Letter of Intent Signed

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain
5 June 2000


                    ACQUISITION OF THE ROOFING BUSINESS OF
                                     CELOTEX

The Building Materials Division of Saint-Gobain announced today that it has
signed a letter of intent to buy the roofing assets of Celotex Corporation of
Tampa, Florida, USA.

Celotex is a manufacturer of asphalt roofing shingles for American homes.  In
1999, this business had sales of $135 million among its four asphalt shingle
plants and one fiber glass mat production facility.

With the purchase of GS Roofing in June 1999 and the proposed acquisition of
Celotex's roofing assets, CertainTeed will further its growth and become no2 in
the US for roofing products.  This proposed purchase would broaden CertainTeed's
product line, widen its geographical coverage and enhance its competitiveness
through upstream integration with a fiber glass mat plant which is located in
Russellville, Alabama.
The Building Materials Division had sales of $2,625 billion in 1999.  It
manufactures six types of building materials used in the new construction and
renovation market in more than 15 countries.

                           Investor Relations Department

Tel: Florence TRIOU-TEIXEIRA  [phone] - mailto: florence.triou@saint- 
                                                         gobain.com
   Tel: Lounis BEKKAT [phone] - mailto:[e-mail]
                              Fax: [phone]