PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membrane

Product Description

PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membranes are ideal for protecting the building superstructure from the damaging effects of the elements. By minimizing air and water vapor flow through the building exterior, PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membranes:

• Prevent premature deterioration of the building envelope
• Enhance thermal performance of the structure and save energy costs
• Improve comfort for the building occupants

Product Advantages

• Fully bonded - transmits wind loads directly to the substrate
• Waterproof and impermeable to moisture - impermeable to the passage of liquid water and water vapor
• Airtight - protects against air passage and associated energy losses. Meets new ASTM E2357 standard as required by IECC 2012
• Cross laminated film - provides dimensional stability, high tear strength, puncture and impact resistance
• Cold applied - no flame hazard; self-adhesive overlaps ensure continuity
• Flexible - accommodates minor settlement and shrinkage movement
• Controlled thickness - factory made sheet ensures constant, non-variable site application
• Aggressive, conformable adhesive - allows self-sealing around mechanical fasteners
• Wide application window -
  • PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membrane can be applied when air and surface temperature is 25°F (-4°C)

System Components

• PERM-A-BARRIER® WB Primer - high tack, water-based primer for use with PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membranes on cementitious and exterior gypsum wallboards
• BITUTHENE® Primer B2 LVC - low VOC primer for priming green concrete and damp surfaces
• PERM-A-BARRIER® Universal Flashing & Sealant - one part moisture curing, STPE sealant for sealing penetrations, terminations, brick ties, final terminations & flashing application. PERM-A-BARRIER® Universal Flashing & Sealant can be applied under all GCP air and weather barrier, and over most of them (limitation:  PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30).
• BITUTHENE® Mastic - rubberized asphalt mastic for sealing penetrations, terminations, brick ties, etc.
• BITUTHENE® Liquid Membrane - two component, trowel grade, asphalt modified urethane for sealing patches, terminations, brick ties, etc.
• PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Flashing - fully adhered through wall flashing system
• PERM-A-BARRIER® Detail Membrane - fully adhered flashing for protecting and sealing critical detail areas 

Installation

Safety

PERM-A-BARRIER® products must be handled properly. Vapors from the mastic and solvent-based primer are harmful and flammable. For these products, the best available information on safe handling, storage, personal protection, health and environmental considerations has been gathered. Refer to product label and Safety Data Sheet before use. All users should acquaint themselves with this information prior to working with the material. Carefully read detailed precaution statements on the product labels and SDS before use. SDSs can be obtained from our web site at gcpat.com or by contacting us toll free at 866-333-3SBM (3726). 

Surface Preparation

Surface must be smooth, clean, dry and free of voids, spalled areas, loose aggregate, loose nails, sharp protrusions or other matter that will hinder the adhesion or regularity of the wall membrane installation. Clean loose dust or dirt from the surface to which the wall membrane is to be applied by wiping with a clean, dry cloth or brush.

If the substrate is damp, allow to dry or use BITUTHENE® Primer B2 LVC to prepare the area to receive the membrane.

Temperature

PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membrane can be applied when air and surface temperature is 25°F (-4°C) and rising.

Application

PERM-A-BARRIER® WB Primer is a water-based primer which imparts an aggressive, high tack finish on the treated substrate. They are packaged ready to use and are specifically designed to facilitate tenacious adhesion of PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membranes to various substrates including glass-mat faced gypsum sheathing. Refer to Technical Letter 2, Substrate Preparation for Application of PERM-A-BARRIER® Products to GlassMat Faced Gypsum Sheathing for priming requirements on specific glass-mat faced sheathing products.

Membrane Application

Cut membrane into easily handled lengths. Apply membrane horizontally or vertically to primed substrates receiving post-applied masonry anchors (ties), such as gypsum sheathing.

Apply PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membranes horizontally to the primed blockwork with projecting masonry anchors (ties), beginning at the base of the wall. Each length of the membrane must be installed so that the upper edge runs continuously along the underside of the line of masonry anchors (ties). Subsequent sheets applied above must overlap the sheet below by 2 in. (51 mm) immediately below the line of anchors (ties). Since the membrane width appropriate for this application of 18 in. (457 mm) is wider than the typical spacing between the lines of anchors (ties) 16 in. (406 mm), it will be necessary to cut the membrane at the location of the tie wires projecting from the wall to enable the sheet to be laid in place. End laps that occur in subsequent lengths that follow should maintain a minimum overlap of 2 in. (51 mm). See Figures 1 and 2.

The membrane must be pressed firmly into place with a hand roller or the back of a utility knife as soon as possible, ensuring continuous and intimate contact with the substrate to prevent water from migrating under the membrane.

For PERM-A-BARRIER® High Temperature Wall Membrane, secure top edge of membrane with mechanical termination bar fastened securely into the structure.

In certain applications such as on soffits, ceilings or substrates such as oriented strand board (OSB), backnail the membrane along the side lap prior to installing the next sheet of membrane to ensure positive contact to the substrate. Additional fastening may be required through the field of the membrane in these applications and must be sealed with PERM-A-BARRIER® Universal Flashing & Sealant, BITUTHENE® Liquid Membrane or BITUTHENE® Mastic.

Apply PERM-A-BARRIER® Universal Flashing & Sealant, BITUTHENE® Mastic or BITUTHENE® Liquid Membrane to seal around the tie wire projections. Fit the PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membrane tightly around all penetrations through the membrane and seal using PERM-A-BARRIER® Universal Flashing & Sealant, or BITUTHENE® Liquid Membrane.

Continue the membrane into all openings in the wall area, such as windows, doors, etc., and terminate at points that will prevent interior visibility. The installation must be made continuous at all framed openings. Coordinate installation of the PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membrane with the roofing trade to ensure continuity with the roofing system at this critical transition area.

At the end of each working day, if the wall has been only partially covered, apply a bead of BITUTHENE® Mastic or BITUTHENE® Liquid Membrane along the top edge of the membrane at its termination to prevent vertical drainage of precipitation from penetrating the end and undermining the membrane adhesion. Tool the BITUTHENE® Mastic or BITUTHENE® Liquid Membrane to ensure it is worked into the surface. For final terminations that will not be covered with membrane, PERM-A-BARRIER® Universal Flashing & Sealant can be used in lieu of BITUTHENE® Mastic or BITUTHENE® Liquid Membrane. Inspect the membrane before covering and repair any punctures, damaged areas or inadequately lapped seams.

All non water shedding edges must be sealed with PERM-A-BARRIER® Universal Flashing & Sealant, BITUTHENE® Liquid Membrane or BITUTHENE® Mastic.

Membrane Repairs

Repairs must be made using PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membrane sized to extend 3 in. (75mm) in all directions from the perimeter of the affected area. The repair piece must be pressed into place with a hand roller as soon as possible to ensure continuous and intimate contact with the substrate. When sealing the patch if placed in a diamond pattern both water sheading edges will need sealant. If the patches are placed straight, then the top edge and minimum of 3” down each side will need sealant termination. If the sealing patch is horizontal, then all edges will need sealant termination. To seal apply a bead of ‘PERM-A-BARRIER® Universal Flashing & Sealant’ . To repair gaps which are less than 1/8 inch in diameter (fish mouth gaps) cover with ‘PERM-A-BARRIER® Universal Flashing & Sealant’ extending 2 inches in diameter from the gap.

Membrane Protection

PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membranes must be protected from damage by other trades or construction materials.

Storage and Handling Information

All materials must be protected from rain and physical damage. Pallets of PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membrane must not be double stacked on the job site. Provide cover on top and all sides, allowing for adequate ventilation. Store membrane where temperatures will not exceed 90°F (32°C) for extended periods. All products must be stored in a dry area away from high heat, flames or sparks. Store only as much material at point of use as is required for each day’s work.

Limitations

PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membrane systems must not be applied in areas where they will be permanently exposed to UV light and must be covered within a reasonable amount of time, not to exceed 90 days. Refer to Technical Letter 19, Exposure Guidelines for PERM-A-BARRIER® Self-Adhered Membranes.

Warranty

PERM-A-BARRIER® products are warranted to be free of defects in manufacture for a period of 5 years. Material will be provided at no charge to replace any defective product.

Technical Service

Support is provided by full-time technically trained GCP field sales representatives and technical service personnel, backed by a central research and development technical services staff.

Supply

Physical Properties

<sup>Footnote:
1. Air permeance measured at a pressure differential of 1.57 psf (75 Pa).
2. Results below detectable limits of laboratory equipment.
3. Air permeance measured at a pressure differential of 1/64 in. (68 Pa) Hg after wall being subjected to a negative 57/64 in. (3014 Pa) Hg pressure difference for 10 seconds.</sup>