upon completion of the Exchange Offer.

     Based on an interpretation by the staff of the Commission set forth in
no-action letters issued to third parties, the Company believes that New Notes
issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Notes may be offered
for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by a holder (other than any such
holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act) without compliance with registration and prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such holder represents
to the Company that (i) such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of
business of such holder, (ii) such holder is not engaging in and does not intend
to engage in a distribution of such New Notes and (iii) such holder has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution
of such New Notes. Any holder who tenders in the Exchange Offer for the purpose
of participating in a distribution of the New Notes cannot rely on such
interpretation by the staff of the Commission and must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with a secondary resale transaction. Each broker-dealer that receives
New Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes
were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or
other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of
such New Notes. See "Plan of Distribution."

     In the event that any holder of Old Notes would not receive freely
tradeable New Notes in the Exchange Offer or is not eligible to participate in
the Exchange Offer, such holder can elect, by so indicating on the Letter of
Transmittal and providing certain additional necessary information, to have such
holder's Old Notes registered in a "shelf" registration statement on an
appropriate form pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. In the event
that the Company is obligated to file a "shelf" registration statement, it will
be required to keep such "shelf" registration statement effective for a period
of two years or such shorter period that will terminate when all of the Old
Notes covered by such registration statement have been sold pursuant thereto.
Other than as set forth in this paragraph, no holder will have the right to
require the Company to register such holder's Notes under the Securities Act.
See "Procedures for Tendering."

CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE

     Following the completion of the Exchange Offer holders of Old Notes not
tendered will not have any further registration rights, except as set forth
above, and the Old Notes will continue to be subject to certain restrictions on
transfer. Accordingly, the liquidity of the market for a holder's Old Notes
could be adversely affected upon completion of the Exchange Offer if such holder
does not participate in the Exchange Offer. 

TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

     Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus
and in the Letter of Transmittal, the Company will accept any and all Old Notes
validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time,
on the Expiration Date. The Company will issue $1,000 principal amount of New
Notes in exchange for


                                       42
<PAGE>


each $1,000 principal amount of outstanding Old Notes accepted in the Exchange
Offer. Holders may tender some or all of their Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer. However, Old Notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of
$1,000 in principal amount.

     The form and terms of New Notes are the same as the form and terms of the
Old Notes, except that the New Notes have been registered under the Securities
Act and hence will not bear legends restricting the transfer thereof. The New
Notes will evidence the same debt as the Old Notes and will be issued pursuant
to, and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture pursuant to which the Old
Notes were issued and will be deemed one issue of notes, together with the Old
Notes.

     As of the date of this Prospectus, $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of the Old Notes were outstanding. This Prospectus, together with the Letter of
Transmittal, is being sent to all registered holders and to others believed to
have beneficial interests in the Old Notes. Holders of Old Notes do not have any
appraisal or dissenters' rights in connection with the Exchange Offer under the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or the Indenture. The Company
intends to conduct the Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

     The Company shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Old Notes
when, as, and if the Company has given oral or written notice thereof to the
Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will act as agent for the tendering holders
for the purpose of receiving the New Notes from the Company. If any tendered Old
Notes are not accepted for exchange because of an invalid tender, the occurrence
of certain other events set forth herein or otherwise, certificates for any such
unaccepted Old Notes will be returned, without expense, to the tendering holder
thereof as promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date.

     Holders who tender Old Notes in the Exchange Offer will not be required to
pay brokerage commissions or fees or, except as set forth below under
"--Transfer Taxes," transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of Old Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Company will pay all charges and expenses,
other than certain applicable taxes, in connection with the Exchange Offer. See
"--Fees and Expenses" below.

EXPIRATION DATE; AMENDMENTS

     The term "Expiration Date" shall mean 12:00 midnight, New York City time,
on March 10, 1998, unless the Company, in its sole discretion, extends the
Exchange Offer (in which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the later
date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended). The Company does not
intend to extend the Exchange Offer although it reserves the right to do so by
giving oral or written notice of such extension to the Exchange Agent and by
giving each registered holder notice by means of a press release or other public
announcement of any extension, in each case, prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City
time, on the next business day after the scheduled Expiration Date. The Company
also reserves the right, in its sole discretion, (i) to delay accepting any Old
Notes or, if any of the conditions set forth below under "--Conditions" shall
not have been satisfied or waived, to terminate the Exchange Offer or (ii) to
amend the terms of the Exchange Offer in any manner, by giving oral or written
notice of such delay or termination to the Exchange Agent, and by complying with
Rule 14e-1(d) promulgated under the Exchange Act to the extent such Rule
applies. The Company acknowledges and undertakes to comply with the provisions
of Rule 14e-1(c) promulgated under the Exchange Act, which requires the Company
to pay the consideration offered, or return the Old Notes surrendered for
exchange, promptly after the termination or withdrawal of the Exchange Offer.
Any such extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly as
practicable by a notice to holders of Old Notes.

PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING

     Only a registered holder of Old Notes may tender such Old Notes in the
Exchange Offer. To tender in the Exchange Offer, a registered holder must
complete, sign, and date the Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, have
the signatures thereon guaranteed if required by the Letter of Transmittal, and
mail or otherwise deliver such Letter of Transmittal or such facsimile to the
Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date. In addition, either (i)
certificates for such Old Notes must be received by the Exchange Agent along
with the Letter of Transmittal, or (ii) a timely confirmation of a book-entry
transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of such Old Notes, if such procedure is


                                       43
<PAGE>


available, into the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company
(the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility") pursuant to the procedure for book-entry
transfer described below, must be received by the Exchange Agent prior to the
Expiration Date, or (iii) the registered holder must comply with the guaranteed
delivery procedures described below. To be tendered effectively, the Letter of
Transmittal and other required documents must be received by the Exchange Agent
at the address set forth below under "Exchange Agent" prior to the Expiration
Date.

     The tender by a registered holder which is not withdrawn prior to the
Expiration Date will constitute an agreement between such holder and the Company
in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and
in the Letter of Transmittal.

     THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD NOTES AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF
THE HOLDER. INSTEAD OF DELIVERY BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HOLDERS USE AN
OVERNIGHT OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE
ALLOWED TO ASSURE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE. NO
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR OLD NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMPANY. HOLDERS MAY
REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE BROKERS, DEALERS, COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES, OR
NOMINEES TO EFFECT THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS FOR SUCH HOLDERS.

     Any beneficial owner whose Old Notes are registered in the name of a
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, or other nominee and who wishes
to tender should contact the registered holder promptly and instruct such
registered holder to tender on such beneficial owner's behalf. If such
beneficial owner wishes to tender on such owner's own behalf, such owner must,
prior to completing and executing the Letter of Transmittal and delivering such
owner's Old Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of
the Old Notes in such beneficial owner's name or obtain a properly completed
bond power from the registered holder. The transfer of registered ownership may
take considerable time.

     Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined below)
unless (A) Old Notes tendered pursuant hereto are tendered (i) by a registered
holder who has not completed the box entitled "Special Registration
Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or
(ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution and (B) the box entitled
"Special Registration Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal has not been
completed. In the event that signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice
of withdrawal, as the case may be, are required to be guaranteed, such guarantee
must be by a financial institution (including most banks, savings and loan
associations and brokerage houses) that is a participant in the Securities
Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program
or the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (each an "Eligible Institution").

     If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder of any Old Notes listed therein, such Old Notes must be
endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed bond power and signed by such
registered holder as such registered holder's name appears on such Old Notes.

     If the Letter of Transmittal or any Old Notes or bond powers are signed by
trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of
corporations, or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by the Company
evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act must be
submitted with the Letter of Transmittal.

     All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance, and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes will be determined by
the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be final and
binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Old Notes
not properly tendered or any Old Notes the Company's acceptance of which would,
in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful. The Company also
reserves the right to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender
as to particular Old Notes. The Company's interpretation of the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in the Letter of
Transmittal) will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, defects or
irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Notes must be cured within such
time as the Company shall determine. Although the Company intends to notify
holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Old Notes,
neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall incur any
liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Old


                                       44
<PAGE>


Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities
have been cured or waived. Any Old Notes received by the Exchange Agent that are
not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not
been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the tendering
holders, unless otherwise provided in the Letter of Transmittal, as soon as
practicable following the Expiration Date.

     In addition, the Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to
purchase or make offers for, or to offer New Notes for, any Old Notes that
remain outstanding subsequent to the Expiration Date or, as set forth below
under "Conditions," to terminate the Exchange Offer and, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, purchase Old Notes in the open market, in privately
negotiated transactions or otherwise. The terms of any such purchases or offers
could differ from the terms of the Exchange Offer.

     By tendering, each holder will represent to the Company that, among other
things, (i) the New Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being
acquired in the ordinary course of business of such holder, (ii) the holder is
not engaging in and does not intend to engage in a distribution of such New
Notes, (iii) the holder does not have an arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in the distribution of such New Notes and (iv) the holder
is not an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the
Company.

     In all cases, issuance of New Notes for Old Notes that are accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt
by the Exchange Agent of certificates for such Old Notes or a timely Book-Entry
Confirmation of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal and all other required documents. If any tendered Old Notes are not
accepted for any reason set forth in the terms and conditions of the Exchange
Offer or if Old Notes are submitted for a greater principal amount than the
holder desires to exchange, such unaccepted or non-exchanged Old Notes (or Old
Notes in substitution therefor) will be returned without expense to the
tendering holder thereof (or, in the case of Old Notes tendered by book-entry
transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility
pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures described below, such
non-exchanged Old Notes will be credited to such tendering holder's account
maintained with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility) as promptly as practicable
after the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.

BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER

     The Exchange Agent will make a request to establish an account with respect
to the Old Notes at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility for purposes of the
Exchange Offer within two business days after receipt of this Prospectus, and
any financial institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility's system may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes by causing the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Old Notes into the Exchange
Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility in accordance with such
Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedures for transfer. However, although
delivery of Old Notes may be effected through book-entry transfer at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility, the Letter of Transmittal or facsimile thereof,
with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, must,
in any case, be transmitted to and received by the Exchange Agent at the address
set forth below under "Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date or the
guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be complied with.

GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES

     If a registered holder of the Old Notes desires to tender such Old Notes
and such Old Notes are not immediately available, or time will not permit such
holder's Old Notes or other required documents to reach the Exchange Agent
before the Expiration Date, or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be
completed on a timely basis, a tender may be effected if (i) the tender is made
through an Eligible Institution, (ii) on or prior to 12:00 midnight, New York
City time, on the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such
Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery,
substantially in the form provided by the Company (by facsimile transmission (if
available to such holder), mail or hand delivery), setting forth the name and
address of the holder of Old Notes and the amount of Old Notes tendered, stating
that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that within three New
York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") trading days after the date of execution of the
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the certificates for all physically tendered Old
Notes, in proper form for transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case
may be, and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal will be
deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent, and (iii) the


                                       45
<PAGE>


certificates for all physically tendered Old Notes, in proper form for transfer,
or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, and all other documents
required by the Letter of Transmittal, are received by the Exchange Agent within
three NYSE trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery.

WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS

     Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 12:00 midnight,
New York City time, on the Expiration Date.

     For a withdrawal of a tender of Old Notes to be effective, a written or
facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by the Exchange
Agent at its address set forth below under "Exchange Agent" prior to 12:00
midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Any such notice of
withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the person having deposited the Old
Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"), (ii) identify the Old Notes to be
withdrawn (including the certificate number or numbers and principal amount of
such Old Notes), (iii) be signed by the holder in the same manner as the
original signature on the Letter of Transmittal by which such Old Notes were
tendered (including any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by
documents of transfer sufficient to have the Trustee register the transfer of
such Old Notes into the name of the person withdrawing the tender, and (iv)
specify the name in which any such Old Notes are to be registered, if different
from that of the Depositor. All questions as to the validity, form, and
eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by
the Company, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any
Old Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for
exchange for purposes of the Exchange Offer. Any Old Notes which have been
tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged for any reason will be
returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder as soon as
practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender, or termination of the
Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by following one
of the procedures described under "Procedures for Tendering" above at any time
on or prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date.

CONDITIONS

     Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchange Offer and subject to
its obligations pursuant to the Registration Agreement, the Company shall not be
required to accept for exchange, or to issue New Notes in exchange for, any Old
Notes and may terminate or amend the Exchange Offer, if at any time before the
acceptance of such New Notes for exchange any of the following events shall
occur:

          A. any injunction, order or decree shall have been issued by any court
     or any governmental agency that would prohibit, prevent or otherwise
     materially impair the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange
     Offer; or

          B. the Exchange Offer shall violate any applicable law or any
     applicable interpretation of the staff of the Commission.

     The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be
asserted by the Company regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such
condition or may be waived by the Company in whole or in part at any time and
from time to time in its sole discretion. The failure by the Company at any time
to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such
right and such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at
any time and from time to time.

     In addition, the Company will not accept for exchange any Old Notes
tendered, and no New Notes will be issued in exchange for any such Old Notes, if
at such time any stop order shall be threatened by the Commission or be in
effect with respect to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part or the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended.

     The Exchange Offer is not conditioned on any minimum principal amount of
Old Notes being tenderedfor exchange.

ASSISTANCE

     All executed Letters of Transmittal should be directed to the Exchange
Agent. Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange
Agent as provided below under "Exchange Agent."


                                       46
<PAGE>


EXCHANGE AGENT

     The Bank of New York has been appointed as Exchange Agent for the Exchange
Offer. Questions, requests for assistance and requests for additional copies of
the Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal and other related documents should be
directed to the Exchange Agent addressed as follows:

                    By Registered or Certified Mail, by Hand
                            or by Overnight Courier:
                              The Bank of New York
                              101 Barclay Street-7E
                            New York, New York 10286
                          Attn: Reorganization Section

By Facsimile:                                                     By Telephone:
(212) 815-6339                                                   (212) 815-2791

     The Exchange Agent also acts as trustee under the Indenture.

FEES AND EXPENSES

     The Company will not make any payments to brokers, dealers, or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The principal solicitation is
being made by mail; however, additional solicitations may be made in person or
by telephone by officers and employees of the Company.

     The estimated cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange
Offer will be paid by the Company and are estimated in the aggregate to be
approximately $250,000 which includes fees and expenses of the Exchange Agent,
accounting, legal, printing and related fees and expenses.

TRANSFER TAXES

     Holders who tender their Old Notes for exchange will not be obligated to
pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith, except that holders who instruct
the Company to register New Notes in the name of, or request that Old Notes not
tendered or not accepted in the Exchange Offer be returned to, a person other
than the registered tendering holder will be responsible for the payment of any
applicable transfer tax thereon.

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

     The Company will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes
upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer. The expense of the Exchange Offer
will be amortized by the Company over the term of the New Notes under generally
accepted accounting principles.


                                       47


<PAGE>

                          DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NOTES

GENERAL

     The Old Notes were issued under an Indenture dated as of October 20, 1997
(the "Indenture") between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the
"Trustee"). A copy of the Indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The New Notes also
will be issued under the Indenture, which will be qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"), upon the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement. The form and terms of the New Notes and the Old Notes
are the same except that the New Notes have been registered under the Securities
Act and, therefore, will not bear legends restricting the transfer thereof.

     The following summary of certain provisions of the Indenture does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the TIA, and to all of the provisions of the Indenture, including
the definitions of certain terms therein and those terms made a part of the
Indenture by reference to the TIA as in effect on the date of the Indenture. The
definitions of certain capitalized terms used in the following summary are set
forth under "Certain Definitions." As used herein, "Company" means BMCA and does
not include its Subsidiaries.

     The New Notes will be issued in fully registered form only, without
coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Initially,
the Trustee will act as Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes. The Notes may
be presented for registration or transfer and exchange at the offices of the
Registrar, which initially will be the Trustee's corporate trust office. The
Company may change any Paying Agent and Registrar without notice to holders of
the Notes (the "Holders"). The Company will pay principal (and premium, if any)
on the Notes at the Trustee's principal corporate trust office in New York, New
York. At the Company's option, interest may be paid at the Trustee's principal
corporate trust office or by check mailed to the registered address of Holders.
Any Old Notes that remain outstanding after the completion of the Exchange
Offer, together with the New Notes issued in connection with the Exchange Offer,
will be treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture.

     The Notes will be general unsecured obligations of the Company and will
rank senior to all subordinated indebtedness of the Company and pari passu in
right of payment to the Deferred Coupon Notes, the 2006 Notes and to all other
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Notes will be effectively
subordinated to all secured indebtedness of the Company to the extent of the
assets securing such indebtedness and to all indebtedness and other obligations
of the Company's subsidiaries. See Note 9 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST

     The Notes will mature on October 15, 2007 and will be limited to
$100,000,000 in aggregate principal amount.

     Interest on the Notes will accrue at the rate of 8% per annum, payable
semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year commencing April 15, 1998
to the holders of record at the close of business on the April 1 or October 1
immediately preceding the interest payment date.

     If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay
the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest
payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a
subsequent special record date. Such special record date shall be the fifteenth
day next preceding the date fixed by the Company for the payment of defaulted
interest, whether or not such day is a business day. At least 15 days before the
special record date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed to each Holder
and the Trustee a notice that states the special record date, the payment date
and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

     The Company shall have the right to redeem all, but not less than all, of
the Notes upon a Change of Control. See "--Change of Control Put and Call." The
Notes are not otherwise subject to redemption at the option ofthe Company.

     Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months.

     The Notes will not have the benefit of a sinking fund.

CHANGE OF CONTROL PUT AND CALL

       In the event of any Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right,
at such Holder's option, to require the Company to purchase all or any portion
(in integral multiples of $1,000) of such Holder's Notes on the date (the


                                       48
<PAGE>


"Change of Control Payment Date") which is 25 business days after the date the
Change of Control Notice (as defined below) is mailed or is required to be
mailed (or such later date as is required by applicable law) at 101% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest to the Change of Control Payment
Date.

     The Company or, at the request of the Company, the Trustee shall send, by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders, within ten business days
after the occurrence of each Change of Control, a notice of the occurrence of
such Change of Control (the "Change of Control Notice"), specifying a date by
which a Holder must notify the Company of such Holder's intention to exercise
the repurchase right and describing the procedure that such Holder must follow
to exercise such right. The Company is required to deliver a copy of such notice
to the Trustee.

     Each Change of Control Notice shall state: (1) that the change of control
offer is being made pursuant to this covenant and that all Notes tendered will
be accepted for payment; (2) the purchase price and the Change of Control
Payment Date; (3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;
(4) that, unless the Company defaults in making payment therefor, any Note
accepted for payment pursuant to the change of control offer shall cease to
accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date; (5) that Holders
electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to a change of control offer will be
required to surrender the Note in accordance with the instructions set forth
therein;(6) that the Company has the right, pursuant to provisions described in
the next paragraph, to purchase any Notes not tendered at the Call Price; and
(7) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change of Control.

     In the event a Change of Control occurs, the Company may purchase all, but
not less than all, of the Notes then outstanding, at a price equal to 100% of
the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to the date of purchase, plus
the Applicable Premium (the "Call Price"). Notice of any purchase to be made
pursuant to this paragraph as a result of the occurrence of a Change of Control
must be given no later than 10 days after the Change of Control Payment Date
applicable to the Change of Control giving rise to such redemption, and
redemption must be made within 30 days of the date of the notice.

     The Company shall comply with all applicable federal and state securities
laws in connection with each Change of Control Notice.

     The Company's ability to pay cash to Noteholders upon a repurchase may be
limited by its then existing financial resources and the terms of its debt
instruments. See "Risk Factors--Substantial Leverage" and "--Change of
Control--Acceleration of Debt". 

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

     Set forth below is a summary of certain defined terms used in the
Indenture. Reference is made to the Indenture for the full definition of all
such terms.

     "Acquired Debt", with respect to any Person, means (i) Debt (including any
then unutilized commitment under any revolving working capital facility) of an
entity, which entity is acquired by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries after
the Issue Date; provided that such Debt (including any such facility) is
outstanding at the time of the acquisition of such entity, is not created in
contemplation of such acquisition and is not, directly or indirectly, recourse
(including by way of set-off) to such Person or its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective assets other than to the entity and its Subsidiaries so acquired and
the assets of the entity and its Subsidiaries so acquired, (ii) Debt of such
Person that is not, directly or indirectly, recourse (including by way of
set-off) to such Person and its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets
other than to specified assets acquired by such Person or its Subsidiaries after
the Issue Date, which Debt is outstanding at the time of the acquisition of such
assets and is not created in contemplation of such acquisition, or (iii)
Refinancings of Debt described in clause (i) or (ii), provided that the recourse
with respect to such Refinancing Debt is limited to the same extent as the Debt
so Refinanced.

     "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" having meanings correlative to the foregoing. For
the avoidance of doubt, ISP Holdings and its Affiliates (so long as they are
under common control with the Company) shall be deemed to be Affiliates of the
Company.

     "Applicable Premium" means, with respect to any Note, the greater of (x)
1.0% of the principal amount of such Note and (y) the excess, if any, of (a) the
present value of the remaining interest payments, principal and future 


                                       49
<PAGE>


optional redemption premium (if applicable) of such Note, discounted on a
semi-annual bond equivalent basis from the maturity date of the Note to the
applicable date of purchase at a per annum interest rate equal to the Treasury
Yield for such redemption date plus 100 basis points, over (b) the sum of the
principal amount of such Note plus accrued and unpaid interest to the purchase
date.

     "Asset Sale" means, with respect to any Person, the sale, lease, assignment
or other disposition (including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to
any consolidation, merger or sale and leaseback transaction) by such Person or
any of its Subsidiaries in any single transaction or series of related
transactions which consists of the disposition of (i) any Capital Stock of any
Subsidiary or (ii) all or substantially all of the properties and assets of any
division or line of business of such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person
(other than of a Non-Recourse Subsidiary) to any other Person which is not the
Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. For the purposes of this definition, the
term "Asset Sale" shall not include (A) any sale, lease, assignment or other
disposition of properties or assets that is governed by the provisions under
"Merger, Etc." or (B) any sale, lease, assignment or other disposition by a
Person that has outstanding senior debt securities all of which (I) are rated
BBB- or higher by S&P and have not been placed on credit watch by S&P for a
possible downgrade or (II) are rated Baa3 or higher by Moody's and have not been
placed on credit watch by Moody's for a possible downgrade.

     "Average Life" means, with respect to any Debt, the quotient obtained by
dividing (i) the sum of the products of (a) the number of years from the date of
the transaction or event giving rise to the need to calculate the Average Life
of such Debt to the date, or dates, of each successive scheduled principal
payment of such Debt multiplied by (b) the amount of each such principal payment
by (ii) the sum of all such principal payments.

     "Board Resolution" means, with respect to the Board of Directors of any
Person, a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary
of such Person to have been duly adopted by such Board of Directors and to be in
full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the
Trustee.

     "Capitalized Lease Obligation" means any rental obligation that, in
accordance with GAAP, is required to be classified and accounted for as a
capitalized lease and the amount of Debt represented by such obligation shall be
the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP;
and the stated maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or
any other amount due in respect of such obligation.

     "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests
(including partnership interests), warrants, rights, options or other interests,
participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated)
equity of such Person, including common or preferred stock, whether now
outstanding or issued after the Issue Date, but excluding any debt securities
convertible into or exchangeable for such equity.

     "Cash Equivalents" means (i) marketable direct obligations Issued by, or
unconditionally Guaranteed by, the United States Government or Issued by any
agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in
each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof, (ii)
marketable direct obligations Issued by any state of the United States of
America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public
instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings
obtainable from either S&P or Moody's, (iii) commercial paper maturing no more
than one year from the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition,
having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody's, (iv)
certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances maturing within one year from
the date of acquisition thereof Issued by any commercial bank organized under
the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of
Columbia or any U.S. branch of a foreign bank having at the date of acquisition
thereof combined capital surplus of not less than $500,000,000, (v) Eurodollar
time deposits maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and
issued or accepted by any commercial bank having at the date of acquisition
thereof combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000, (vi)
repurchase obligations with a term of not more than thirty days for underlying
securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered into with any bank
meeting the qualifications specified in clause (iv) above and (vii) investments
in money market funds having assets in excess of $500,000,000 and which invest
substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in clauses
(i) through (vi) above.

     "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events:

          (i) prior to the time that at least 15% of the then outstanding Voting
     Stock of Parent, the Company, or any Subsidiary of Parent of which the
     Company is also a Subsidiary is publicly traded on a national securities


                                       50
<PAGE>


     exchange or in the NASDAQ (national market system), the Permitted Holders
     cease to be the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5
     under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of majority voting power
     of the Voting Stock of the Company, whether as a result of issuance of
     securities of the Company or any of its Affiliates, any merger,
     consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the Company or any of its
     Affiliates, any direct or indirect transfer of securities by any Permitted
     Holder or by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or otherwise (for purposes
     of this clause (i) and clause (ii) below, the Permitted Holders shall be
     deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a corporation (the
     "specified corporation") held by any other corporation (the "parent
     corporation") so long as the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as so
     defined), directly or indirectly, a majority of the Voting Stock of the
     parent corporation);

          (ii) any "Person" (as such term is used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
     the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or becomes
     the beneficial owner (as defined in clause (i) above, except that a Person
     shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all shares that any such
     Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable
     immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of
     more than 35% of the Voting Stock of Parent or the Company; provided that
     the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as defined in clause (i) above),
     directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the Voting
     Stock of Parent or the Company than such other Person and do not have the
     right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or
     designate for election a majority of the Board of Directors of Parent or
     the Company; or

          (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at
     the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of the
     Company (together with any new directors whose election by such Board or
     whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company including
     predecessors, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the
     Company then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of
     such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so
     approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of
     Directors of the Company, then in office.

     "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to
time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time after the
execution of the Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties at such time.

     "Common Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests,
participations, or other equivalents (however designated) of such Person's
common stock whether now outstanding or issued after the Issue Date.

     "Company" means Building Materials Corporation of America, a Delaware
corporation, and its successors.

     "Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio" with respect to any Person for any
period means the ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of EBITDA of such Person for
such period to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such
period; provided that (A) if such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person has
Issued any Debt or Capital Stock since the beginning of such period that remains
outstanding on the date such calculation is made or if the transaction giving
rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio is an
Issuance of Debt or Capital Stock, or both, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest
Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect, on a pro forma
basis, to the issuance of such Debt or Capital Stock as if such Debt or Capital
Stock had been Issued on the first day of such period and the discharge of any
other Debt or Capital Stock Refinanced or otherwise discharged with the proceeds
of such new Debt or Capital Stock as if such discharge had occurred on the first
day of such period, (B) if since the beginning of such period such Person or any
Subsidiary of such Person shall have made any asset sales out of the ordinary
course of business, EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal
to the EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which are the
subject of such asset sale for such period, or increased by an amount equal to
the EBITDA (if negative), directly attributable thereto for such period and
Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be reduced by an amount
equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense directly attributable to any Debt or
Capital Stock of such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person Refinanced or
otherwise discharged with respect to such Person and its continuing Subsidiaries
(including as a result of the assumption of such Debt or Capital Stock by the
purchaser of such assets, provided that such Person or any of its Subsidiaries
is no longer liable therefor) in connection with such asset sales for such
period (or if the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of such Person is sold, the
Consolidated Interest Expense for such period directly attributable to the Debt
of such Subsidiary to the extent such Person and its continuing Subsidiaries are
no longer liable for such Debt after such sale) and (C) if since the beginning
of the period such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person (by merger or
otherwise) shall have 


                                       51
<PAGE>


made an Investment in any Subsidiary of such Person (or any Person which becomes
a Subsidiary of such Person) or an acquisition of assets, including any
acquisition of assets occurring in connection with a transaction causing a
calculation to be made hereunder, which constitutes all of an operating unit of
a business, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be
calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto, as if such Investment or
acquisition occurred on the first day of such period. For purposes of this
definition, pro forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a
responsible financial or accounting officer of the Person with respect to which
the calculation is being made. If any Debt or Capital Stock bears a floating
rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Debt
and the dividends on such Capital Stock shall be calculated as if the rate in
effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire
period.

     "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, with respect to any Person, for any
period, the sum of (a) the interest expense of such Person and its consolidated
Subsidiaries (other than interest expense related to Non-Recourse Debt) for such
period as determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, plus the
amount of all dividends paid or accrued on any series of Preferred Stock (other
than non-Redeemable Stock) of such Person and its Subsidiaries (other than
Non-Recourse Subsidiaries).

     "Consolidated Net Income (Loss)" means, with respect to any Person, for any
period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of such Person and its
consolidated Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP,
adjusted to the extent included in calculating such net income (or loss), by
excluding (i) all extraordinary gains in such period net of all extraordinary
losses in such period; (ii) net income (or loss) of any other Person
attributable to any period prior to the date of combination of such other Person
with such Person or any of its Subsidiaries on a "pooling of interests" basis;
(iii) net gains or losses in respect of dispositions of assets by such Person or
any of its Subsidiaries (including pursuant to a sale-and-leaseback arrangement)
other than in the ordinary course of business; (iv) the net income (loss) of any
Subsidiary of such Person to the extent that the declaration of dividends or
distributions by that Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted,
directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any
agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental
regulations applicable to that Subsidiary or its shareholders; (v) the net
income (or net loss) of any other Person that is not a Subsidiary of the first
Person with respect to which Consolidated Net Income is being calculated (the
"first Person") and in which any other Person (other than such first Person and
or any of its Subsidiaries) has an equity interest or of a Non-Recourse
Subsidiary of such first Person, except to the extent of the amount of dividends
or other distributions actually paid or made to such first Person or any of its
Subsidiaries by such other Person during such period (subject, in the case of a
dividend or distribution received by a Subsidiary of such first Person, to the
limitations contained in clause (iv) above); (vi) any interest income resulting
from loans or investments in Affiliates, other than cash interest income
actually received; (vii) any reserve established at the time the Company's
Affiliates first acquired USI; and (viii) the cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principles. In determining Consolidated Net Income (Loss), gains or
losses resulting from the early retirement, extinguishment or refinancing of
indebtedness for money borrowed, including any fees and expenses associated
therewith, shall be deducted or added back, respectively.

     "Consolidated Net Worth" of any Person means, at any date, all amounts that
would, in conformity with GAAP, be included under shareholders' equity on a
consolidated balance sheet of such Person as at such date less (to the extent
otherwise included therein) any amounts attributable to Redeemable Stock.

     "Credit Agreement" means the credit agreement, dated as of August 29, 1997,
among the Company, the Lenders party thereto and The Bank of New York, as
administrative agent, as amended and supplemented from time to time.

     "Debt" of any Person means, without duplication, (i) the principal in
respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (B)
indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments
for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable (other than those
payable to government agencies to defer the payment of workers' compensation
liabilities, taxes, assessments or other obligations, and provided in the
ordinary course of business of such Person); (ii) all Capital Lease Obligations
of such Person; (iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the
deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of such
Person and all obligations of such Person under any title retention agreement
(but excluding trade accounts payable and other accrued current liabilities
arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of such Person
for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, bankers'
acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to
letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i)
through (iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such
Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the
extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business
Day following 


                                       52
<PAGE>


receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the
letter of credit); (v) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect
to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Preferred Stock (but
excluding any accrued dividends);(vi) all obligations of the type referred to in
clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for
the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable,
directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including guarantees
of such obligations and dividends; and (vii) all obligations of the type
referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of other Persons secured by any Lien on
any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed
by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of
the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured.
For purposes of the "Limitation on Asset Sales", Debt of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries shall include the provision for existing or future
asbestos-related bodily injury claims, as set forth in the then most recent
consolidated financial statement of the Company.

     "Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.

     "Deferred Coupon Notes" means the Company's 11-3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon
Notes due 2004 and Series B 11-3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 2004.

     "EBITDA" with respect to any Person for any period means the Consolidated
Net Income of such Person for such period, adjusted to the extent deducted in
calculating such Consolidated Net Income by adding back (without duplication):
(i) income tax expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries accrued in accordance
with GAAP for such period (other than income taxes attributable to extraordinary
items or other items excluded from the definition of Consolidated Net Income),
(ii) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period, (iii)
depreciation expense of such Person for such period, (iv) amortization expense
of such Person for such period, and (v) minority interest in any non
Wholly-Owned Recourse Subsidiary that is otherwise consolidated in the financial
statements of such Person, but only so long as such Subsidiary is consolidated
with such Person for such period for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     "GAF" means GAF Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its successors.

     "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" or "GAAP" means generally
acceptable accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of
the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board, as of the date of the Indenture.

     "GFC" means GAF Fiberglass Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its
successors.

     "G-I Holdings" means G-I Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its
successors.

     "Glass Fiber Contract" means the supply agreement effective as of January
1, 1997 between GFC and the Company.

     "Granules Contracts" means (i) the supply agreement, dated as of January 1,
1995 between ISP Technologies, Inc. and the Company, as amended by amendment
dated as of December 31, 1995 and (ii) the letter dated November 9, 1995 from
ISP Mineral Products Inc. to USI.

       "Guarantee" by any Person means any obligation, contingent or otherwise,
of such Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation,
contingent or otherwise, of any other Person and, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or
otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for
the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation of such other Person
(whether arising by virtue of participation arrangements, by agreement to keep
well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to
maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for
the purpose of assuring the obligee of such Debt or other obligation in any
other manner of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in
respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided that the term "guarantee" shall
not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business. The term "Guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

     "Interest Payment Date" means the Stated Maturity of an installment of
interest on the Notes.

     "Investment" means any direct or indirect advance, loan (other than
advances or loans to customers in the ordinary course of business, which are
recorded, in accordance with GAAP, at the time made as accounts receivable


                                       53
<PAGE>


on the balance sheet of the Person making such advance or loan) or other
extension of credit or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash
or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the
account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock,
bonds, notes, debentures or other securities Issued by, any other Person.

     "ISP" means International Specialty Products Inc., a Delaware corporation,
and its successors.

     "ISP Holdings" means ISP Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its
successors.

     "Issue" means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable
for; provided that any Debt or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time
such Person becomes a Subsidiary of another Person (whether by merger,
consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be issued by such
Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary of such other Person.

     "Issue Date" means October 20, 1997.

     "Lien" means any lien, mortgage, charge, pledge, security interest, or
other encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement and any lease in the nature thereof).

     "Management Agreement" means the amended and restated management agreement,
dated as of March 3, 1992, between the Company and ISP as amended through the
Issue Date.

     "Margin Stock" shall have the meaning provided in Regulation U.

     "Material Assets" means assets, singly or in the aggregate, the book or
fair market value of which equals 5%or more of the consolidated tangible assets
of the Company, as set forth on its most recently publicly availablebalance
sheet.

     "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or its successors.

     "Net Cash Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the proceeds in
the form of cash or Cash Equivalents including payments in respect of deferred
payment obligations when received in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents
received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from such Asset Sale net of
(a) reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and fees relating to such Asset Sale
(including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees
and sales commissions), (b) taxes paid or payable ((1) including, without
limitation, income taxes reasonably estimated to be actually payable as a result
of any disposition of property within two years of the date of disposition,
including under any tax sharing arrangements, and (2) after taking into account
any reduction in tax liability due to available tax credits or deductions
applicable to the transaction, (c) a reasonable reserve for the after-tax cost
of any indemnification obligations (fixed and/or contingent) attributable to
seller's indemnities to the purchaser undertaken by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Sale and (d) repayment of Debt that
is required to be repaid in connection with such Asset Sale, under the
agreements governing such Debt or Asset Sale.

     "Non-Recourse Debt" of any Person means Debt or the portion of Debt (i) as
to which neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries (other than a Non-Recourse
Subsidiary) (A) provides credit support (including any undertaking, agreement or
instrument which would constitute Debt), (B) is directly or indirectly liable or
(C) constitutes the lender and (ii) no default with respect to which (including
any rights which the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against
the assets of a Non-Recourse Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of
time or both) any holder of any other Debt of such Person or its Subsidiaries
(other than Non-Recourse Subsidiaries) to declare a default on such other Debt
or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated
Maturity.

     "Non-Recourse Subsidiary" of any Person means a Subsidiary (A) which has
been designated as such by such Person, (B) which has not acquired any assets
directly or indirectly from Parent or any of its Subsidiaries other than at fair
market value, including by the receipt of Capital Stock of such Non-Recourse
Subsidiary; provided that, if any such acquisition or series of related
acquisitions involves assets having a value in excess of $2,000,000, such
acquisition or series of related acquisitions shall be approved by a majority of
the members of the Board of Directors of the Company in a Board Resolution which
shall set forth that such acquisitions are being, or have been, made at fair
market value, and (C) which has no Debt other than Non-Recourse Debt.

     "Notes" means the Old Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the New Notes,
treated as a single class of securities.


                                       54
<PAGE>


     "Parent" means GAF so long as it owns, and any other Person which acquires
or owns, directly or indirectly, 80% or more of the Voting Stock of the Company.

     "Permitted Holders" means (i) Samuel J. Heyman, his heirs, administrators,
executors and entities of which a majority of the Voting Stock is owned by
Samuel J. Heyman, his heirs, administrators or executors and (ii) any Person
controlled, directly or indirectly, by Samuel J. Heyman or his heirs,
administrators or executors.

     "Permitted Lien" means:

     (1) Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges to the extent not
required to be paid under the Indenture;

     (2) statutory Liens of landlords and carriers, warehousemen, mechanics,
suppliers, materialmen, repairmen or other like Liens arising in the ordinary
course of business and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being
contested in good faith by an appropriate process of law, and for which a
reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP
shall have been made;

     (3) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business to secure lease
obligations or non-delinquent obligations under workers' compensation,
unemployment insurance or similar legislation;

     (4) Liens to secure the performance of public statutory obligations that
are not delinquent, appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a
like nature (other than for borrowed money);

     (5) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, minor defects or irregularities
in title and other similar charges or encumbrances not interfering in any
material respect with the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, takenas
a whole;

     (6) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter
of law to secure payment of nondelinquent customs duties in connection with the
importation of goods;

     (7) judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to a Default or Event of
Default;

     (8) leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any material
respect with the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

     (9) Liens encumbering deposits made in the ordinary course of business to
secure non-delinquent obligations arising from statutory, regulatory,
contractual or warranty requirements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
for which a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required
by GAAP shall have been made;

     (10) any interest or title of a lessor in the property subject to any
lease, whether characterized as capitalized or operating other than any such
interest or title resulting from or arising out of default by the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries of its obligations under any such lease which is material;

     (11) Liens arising from filing UCC financing statements for precautionary
purposes in connection with true leases or conditional sales of personal
property that are otherwise permitted under the Indenture and under which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is lessee;

     (12) broker's Liens securing the payment of commissions and management fees
in the ordinary courseof business;

     (13) Liens on cash and cash equivalents posted as margin pursuant to the
requirements of any bona fide hedge agreement relating to interest rates,
foreign exchange or commodities listed on public exchanges, but only to the
extent such Liens are required from customers generally (regardless of
creditworthiness) in accordance with customary market practice;

     (14) Liens on cash collateralizing reimbursement obligations in respect of
letters of credit issued for the account of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business (other than letters of credit
issued as credit support for any Debt);

     (15) Liens arising in respect of accounts receivable arising as a result of
non-recourse sales thereof; and

     (16) Liens on stock or assets of any Non-Recourse Subsidiary securing Debt
owing by such Non-Recourse Subsidiary.

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political
subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.


                                       55
<PAGE>


     "Preferred Stock", as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation,
means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is
preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets
upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such
corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such
corporation. Preferred Stock of any Person shall include Redeemable Stock of
such Person.

     "Private Exchange Notes" means a like principal amount of debt securities
of the Company identical in all material respects to the Old Notes that may be
issued to the Initial Purchasers under the circumstances set forth in the
Registration Agreement.

     "Receivables" means accounts receivables, and related documentation,
contract rights, related proceeds and general intangibles.

     "Receivables Financing Agreement" means the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement, dated as of November 1, 1996, among the Company, BMCA Receivables
Corporation and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, and related agreements, as
amended or supplemented.

     "Recourse Subsidiaries" of any Person means all Subsidiaries of such Person
other than Non-Recourse Subsidiaries of such Person.

     "Redeemable Stock" means, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of such
Person that by its terms or otherwise (x) is required, directly or indirectly,
to be redeemed on or prior to the ninetieth day after the Stated Maturity of the
Notes, (y) is redeemable or puttable, directly or indirectly, at the option of
the holder thereof at any time on or prior to the ninetieth day after the Stated
Maturity of the Notes, or (z) is exchangeable or convertible into another
security (other than a security that is not itself Redeemable Stock).

     "Refinance" means, in respect of any Debt, to refinance, extend, renew,
refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue Debt in exchange
or replacement for, such Debt. "Refinanced" and "Refinancing" shall have
correlative meanings.

     "Restricted Investment" means, with respect to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, an Investment by such Person in an Affiliate of the Company;
provided that the following shall not be Restricted Investments:(i) Investments
in the Company or any of its Recourse Subsidiaries; (ii) Investments in
Unrestricted Affiliates; and (iii) Investments in Affiliates that become, as a
result of such Investment, Recourse Subsidiaries.

     "Restricted Payment" means (i) the declaration or making of any dividend or
of any other payment or distribution (other than dividends, payments or
distributions payable solely in shares of the Company's Capital Stock other than
Redeemable Stock) on or with respect to the Company's Capital Stock (other than
Redeemable Stock) and (ii) any payment on account of the purchase, redemption,
retirement or other acquisition for value of the Company's Capital Stock (other
than Redeemable Stock).

     "Restricted Security" has the meaning set forth in Rule 144(a)(3) under the
Securities Act. 

     "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Rating Services or its successors.

     "Significant Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary (other than a
Non-Recourse Subsidiary) of the Company which at the time of determination
either (A) had assets which, as of the date of the Company's most recent
quarterly consolidated balance sheet, constituted at least 5% of the Company's
total assets on a consolidated basis as of such date, in each case determined in
accordance with GAAP, or (B) had revenues for the 12-month period ending on the
date of the Company's most recent quarterly consolidated statement of income
which constituted at least 5% of the Company's total revenues on a consolidated
basis for such period, or (ii) any Subsidiary of the Company (other than a
Non-Recourse Subsidiary) which, if merged with all Defaulting Subsidiaries (as
defined below) of the Company, would at the time of determination either (A)
have had assets which, as of the date of the Company's most recent quarterly
consolidated balance sheet, would have constituted at least 10% of the Company's
total assets on a consolidated basis as of such date or (B) have had revenues
for the 12-month period ending on the date of the Company's most recent
quarterly consolidated statement of income which would have constituted at least
10% of the Company's total revenues on a consolidated basis for such period
(each such determination being made in accordance with GAAP). "Defaulting
Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company (other than a Non-Recourse
Subsidiary) with respect to which an event described under clause (6), (7) or
(8) of "Events of Default" below has occurred and is continuing.

     "Stated Maturity," when used with respect to any Note or any installment of
interest thereon, means the dates specified in such Note as the fixed date on
which the principal of such Note or such installment of interest is due and


                                       56
<PAGE>



payable, and when used with respect to any other Debt, means the date specified
in the instrument governing such Debt as the fixed date on which the principal
of such Debt or any installment of interest is due and payable.

     "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) a corporation a
majority of whose Capital Stock with voting power, under ordinary circumstances,
to elect directors is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person,
by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more
Subsidiaries thereof or (ii) any other Person (other than a corporation) in
which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries thereof or such Person and one or
more Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination
thereof has at least majority ownership interest and the power to direct the
policies, management and affairs thereof. For purposes of this definition, any
director's qualifying shares or investments by foreign nationals mandated by
applicable law shall be disregarded in determining the ownership of a
Subsidiary.

     "Tax Sharing Agreement" means the tax sharing agreement, dated as of
January 31, 1994, among the Company, G-I Holdings and GAF.

     "Treasury Yield" means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of
United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and
published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519)
which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the
applicable redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer
published, any publicly available source of similar data)) most nearly equal to
the then remaining Average Life of the Notes; provided that, if the Average Life
of the Notes is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury
security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Yield shall be
obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a
year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for
which such yields are given, except that if the average life of the Notes is
less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States
Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

     "2006 Notes" means the Company's 8-5/8% Senior Notes due 2006 and the
Series B 8-5/8% Senior Notes due 2006.

     "Unrestricted Affiliate" means a Person (other than a Subsidiary of the
Company except a Non-Recourse Subsidiary) controlled by, or under common control
with, the Company in which no Affiliate of the Company (other than (i) the
Company or a Wholly-Owned Recourse Subsidiary, (ii) any director or officer of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whose primary employment is by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary, except
for Permitted Holders or members of their immediate family and (iii) another
Unrestricted Affiliate) has an Investment.

     "U.S. Government Obligations" means money or direct non-callable
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which the full
faith and credit of the United States is pledged.

     "USI" means U.S. Intec, Inc., a Texas corporation, and its successors.

     "Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any
class or kind normally entitled to vote in the election of the board of
directors or other governing body of such Person.

     "Wholly-Owned Recourse Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of a Person (other
than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary) all the Capital Stock of which (other than
directors' qualifying shares) is owned by such Person or another Wholly-Owned
Recourse Subsidiary of such Person.

     "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary all the Capital Stock of which
(other than directors' qualifying shares) is owned by the applicable corporation
or another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the applicable corporation.

CERTAIN COVENANTS

     The Indenture contains, among others, the following covenants:

     Limitation on Debt and Preferred Stock of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(a) The Indenture provides that the Company shall not, and shall not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, Issue, directly or indirectly, any Debt unless, at the
time of such Issuance and after giving effect thereto, (i) no Default or Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) the Consolidated
EBITDA Coverage Ratio of the Company for the period of its most recently


                                       57
<PAGE>


completed four consecutive fiscal quarters ending at least 45 days prior to the
date such Debt is Issued is at least 2.00 to 1.00.

     (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, there may be issued the following Debt:

          (1) The Old Notes, the New Notes and the Private Exchange Notes;

          (2) (i) Debt of the Company Issued to and held by a Wholly-Owned
     Recourse Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) Debt of a Recourse Subsidiary
     of the Company Issued to and held by the Company or a Wholly-Owned Recourse
     Subsidiary of the Company; provided that any subsequent transfer of such
     Debt (other than to the Company or to a Wholly-Owned Recourse Subsidiary of
     the Company) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute the Issuance of
     such Debt by the Company or such Subsidiary;

          (3) Debt the proceeds of which are used to acquire assets of the
     Company and its Subsidiaries; provided that, after giving effect to the
     Issuance of any such Debt that otherwise complies with this clause (3), the
     aggregate amount of all Debt then outstanding at any time under this clause
     (3), including all Refinancings thereof then outstanding, shall not at any
     time exceed $60,000,000;

          (4) Acquired Debt;

          (5) (x) Debt outstanding on the Issue Date (including the Deferred
     Coupon Notes and 2006 Notes) and (y) Debt Issued to Refinance any Debt
     permitted by clause (a), this clause (5) or by clauses (1) or (3) above;
     provided that, in the case of a Refinancing, (i) the amount of the Debt so
     Issued shall not exceed the principal amount or the accreted value (in the
     case of Debt Issued at a discount) of the Debt so Refinanced plus, in each
     case, the reasonable costs incurred by the issuer in connection with such
     Refinancing, (ii) the Average Life and Stated Maturity of the Debt so
     Issued shall equal or exceed that of the Debt so Refinanced, (iii) the Debt
     so Issued shall not rank senior in right of payment to the Debt being
     Refinanced, (iv) if the Debt being Refinanced does not bear interest in
     cash prior to a specified date, the Refinancing Debt shall not bear
     interest in cash prior to such specified date, (v) if the Debt being
     Refinanced is Debt permitted by clause (3), such Refinancing Debt is not
     secured by any assets not securing the Debt so Refinanced or improvements
     or additions thereto, or replacements thereof, and (vi) the obligors with
     respect to the Refinancing Debt shall not include any Persons who were not
     obligors (including predecessors thereof) with respect to the Debt being
     Refinanced;

          (6) Non-Recourse Debt of a Non-Recourse Subsidiary of the Company and
     Guarantees of Non-Recourse Debt of Non-Recourse Subsidiaries which
     Guarantees are recourse only to the stock of the Non-Recourse Subsidiaries;

          (7) Debt under the Credit Agreement or any Refinancing thereof;
     provided that the aggregate outstanding amount thereunder does not at any
     time exceed $100,000,000;

          (8) Debt secured by Receivables, including to Refinance the
     Receivables Financing Agreement, provided that such Debt does not exceed
     85% of the face amount of the Receivables; and

          (9) Debt (other than Debt identified in clauses (1) through (8) above)
     in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not to exceed
     $75,000,000.

     (c) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
Issue any Preferred Stock; provided that there may be issued the following
Preferred Stock:

          (1) Preferred Stock of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
     issued to and held by the Company or a Wholly-Owned Recourse Subsidiary of
     the Company; provided that any subsequent transfer of such Preferred Stock
     (other than to the Company or to a Wholly-Owned Recourse Subsidiary of the
     Company) or such Wholly-Owned Recourse Subsidiary of the Company ceasing to
     be a Wholly-Owned Recourse Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed, in
     each case, to constitute the Issuance of such Preferred Stock by the
     Company or such Subsidiary;

          (2) Preferred Stock (other than Preferred Stock described in clause
     (1) but including the Preferred Stock referred to in the proviso to clause
     (1) above); provided that the liquidation value of any Preferred Stock
     issued pursuant to this clause (2) shall constitute Debt for purposes of
     this covenant and dividends on such Preferred Stock shall be included in
     determining Consolidated Interest Expense of the Company for purposesof
     calculating the Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio of the Company under
     paragraph (a) of thiscovenant; and


                                       58
<PAGE>


          (3) Preferred Stock (other than Redeemable Stock) of the Company.

     (d) To the extent the Company or any of its Subsidiaries Guarantees any
Debt of the Company or any other Subsidiary, such Guarantee and such Debt will
be deemed to be the same Debt and only the amount of the Debt will be deemed to
be outstanding. If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries Guarantees any Debt of
a Person that, subsequent to the Issuance of such Guarantee, becomes a
Subsidiary of the Company, such Guarantee and the Debt so Guaranteed shall be
deemed to be the same Debt, which shall be deemed to have been Issued when the
Guarantee was Issued and shall be deemed to be permitted to the extent the
Guarantee was permitted when Issued.

     Limitation on Restricted Payments and Restricted Investments. (a) So long
as no Default or an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Company may make, and may permit any of its Subsidiaries to make, directly or
indirectly, any Restricted Payment or Restricted Investment so long as, at the
time of such Restricted Payment or Restricted Investment and immediately after
giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made since
the Issue Date and the aggregate amount of Restricted Investments made since the
Issue Date and then outstanding (the amount expended for such purposes, if other
than in cash, shall be the fair market value of such property as determined by
the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith as of the date of payment or
investment) shall not exceed the sum of:

          (i) 50% of the cumulative Consolidated Net Income (or minus 100% of
     the cumulative Consolidated Net Loss) of the Company accrued during the
     period beginning April 3, 1994 (the "Commencement Date") and ending on the
     last day of the fiscal quarter for which financial information has been
     made publicly available by the Company but ending no more than 135 days
     prior to the date of such Restricted Payment or Restricted Investment
     (treating such period as a single accounting period);

          (ii) 100% of the net cash proceeds, including the fair market value of
     property other than cash as determined by the Board of Directors of the
     Company in good faith, as evidenced by a Board Resolution, received by the
     Company from any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company) from the
     Issuance and sale subsequent to the Commencement Date of Capital Stock of
     the Company (other than Redeemable Stock) or as a capital contribution;
     provided that, if the value of the non-cash contribution is in excess of
     $10,000,000, the Company shall have received the written opinion of a
     nationally recognized investment banking firm that the terms thereof, from
     a financial point of view, are fair to the shareholders of the Company or
     such Subsidiary, in their capacity as such (the determination as to the
     value of any non-cash consideration referred to in this clause (ii) to be
     made by such investment banking firm), and such opinion shall have been
     delivered to the Trustee;

          (iii) 100% of the net cash proceeds received by the Company from the
     exercise of options or warrants on Capital Stock of the Company (other than
     Redeemable Stock) since the Commencement Date;

          (iv) 100% of the net cash proceeds received by the Company from the
     conversion into Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Stock) of convertible
     Debt or convertible Preferred Stock issued and sold (other than to a
     Subsidiary of the Company) since the Commencement Date; and

          (v) $50,000,000.

     The designation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of a Subsidiary
as a Non-Recourse Subsidiary shall be deemed to be the making of a Restricted
Investment by the Company in an amount equal to the outstanding Investments made
by the Company and its Subsidiaries in such Person being designated a
Non-Recourse Subsidiary at the time of such designation.

     (b) Paragraph (a) shall not prevent the following, as long as no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result
therefrom other than pursuant to paragraph (a) of this covenant):

          (1) the making of any Restricted Payment or Restricted Investment
     within 60 days after (x) the date of declaration thereof or (y) the making
     of a binding commitment in respect thereof; provided that at such date of
     declaration or commitment such Restricted Payment or Restricted Investment
     complied with paragraph (a) of this covenant;

          (2) any Restricted Payment or Restricted Investment made out of the
     net cash proceeds received by the Company from the substantially concurrent
     sale of its Common Stock (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company);
     provided that such net cash proceeds so utilized shall not be included in
     paragraph (a) in determining the amount of Restricted Payments or
     Restricted Investments the Company could make under paragraph (a) of this
     covenant;


                                       59
<PAGE>


          (3) cumulative Investments in Non-Recourse Subsidiaries not in excess
     of $50,000,000 in the aggregate determined as of the date of the Investment
     (the amount so expended, if other than cash, to be determined by the
     Company's Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution); and

          (4) repurchases of Capital Stock of the Company, in each case from
     employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any
     Permitted Holder); provided, however, that the aggregate amount of
     Restricted Payments made under this clause shall not exceed $1,500,000 in
     any fiscal year.

Restricted Payments or Restricted Investments made pursuant to clause (2), (3)
or (4) shall not be deducted in determining the amount of Restricted Payments or
Restricted Investments made or then outstanding under paragraph (a) of this
covenant.

     Limitation on Liens. The Indenture provides that the Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, incur or
suffer to exist any Liens upon their respective property or assets whether owned
on the Issue Date or acquired after such date, or on any income or profits
therefrom, other than the following:

          (1) Liens existing on the Issue Date;

          (2) Permitted Liens;

          (3) Purchase money Liens on assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries
     or improvements or additions thereto existing or created within 180 days
     after the time of acquisition of or improvements or additions to such
     assets, or replacements thereof; provided that (i) such acquisition,
     improvement or addition is otherwise permitted by the Indenture, (ii) the
     principal amount of Debt (including Debt in respect of Capitalized Lease
     Obligations) secured by each such Lien in each asset shall not exceed the
     cost (including all such Debt secured thereby, whether or not assumed) of
     the item subject thereto, and such Liens shall attach solely to the
     particular item of property so acquired, improved or added and any
     additions or accessions thereto, or replacements thereof, and (iii) the
     aggregate amount of Debt secured by Liens permitted by this clause (3)
     shall not at any time exceed $30,000,000;

          (4) Liens to secure Refinancing of any Debt secured by Liens described
     in clauses (1)-(3) above and (5) below; provided that (i) Refinancing does
     not increase the principal amount of Debt being so Refinanced and(ii) the
     Lien of the Refinancing Debt does not extend to any asset not securing the
     Debt being Refinanced or improvements or additions thereto, or replacements
     thereof;

          (5) Liens securing Acquired Debt; provided that (i) any such Lien
     secured the Acquired Debt at the time of the incurrence of such Acquired
     Debt by the Company or by one of its Subsidiaries and such Lien and
     Acquired Debt were not incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
     or by the Person being acquired or from whom the assets were acquired in
     connection with, or in anticipation of, the incurrence of such Acquired
     Debt by the Company or by one of its Subsidiaries and (ii) any such Lien
     does not extend to or cover any property or assets of the Company or of any
     of its Subsidiaries other than the property or assets that secured the
     Acquired Debt prior to the time such Debt became Acquired Debt of the
     Company or of one of its Subsidiaries;

          (6) Liens on Receivables securing Debt permitted by clause (b)(8)
     under "Limitation on Debt and Preferred Stock of the Company and its
     Subsidiaries";

          (7) Liens securing intercompany Debt permitted by paragraph (b)(2)
     under the "Limitation on Debt and Preferred Stock of the Company and its
     Subsidiaries" covenant; and

          (8) Liens on assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries in addition to
     those referred to in clauses (1)-(7), provided that such Liens only secure
     Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to
     exceed at any one time outstanding $50,000,000.

     Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates. (a) The Indenture provides that
the Company shall not enter, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to
enter, directly or indirectly, into any transaction or series of related
transactions with any Affiliate of the Company (other than (x) the making of a
Restricted Payment or Restricted Investment otherwise permitted by "Limitation
on Restricted Payments and Restricted Investments" or those transactions
specifically permitted by paragraph (b) thereunder, (y) transactions between or
among Non-Recourse Subsidiaries of the Company or (z) transactions between or
among the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than 


                                       60
<PAGE>


Non-Recourse Subsidiaries)) including, without limitation, any loan, advance or
investment or any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property or the rendering
of any service, unless the terms of such transaction or series of transactions
are set forth in writing and at least as favorable as those available in a
comparable transaction in arms-length dealings from an unrelated Person;
provided that (i) if any such transaction or series of related transactions
(other than any purchase or sale of inventory in the ordinary course of
business, but including entering into any long-term arrangement involving the
purchase of granules or glass fiber from, or the provision of management
services of the type currently provided under the Management Agreement by, an
Affiliate of the Company, including ISP or a Subsidiary thereof) involves
aggregate payments or other consideration in excess of $5,000,000, such
transaction or series of related transactions shall be approved (and the value
of any non-cash consideration shall be determined) by a majority of those
members of the Board of Directors of the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case
may be, having no personal stake in such business, transaction or transactions;
and (ii) in the event that such transaction or series of related transactions
(other than any purchase or sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business
or other than purchases of granules or glass fiber from an Affiliate of the
Company, including ISP or a Subsidiary thereof) involves aggregate payments or
other consideration in excess of $25,000,000 (with the value of any noncash
consideration being determined by a majority of those members of the Board of
Directors of the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, having no
personal stake in such business, transaction or transactions), the Company or
such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall have also received a written opinion
from a nationally recognized investment banking firm that such transaction or
series of related transactions is fair to the shareholders, in their capacity as
such, of the Company or such Subsidiary from a financial point of view and such
opinion has been delivered to the Trustee; provided, further, in the event that
each member of the Board of Directors of the Company or the Subsidiary, as the
case may be, proposing to engage in a transaction or series of related
transactions described in the preceding proviso has a personal stake in such
business, transaction or transactions, the Company or such Subsidiary may enter
into such transaction or series of transactions if the Company or such
Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall have received the written opinion of a
nationally recognized investment banking firm that the terms thereof, from a
financial point of view, are fair to the shareholders of the Company or such
Subsidiary, in their capacity as such (the determination as to the value of any
non-cash consideration referred to in the preceding proviso to be made by such
investment banking firm), and such opinion shall have been delivered to the
Trustee.

       (b) Paragraph (a) shall not prevent the following:

          (1) the purchase of granules from an Affiliate of the Company,
     including ISP or a Subsidiary of ISP; provided that (a) subject to
     paragraph (c) of this covenant, the price and other terms shall not be less
     favorable to the Company than those set forth in the Granules Contracts or
     (b) a nationally recognized investment banking firm or accounting firm has
     delivered a written opinion to the Company to the effect that either the
     terms thereof are fair to the Company from a financial point of view or are
     on terms at least as favorable to the Company as those available in
     comparable transactions in arms-length dealings from an unrelated third
     party;

          (2) the continuance of the Management Agreement (including with an
     Affiliate of the Company other than ISP) (a) in accordance with its terms
     or on terms no less favorable to the Company than those contained in the
     Management Agreement or (b) on other terms provided that the Company shall
     have received the written opinion of a nationally recognized investment
     banking firm or accounting firm that either the terms thereof, from a
     financial point of view, are fair to the Company or are on terms at least
     as favorable to the Company as those available in comparable transactions
     in arms-length dealings from an unrelated Person;

          (3) any transaction between the Company or a Subsidiary thereof and
     its own employee stock ownership or benefit plan;

          (4) any transaction with an officer or director of the Company or any
     Subsidiary of the Company entered into in the ordinary course of business
     (including compensation or employee benefit arrangements with any such
     officer or director);

          (5) any business or transaction with an Unrestricted Affiliate;

          (6) borrowings by the Company or its Subsidiaries from Affiliates of
     the Company; provided that such loans are unsecured, are prepayable at any
     time without penalty, contain no restrictive covenants and the effective
     cost of borrowings thereunder do not exceed the interest rate then in
     effect from time to time under the Credit Agreement or any Refinancings
     thereof (or, if such agreement is not outstanding, under the unsecured bank
     debt of the Company);


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<PAGE>


          (7) payments made pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement; or

          (8) purchases made pursuant to the Glass Fiber Contract; provided that
     the terms of such contract are set forth in writing and are at least as
     favorable to the Company as those available in a comparable transaction in
     arms-length dealings with an unrelated Person.

       (c) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, amend, modify or waive any provision of the Tax Sharing Agreement, the
Granules Contracts or the Glass Fiber Contract in any manner which is
significantly adverse to the Company or the holders of the Notes (it being
understood that an extension or modification of any of the Granules Contracts
(or any similar granules purchase contract) or the Glass Fiber Contract on terms
at least as favorable to the Company as those available at the time of the
extension or modification (or any such new agreement) in a comparable
transaction in arms-length dealings with an unrelated Person shall not be deemed
significantly adverse to the Company or the Holders).

       Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Subsidiaries. The Indenture provides that the Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries (other than Non-Recourse Subsidiaries) to,
directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause to exist or become effective
any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary to (a) pay
dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock or pay any Debt
owed to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) make loans or advances to
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) transfer any of its properties or
assets to the Company or (d) incur or suffer to exist Liens in favor of the
Holders, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by
reason of any of the following:

          (1) applicable law;

          (2) the Indenture and the indentures governing the Deferred Coupon
     Notes and 2006 Notes; 

          (3) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any
     lease or license or other commercial agreement;

          (4) any instrument governing Acquired Debt of any Person, which
     encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the
     properties or assets of any Person, other than such Person and its
     Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of such Person and its
     Subsidiaries, so acquired;

          (5) the Liens specifically permitted by the provisions under
     "--Limitation on Liens"; provided that such Liens and the terms governing
     such Liens do not, directly or indirectly, restrict the Company or its
     Subsidiaries from granting other Liens, except as to the assets subject to
     such Liens;

          (6) the Credit Agreement, the Receivables Financing Agreement or other
     Debt existing on the IssueDate; and

          (7) any Refinancing of the Credit Agreement, the Receivables Financing
     Agreement or any such other Debt existing on the Issue Date; provided that
     the terms and conditions of any such Refinancing agreements relating to the
     terms described in paragraphs (a)-(d) above are no less favorable to the
     Company than those contained in the agreements governing the Debt being
     Refinanced.

     Limitation on Asset Sales. The Indenture provides that the Company shall
not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to
consummate an Asset Sale unless:

          (1) the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives
     consideration (including non-cash consideration, whose fair market value
     shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company
     or such Subsidiary, as evidenced by a Board Resolution) at the time of such
     Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets sold or
     otherwise disposed of (as determined in good faith by its Board of
     Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution);

          (2) at least 75% of the consideration received by the Company or such
     Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be cash or Cash Equivalents; provided
     that this clause (2) shall not prohibit any Asset Sale for which the
     Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives 100% of the
     consideration, directly or through the acquisition of Capital Stock of a
     Person, in operating assets; and

          (3) in the case of an Asset Sale by the Company or any of its
     Subsidiaries, the Company shall commit to apply the Net Cash Proceeds of
     such Asset Sale within 300 days of the consummation of such Asset Sale, and
     shall apply such Net Cash Proceeds within 360 days of receipt thereof, (i)
     to invest in the businesses that the 


                                       62
<PAGE>


     Company and its Recourse Subsidiaries are engaged in at the time of such
     Asset Sale or any like or related business, (ii) to pay or satisfy any Debt
     of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Debt which is
     subordinated by its terms to the Notes) or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary,
     including the Debt referred to in the last sentence of the definition
     thereof or make provision for the payment thereof, through an escrow or
     other fund, and/or (iii) to offer to purchase the Notes in a tender offer
     (a "Net Proceeds Offer") at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
     principal amount thereof plus accrued interest thereon to the date of
     purchase; provided, however, that the Company shall, to the extent required
     under the indentures governing the Deferred Coupon Notes and 2006 Notes,
     first offer to purchase any outstanding Deferred Coupon Notes in a tender
     offer at a redemption price equal to 100% of the accreted value thereof to
     the date of redemption, and then offer to purchase any outstanding 2006
     Notes, in a tender offer at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
     principal amount thereof plus accrued interest thereon to the date of
     purchase, provided, further, however that the Company may defer making a
     Net Proceeds Offer until the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales
     to be applied pursuant to this clause (3)(iii) equal or exceed $20,000,000;

provided that (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries may retain up to $5,000,000
of Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales in any twelve-month period (without
complying with clause (3)), and (ii) any Asset Sale that would result in a
Change of Control shall not be governed by this covenant but shall be governed
by the provisions described above under "Change of Control Put and Call".

     The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer.

     Restriction on Transfer of Certain Assets to Subsidiaries. The Indenture
provides that if the Company transfers or causes to be transferred, in one or a
series of related transactions, Material Assets to any one or more Non-Recourse
Subsidiaries of the Company, the Company shall cause such transferee Subsidiary
to (i) execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in form
reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee pursuant to which such transferee
Subsidiary shall unconditionally Guarantee, on a senior basis, all the Company's
obligations under the Notes and(ii) deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
that such supplemental indenture has been duly executed and delivered by such
transferee Subsidiary.

     Investment Company Act. The Indenture provides that the Company will not
take any action that would require it or any of its Subsidiaries to register as
an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

     Reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and Holders. The Company
shall file with the Trustee and provide Holders of record, within 15 days after
it files them with the Commission, copies of its annual report and the
information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of
the foregoing as the Commission may by rules and regulations prescribe) which
the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act, without exhibits in the case of Holders, unless the
Company is requested in writing by the Holders. Notwithstanding that the Company
may not be required to remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section
13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will continue to file with the
Commission and provide the Trustee and Holders with such annual reports and
information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of
the foregoing as the Commission may by rules and regulations prescribe) which
are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, without exhibits in
the case of Holders, unless the Company is requested in writing by the Holders.
The Company also will comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).

     So long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, the Company shall cause
each annual, quarterly and other financial report mailed or otherwise furnished
by it generally to public stockholders to be filed with the Trustee and mailed
to the Holders of record at their addresses appearing in the register of Notes
maintained by the Registrar, in each case at the time of such mailing or
furnishing to such stockholders.

     The Company shall provide to any Holder or any beneficial owner of Notes
any information reasonably requested by such holder or such beneficial owner
concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries (including financial statements)
necessary in order to permit such holder or such beneficial owner to sell or
transfer Notes in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any
similar rule or regulation adopted by the Commission. 


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<PAGE>


MERGER, ETC.

     The Indenture provides that the Company shall not consolidate with or merge
with or into or sell, assign, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its
properties and assets (either in one transaction or in a series of related
transactions) to any Person, unless:

          (1) the Company shall be the continuing Person, or the resulting,
     surviving or transferee Person (if other than the Company) shall be a
     corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or
     any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume,
     by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee,
     in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the
     Company under the Notes and the Indenture, and the Indenture shall remain
     in full force and effect;

          (2) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such
     transaction (and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation of the
     resulting, surviving or transferee Person or any of its Subsidiaries as a
     result of such transaction as having been issued by such Person or such
     Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default
     shall have occurred and be continuing;

          (3) immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction,
     the resulting, surviving or transferee Person could incur at least $1.00 of
     additional Debt under paragraph (a) of "Limitation on Debt and Preferred
     Stock of the Company and its Subsidiaries"; and

          (4) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the
     resulting, surviving or transferee Person shall have a Consolidated Net
     Worth in an amount which is not less than the Consolidated Net Worth of the
     Company immediately prior to such transaction.

     In connection with any consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer or
lease contemplated by this covenant, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that
such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer or lease and the
supplemental indenture in respect thereto comply with this covenant and the TIA
and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such
transaction have been complied with.

     Upon any consolidation or merger or any sale, assignment, transfer or lease
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with the
preceding two paragraphs, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation
or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer
or lease is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise
every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture, with the same effect
as if such successor corporation had been named as the Company herein, and,
except in the case of a lease, the Company will be discharged from all
obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Notes. 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     An Event of Default will occur under the Indenture if:

          (1) the Company defaults in the payment of interest on any Note when
     the same becomes due and payable and the default continues for a period of
     30 days;

          (2) (i) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of any
     Note when the same becomes due and payable at maturity or otherwise or (ii)
     the Company fails to redeem or repurchase Notes when required pursuant to
     the Indenture or the Notes;

          (3) the Company fails to comply with provisions of "Merger, etc.";

          (4) the Company fails to comply for 30 days after notice with any of
     its obligations described under "Change of Control Put and Call" and
     "Certain Covenants";

          (5) the Company fails to comply for 60 days after notice with its
     other agreements contained in the Indenture or the Notes (other than those
     referred to in clauses (1)-(4) above);

          (6) principal of or interest on Debt of the Company or any of its
     Significant Subsidiaries is not paid within any applicable grace period or
     is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default and the total
     amount that is unpaid or accelerated exceeds $15,000,000 or its foreign
     currency equivalent and such default continues for 5 days after notice;

          (7) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
     Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries occurs pursuant to or within
     the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law; or


                                       64
<PAGE>


          (8) any judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of
     $15,000,000 in the aggregate is rendered against the Company or any of its
     Significant Subsidiaries and (i) there is a period of 60 days following the
     entry of such judgment or order during which such judgment or order is not
     discharged, waived or the execution thereof stayed and such default
     continues for 10 days after the notice specified below or (ii) foreclosure
     proceedings therefor have begun and have not been stayed within five days
     of the commencement of such foreclosure proceeding.

     A Default under clauses (4), (5), (6) or (8) is not an Event of Default
until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding Notes notify the Company in writing of the Default, and the
Company does not cure the Default within the time specified in such clause after
receipt of such notice. Such notice shall be given by the Trustee if so
requested in writing by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Notes. When a Default under clause (4), (5), (6) or
(8) is cured or remedied within the specified period, it ceases to exist.

     If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default with respect to the
Company specified in clause (7) above) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, by
written notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Company and
the Trustee, may declare all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on the
Notes then outstanding to be due and payable (the "Default Amount"). Upon a
declaration of acceleration, such amount shall be due and payable immediately.

     If an Event of Default with respect to the Company specified in clause (7)
above occurs, the Default Amount shall ipso facto become and be immediately due
and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or
any Noteholder.

     Under certain circumstances, the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may rescind an acceleration with
respect to the Notes and its consequences.

     Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the
Trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will
be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the Notes unless
such holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security
against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive
payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest (if any) when due, no Holder
may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such
Holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is
continuing,(ii) Holders of at least 25% in principal amount at maturity of the
outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such
Holders have offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any
loss, liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request
within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity
and (v) the Holders of a majority in principal amount at maturity of the
outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such
request within such 60-day period. Subject to certain restrictions, the Holders
of a majority in principal amount at maturity of the outstanding Notes are given
the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power
conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any
direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee
determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Noteholder or that
would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

     The Indenture provides that, if a Default occurs and is continuing and is
known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each Noteholder notice of the
Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the
payment of principal of or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice
if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines
that withholding notice is in the interests of the Holders. In addition, the
Company is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of
each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of
any Default that occurred during the previous year. The Company also is required
to deliver to the Trustee, within 10 days after the occurrence thereof, written
notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status, and
what action the Company is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

DISCHARGE

     The Company at any time may terminate all its obligations under the Notes
and the Indenture ("legal defeasance"), except for certain obligations,
including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the
transfer or exchange of the Notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen Notes and to maintain a 


                                       65
<PAGE>


registrar and paying agent in respect of the Notes. The Company at any time may
terminate its obligations under the covenants described under "Certain
Covenants" and "Change of Control Put and Call," above and the operation of
clauses (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) (with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries)
or (8) under "Defaults" above and the limitations contained in clause (3) or (4)
described under "Merger, Etc." above ("covenant defeasance").

     The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its
prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Company exercises its
legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of
an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Company exercises its covenant
defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an
Event of Default specified in clause (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) (with respect only
to Significant Subsidiaries) or (8) under "Defaults" above, or because of the
failure of the Company to comply with clause (3) or (4) described under "Merger,
Etc." above.

     In order to exercise either defeasance option, the Company must irrevocably
deposit in trust (the "defeasance trust") with the Trustee money or U.S.
Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest (if any) on the
Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must comply with
certain other conditions, including (unless the Notes will mature or be redeemed
within 30 days) delivering to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
that holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal
income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at
the same times as would have been in the case if such deposit and defeasance had
not occurred, and, in the case of legal defeasance only, such Opinion of Counsel
must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or other change in
applicable federal income tax law. 

MODIFICATIONS AND AMENDMENTS

     Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company
and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Notes; provided that no such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note
affected thereby:(i) change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of interest on, any Note or reduce the principal amount thereof, the
rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or
change the coin or currency in which any Note or any premium or the interest
thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of
any such payment after the stated maturity thereof; (ii) reduce the percentage
in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the consent of the Holders of
which is required for any such supplemental indenture or the consent of such
Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the
Indenture or certain Defaults thereunder and their consequences provided for in
the Indenture; (iii) modify any of the provisions relating to supplemental
indentures requiring the consent of Holders or relating to the waiver of past
defaults or relating to the waiver of certain covenants, except to increase any
such percentage of outstanding Notes required for such actions or to provide
that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived
without the consent of each Noteholder affected thereby; or (iv) except as
otherwise permitted by the covenants described under "--Merger, Etc.," consent
to the assignment or transfer by the Company of any of its rights and
obligations under the Indenture.

     It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders to approve the
particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be
sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. Any amendment, waiver
or consent shall be deemed effective upon receipt by the Trustee of the
necessary consents and shall not require execution of any supplemental indenture
to be effective.

     The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes
outstanding may waive compliance with certain restrictive covenants and
provisions of the Indenture.

     Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, directly or
indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of
interest, fee or otherwise, to any Noteholder for or as an inducement to any
consent, waiver or amendment of any terms or provisions of the Notes unless such
consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all Noteholders
which so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in
solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or amendment. 

GOVERNING LAW

     The Indenture and the Notes will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.


                                       66


<PAGE>

                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences to tendering holders of Old Notes of (i) the exchange of Old Notes
for New Notes and (ii) the ownership and disposition of Notes.

     This summary is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (including
temporary regulations), administrative rulings and judicial decisions now in
effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
This summary does not discuss all aspects of federal income taxation that may be
relevant to a particular holder in light of such holder's individual investment
circumstances or to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under
the federal income tax laws (for example, dealers in securities, banks, life
insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations and persons who hold (or will
hold) the Notes as part of a "straddle," "hedge" or "conversion transaction"),
nor does it discuss any aspect of state, local or foreign taxation. The
following discussion assumes that the Old Notes and New Notes are (and will be)
held by the holders thereof as "capital assets" within the meaning of Section
1221 of the Code.

     THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS INCLUDED HEREIN FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES
ONLY. ACCORDINGLY, EACH HOLDER OF OLD NOTES SHOULD CONSULT WITH SUCH HOLDER'S
OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH HOLDER OF
PARTICIPATION IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER, AND THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF NEW
NOTES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX
LAWS.

U.S. HOLDERS

     The following discussion is limited to the U.S. federal income tax
consequences relevant to a holder of a Note that is (i) a citizen or resident
(as defined in Section 7701(b)(1) of the Code) of the United States, (ii) a
corporation or other entity organized under the laws of the United States or any
political subdivision thereof or therein, (iii) an estate whose income is
subject to federal income tax regardless of the source, or (iv) a trust with
respect to the administration of which a court within the United States is able
to exercise primary supervision and one or more U.S. persons have the authority
to control all substantial decisions of the trust (a "U.S. Holder"). Certain
material U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a holder other than a
U.S. Holder are discussed separately below.

FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF TENDERING OLD NOTES

       The exchange of Old Notes for New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer
should not constitute an exchange for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly,
the Exchange Offer should have no federal income tax consequences to U.S.
Holders. Except for the immediately succeeding paragraph, the balance of this
discussion assumes that the exchange of Old Notes for New Notes will not
constitute an exchange for federal income tax purposes.

     If, contrary to the above conclusion, the exchange of Old Notes for New
Notes constitutes an exchange for federal income tax purposes, both the Old
Notes and the New Notes should constitute "securities" for federal income tax
purposes (which determination generally is made by reference to the initial
terms of the debt instrument, with debt instruments with initial terms of more
than five years generally being treated as securities) and, thus, a U.S. Holder
should not recognize any gain or loss on the consummation of the Exchange Offer.

FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF OWNING NEW NOTES 

STATED INTEREST

     Interest on a Note should be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest
income at the time it accrues or is received in accordance with such holder's
method of accounting for federal income tax purposes.

SALE OR REDEMPTION

     The sale, exchange, redemption (including pursuant to an offer by the
Company) or other disposition of Notes generally will be a taxable event for
federal income tax purposes. A U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss
equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash plus the fair market
value of any property received upon such sale, exchange, redemption or other
taxable disposition of a New Note (other than in respect of accrued interest
thereon) and (ii) the holder's adjusted tax basis in such debt instrument (other
than in respect of accrued interest thereon).


                                       67
<PAGE>


     Assuming the Note is held as a capital asset, such gain or loss (except to
the extent that the market discount rules otherwise provide) will generally
constitute capital gain or loss, which will be either long-term or short-term if
the U.S. Holder is a corporation, or long-term, mid-term or short-term if the
U.S. Holder is a non-corporate entity, in each case depending on the U.S.
Holder's holding period.

MARKET DISCOUNT

     Except as discussed below, gain recognized on the disposition of Notes
having market discount will be treated as ordinary income, and not capital gain,
to the extent of the accrued market discount thereon, provided the amount of
market discount to the U.S. Holder exceeds a de minimis amount. Market discount
is defined generally as the excess of (i) the "stated redemption price at
maturity" of a debt obligation over (ii) the tax basis of the debt obligation in
the hands of the holder immediately after its acquisition.

     If a holder of Notes having accrued market discount disposes of such New
Notes in any transaction other than a sale, exchange or redemption (e.g., a
gift), such holder will be deemed to have realized an amount equal to the fair
market value of such Notes and will be required to recognize as ordinary income
any accrued market discount thereon. See "Sale or Redemption" above for the
general consequences of a sale, exchange or redemption. Partial principal
payments (if any) on such Notes also would be includable as ordinary income to
the extent of any accrued market discount on such Notes. A holder of Notes
having accrued market discount also may be required to defer the deduction of
all or a portion of the interest on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to
purchase or carry such Notes until they are disposed of in a taxable
transaction.

     A holder of Notes having accrued market discount may elect to include the
market discount in income as it accrues. This election would apply to all market
discount obligations acquired by the electing holder on or after the first day
of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may be revoked only
with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service (the "Service"). If a holder of
Notes elects to include market discount in income, the above-discussed rules
with respect to ordinary income recognition resulting from sale and certain
other disposition transactions and to deferral of interest deductions would not
apply.

BOND PREMIUM

     If the initial tax basis of a U.S. Holder in any Note exceeds the "amount
payable on maturity" (such excess being the "bond premium"), the holder may
elect to amortize the bond premium over the period from the acquisition date of
such Notes to their maturity date (or an earlier call date, if using such
earlier date would result in a smaller amortization deduction) and, except as
Treasury Regulations may otherwise provide, reduce the amount of interest
included in income in respect of such Notes by such amount.

     A holder who elects to amortize bond premium must reduce his adjusted basis
in such New Notes by the amount of such allowable amortization. An election to
amortize bond premium would apply to amortizable bond premium on all taxable
bonds held at or acquired after the beginning of the holder's taxable year as to
which the election is made, and may be revoked only with the consent of the
Service. 

BACKUP WITHHOLDING

       Under the Code, a U.S. Holder of Notes may be subject, under certain
circumstances, to "backup withholding" at a 31% rate with respect to payments of
interest or the gross proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of such
notes. This withholding generally applies only if the holder (i) fails to
furnish his social security or other taxpayer identification number ("TIN")
within a reasonable time after the request therefor, (ii) furnishes an incorrect
TIN,(iii) fails to report properly interest or dividends, or (iv) fails, under
certain circumstances, to provide a certified statement, signed under penalty of
perjury, that the TIN provided is his correct number and that he is not subject
to backup withholding. Any amount withheld from a payment to a holder under the
backup withholding rules is allowable as a credit against such holder's federal
income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the
Service. Holders of Notes should consult their tax advisors as to their
qualification for exemption from withholding and the procedure for obtaining
such an exemption. 


NON-U.S. HOLDERS


     The following discussion is limited to certain material U.S. federal income
tax consequences relevant to a holder of a Note who, for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, is (i) a nonresident alien individual, (ii) a foreign corporation,


                                       68
<PAGE>


(iii) a foreign estate which is not subject to federal income tax on a net
income basis in respect of income or gain from a Note or (iv) a trust if a U.S.
court is not able to exercise primary supervision over administration of the
trust or one or more U.S. persons do not have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust (a "Non-U.S. Holder").

IN GENERAL

     Under present U.S. federal income and estate tax law, and subject to the
discussion below concerningbackup withholding:

          (a) payments of principal and interest on the Notes by the Company or
     any paying agent to any Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal
     withholding tax; provided that, in the case of interest, (i) such Non-U.S.
     Holder does not own, actually or constructively, ten percent or more of the
     total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled
     to vote, is not a controlled foreign corporation related, directly or
     indirectly, to the Company through stock ownership, and is not a bank
     receiving interest described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code and (ii)
     the beneficial owner fulfills the statement requirement set forth in
     Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code;

          (b) a Non-U.S. Holder of a Note will not be subject to U.S. federal
     income tax on any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition
     of such Note unless (i) subject to certain exceptions, such Non-U.S. Holder
     is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more
     during the taxable year of disposition and certain other requirements are
     met; (ii) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by such
     Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States; or (iii) the
     Non-U.S. Holder is subject to tax pursuant to the provisions of the Code
     applicable to certain former citizens and residents of the United States;
     and

          (c) a Note held by an individual, who is not a citizen or resident of
     the United States at the time of his death, will not be subject to U.S.
     federal estate tax as a result of such individual's death, provided that
     the individual does not own, actually or constructively, ten percent or
     more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
     Company entitled to vote and, at the time of the individual's death,
     payments with respect to such Note would not have been effectively
     connected to the conduct by such individual of a trade or business in the
     United States.

     In order to obtain the portfolio interest exemption from U.S. federal
withholding tax under Sections 871(h) and 881(c) of the Code, described in
paragraph (a) above, either the beneficial owner or a securities clearing
organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers'
securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a "Financial
Institution") and that is holding the Note on behalf of such beneficial owner
must file a statement with the withholding agent to the effect that the
beneficial owner of the Note is not a United States person. Under temporary
United States Treasury Regulations, such requirement is considered to have been
fulfilled if the beneficial owner of a Note certifies on IRS Form W-8, under
penalty of perjury, that he is not a United States person and provides his name
and address, and any Financial Institution holding the Note on behalf of the
beneficial owner certifies that such a statement has been received from the
beneficial owner by it, or by a Financial Institution between it and the
beneficial owner, and furnishes the withholding agent with a copy thereof. An
IRS Form W-8 generally remains in effect for three calendar years.

     Interest paid to a Non-U.S. Holder may also be exempt from U.S. withholding
taxes provided such Non-U.S. Holder delivers (i) IRS Form 1001 signed by the
beneficial owner of the Note or such holder's agent claiming complete exemption
from withholding under an applicable tax treaty, or (ii) IRS Form 4224 signed by
the beneficial owner of the Note or such owner's agent claiming exemption from
withholding tax on income connected with the conduct of a trade or business in
the United States; provided that in any such case (x) the applicable form is
delivered pursuant to applicable procedures and is properly transmitted to the
United States entity otherwise required to withhold tax and (y) none of the
entities receiving the form has actual knowledge that the Non-U.S. Holder is a
U.S. person or that any certification on the form is false. Under recently
enacted legislation, Non-U.S. Holders that are classified as partnerships for
federal income tax purposes but classified as corporations for foreign tax
purposes may not be entitled to the benefits of otherwise applicable tax
treaties.

     Recently adopted Treasury Regulations that are not yet in effect (the
"Final Regulations") and generally are to be effective January 1, 1999 would
alter the foregoing rules in certain respects. Under the Final Regulations, a
Non-U.S. Holder seeking an exemption under (i) or (ii) of the preceding
paragraph will generally be required to provide to the withholding agent a
beneficial owner certificate on IRS Form W-8, which form may require, among


                                       69
<PAGE>


other things, the Non-U.S. Holder's taxpayer identification number. The Final
Regulations also provide special rules to determine whether, for purposes of
determining the applicability of a tax treaty, interest paid to a Non-U.S.
Holder that is an entity should be treated as paid to the entity or to those
holding interests in the entity. As the foregoing is not a complete discussion
of the provisions of the Final Regulations, Non-U.S. Holders are urged to
consult their advisors with respect to the effect that the Final Regulations
will have when they become effective. 

BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING

     As noted in the above discussion for U.S. Holders, a 31% backup withholding
tax and information reporting requirements also may apply to payments of
principal and interest made to, and to the proceeds of sales before maturity by,
a noncorporate United States person. Under current Treasury Regulations,
however, backup withholding will not apply to payments made on a Note to a
non-U.S. Holder if the certifications required by Sections 871(h) and 881(c) of
the Code (described above) are received; provided that the Company or such
paying agent, as the case may be, does not have actual knowledge that the payee
is a United States person.

     Under current Treasury Regulations, payments on the sale, exchange or other
disposition of a Note made to or through a foreign office of a broker are not
subject to backup withholding. However, if such broker is a United States
person, a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. tax purposes, or a foreign
person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with a United
States trade or business for a specified three-year period or certain other
foreign entities with a U.S. connection, information reporting is required
unless the broker has in its records documentary evidence that the beneficial
owner is not a United States person and certain conditions are met or the
beneficial owner otherwise establishes an exemption. Payments to or through the
United States office of a broker are subject to backup withholding and
information reporting unless the Non-U.S. Holder certifies, under penalties of
perjury, that it is not a United States person or otherwise establishes an
exemption.

     The Final Regulations would provide certain presumptions under which a
Non-U.S. Holder would be subjectto backup withholding and information reporting
unless the Non-U.S. Holder provided a certification ofnon-U.S. status.

     Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the
application of information reporting and backup withholding in their particular
circumstances, and availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedure for
obtaining such an exemption, if available. Any amounts withheld from a payment
to a Non-U.S. Holder under the backup withholding rules would be allowed as a
credit against such Non-U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability and may
entitle such Non-U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information
is furnished tothe Service.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting
the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of such
New Notes. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, may be used by all persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act, including broker-dealers in connection with resales of
New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were acquired
as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company
has agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date, it will
make this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer
for use in connection with any such resale.

     The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of New Notes by
broker-dealers. New Notes received by broker-dealers for their own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through
the writing of options on the New Notes or a combination of such methods of
resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to
such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made
directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such New Notes. Any broker-dealer
that resells New Notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution
of such New Notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of New Notes and any
commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be 


                                       70
<PAGE>


deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of
Transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering
a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act, a broker-dealer
will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of
the Securities Act.

     For a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date, the Company will
promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents
in the Letter of Transmittal. The Company has agreed to pay all expenses
incident to the Exchange Offer (including the reasonable fees and expenses of
Latham & Watkins, counsel to the initial purchasers of the Old Notes) other than
commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify holders
of the Notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the issuance of the
New Notes will be passed upon for the Company by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, New
York, New York. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has from time to time represented,
and continues to represent, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., one of the initial
purchasers of the OldNotes, in connection with various legal matters. Weil,
Gotshal & Manges LLP has from time to time represented, and may continue to
represent, GAF and certain of its affiliates (including G-I Holdings, ISP, ISP
Holdings and BMCA) in connection with certain legal matters.

                                     EXPERTS

     The audited consolidated financial statements and schedules of Building
Materials Corporation of America included in this Prospectus have been audited
by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
reports with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.

                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     BMCA is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and
in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the Commission.
The reports and other information filed by BMCA with the Commission can be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
the Commission's Regional Offices at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New
York, New York 10048 and Citicorp Center, 5000 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60601-2511. Copies of such reports also can be obtained from
the Public Reference Section of the Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549 at
prescribed rates. Finally, the Commission maintains an Internet web site at
http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Commission.

     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement (which
term shall encompass any amendments thereto) on Form S-4 under the Securities
Act with respect to the New Notes offered hereby. This Prospectus does not
contain all information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits
thereto, to which reference is hereby made. Statements made in this Prospectus
as to the contents of any contract, agreement, or other document are not
necessarily complete. With respect to each such contract, agreement, or other
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, reference is hereby
made to such exhibit for a more complete description of the matter involved, and
each such statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such reference.


                                       71

<PAGE>
                             INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                PAGE
                                                                                                ----
<S>                                                                                              <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants ......................................................  F-2

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three years ended December 31, 1996 and the
 nine months ended September 29, 1996 and September 28, 1997 (Unaudited) ......................  F-3

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and as of
 September 28, 1997 (Unaudited) ...............................................................  F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 1996 and the
 nine months ended September 29, 1996 and September 28, 1997 (Unaudited) ......................  F-5

Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity (Deficit) for the three years
 ended December 31, 1996 and the nine months ended September 28, 1997 (Unaudited) .............  F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ....................................................  F-8


Supplementary Data (Unaudited)
 Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) ......................................................... F-23



</TABLE>

                                                 F-1

<PAGE>

                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To Building Materials Corporation of America:

     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Building
Materials Corporation of America (a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of GAF Building Materials Corporation) and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of income,
stockholder's equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1996. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above, appearing on
Pages F-3 to F-22 of this Prospectus, present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of Building Materials Corporation of America and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.


                                           ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Roseland, New Jersey
March 3, 1997



                                      F-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                   BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

                                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                                                                        NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                   -------------------------
                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                   SEPT. 29,     SEPT. 28,
                                       -------------------------------------           1996          1997
                                        1994           1995          1996           (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)
                                       --------      --------       --------        -----------   -----------
                                                                  (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                    <C>           <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>     
Net sales ...........................  $593,147      $687,184       $851,967         $648,426       $723,614
                                       --------      --------       --------         --------       --------
Costs and expenses:
 Cost of products sold ..............   425,080       506,012        622,234          470,678        521,291
 Selling, general and
  administrative ....................   122,274       134,145        166,706          125,360        141,100
 Goodwill amortization ..............     1,064         1,170          1,664            1,201          1,421
                                       --------      --------       --------         --------       --------
 Total costs and expenses ...........   548,418       641,327        790,604          597,239        663,812
                                       --------      --------       --------         --------       --------
Operating income ....................    44,729        45,857         61,363           51,187         59,802
Interest expense ....................   (13,149)      (24,822)       (32,044)         (23,741)       (30,494)
Other income (expense), net .........    (3,761)       (4,486)        (1,455)            (490)         8,864
                                       --------      --------       --------         --------       --------
Income before income taxes ..........    27,819        16,549         27,864           26,956         38,172
Income taxes ........................   (11,159)       (6,450)       (10,809)         (10,474)       (14,887)
                                       --------      --------       --------         --------       --------
Net income ..........................  $ 16,660      $ 10,099       $ 17,055         $ 16,482       $ 23,285
                                       ========      ========       ========         ========       ========




     The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.


                                                     F-3
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                   BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

                                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                    ASSETS

                                                                          DECEMBER 31,               SEPT. 28,
                                                                      -----------------------         1997
                                                                       1995           1996          (UNAUDITED)
                                                                     --------       --------         ---------
                                                                                  (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                  <C>            <C>              <C>     
Current Assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents ........................................  $ 45,989       $124,560         $ 44,114
 Investments in trading securities ................................     6,095          1,065           18,470
 Investments in available-for-sale securities .....................    31,951         82,016           56,206
 Investments in held-to-maturity securities .......................       --           7,169            1,202
 Other short-term investments .....................................     2,069         15,944           16,837
 Accounts receivable, trade, less reserve of $1,794, $1,180 and
  $2,506, respectively ............................................    12,735          9,870           28,277
 Accounts receivable, other .......................................    23,263         23,235           50,659
 Inventories ......................................................    69,073         77,196           89,349
 Deferred income tax benefits .....................................     3,845            --               --
 Other current assets .............................................     5,402          3,751            4,145
                                                                     --------       --------         --------
   Total Current Assets ...........................................   200,422        344,806          309,259
 Property, plant and equipment, net ...............................   223,784        220,500          227,776
 Excess of cost over net assets of businesses acquired, net
  of accumulated amortization of $5,225, $6,889 and $8,310,
  respectively ....................................................    57,702         60,469           70,330
 Deferred income tax benefits .....................................    66,059         59,053           43,798
 Receivable from related parties ..................................       --             --            27,179
 Other assets .....................................................    11,304         16,755           16,374
                                                                     --------       --------         --------
 Total Assets .....................................................  $559,271       $701,583         $694,716
                                                                     ========       ========         ========

                                     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

Current Liabilities:
 Current maturities of long-term debt .............................   $ 8,990        $ 3,412          $ 3,728
 Accounts payable .................................................    51,975         47,879           52,242
 Payable to related parties, net ..................................     2,749          2,287            7,184
 Accrued liabilities ..............................................    22,970         27,938           39,823
 Reserve for asbestos claims ......................................    48,176          3,062              --
 Reserve for product warranty claims ..............................    11,000         12,914           10,700
                                                                     --------       --------         --------
   Total Current Liabilities ......................................   145,860         97,492          113,677
                                                                     --------       --------         --------
Long-term debt less current maturities ............................   310,260        405,690          415,902
                                                                     --------       --------         --------
Reserve for asbestos claims .......................................    21,110            --               --
                                                                     --------       --------         --------
Reserve for product warranty claims ...............................    39,395         30,755           25,925
                                                                     --------       --------         --------
Other liabilities .................................................    26,864         24,409           22,668
                                                                     --------       --------         --------
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholder's Equity:
 Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred
  Stock, $.01 par value per share; 100,000
  shares authorized; no shares issued .............................       --             --               --
 Common Stock, $.001 par value per share; 1,050,000 shares
  authorized; 1,000,010 shares issued and outstanding .............       --               1                1
 Additional paid-in capital .......................................    73,374        182,699          131,910
 Accumulated deficit ..............................................   (57,229)       (40,174)         (16,889)
 Other ............................................................      (363)           711            1,522
                                                                     --------       --------         --------
 Stockholder's Equity .............................................    15,782        143,237          116,544
                                                                     --------       --------         --------
Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity ........................  $559,271       $701,583         $694,716
                                                                     ========       ========         ========


     The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>

                                                     F-4

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

                                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                                                  NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                               -----------------------
                                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,        SEPT. 29,    SEPT. 28,
                                                          ----------------------------------      1996        1997
                                                             1994        1995       1996       (UNAUDITED)  (UNAUDITED)
                                                          ---------    --------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                                                  (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>      
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period ........   $     821    $ 29,015    $  45,989    $  45,989    $ 124,560
                                                          ---------    --------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Cash provided by operating activities:
 Net income ...........................................      16,660      10,099       17,055       16,482       23,285
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  provided by (used in) operating activities:
 Depreciation .........................................      16,796      20,252       23,857       18,072       16,796
 Goodwill amortization ................................       1,064       1,170        1,664        1,201        1,421
 Deferred income taxes ................................      10,959       6,250       10,609       10,260       14,736
 Noncash interest charges .............................      10,480      21,432       23,718       17,661       20,125
Increase in working capital items .....................     (12,842)     (8,050)     (14,905)     (46,182)     (52,316)
Purchases of trading securities .......................        --          --        (33,824)     (28,726)     (60,470)
Proceeds from sales of trading securities .............        --          --         30,394       25,868       46,217
(Increase) decrease in other assets ...................       2,720       1,924       (1,711)        (940)       1,621
Decrease in other liabilities .........................      (6,384)     (4,502)      (4,158)      (1,390)      (6,336)
Increase (decrease) in payable to related parties .....     (11,663)      1,939         (341)       4,831      (22,282)
Other, net ............................................         757         112          787        1,043        1,351
                                                          ---------    --------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities ...      28,547      50,626       53,145       18,180      (15,852)
                                                          ---------    --------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities:
 Capital expenditures and acquisitions ................     (54,279)    (54,111)     (25,629)     (15,726)     (56,713)
 Purchases of available-for-sale securities ...........        --       (45,706)    (139,355)    (106,452)    (103,427)
 Purchases of held-to-maturity securities .............        --          --           --           --         (4,591)
 Purchases of other short-term investments ............        --        (2,069)        (660)        --           --
 Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities .        --         8,416      101,095      120,305      125,445
 Proceeds from held-to-maturity securities ............        --          --           --           --         10,558
                                                          ---------    --------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Net cash used in investing activities .................     (54,279)    (93,470)     (64,549)      (1,873)     (28,728)
                                                          ---------    --------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities:
 Proceeds from sale of accounts receivable ............      12,217       7,919        8,015       16,378       15,574
 Increase in short-term debt ..........................        --          --           --            256         --
 (Increase) decrease in loans receivable from/payable
  to related party ....................................     (24,502)     23,633         --        (21,953)        --
 Proceeds from issuance of debt .......................     195,528      40,002       99,502         --            662
 Repayments of long-term debt .........................     (15,317)    (10,440)     (34,856)     (11,880)      (2,610)
 (Increase) decrease in restricted cash ...............     (24,484)     24,484         --           --           --
 Capital contribution from (distribution to)
  parent company ......................................        --        34,312       86,077       11,627      (46,000)
 Dividend to parent company ...........................      (7,900)       --           --           --           --
 Payments of asbestos claims ..........................     (75,340)    (59,795)     (66,224)     (43,716)      (3,062)
 Financing fees and expenses ..........................      (6,276)       (297)      (2,539)         (56)        (430)
                                                          ---------    --------    ---------    ---------    ---------
 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ..      53,926      59,818       89,975      (49,344)     (35,866)
                                                          ---------    --------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents ...............      28,194      16,974       78,571      (33,037)     (80,446)
                                                          ---------    --------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period ..............   $  29,015    $ 45,989    $ 124,560    $  12,952    $  44,114
                                                          =========    ========    =========    =========    =========
</TABLE>


                                                          F-5


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

                                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS--(CONTINUED)

                                                                                                  NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                               -----------------------
                                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,        SEPT. 29,    SEPT. 28,
                                                          ----------------------------------      1996        1997
                                                             1994        1995       1996       (UNAUDITED)  (UNAUDITED)
                                                          ---------    --------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                                                  (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>      
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Effect on cash from (increase) decrease in working
 capital items*:
  Accounts receivable ..................................  $(14,340)    $     666   $  (5,122)   $(52,858)    $(57,587)
  Inventories ..........................................    (6,534)       (4,557)     (8,123)    (11,855)      (9,094)
  Other current assets .................................       151         1,760         756       1,329         (931)
  Accounts payable .....................................    11,900        (6,093)     (4,096)      4,833        5,560
  Accrued liabilities ..................................    (4,019)          174       1,680      12,369        9,736
                                                          --------     ---------   --------     --------     -------- 
   Net effect on cash from increase in working                                                               
    capital items ......................................  $(12,842)    $  (8,050)  $(14,905)    $(46,182)    $(52,316)
                                                          ========     =========   ========     ========     ======== 
Cash paid during the period for:                                                                             
 Interest (net of amount capitalized) ..................  $  2,583     $   2,796   $  6,442     $  4,632     $  8,193
 Income taxes (including taxes paid pursuant to the                                                          
  Tax Sharing Agreement) ...............................     9,609           213        537          143          130

Acquisition of U.S. Intec, Inc., net of $180 cash                                                            
 acquired:                                                                                                   
  Fair market value of assets acquired .................               $ 105,285                             
  Purchase price of acquisition ........................                  27,358                             
                                                                       ---------                             
  Liabilities assumed ..................................               $  77,927                             
                                                                       =========                             
Acquisition of Leatherback Industries                                                                        
 business, net of $8 cash acquired:                                                                          
  Fair market value of assets acquired .................                                                     $  27,037
  Purchase price of acquisition ........................                                                        25,231
                                                                                                             ---------
  Liabilities assumed ..................................                                                     $   1,806
                                                                                                             =========
- ---------------
<FN>
*    Working capital items exclude cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, short-term debt and net payables
     to related parties. Working capital acquired in connection with acquisitions is reflected in "Capital expenditures
     and acquisitions." The effects of reclassifications between noncurrent and current assets and liabilities are
     excluded from the amounts shown above. In addition, the increase in receivables shown above does not reflect the
     cash proceeds from the sale of certain of the Company's receivables (see Note 6); such proceeds are reflected in
     cash from financing activities. As discussed in Notes 1 and 2, in connection with the Separation Transactions, G-I
     Holdings made a noncash contribution to the Company in December 1996 of $2.8 million of available-for-sale
     securities, $7.1 million of held-to-maturity securities and $13.2 million of other short-term investments.
</FN>
          The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>

                                                          F-6

<PAGE>


                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         CAPITAL
                                                                        STOCK AND                     RETAINED
                                                                       ADDITIONAL                     EARNINGS
                                                                        PAID--IN                    (ACCUMULATED
                                                                         CAPITAL         OTHER        DEFICIT)
                                                                       ----------       -------     ------------
                                                                                      (THOUSANDS)

<S>                                                                      <C>            <C>           <C>     

  Balance, December 31, 1993 ..........................................  $ 46,936       $(1,802)      $ 48,608
   Net income .........................................................      --            --           16,660
   Assumption of a portion of parent company's asbestos
    liability, net of related income tax benefits .....................      --            --         (124,696)
   Dividend to parent company .........................................      --            --           (7,900)
   Adjustment of unfunded pension liability ...........................      --           1,214           --
                                                                         --------       -------       -------- 
  Balance, December 31, 1994 ..........................................  $ 46,936       $  (588)      $(67,328)
   Net income .........................................................      --            --           10,099
   Capital contribution from parent company ...........................    34,312          --             --
   Reclassification to additional paid-in capital of the
    excess of purchase price over the adjusted historical
    cost of predecessor company shares ................................    (7,874)         --             --
   Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of
    income tax effect of $174 .........................................      --             272           --
   Adjustment of unfunded pension liability ...........................      --             (47)          --
                                                                         --------       -------       -------- 
  Balance, December 31, 1995 ..........................................  $ 73,374       $  (363)      $(57,229)
   Net income .........................................................      --            --           17,055
   Capital contribution from parent company ...........................   109,326          --             --
   Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of
    income tax effect of $333 .........................................      --             522           --
   Adjustment of unfunded pension liability ...........................      --             552           --
                                                                         --------       -------       -------- 
  Balance, December 31, 1996 ..........................................  $182,700       $   711       $(40,174)
   Net income (unaudited) .............................................      --            --           23,285
   Distribution to parent company (unaudited) .........................   (46,000)         --             --
   Transfer of Nashville, Tennessee plant to GAF Fiberglass
    Corporation (unaudited) ...........................................    (4,789)         --             --
   Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of
    income tax effect of $519 (unaudited) .............................      --             811           --
                                                                         --------       -------       -------- 
  Balance, September 28, 1997 (unaudited) .............................  $131,911       $ 1,522       $(16,889)
                                                                         ========       =======       ======== 
</TABLE>



       The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an
                       integral part of these statements.

                                      F-7

<PAGE>


                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     Building Materials Corporation of America (the "Company") was formed on
January 31, 1994 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of GAF Building Materials
Corporation ("GAFBMC"), which is a wholly owned subsidiary ofG Industries Corp.
("G Industries"). G Industries is a wholly owned subsidiary of G-I Holdings Inc.
("G-I Holdings"), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of GAF Corporation ("GAF").
Financial information with regard to the nine months ended September 29, 1996
and September 28, 1997 is unaudited and, in the opinion of management, contains
all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position and the
results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented.
All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for
these periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for
the full year.

     The Company manufactures a broad line of asphalt roofing products and
accessories for the residential and commercial roofing markets in the United
States.

NOTE 1. FORMATION OF THE COMPANY

     Effective as of January 31, 1994, GAFBMC transferred to the Company all of
its business and assets (other than three closed manufacturing facilities,
certain deferred tax assets and receivables from affiliates). The Company
recorded the assets and liabilities related to such transfer at GAFBMC's
historical costs. The Company contractually assumed all of GAFBMC's liabilities,
except (i) all of GAFBMC's environmental liabilities, other than environmental
liabilities relating to the Company's plant sites and its business as then
conducted, (ii) all of GAFBMC's tax liabilities, other than tax liabilities
arising from the operations or business of the Company and (iii) all of GAFBMC's
asbestos-related liabilities, other than the first $204.4 million of such
liabilities (whether for indemnity or defense) relating to then-pending
asbestos-related bodily injury cases and previously settled asbestos-related
bodily injury cases which the Company contractually assumed and agreed to pay.
G-I Holdings and GAFBMC have agreed, jointly and severally, to indemnify the
Company from liabilities not assumed by the Company, including asbestos-related
and environmental liabilities not expressly assumed by the Company. See Note 3.

     The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on a
basis which retroactively reflects the formation of the Company, as discussed
above, for all periods presented prior to 1995, except that the Company's
assumption of $204.4 million of asbestos-related liabilities described above and
related income tax benefits of $79.7 million have been reflected as a charge of
$124.7 million to stockholder's equity upon the Company's formation as of
January 31, 1994.

     In October 1995, G-I Holdings acquired all of the outstanding shares of
U.S. Intec, Inc. ("USI"), which manufactures commercial roofing products, for a
purchase price of $27.5 million and assumed $35 million of USI's indebtedness.
As of January 1, 1997, USI became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company
through a capital contribution to the Company by G-I Holdings. Accordingly, the
Company's historical consolidated financial statements include USI's results of
operations from the date of its acquisition by G-I Holdings, including sales of
$21.8 and $99 million for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996,
respectively, and $76.3 million for the nine months ended September 29, 1996,
and net income (loss) of $(0.5) million, $1.3 million and $0.8million,
respectively.

     On January 1, 1997, GAF effected a series of transactions involving its
subsidiaries (the "Separation Transactions") that resulted in, among other
things, (1) the approximately 83.5% of the issued and outstanding common stock
of International Specialty Products Inc. ("ISP"), an affiliate, owned by a
subsidiary of GAF being distributed to the stockholders of GAF, (2) the
Company's glass fiber manufacturing facility in Nashville, Tennessee (and
certain related assets and liabilities) being transferred to GAF Fiberglass
Corporation ("GFC"), (3) USI becoming a subsidiary of the Company and (4) G-I
Holdings making a contribution of approximately $82.5 million in cash and
short-term investments to the Company. As a result of the Separation
Transactions, ISP Holdings Inc. ("ISP Holdings") and ISP are no longer direct or
indirect subsidiaries of GAF, while the Company and GFC remain subsidiaries of
GAF.

     The parent corporations of the Company are GAF, G-I Holdings, G Industries
and GAFBMC, and, except for the Company, the only other significant asset of
such parent corporations is GFC. As a result of the Separation Transactions,
dividends from ISP are not available to GAF and G-I Holdings, and loans from ISP
to GAF, G-I Holdings and the Company are prohibited by ISP Holdings' debt
instruments. 


                                      F-8
<PAGE>


                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     Principles of Consolidation

     All subsidiaries are consolidated and intercompany transactions have been
eliminated.

     Financial Statement Estimates

     The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain
estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of
management, the financial statements herein contain all adjustments necessary to
present fairly the financial position and the results of operations and cash
flows of the Company for the periods presented. The Company has a policy to
review the recoverability of long-lived assets and identify and measure any
potential impairments. The Company does not anticipate any changes in management
estimates that would have a material impact on operations, liquidity or capital
resources, subject to the matters discussed in Note 12 (Commitments and
Contingencies).

     Short-term Investments

     For securities classified as "trading" (including short positions),
unrealized gains and losses are reflected in income. For securities classified
as "available-for-sale", unrealized gains and losses, net of income tax effect,
are included in a separate component of stockholder's equity (deficit), "Other",
and were $0.3, $0.8 and $1.6 million as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and
September 28, 1997, respectively. Investments classified as "held-to-maturity"
securities are carried at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

     "Other income (expense), net" includes $0.4, $6.4, $5.4 and $14.5 million
of net realized and unrealized gains on securities in 1995 and 1996 and the
first nine months of 1996 and 1997, respectively. The determination of cost in
computing realized gains and losses is based on the specific identification
method.

     In connection with the Separation Transactions (see Note 1), in December
1996, G-I Holdings made a capital contribution to the Company of $2.8 million of
available-for-sale securities, $7.1 million of held-to-maturity securities and
$13.2 million of other short-term investments.

     During the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company redesignated certain equity
securities held long (which are offsets against short positions in certain other
securities), with a fair market value of $6.3 million, as "trading" and recorded
unrealized gains on such securities, through the date of redesignation, in the
amount of $0.5 million as "Other Income".

     As of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and September 28, 1997, the market value
of the Company's equity securities held long was $38.2, $82.5 and $74.8 million,
respectively, and the Company had $5.9, $5.6 and $13.0 million, respectively, of
short positions in common stocks, based on market value. As of December 31, 1996
and September 28, 1997, the market value of the Company's held-to-maturity
securities was $7.6 and $1.2 million, respectively. The market values referred
to above are based on quotations as reported by various stock exchanges and
major broker-dealers. With respect to its investments in securities, the Company
is exposed to the risk of market loss.

     "Other short-term investments" are investments in limited partnerships
which are accounted for by the equity method. Gains and losses are reflected in
"other income (expense), net". Liquidation of partnership interests generally
require a 30 to 45 day notice period.

     Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit and debt securities
purchased with original maturities of three months or less.

     In accordance with the terms of the indenture for the Company's 11-3/4%
Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 2004 (the "Deferred Coupon Notes") (see Note
9), the Company deposited $100 million of the proceeds from the issuance of the
Deferred Coupon Notes into a segregated account maintained by the trustee under
the indenture (the "Account"). Funds in the Account could be invested only in
certain permitted investments and could be used, subject to certain exceptions,
only to fund the Company's assumed asbestos liabilities. As of December 31,
1994, $24.5 million remained in the Account and was invested in Eurodollar
deposits purchased with a maturity of less than three months. The Account was
reduced to a zero balance in 1995.



                                      F-9
<PAGE>


                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)

  Inventories

     Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The LIFO (last-in,
first-out) method is utilized to determine cost for a portion of the Company's
inventories. All other inventories are determined principally based on the FIFO
(first-in, first-out) method.

  Property, Plant and Equipment

     Depreciation is computed principally on the straight-line method based on
the estimated economic lives of the assets. Certain interest charges are
capitalized during the period of construction as part of the cost of property,
plant and equipment.

     Excess of Purchase Price Over the Adjusted Historical Cost of Predecessor
Company Shares

     Stockholder's equity reflects a reduction of $7.9 million which arose from
a management-led buyout in March 1989 of the predecessor company to GAF (the
"Acquisition"), because certain members of the management group owned shares of
the predecessor company's common stock before the Acquisition and own shares of
GAF after the Acquisition. Accordingly, a step-up in asset values to fair value
as required by the purchase method of accounting (which was applied to the
Acquisition) does not apply to their shares. Such amount has been reclassified
to be reflected as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.

  Excess of Cost Over Net Assets of Businesses Acquired ("Goodwill")

     Goodwill is amortized on the straight-line method over a period of
approximately 40 years. The Company believes that the goodwill is recoverable.
The primary financial indicator to assess recoverability of goodwill is
operating income before amortization of goodwill. The assessment is based on an
undiscounted analysis.

  Debt Issuance Costs

     Debt issuance costs are amortized to expense over the life of the related
debt. Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized at the time products are shipped
to the customer.

     Revenues in 1996 included sales to American Builders and Contractors Supply
Co., Inc., which accounted for approximately 11% of the Company's net sales.

  Interest Rate Swaps


     Gains (losses) on interest rate swap agreements ("swaps") are deferred and
amortized as a reduction (increase) of interest expense over the shorter of the
remaining life of the swaps or the remaining period to maturity of the debt
issue with respect to which the swaps were entered.


  Research and Development

     Research and development expenses are charged to operations as incurred and
were $2.5, $3.1, $4.5, $3.0 and $3.8 million for 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the
first nine months of 1996 and 1997, respectively.

  Warranty Claims

     The Company provides certain limited warranties covering most of its
residential roofing products for periods ranging from 20 to 40 years. The
Company also offers limited warranties and guaranties of varying duration on its
commercial roofing products; income from warranty contracts related to
commercial roofing products is recognized over the life of the agreements. The
Company believes that the reserves established for estimated probable future
warranty claims are adequate.

  Environmental Liability

     The Company, together with other companies, is a party to a variety of
proceedings and lawsuits involving environmental matters. The Company estimates
that its liability in respect of such environmental matters, and certain


                                      F-10
<PAGE>

                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED) 

other environmental compliance expenses, as of September 28, 1997, is $1.0
million, before reduction for insurance recoveries reflected on its balance
sheet of $0.5 million. The Company's liability is reflected on an undiscounted
basis. See "Business--Legal Proceedings--Environmental Litigation" for further
discussions with respect to environmental liabilities and estimated insurance
recoveries.

NOTE 3. RESERVE FOR ASBESTOS-RELATED BODILY INJURY CLAIMS

     Upon its formation, the Company contractually assumed and agreed to pay the
first $204.4 million of GAFBMC's asbestos-related bodily injury liabilities
(whether for indemnity or defense), relating to pending cases and previously
settled, but not paid, cases as of January 31, 1994, and no other asbestos
liabilities of GAFBMC. As of March 30, 1997, the Company had paid all of its
assumed asbestos-related liabilities. Also see Note 1. G-I Holdings and GAFBMC
have agreed, jointly and severally, to indemnify the Company against any claims
related to asbestos-related liabilities, other than those assumed by the
Company, in the event that claims in connection with liabilities not assumed by
the Company are asserted against it.

     The reserves of GAF and G-I Holdings for asbestos bodily injury claims, as
of September 28, 1997, were $277.1 million (before estimated present value of
recoveries from products liability insurance policies of $184.3 million and
related deferred tax benefits of $33.4 million). GAF and G-I Holdings have
advised the Company that certain components of the asbestos-related liabilities
and the related insurance recoveries have been reflected on a discounted basis
in their financial statements. The rate (6.25%) used to discount the affected
components of the asbestos-related liability was equivalent to the interest rate
in October 1993 for securities with a 10-year maturity backed by U.S. Government
agencies. As of September 28, 1997, G-I Holdings' consolidated expected net
payments (receipts) for the remainder of 1997 and the years 1998, 1999, 2000,
2001 and 2002 are $9.3, $(9.8), $24.2, $28.1, $34.3 and $17.6 million,
respectively, and the aggregate expected payments to be made after 2002 are $8.8
million.

     The amount of such reserves was based on the effectiveness of a proposed
class action settlement of future asbestos claims (the "Settlement") and on
assumptions which relate, among other things, to the number of new cases filed,
the cost of resolving (either by settlement or litigation) pending and future
claims, the realization of related tax benefits, the favorable resolution of
pending litigation against certain insurance companies and the amount of GAF's
recoveries from various insurance companies. On June 25, 1997, the United States
Supreme Court affirmed the ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the
Third Circuit that the class proposed in the Settlement was not certifiable,
thus rendering the Settlement inoperable. GAF and G-I Holdings have advised the
Company that they are presently evaluating the effect of this Supreme Court
decision on the amount of their reserves for asbestos-related liabilities
(including the impact on discounted reserves), that such analysis could result
in GAF and G-I Holdings increasing their estimates of asbestos-related
liabilities, and that it is not currently possible to estimate the range or
amount, if any, of such possible additional reserves. GAF and G-I Holdings have
stated that they remain committed to effectuating a comprehensive resolution of
asbestos claims, that they are presently exploring a number of options, both
judicial and legislative, to accomplish such resolution, but that there can be
no assurance that these effortswill be successful.

     The Company believes that it will not sustain any additional liability in
connection with asbestos-related claims. While the Company cannot predict
whether any asbestos-related claims will be asserted against it or its assets,
or the outcome of any litigation relating to such claims, it believes that it
has meritorious defenses to such claims. Moreover, it has been jointly and
severally indemnified by G-I Holdings and GAFBMC with respect to such claims.
Should GAF or GAFBMC be unable to satisfy judgments against it in
asbestos-related lawsuits, its judgment creditors might seek to enforce their
judgments against the assets of GAF or GAFBMC, including its holdings of common
stock of the Company, and such enforcement could result in a change of control
with respect to the Company.

     For a further discussion with respect to the foregoing, see
"Business--Legal Proceedings", which is incorporated herein by reference.


                                      F-11
<PAGE>

                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

NOTE 4. ACQUISITIONS

     In March 1994, a subsidiary of the Company acquired the assets and certain
liabilities of International Permalite Inc. ("IPI"), a manufacturer of perlite
roofing insulation products. The acquisition was accounted for under the
purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to
the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired, and the
excess was recorded as goodwill. The results of IPI, including sales of $19.3
million for the year 1994, are included from the date of acquisition; the
effects were not material to 1994 operations.

     On March 14, 1997, the Company acquired the assets of the Leatherback
Industries division of Hollinee Corporation, which is engaged in the manufacture
and sale of asphalt-saturated felts and other felt and construction paper
products. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the estimated fair
values of the identifiable net assets acquired, and the excess was recorded as
goodwill. The results of the Leatherback business, including sales of $21.3
million for the first nine months of 1997, are included from the date of
acquisition; the effects were not material to the first nine months 1997
operations. 

NOTE 5. INCOME TAXES

     Income tax provision, which has been computed on a separate return basis,
consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                         ---------------------------
                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                       SEPT. 29,       SEPT. 28,
                                    -------------------------------------------             1996            1997
                                      1994             1995             1996             (UNAUDITED)     (UNAUDITED)
                                    --------          -------         --------            ---------       --------- 
                                                                      (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                 <C>               <C>             <C>                 <C>              <C>      
Federal--Deferred ...............   $ (9,438)         $(5,424)        $ (9,241)           $ (9,094)        $(12,592)
                                    --------          -------         --------            --------         -------- 
State and Local:
 Current ........................       (200)            (200)            (200)               (214)            (151)
 Deferred .......................     (1,521)            (826)          (1,368)             (1,166)          (2,144)
                                    --------          -------         --------            --------         -------- 
   Total state and local ........     (1,721)          (1,026)          (1,568)             (1,380)          (2,295)
                                    --------          -------         --------            --------         -------- 
Income tax provision ............   $(11,159)         $(6,450)        $(10,809)           $(10,474)        $(14,887)
                                    ========          =======         ========            ========         ======== 
</TABLE>

     The differences between the income tax provision computed by applying the
statutory Federal income tax rate to pre-tax income, and the income tax
provision reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                                 --------------------------
                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                     SEPT. 29,       SEPT. 28,
                                            -------------------------------------------             1996            1997
                                              1994             1995             1996             (UNAUDITED)     (UNAUDITED)
                                            --------          -------         --------            ---------       --------- 
                                                                              (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                         <C>               <C>             <C>                 <C>              <C>      
Statutory provision ......................  $ (9,737)         $(5,792)        $ (9,752)           $ (9,434)        $(13,360)
Impact of:
 State and local taxes, net of Federal
  benefits ...............................    (1,119)            (667)          (1,019)               (897)          (1,492)
 Nondeductible goodwill amortization .....      (372)            (260)            (484)               (291)            (371)
 Other, net ..............................        69              269              446                 148              336
                                            --------          -------         --------            --------         -------- 
Income tax provision .....................  $(11,159)         $(6,450)        $(10,809)           $(10,474)        $(14,887)
                                            ========          =======         ========            ========         ======== 
</TABLE>


                                      F-12
<PAGE>


                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

NOTE 5. INCOME TAXES--(CONTINUED)

     The components of the net deferred tax assets are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            DECEMBER 31,                  SEPT. 28,
                                                                     -------------------------              1997
                                                                       1995            1996              (UNAUDITED)
                                                                     --------         --------            ---------
                                                                                    (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                  <C>              <C>                 <C>      
     Deferred tax liabilities related to property, plant
      and equipment ...............................................  $(10,173)        $(11,782)           $(13,331)
                                                                     --------         --------            -------- 
     Deferred tax assets related to:
      Expenses not yet deducted for tax purposes:
       Reserve for asbestos claims ................................    27,022            1,195                 --
       Other ......................................................    35,437           38,774              35,947
      Net operating losses not yet utilized under the Tax
       Sharing Agreement ..........................................    17,618           30,866              21,182
                                                                     --------         --------            -------- 
      Total deferred tax assets ...................................    80,077           70,835              57,129
                                                                     --------         --------            -------- 
      Net deferred tax assets .....................................    69,904           59,053              43,798
      Less current portion                                              3,845              --                  --
                                                                     --------         --------            -------- 
      Noncurrent deferred tax assets ..............................  $ 66,059         $ 59,053            $ 43,798
                                                                     ========         ========            ========
</TABLE>

     Management has determined, based on the Company's history of prior earnings
and its expectations for the future, that future taxable income will more likely
than not be sufficient to utilize fully the deferred taxassets recorded.

     The Company and its subsidiaries entered into a tax sharing agreement dated
January 31, 1994 with GAF and G-I Holdings under which the Company is obligated
to pay G-I Holdings an amount equal to those Federal income taxes the Company
would have incurred if the Company (on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries)
filed its own Federal income tax return. Unused tax attributes will carry
forward for use in reducing amounts payable by the Company to G-I Holdings in
future years, but cannot be carried back. If the Company were no longer a member
of the GAF consolidated tax group (the "GAF Group"), it would be required to pay
to G-I Holdings the value of any tax attributes it would succeed to under the
consolidated return regulations to the extent such attributes reduced the
amounts otherwise payable by the Company under the Tax Sharing Agreement. Under
certain circumstances, the provisions of the Tax Sharing Agreement could result
in the Company having a greater liability thereunder than it would have had if
it (and its subsidiaries) had filed its own separate Federal income tax return.
Under the Tax Sharing Agreement, the Company and each of its subsidiaries are
responsible for any taxes that would be payable by reason of any adjustment to
the tax returns of GAF or its subsidiaries for years prior to the adoption of
the Tax Sharing Agreement that relate to the business or assets of the Company
or any subsidiary of the Company. Although, as a member of the GAF Group, the
Company is severally liable for all Federal income tax liabilities of every
member of the GAF Group, including tax liabilities not related to the business
of the Company, G-I Holdings and GAF have agreed to indemnify the Company and
its subsidiaries for all tax liabilities of the GAF Group other than tax
liabilities (i) arising from the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries
and (ii) for tax years pre-dating the Tax Sharing Agreement that relate to the
business or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Tax Sharing
Agreement provides for analogous principles to be applied to any consolidated,
combined or unitary state or local income taxes. Under the Tax Sharing
Agreement, GAF makes all decisions with respect to all matters relating to taxes
of the GAF Group. The provisions of the Tax Sharing Agreement take into account
both the Federal income taxes the Company would have incurred if it filed its
own separate Federal income tax return and the fact that the Company is a member
of the GAF Group for Federal income tax purposes. In accordance with the Tax
Sharing Agreement, effective January 31, 1994, tax benefits generated by net
operating losses and credits will reduce future tax sharing payments to G-I
Holdings.

     On September 15, 1997, GAF received a notice from the Internal Revenue
Service (the "Service") of a deficiency in the amount of $84.4 million (after
taking into account the use of net operating losses and foreign tax


                                      F-13
<PAGE>


                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

NOTE 5. INCOME TAXES--(CONTINUED)

credits otherwise available for use in later years) in connection with the
formation in 1990 of Rhone-Poulenc Surfactants and Specialties, L.P. (the
"surfactants partnership"), a partnership in which GFC holds an interest. The
claim of the Service for interest and penalties, after taking into account the
effect on the use of net operating losses and foreign tax credits, could result
in GFC incurring liabilities significantly in excess of the deferred tax
liability of $131.4 million that GAF recorded in 1990 in connection with this
matter. GAF has advised the Company that it believes that GFC will prevail in
this matter, although there can be no assurance in this regard. The Company
believes that the ultimate disposition of this matter will not have a material
adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations. GAF, G-I
Holdings and certain subsidiaries of GAF have agreed to jointly and severally
indemnify the Company against any tax liability associated with the surfactants
partnership, which the Company would be severally liable for, together with GAF
and several current and former subsidiaries of GAF, should GAF and certain of
its subsidiaries be unable to satisfy such indemnity. 

NOTE 6. SALE OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

     In March 1993, the Company sold its trade accounts receivable
("receivables") to a trust, without recourse, pursuant to an agreement which
provided for a maximum of $75 million in cash to be made available to the
Company based on eligible receivables outstanding from time to time. In November
1996, the Company entered into new agreements, pursuant to which it sold the
receivables to a special purpose subsidiary of the Company, BMCA Receivables
Corporation, without recourse, which in turn sold them to a new trust, without
recourse. The new agreements provide for a maximum of $115 million in cash to be
made available to the Company based on eligible receivables outstanding from
time to time. This facility expires in December 2001. The excess of accounts
receivable sold over the net proceeds received is included in "Accounts
receivable, other." The effective cost to the Company varies with LIBOR and is
included in "Other income (expense), net." 

NOTE 7. INVENTORIES

     At December 31, 1995 and 1996 and September 28, 1997, $6.2, $7.6 and $10.2
million, respectively, of inventories were valued using the LIFO method.
Inventories consist of the following: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  DECEMBER 31,                  SEPT. 28,
                                            ------------------------              1997
                                             1995            1996              (UNAUDITED)
                                            -------          -------            ---------
                                                          (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                         <C>              <C>                 <C>    
     Finished goods ......................  $36,363          $41,201             $51,026
     Work in process .....................    7,594           10,844              10,578
     Raw materials and supplies ..........   25,621           26,206              28,800
                                            -------          -------             -------
      Total ..............................   69,578           78,251              90,404
     Less LIFO reserve ...................     (505)          (1,055)             (1,055)
                                            -------          -------             -------
     Inventories .........................  $69,073          $77,196             $89,349
                                            =======          =======             =======
</TABLE>



                                      F-14
<PAGE>

                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)


NOTE 8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

     Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           DECEMBER 31,                  SEPT. 28,
                                                                    -------------------------              1997
                                                                      1995            1996              (UNAUDITED)
                                                                    --------         --------            ---------
                                                                                   (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                 <C>              <C>                 <C>     
     Land and land improvements ..................................  $ 25,255         $ 25,722            $ 25,705
     Buildings and fixtures ......................................    40,608           46,001              46,998
     Machinery and equipment (including equipment under
      capitalized leases of $20,450, $17,660 and $16,089--
      see Note 9) ................................................   172,993          178,190             181,328
     Construction in progress ....................................    20,879           19,039              31,929
                                                                    --------         --------            --------
      Total ......................................................   259,735          268,952             285,960
     Less accumulated depreciation and amortization ..............   (35,951)         (48,452)            (58,184)
                                                                    --------         --------            --------
     Property, plant and equipment, net ..........................  $223,784         $220,500            $227,776
                                                                    ========         ========            ========
</TABLE>


NOTE 9. LONG-TERM DEBT

     Long-term debt consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              DECEMBER 31,                  SEPT. 28,
                                                                       ------------------------               1997
                                                                         1995            1996              (UNAUDITED)
                                                                       --------         --------            --------
                                                                                      (THOUSANDS)

<S>                                                                    <C>              <C>                 <C>     
     11-3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 2004 .................   $207,814         $233,018            $253,955
     8-5/8% Senior Notes due 2006 ..................................        --            99,504              99,542
     Borrowings under revolving credit facilities ..................     24,412              --                  --
     Industrial revenue bonds with various interest rates
      and maturity dates to 2012 ...................................     19,625           19,625              11,125
     Obligations on mortgaged properties ...........................      7,639            5,155               4,754
     Obligations under capital leases (Note 12) ....................     59,760           51,800              50,254
                                                                       --------         --------            --------
      Total ........................................................    319,250          409,102             419,630
     Less current maturities .......................................     (8,990)          (3,412)             (3,728)
                                                                       --------         --------            --------
     Long-term debt less current maturities ........................   $310,260         $405,690            $415,902
                                                                       ========         ========            ========
</TABLE>

     On December 9, 1996, the Company issued $100 million in aggregate principal
amount at maturity of 8-5/8% Senior Notes due 2006 (the "Notes"). In June 1994,
the Company issued $310 million in principal amount of the Deferred Coupon Notes
for net proceeds of $169.3 million. The Deferred Coupon Notes will accrete to
face value on July 1, 1999 and cash interest will accrue from and after that
date. Holders of the Deferred Coupon Notes and the Notes have the right under
the indentures governing such notes to require the Company to purchase the
Deferred Coupon Notes at a price of 101% of Accreted Value (as defined herein)
and the Notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount thereof, and the
Company has the right to redeem the Deferred Coupon Notes at Accreted Value and
the Notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus, in each
case, the Applicable Premium (as defined therein), together with any accrued and
unpaid interest, in the event of a Change of Control (as defined therein).

     The indentures relating to the Notes, the Deferred Coupon Notes and the
Credit Agreement (see below) contain covenants that, among other things, limit
the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to pay certain dividends or make
certain other restricted payments and restricted investments, incur liens,
engage in transactions with affiliates, and agree to certain additional
limitations on dividends and other payment restrictions affecting subsidiaries.
As of September 28, 1997, after giving effect to the most restrictive of the
aforementioned covenants, the Company could have paid dividends of up to $82.0
million. Under the indentures relating to the Notes and the Deferred Coupon
Notes, 


                                      F-15
<PAGE>


                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)


NOTE 9. LONG-TERM DEBT--(CONTINUED) 

the incurrence of additional debt by the Company and the issuance by the Company
of preferred stock would be restricted unless, at the time of such issuance and
after giving effect thereto, the ratio of the Company's consolidated net income
before income taxes, interest, depreciation and amortization expense to its
consolidated interest expense for its most recently completed four fiscal
quarters is at least 2 to 1. For the four quarters ended September 28, 1997, the
Company was in compliance with such tests.


     In connection with the Deferred Coupon Notes, the Company entered into
interest rate swap agreements ("swaps") with banks with a remaining aggregate
ending notional principal amount of $80 million and a final maturity of July 1,
1999. As a result of the swaps, the effective interest cost to the Company of
the portion of the Deferred Coupon Notes covered by the swaps varies at a fixed
spread over LIBOR. Based on the fair value of the swaps at December 31, 1995 and
1996 and September 28, 1997, the Company would have incurred gains of $9.3, $8.0
and $3.9 million, respectively, representing the estimated amount that would be
receivable by the Company if the swaps were terminated at such dates. No cash
interest will be paid on the swaps until maturity. In June and September 1997,
the Company terminated swaps each with an aggregate ending notional principal
amount of $31 million, resulting in gains of $0.4 and $1.4 million,
respectively. The gains have been deferred and will be amortized as a reduction
of interest expense over the remaining life of the swaps. The Company may be
considered to be at risk, to the extent of the costs of replacing such swaps at
current market rates, in the event of nonperformance by counterparties. However,
since the counterparties are major financial institutions, the credit ratings of
which are continually monitored by the Company, the risk of such nonperformance
is considered by the Company to be remote.


     In August 1997, the Company entered into a new three-year bank credit
facility (the "Credit Agreement"). The terms of the Credit Agreement provide for
a $75 million revolving credit facility, the full amount of which is available
for letters of credit, provided that total borrowings and outstanding letters of
credit may not exceed $75 million in the aggregate. As of September 28, 1997,
$38.6 million of letters of credit were outstanding and no amounts had been
borrowed under the Credit Agreement. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement,
the Company is subject to certain financial covenants, including interest
coverage and leverage ratios, and dividends and other restricted payments are
limited. As of September 28, 1997, the Company was in compliance with such
covenants. The Credit Agreement replaced previous bank credit facilities which
provided up to $42 million in total borrowings and outstanding letters of
credit.

     In connection with the Credit Agreement, USI's revolving credit facility,
which provided for borrowings of up to $29.6 million, and letters of credit of
up to $2.0 million (such total borrowings and outstanding letters of credit not
to exceed $29.6 million), was terminated.

     In December 1995, the Company consummated a $40 million sale-leaseback of
certain equipment located at its Chester, South Carolina roofing facility, in a
transaction accounted for as a capital lease, and the gain has been deferred.
The lessor was granted a security interest in certain equipment at the Chester
facility. The lease term extends to December 2005. In December 1994, the Company
consummated a $20.4 million sale-leaseback of certain equipment located at its
Baltimore, Maryland roofing facility, in a transaction accounted for as a
capital lease, and the gain has been deferred. The lessor was granted a security
interest in the land, buildings, and certain equipment at the Baltimore
facility. The proceeds were used in part to repay $12 million outstanding under
a loan obtained in 1990 which was secured by the same equipment. The lease term
extends to December 2004. In December 1993, the Company obtained a loan of $7.3
million, which is secured by manufacturing equipment located at its Dallas
plant. The loan is being repaid over a seven-year period and has a fixed
interest rate. The Company has two industrial revenue bond issues outstanding,
which bear interest at short-term floating rates. Interest rates on the
foregoing obligations ranged between 3.65% and 8.87% as of September 28, 1997.

     The Company believes that the fair value of its non-public indebtedness
approximates the book value of such indebtedness, because the interest rates on
such indebtedness are at floating short-term rates. With respect to the
Company's publicly traded debt securities, the Company has obtained estimates of
the fair values from an independent source believed to be reliable. The
estimated fair value of the Deferred Coupon Notes as of December 31,


                                      F-16
<PAGE>


                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)


NOTE 9. LONG-TERM DEBT--(CONTINUED)


1995 and 1996 and September 28, 1997 was $210.8, $268.9 and $289.1 million,
respectively. The estimated fair value of the Notes as of December 31, 1996 and
September 28, 1997 was $100 and $103.5 million, respectively.

     The aggregate maturities of long-term debt as of September 28, 1997 for the
next five years are as follows:

       TWELVE MONTHS
       ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,                        (THOUSANDS)
       -------------------                        -----------
       1998 ....................................     $3,728
       1999 ....................................      4,048
       2000 ....................................      4,660
       2001 ....................................      6,015
       2002 ....................................      5,420

NOTE 10. BENEFIT PLANS

     Eligible, full-time employees of the Company are covered by various benefit
plans, as described below.

  Defined Contribution Plan


     The Company provides a defined contribution plan for eligible employees.
The Company contributes up to 7% of participants' compensation and also
contributes fixed amounts, ranging from $50 to $750 per year depending on age,
to the accounts of participants who are not covered by a Company-provided
postretirement medical benefit plan. The aggregate contributions by the Company
were $2.6, $2.7, $3.0, $2.3 and $2.7 million for 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the
first nine months of 1996 and 1997, respectively.

     USI provides a defined contribution plan for eligible employees. USI may
contribute a discretionary matching contribution equal to 100% of each
participant's eligible contributions each plan year up to a maximum of $500 for
each participant. Such contributions by USI were immaterial for the period of
1995 after the acquisition of USI and were $157,000, $138,000 and $126,000 for
1996 and the first nine months of 1996 and 1997, respectively.

  Defined Benefit Plans

     The Company provides a noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan for
hourly employees (the "Hourly Retirement Plan"). Benefits under this plan are
based on stated amounts for each year of service. The Company's funding policy
is consistent with the minimum funding requirements of ERISA.

     The Company's net periodic pension cost for the Hourly Retirement Plan
included the following components:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  ---------------------------------
                                                                  1994          1995          1996
                                                                   ----          ----          ----
                                                                            (THOUSANDS)

<S>                                                                <C>           <C>           <C> 
     Service cost ..............................................   $501          $463          $631
     Interest cost .............................................    551           598           686
     Actual income on plan assets ..............................   (380)         (432)         (829)
     Net deferral and amortization of unrecognized prior
      service cost and actuarial losses ........................    175            97            35
                                                                   ----          ----          ----
     Net periodic pension cost .................................   $847          $726          $523
                                                                   ====          ====          ====
</TABLE>

     Net periodic pension cost for the Hourly Retirement Plan was $0.3 and $0.4
million, respectively, for the first nine months of 1996 and 1997.


                                      F-17
<PAGE>

                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)


NOTE 10. BENEFIT PLANS--(CONTINUED)


     The following table sets forth the funded status of the Hourly Retirement
Plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       DECEMBER 31,
                                                                   ---------------------
                                                                    1995         1996
                                                                   ------       -------
                                                                       (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                <C>          <C>    
     Accumulated benefit obligation:
      Vested ...................................................   $7,623       $ 8,407
      Nonvested ................................................    1,266         1,621
                                                                   ------       -------
     Total accumulated benefit obligation ......................   $8,889       $10,028
                                                                   ======       =======
     Projected benefit obligation ..............................   $8,889       $10,028
     Fair value of plan assets, primarily publicly traded
      stocks and U.S. Government securities ....................   (7,092)       (9,530)
                                                                   ------       -------
     Projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets .....    1,797           498
     Unrecognized prior service cost ...........................     (368)         (338)
     Unrecognized net loss .....................................     (635)          (83)
                                                                   ------       -------
     Unfunded accrued pension cost .............................   $  794       $    77
                                                                   ======       =======
</TABLE>
     At December 31, 1996, the difference between the "Projected benefit
obligation in excess of plan assets" and the "Unfunded accrued pension cost," in
the amount of $421,000 was recorded by the Company as a liability, offset by an
intangible asset in the amount of $338,000 and a reduction of stockholder's
equity in the amount of $83,000. The foregoing amounts will be amortized to
expense over a period of approximately 15 years, as the Company continues to
fund the benefits under the Hourly Retirement Plan.

     In determining the projected benefit obligation, the weighted average
assumed discount rate was 7.5% and 7.75% for 1995 and 1996, respectively. The
expected long-term rate of return on assets, used in determining net periodic
pension cost, was 9% for 1995 and 11% for 1996.

     The Company also provides a nonqualified defined benefit retirement plan
for certain key employees. Expense accrued for this plan was immaterial for
1994, 1995 and 1996 and the first nine months of 1996 and 1997.

  Preferred Stock Option Plan

     On January 1, 1996, the Company issued options to certain employees to
purchase 24,509 shares of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock ("Preferred
Stock") of the Company, exercisable at a price of $100 per share. Options to
purchase 71,578 shares of Preferred Stock were issued in 1997, exercisable at a
price of $100 per share. Each share of Preferred Stock is convertible, at the
holder's option, into shares of common stock of the Company at a formula price
based on Book Value (as defined in the option agreement) as of the date of
grant. The options vest over seven years. Dividends will accrue on the Preferred
Stock from the date of issuance at the rate of 8% per annum. The Preferred Stock
is redeemable, at the Company's option, for a redemption price equal to $100 per
share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The Preferred Stock, and common stock
issuable upon conversion of Preferred Stock into common stock, is subject to
repurchase by the Company under certain circumstances, at a price equal to
current Book Value (as defined under the option agreements). The exercise price
of the options to purchase Preferred Stock was equal to estimated fair value per
share of the Preferred Stock at the date of grant. No expense is accrued in
connection with the preferred stock options.

  Income Appreciation Unit Plan and Book Value Appreciation Unit Plan

     The Company provided an Income Appreciation Unit Plan, an employee
incentive program based on the operating performance of the Company. Expense
accrued for the plan was $1.1, $0.2, $0.4 and $0.8 million for 1994, 1995 and
1996 and the first nine months of 1996, respectively.

     The Income Appreciation Unit Plan was terminated as of December 31, 1996,
and the values were frozen as of that date. Participants who hold vested units
will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the value of their vested


                                      F-18
<PAGE>

                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)



NOTE 10. BENEFIT PLANS--(CONTINUED)


units as of December 31, 1996 and, as the remaining units become vested, holders
will be entitled to receive additional cash payment for such value.

     A Book Value Appreciation Unit Plan was implemented effective January 1,
1996. Under the plan, employees were granted units which vest over seven years.
Upon exercise, employees are entitled to receive a cash payment based on the
increase in Book Value (as defined in the plan). Expense accrued under this plan
was $0.1 million for 1996, was immaterial for the first nine months of 1996 and
was $0.4 million for the first nine months of 1997.

  Postretirement Medical and Life Insurance

     The Company generally does not provide postretirement medical and life
insurance benefits, although it subsidizes such benefits for certain employees
and certain retirees. Such subsidies were reduced or ended as of January 1,
1997.

     The following table shows the components of the accrued postretirement
health care cost obligation as of December 31, 1995 and 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                                     ---------------------
                                                                      1995          1996
                                                                     -------       -------
                                                                         (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                  <C>           <C>    
     Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
      Retirees, dependents and beneficiaries eligible
       for benefits ...............................................  $ 5,866       $ 5,108
      Active employees fully eligible for benefits ................    1,193         1,131
      Active employees not fully eligible for benefits ............    1,154         1,182
                                                                     -------       -------
     Total accumulated postretirement benefit obligation ..........    8,213         7,421
     Fair value of plan assets ....................................      --            --
     Unrecognized net gain ........................................    3,284         4,039
                                                                     -------       -------
     Accrued postretirement benefit obligation ....................  $11,497       $11,460
                                                                     =======       =======
</TABLE>

     Net periodic postretirement benefit cost included the following components:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                           --------------------------------
                                                           1994          1995          1996
                                                           ----          ----          ----
                                                                    (THOUSANDS)

<S>                                                        <C>           <C>           <C> 
     Service cost ......................................   $ 86          $ 79          $ 95
     Interest cost .....................................    599           645           597
     Amortization of net gain from earlier periods .....   (200)         (415)         (232)
                                                           ----          ----          ----
     Net periodic postretirement benefit cost ..........   $485          $309          $460
                                                           ====          ====          ====
</TABLE>

     Net periodic postretirement benefit cost was $0.3 million for each of the
first nine months of 1996 and 1997. 

     For purposes of calculating the accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation, the following assumptions were made. Retirees as of December 31,
1996 who were formerly salaried employees (with certain exceptions) were assumed
to receive a Company subsidy of $700 to $1,000 per year. For retirees over age
65, this subsidy may be replaced by participation in a managed care program.
With respect to retirees who were formerly hourly employees, most such retirees
are subject to a $5,000 per person lifetime maximum benefit. Subject to such
lifetime maximum, a 13% and 7% annual rate of increase in the Company's per
capita cost of providing postretirement medical benefits was assumed for 1997
for such retirees under and over 65, respectively. To the extent that the
lifetime maximum benefits have not been reached, the foregoing rates were
assumed to decrease gradually to 7% and 6%, respectively, by the year 2003 and
remain at that level thereafter. The weighted average discount rate used in
determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 7.5% and 7.75%
for 1995 and 1996, respectively.


                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)


NOTE 10. BENEFIT PLANS--(CONTINUED)


     The health care cost trend rate assumption has an effect on the amounts
reported. To illustrate, increasing the assumed health care cost trend rates by
one percentage point in each year would increase the accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation as of December 31, 1996 by $345,000 and the aggregate of the
service and interest cost components of the net periodic postretirement benefit
cost for the year 1996 by $77,000.

NOTE 11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     Included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are the following receivable
(payable) balances with related parties, which arise from operating transactions
between the Company and its affiliates:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             DECEMBER 31,             SEPT. 28,
                                                       ----------------------           1997
                                                        1995          1996          (UNAUDITED)
                                                        -------       -------        ---------
                                                                   (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>             <C>    

     Receivable from (payable to):
      GAF/G-I Holdings/G Industries ..................  $   208       $   274         $   259
      GAFBMC .........................................      (55)          115             579
      GFC ............................................      --            --           (1,278)
      International Specialty Products Inc. ..........   (2,902)       (2,676)         (6,744)
                                                        -------       -------         ------- 
      Payable to related parties, net ................  $(2,749)      $(2,287)        $(7,184)
                                                        =======       =======         ======= 
</TABLE>

     The Company makes loans to, and borrows from, G-I Holdings and its
subsidiaries at prevailing market rates (between 6.14% and 6.55% during 1995 and
between 5.68% and 6.03% during 1996). The highest amount of loans made by the
Company to G-I Holdings during 1995 and 1996 was $45.4 million. No loans were
made to the Company by G-I Holdings and its subsidiaries during 1995, and the
highest amount of loans made to the Company by G-I Holdings and its subsidiaries
during 1996 was $24.3 million. As of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and September
28, 1997, no loans were owed to the Company by G-I Holdings, and no loans were
owed by the Company to affiliates. In addition, the Company advances funds on a
non-interest bearing basis to G-I Holdings and its subsidiaries. The balance of
such advances as of September 28, 1997 was $27.2 million and was classified as a
long-term receivable from related parties in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Also, through September 28, 1997, the Company had made distributions of $46
million to its parent company.

     Mineral Products: The Company purchases all of its colored roofing granules
requirements (except for the requirements of the California roofing plant) from
ISP under a requirements contract which was renewed in 1996 and is subject to
annual renewal unless terminated by the Company or ISP. In addition, in December
1995, USI commenced purchasing substantially all of its requirements for colored
roofing granules from ISP (except for the requirements of its Stockton,
California and Corvallis, Oregon plants) pursuant to a requirements contract
which expires December 31, 1997. Such purchases by BMCA and USI totaled $42.5,
$45.8, $50.5, $39.0 and $40.8 million for 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the first nine
months of 1996 and 1997, respectively. The amount payable to ISP at December 31,
1995 and 1996 and September 28, 1997 for such purchases was $2.8, $3.2 and $5.1
million, respectively.

     Glass Fiber Supply Agreement: As a result of the Separation Transactions
(see Note 1), the Company's glass fiber manufacturing facility in Nashville,
Tennessee, which manufactures a significant portion of the Company's glass fiber
requirements, was transferred to GFC as of January 1, 1997. In connection with
that transaction, the Company entered into a seven-year supply agreement with
GFC under which GFC produces glass fiber for the Company. Purchases under this
agreement totaled $17.8 million for the first nine months of 1997.

     Management Agreements: The Company is a party to a Management Agreement
with ISP (the "Management Agreement"), which expires December 31, 1997, pursuant
to which ISP provides certain general management, administrative and facilities
services to the Company (including the use of the Company's headquarters in
Wayne, New Jersey), for which the Company paid ISP a management fee of $3.5,
$3.6, $3.9, $2.9 and $3.5 million for 1994,


                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)


NOTE 11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS--(CONTINUED)

1995 and 1996 and the first nine months of 1996 and 1997, respectively. In
addition to the management fee, the Company paid to ISP approximately $0.7
million in each of 1994 and 1995, $0.8 million in 1996, and $0.6 million in the
first nine months of 1996, primarily for telecommunications and information
services, and the Company paid approximately $0.2, $0.1 and $0.3 million to ISP
in 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively, for certain legal services, which in each
case were not encompassed within the Management Agreement. In connection with
the Separation Transactions (see Note 1), the Management Agreement was modified
to incorporate such services, and, in that connection, the total charges for
management fees were increased to an annual rate of $4.7 million, effective
January 1, 1997.

     As of January 1, 1997, the Company and GFC entered into a management
agreement under which the Company provides certain general management,
administrative and financial services to GFC. Under the management agreement,
which expires December 31, 1997, GFC is obligated to pay the Company an annual
management fee of $1.0 million.

  Tax Sharing Agreement: See Note 5.

     Stock Appreciation Rights: An executive officer of the Company was granted
stock appreciation rights in 1995 and 1996 relating to GAF's common stock.
Compensation expense in connection with such stock appreciation rights is
reflected in G-I Holdings' operating expenses, and was immaterial for 1995, 1996
and the first nine months of 1996, respectively, and was $0.4 million for the
first nine months of 1997.

NOTE 12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     The discussions as to legal matters involving the Company contained in
"Business--Legal Proceedings--Environmental Litigation" and "--Other Litigation"
are incorporated herein by reference.

     GAF, G-I Holdings, G Industries and GAFBMC are presently dependent upon the
earnings and cash flow of their subsidiaries, principally the Company, in order
to satisfy their obligations, including as of September 28, 1997, the
asbestos-related liability discussed in Note 3, $5.7 million of G-I Holdings'
11.125% Senior Discount Notes due 1998, $0.1 million of G-I Holdings' Series B
10% Senior Notes due 2006, and approximately $155.6 million of various tax and
other liabilities, including tax liabilities relating to the surfactants
partnership (discussed in Note 5). Of such obligations, $20.9 million (net of
estimated insurance recoveries of $95.8 million) is estimated to be payable
during the twelve months ended September 30, 1998. GAF has advised the Company
that it expects to obtain funds to satisfy such obligations from, among other
things, dividends and loans from subsidiaries (principally the Company), as to
which there are restrictions under the indentures relating to the Deferred
Coupon Notes, the Notes and the Credit Agreement, and from payments pursuant to
the Tax Sharing Agreement between GAF and the Company. The Company does not
believe that the dependence of its parent corporations on the cash flows of
their subsidiaries should have a material adverse effect on the operations,
liquidity or capital resources of the Company.


                                      F-21
<PAGE>
                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)


NOTE 12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES--(CONTINUED)


     The leases for certain property, plant and equipment at the Company's
Baltimore, Maryland and Chester, South Carolina roofing facilities are accounted
for as capital leases (see Note 9). The Company is also a lessee under operating
leases principally for production, transportation and computer equipment. Rental
expense on operating leases was $7.1, $7.0 and $8.3 million for 1994, 1995 and
1996, respectively. Future minimum lease payments for properties which were held
under long-term noncancellable leases as of December 31, 1996 were as follows:

                                                    CAPITAL         OPERATING
                                                     LEASES          LEASES
                                                    -------         --------
                                                          (THOUSANDS)
     1997 ........................................  $ 6,862         $ 4,396
     1998 ........................................    6,862           3,126
     1999 ........................................    6,862           1,748
     2000 ........................................    7,302           1,158
     2001 ........................................    8,108             467
     Later years .................................   38,964             148
                                                    -------         -------
     Total minimum payments ......................   74,960         $11,043
                                                                    =======
     Less interest included above ................  (23,160)
                                                    -------
     Present value of net minimum lease payment ..  $51,800
                                                    =======

NOTE 13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT (UNAUDITED)

     In October 1997, the Company issued in a private placement offering $100
million in aggregate principal amount at maturity of 8% Senior Notes due 2007.


                                      F-22

<PAGE>


                    BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

                         SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED)
                      QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       1995 BY QUARTER                            1996 BY QUARTER
                                           --------------------------------------      --------------------------------------
                                            FIRST     SECOND      THIRD    FOURTH       FIRST     SECOND     THIRD     FOURTH
                                           ------     ------     ------    ------      ------     ------    ------     ------
                                                                               (MILLIONS)  
                                                                                                                       
  <S>                                      <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>   
  Net sales .............................. $138.6     $177.1     $191.9    $179.6      $166.7     $230.2    $251.6     $203.5

  Cost of products sold ..................  102.9      127.0      139.7     136.4       124.3      165.6     180.9      151.5
                                           ------     ------     ------    ------      ------     ------    ------     ------
  Gross profit ........................... $ 35.7     $ 50.1     $ 52.2    $ 43.2      $ 42.4     $ 64.6    $ 70.7     $ 52.0
                                           ======     ======     ======    ======      ======     ======    ======     ======
  Operating income ....................... $  7.0     $ 15.8     $ 15.6    $  7.5      $  7.7     $ 20.7    $ 22.8     $ 10.2
                                           ======     ======     ======    ======      ======     ======    ======     ======
  Interest expense ....................... $  6.0     $  6.0     $  6.2    $  6.6      $  7.8     $  8.0    $  7.9     $  8.3
                                           ======     ======     ======    ======      ======     ======    ======     ======
  Income (loss) before income taxes ...... $   .6     $  8.0     $  8.0    $  (.1)     $  (.3)    $ 12.4    $ 14.9     $    9

  Income tax (provision) benefit .........    (.2)      (3.2)      (3.2)       .2          .1       (4.8)     (5.8)       (.3)
                                           ------     ------     ------    ------      ------     ------    ------     ------
  Net income (loss) ...................... $   .4     $  4.8     $  4.8    $   .1      $  (.2)    $  7.6    $  9.1     $   .6
                                           ======     ======     ======    ======      ======     ======    ======     ======
</TABLE>


                                      F-23


<PAGE>
================================================================================


     NO DEALER, SALES REPRESENTATIVE, OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO
GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS. IF
GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY BMCA. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO
SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE NOTES
TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO, OR A SOLICITATION OF, ANY PERSON IN ANY
JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY OR THAT INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY
TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.


                                   ----------

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                    PAGE

Prospectus Summary ...............................................   1
Risk Factors .....................................................  11
Capitalization ...................................................  15
Selected Financial Data ..........................................  16
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
 Results of Operations ...........................................  18
Business .........................................................  22
Management .......................................................  33
Executive Compensation ...........................................  36
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management ...  39
Certain Relationships ............................................  40
The Exchange Offer ...............................................  42
Description of the New Notes .....................................  48
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations ...................  67
Plan of Distribution .............................................  70
Legal Matters ....................................................  71
Experts ..........................................................  71
Available Information ............................................  71
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements ....................... F-1

                                                        
================================================================================


================================================================================


                                  $100,000,000


                                   SERIES B 8%
                              SENIOR NOTES DUE 2007


                               BUILDING MATERIALS
                             CORPORATION OF AMERICA




                            -------------------------

                                   PROSPECTUS

                            -------------------------






                                FEBRUARY 9, 1998



================================================================================



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