I used Permabase and am very happy. But I am not familiar with the “permabase plus” you’re mentioning. I got mine at ISC Building materials rather than Lowe’s. Answer from A5_Shotty on reddit.com
Contractor Talk
contractortalk.com › home › forums › trade talk › tiling
Best backerboard | Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum
Wonderboard= Really hard and stiff, tough to nail through, really heavy. Permabase= Handles well, stiff, nails well, use it a lot. Hardiboard= Personally I don't trust it. Set it outside and watch it delaminate.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/outdoorkitchens › permabase plus vs durock?
r/OutdoorKitchens on Reddit: Permabase Plus vs Durock?
May 28, 2024 -
I am ready to put the cement boards to my metal frame (bbq tubes - galvanized steel). They have at my local stores Permabase Plus (Lowes) and Durock (HD). I looked at the Permabase Plus and it looks at little bit more flimsy than the Durock. Which one would you all recommend between them 2? Thanks!
Videos
00:49
PermaBASE UltraBacker Cement Board - YouTube
01:40
PermaBASE Cement Board vs. Metal Lath Time Comparison Study - YouTube
00:56
PermaBASE Cement Board - YouTube
02:09
Shower Installation with PermaBASE Cement Board - YouTube
09:15
Perma Base Backerboard ( a review ) - YouTube
Reddit
reddit.com › r/tile › cementboard recommendations that are not durock....
r/Tile on Reddit: Cementboard recommendations that are not durock....
February 6, 2024 -
Not a professional. I've used durock, which seems to me like garbage (cracks easily and dusty to cut) and I've used a HomeDepot product that is white and seemed much more solid, but that was on a floor and I goofed by choosing 1/4" so there's too much flex, but I assume 1/2" would have worked out better; it seemed like a good product. 19oc trusses.
Anyone got a product they recommend?
Top answer 1 of 4
5
I've found hardi backer to be better to work with. Comes with the bonus of having pre-defined spots for your screws that are a little below flush to the top of the board. That being said I've pretty much 100% gone to decoupling membranes - just way less work to roll out a mat of plastic and mortar it down vs. 3000 screws and cutting cement board. Also if you're picking cement board to add stiffness, you're better off adding plywood to your floor than trying to do it with cement board.
2 of 4
2
When I did use cement boards, I found durock to be just as good as wonder board, permabase, or any hardi boards. In the past 5 years I have switched to foam boards, mainly sentinel, which seems to be a wedi knock off. Honestly I don't use it for its properties but use it because its very light, cuts with a razor knife, and no dust. Yes its more than 3xs the price, but so worth it....never heard of a white cement board? Are you talking about backer boards?
DIY Home Improvement
diychatroom.com › home › forums › home improvement › building & construction
differance between cementboard and backerboard | DIY Home Improvement Forum
Dens Shield: pro's - built in moisture ... in Alaska, wonder how it holds up in cold climates) Durock: pro's - strongest, cement based, fiberglass, water resistant, no swell; con's - edges can crumble when cut, told by contractor ...
Networx
networx.com › home › articles › tile
How Do Different Tile Backer Boards Compare? | Networx
December 23, 2012 - Permabase is National Gypsum’s ... aggregate core with a fiberglass mesh “skin.” Durock from USG is a slightly lighter weight version of comparable construction methods....
Upgradedhome
upgradedhome.com › home improvement › permabase cement board vs. durock: what's the difference?
PermaBASE Cement Board Vs. Durock: What's the Difference? | Upgradedhome.com
October 22, 2021 - It provides builders, architects, ... of exterior applications. Made of comparable construction materials, Durock is slightly more lightweight than PermaBASE....
Hearth.com
hearth.com › forums › non-hearth forums › diy and general non-hearth advice
Bathroom remodel - Durock vs Permaboard | Hearth.com Forums Home
August 28, 2017 - For this project, I'm going with cement board all around. I was at Menard's picking up supplies (don't judge me...) and grabbed 4 sheets of 1/2 inch "cement board" to get the floor started. When I got home and unloaded them, I realized that one sheet was Permaboard (it was lighter) and 3 sheets were Durock.
Hearth.com
hearth.com › forums › main hearth forums › the hearth room - wood stoves and fireplaces
Cement board research.... | Hearth.com Forums Home
September 11, 2007 - Everything that I mention in the following info comes from either the product websites, or the company "tech support" phone line people. At this point, I would say that the clear winner for hearth use is Durock, with a distant second for Hardibacker. I would be hesitant to use Wonderboard, ...
DIYTileGuy
diytileguy.com › home › blog › prep › showers/bathtubs › tile backer board breakdown
Tile Backer Board Breakdown: Which is Best for Wet Shower Areas
May 4, 2025 - Modern cement boards have reinforced edges, which do a better job of accepting fasteners. Also, Durock and Permabase have lower water absorption than the fiber cement boards listed above.
Permabase
permabase.com › homepage › product listing › cement board › permabase plus® cement board
PermaBASE PLUS® Cement Board | Lightweight Cement Board
August 7, 2024 - PermaBASE PLUS is 17% lighter than standard PermaBASE cement board.
Permabase
permabase.com › homepage › why permabase › why permabase | the permabase difference
Why PermaBASE | The PermaBASE Difference
December 16, 2021 - Our reinforced edge with EdgeTech® technology allows fasteners to be installed closer to the edge without fracturing like other cement boards.
Piprolink
piprolink.com › home › archive › understanding the differences in backer boards
Understanding the Differences in Backer Boards - ProInstaller Magazine
February 24, 2023 - It is manufactured with Portland cement, fiberglass mesh, sand and typically lightweight concrete. USG Durock, PermaBASE (provided exclusively by National Gypsum Co.) and Custom Building Products’ WonderBoard are manufactured cement backer boards that meet ASTM C1325 and ANSI A118.9 requirements.
The Amazing John Bridge
johnbridge.com › vbulletin › archive › index.php › t-80750.html
Permabase [Archive] - Ceramic Tile Advice Forums - John Bridge Ceramic Tile
Seems like NG is recognizing the need for a vapor barrier in steam applications, but a moisture barrier is still required behind the wall board in any shower according to industry standards. My opinion; worth price charged. ... John-- If I can, I'd rather use Durock or Permabase.
Contractor Talk
contractortalk.com › home › forums › trade talk › tiling
Perma Base Plus backer board is flexing on the wall | Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum
Craig - Thanks for the follow up. I gotta admit, I do like working with the PermaBase sheets much better than conventional cement boards. One other question. If I were using a large format tile, I would not have been as concerned but I'm using a small format tile (3x6 subway).
Hometipsforwomen
cdn.hometipsforwomen.com › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 10 › 08220834 › b-building-materials-cement-board-comparison-chart-jameshardie.pdf pdf
*HardieBacker 1/4" board in 3' x 5' size 1/4" BACKERBOARD COMPARISON CHART
Durock is a registered trademark of USG Corporation or its subsidiaries. DensShield is a registered trademark of Georgia Pacific Corporation. WonderBoard is a registered trademark of Custom Building Products. PermaBase is registered trademark of National Gypsum Company.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/homeimprovement › cement board vs. hardibacker
r/HomeImprovement on Reddit: Cement Board vs. Hardibacker
November 1, 2015 -
I am building a shower which will have ceramic tile walls. I have the choice of cement board or Hardibacker for the walls.
Pluses and minuses to each? I used cement board for the floor that I installed granite tile on, but unsure which to choose for the shower walls.
Opinions?
Top answer 1 of 5
4
You can use either. The waterprooofing is the important part; none of the board choices are waterproof. You can use a paint-on waterproofing like redguard; I prefer a membrane like Kerdi.
2 of 5
3
The cement boards done right have stronger seams between each sheet which can be pretty important on floors. On the walls I don't think it matters and would use the Hardie board.
Concord Carpenter
aconcordcarpenter.com › home › product news › permabase brand cement board
PermaBase BRAND Cement Board - Concord Carpenter
July 1, 2021 - There are other brands of tile backer board. One brand that is popular is called "Durock." I like the PermaBase® BRAND Cement Board better because it is easier to cut and has a better edge treatment which allows the installer to nail / screw closer to the edge.
Forno Bravo
community.fornobravo.com › forum › pizza-oven-design-and-installation › design-styles-chimneys-and-finish › 3956-cement-board-hardiebacker-durock-which-one › page2
Cement Board, Hardiebacker, Durock... Which one? - Forno Bravo Forum: The Wood-Fired Oven Community
Once they are cut or even scratched they do begin to slowly take on moisture. They're best used indoors under wood floors where it's easier to guarantee a moisture seal. Otherwise, use the cement/fiberglass backer boards like Durock, Permabase, or my new preference SelectCrete.
Permabase
permabase.com › homepage › product listing › cement board › permabase® cement board
Moisture & Mold Resistant Cement Board | PermaBASE®
August 8, 2025 - PermaBASE® cement board is the professionals choice that provides a durable surface designed to withstand prolonged exposure to moisture. Learn more.
DIY Home Improvement
diychatroom.com › home › forums › home improvement › flooring › tiling, ceramics, marble
Hardibacker board vs Cement Durock board | DIY Home Improvement Forum
I prefer Durrock or National Gypsum's PermaBase :thumbup: Every time I tear out Hardie, it is very brittle :sad: Todd www.aloneeagle.com ... Wow! Not cool, I haven't ever seem backer board that moldy? Interesting. ... DensShield v. Durock Best product for tiling in wet areas by far is Denshield.