A structural article comprises a substrate having an ionic charge coated on one side with a coating having essentially the same ionic charge and covered on the other side with a water vapor impermeable material selected from the roof consisting essentially of metal foils and preformed plastic films. The coating consists essentially of a filler material and a binder material and the binder material bonds the filler material together and to the substrate. The water vapor impermeable material is attached to the coated substrate with an adhesive. In additional embodiments, the substrate is coated on both sides with a coating having essentially the same ionic charge and the article so coated is then covered on one or both sides with the water vapor impermeable material.