PermaBASE Cement Boards provide durable exterior sheathing designed to withstand prolonged exposure to moisture. Made with Portland cement, aggregate and fiberglass mesh, these boards are lightweight and easy to install. Plus, they feature EdgeTech reinforced edges that allow nails and screws to be applied closer to the board edge without breaking or crumbling. With PermaBASE, the crew simply installs a weather barrier and screws the board to the wall — no mixing cement or applying multiple layers of product. PermaBASE was originally used for interior applications (primarily shower and tub in

To install metal lath using traditional methods, the crew needs to first install two weather barriers to prevent moisture from the cement from penetrating the outside barrier. Then they must install the metal lath, followed by two coats of Portland cement, the base coat and scratch coat. That adds up to four trips around the building — one for every layer — with time in between to allow the first layer of cement to set. This process alone can take one to two days.

With a growing preference for mixed materials on commercial projects, PermaBASE is a simple solution for any of these adhered veneers:

• Natural stone
• Thin brick
• Stone veneer
• Ceramic tile

Direct-apply or synthetic stucco The only finishes that aren’t compatible with PermaBASE Cement Board are vinyl and fiber cement siding because these claddings cannot be nailed to cement boards. In addition to the standard 4x8-foot PermaBASE Cement Boards, they also come in smaller sizes for interiors. The larger size is intended for commercial exteriors and interiors.