What are fiber cement boards?

Fiber cement boards are gaining traction in the construction industry as a strong and adaptable option for a range of building requirements. These boards have remarkable strength and weather resistance because they are composed of cellulose fibers, cement, and sand. Fiber cement boards offer a dependable and long-lasting solution for anyone looking to improve a building’s exterior or build a strong interior wall.

The longevity of fiber cement boards is one of their main benefits. These boards, in contrast to conventional wood or vinyl siding, are resistant to extreme weather and won’t rot, warp, or require constant maintenance. They are therefore especially desirable to builders and homeowners looking for a low-maintenance option without sacrificing quality.

Fiber cement boards also have the advantage of being very versatile in terms of design. They offer a variety of aesthetic options to complement various architectural styles because they can be made to resemble brick, stone, or wood. Fiber cement boards can be customized to fit your vision, whether you’re going for a more classic or modern aesthetic.

What is a facade fiber board

Rectangular-shaped fiber cement slabs are a contemporary facing material for buildings.

The following materials are utilized in the production of fiber cement products:

  • Portland cement, used as a binder. Due to the binder, the finished product acquires the necessary margin of safety and resistance to moisture;
  • sifted sand of river or quarry origin, used as a filler. The presence of foreign impurities and clay inclusions in the sand is not allowed;
  • fibers, increasing the resistance of products to bending and compensating for tensile forces. Due to spatial reinforcement, the rigidity of the finished product increases;
  • modifying additives and special fillers, due to which the products retain their properties under the influence of negative temperatures and high humidity.

The boards don’t harm the environment. Ultimately, the panels are made without toxic raw materials, and they don’t release any chemicals that are bad for people’s health when they’re operating.

The primary producers of fiber cement panels for reinforcement use a variety of origins for their fibers, derived from the following substances:

  • polypropylene;
  • asbestos;
  • acrylic;
  • polyamide;
  • polyethylene;
  • polyester;
  • basalt;
  • viscose;
  • cotton;
  • nylon;
  • cellulose;
  • steel.

Additionally, glass fiber reinforcement resistant to alkaline environments is produced. Depending on the particular brand of boards, the manufacturer chooses the fiber type and filler type.

Facade fiber boards are employed in many different contexts to address a variety of issues:

  • protection and decoration of external walls of buildings;
  • construction of ventilated facades;
  • finishing the basement part of the building;
  • interior cladding of residential and industrial premises;
  • improvement of roof structures;
  • sheathing of internal partitions.

The slabs are employed in the manufacturing of furniture, in the industrial sector, and in civil engineering. Products can be used in a variety of conditions thanks to protective and decorative coatings. The slabs need to be fastened to a pre-assembled frame composed of wooden slats or metal profiles in order to create ventilated facades. You can use fiber panels to create unique interior and external design solutions.

A mixture of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers is used to create the strong and adaptable fiber cement boards. They are a great option for external cladding, siding, and other construction applications because they are resistant to fire, moisture, and pests. Their durability and ability to resemble stone or wood combine to give buildings both visual appeal and long-lasting protection.

Facade panels made of fiber cement slabs – types of composite products

Thinking about the use of fiber cement slabs for finishing your own home, you should understand the proposed types of products. After all, in appearance, fiber cement panels offered in specialized stores differ significantly from each other.

Distinctions in appearance between products:

  • color range. From the many fiber cement slabs presented, it is easy to choose a finishing material that harmonizes in color with the main structure;
  • relief texture of the surface. The quality of the relief surface of the product is difficult to distinguish from natural materials;
  • presence of a protective coating. A special coating applied to the surface protects the material from fading and exposure to moisture.

The most popular slabs that mimic the following substances:

  • burnt or aged brick. Panels imitating a brick wall perfectly harmonize with the design of modern residential and industrial buildings. The color of the panels reproduces the color of various types of brick, from gray to terracotta;
  • natural stone. Facade cladding with slabs whose texture imitates stone is quite popular. After all, financial capabilities do not always allow the use of fairly expensive natural material. In addition, it is not always possible to fix heavy stone slabs on the façade;
  • wood of various species. The façade of the building, decorated with slabs imitating wood, creates a feeling of harmony and warmth. Fiber cement finishing, unlike wood cladding, is not subject to rotting and is also fireproof.

Products made of fiber cement also vary in:

  • manufacturing method. Autoclaving technology is used, as well as molding of slabs under high pressure;
  • presence of an anti-vandal coating. Protected panels are characterized by increased wear resistance and reliability;
  • ability to resist moisture penetration. Products with increased and normal moisture resistance are manufactured;
  • fire resistance. Depending on the technology and raw materials used, there are slabs with high and standard fire resistance;
  • overall dimensions. Each manufacturer manufactures slabs in individual molds of various sizes;
  • texture of the outer surface. Matte, laminated fiber panels, as well as textured products are manufactured;
  • specific gravity of the composite massif. Medium-density slabs are used in private housing construction, and products with increased specific gravity are in demand in the industrial sector.

In the process of manufacturing fiberboards, various types of fibers are used, the choice of which affects the strength properties and performance characteristics.

Facades made of fiber cement boards – advantages and disadvantages of panels

A number of significant benefits come with fiber cement facade boards. Principal benefits:

  • ecological purity of products. For the manufacture of fiberboards, environmentally friendly raw materials are used that do not have a negative impact on human health;
  • ability to absorb external noise. In terms of soundproofing properties, the boards are comparable to double glazing. Increased noise absorption is achieved due to the structure of the composite material;
  • improved thermal insulation properties. After finishing the external walls of the building with fiber cement panels, heat loss is significantly reduced, and the cost of heating the premises is also reduced;
  • fire safety. Finishing slabs are classified as low-flammable and difficult-to-ignite types of cladding and have a reduced smoke-forming ability. The fire resistance of the slabs is superior to other materials;
  • resistance to temperature changes and deep freezing. The structure of composite concrete is maintained throughout 140 cycles of freezing with further thawing;
  • resistance to the negative effects of natural factors. Fiber cement products retain their original structure and are not destroyed under the influence of ultraviolet rays;
  • neutral to the formation of fungal colonies and mold. Conditions for the development of microorganisms are not created on the external and internal surfaces of the decorative cladding;
  • resistance to destruction as a result of corrosion processes. Despite operation in conditions of high humidity, the material is not susceptible to corrosion;
  • ease of installation operations and the ability to install fiber panels regardless of temperature conditions and time of year. No special preparation is required for installation of the slabs;
  • air permeability of composite concrete. Due to the presence of tiny pores inside the material, excess water vapor is effectively removed from the room and comfortable humidity is maintained;
  • high decorative properties. Manufacturers produce facing products with various textures and an expanded color range;
  • ability to self-clean as a result of exposure to precipitation. Upon contact with rainwater, dirt layers are quickly removed from the surface of fiberboard;
  • increased safety margin and wear resistance. Decorative boards are able to withstand bending loads, mechanical impact and maintain the integrity of the structure;
  • long service life of products. The service life of fiber cement panels manufactured at industrial enterprises from high-quality raw materials is more than 100 years;
  • versatility. Fiber cement products made of composite concrete are used for decorative finishing of external and internal walls of buildings, as well as for the arrangement of ventilated facades.

In addition to the products’ other benefits, the following are also noteworthy:

  • affordable price of the facing material, which is combined with a high level of quality;
  • low weight of the products, due to which the load on the foundation base is reduced;
  • preservation of the original dimensions and the absence of shrinkage during operation;
  • absence of salt stains on the decorative surface of the products, as well as rusty spots.

In addition to the benefits, there are several drawbacks. The following are some of the finishing material’s drawbacks:

  • increased level of water absorption. In conditions of high humidity and direct contact with precipitation, the degree of moisture absorption of the slabs reaches 10 percent;
  • the need for additional application of paint and varnish coating on a new fiber cement product, the surface of which was not painted in production conditions;
  • significant fluctuations in the weight of products manufactured by different manufacturers. Having decided on the type of decorative slabs, you should determine the load on the supporting frame and foundation of the building;
  • the need to attract an assistant to perform installation operations. Despite the simplicity of the technology, the assistant will facilitate the installation of products with increased dimensions and weight.

Professional builders and individual developers prefer fiber cement boards because of their improved performance characteristics, even with the current drawbacks.

What are the characteristics of fiber cement boards?

The current standard regulates the overall dimensions and operational characteristics of products.

Let’s examine the primary indicators in more detail:

  • specific gravity of the composite material – more than 1.5 g/cm3;
  • degree of moisture absorption – 6-10% of the total weight;
  • frost resistance – above 140 cycles;
  • maximum bending load – 21 MPa;
  • sound absorption value – 26-30 dB;
  • impact strength – above 2 kJ/m2.

Depending on the manufacturer, the products’ dimensions are as follows:

  • length – 1.5-3.6 m;
  • width – 0.20-1.5 m;
  • thickness – 0.6-3.5 cm.

Popular sizes for domestic fiber cement panels are 1.2×1.5, 1.5×3.0, and 1.5×3.6 m, with a thickness of 8 mm. A set of permits, comprising laboratory test results, sanitary and hygienic conclusions, and certificates of conformance, attest to the manufactured finishing products’ compliance.

What technology do fiber cement panel manufacturers use

Products made from fiber cement are produced in specialized businesses with the use of industrial machinery and final product testing in a laboratory.

First stage work includes the following tasks:

  1. Preparation of raw materials.
  2. Mixing the working mixture.
  3. Addition of dye.
  4. Formation of blanks.

There are two primary stages to the technology:

  1. Pressing of the prepared working mixture to ensure increased density, reduced hygroscopicity and increased strength properties. As a result of pressing, the required relief is formed on the outer side of the slabs.
  2. Autoclave treatment of prepared blanks in special containers under increased pressure. As a result of high-temperature treatment in autoclaves, cement particles and filler are sintered into a single mass.

The following tasks are carried out at the technological cycle’s last stage:

  1. Cutting of panels removed from the autoclave into blanks with the required dimensions.
  2. Grinding of the cutting zone and the finished surface to the required quality.
  3. Applying paint and varnish and protective and decorative coating to the surface.

Every fiber cement product is tested in a lab before it is delivered to the warehouse. Products are checked for compliance with standard requirements at the final stage, and those that don’t meet the requirements are rejected.

Technological features of installation of fiber cement boards

The ins and outs of installation are known to those who have finished a house with fiber cement boards. If you’re going to install fiber cement board facade panels for the first time, you should learn about the installation features and thoroughly research the technology.

Observe the following algorithm when carrying out installation operations:

  1. Check the flatness of the facade surface.
  2. Eliminate height differences and local defects.
  3. Fasten the mounting brackets.
  4. Lay and fix the sheet heat insulator.
  5. Attach the windproof film with an overlap of 0.2 m.
  6. Assemble the elements of the supporting frame.
  7. Fasten the fiber cement cladding to the frame.
  8. Fill the joints between the panels with sealant.

Once the installation process is finished, you should repair the corner components that shield the panel ends.

Aspect Description
Composition Fiber cement boards are made from a mixture of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers.
Durability These boards are highly durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions, making them ideal for outdoor use.
Fire Resistance They are non-combustible, providing excellent fire resistance.
Maintenance Fiber cement boards require minimal maintenance and are resistant to rot, pests, and moisture.
Applications Commonly used for siding, cladding, and roofing, offering both aesthetic appeal and protection.

Fiber cement boards are a strong and adaptable choice for a range of building requirements. They are renowned for their durability, strength, and capacity to imitate other materials like stone or wood. They offer a workable solution that strikes a balance between aesthetics and functionality, whether they are used for siding, roofing, or interior applications.

The minimal maintenance needed for fiber cement is one of its key benefits. It doesn’t rot, warp, or need to be painted frequently like wood does. In addition, it has fire and pest resistance, making it a dependable and safe option for both residential and commercial buildings.

Selecting fiber cement boards entails making an investment in a robust material that improves the appearance and longevity of your home. With so many different textures, colors, and styles to choose from, it’s simple to find a solution that complements your style while making sure your building can withstand the weather.

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Anna Vasilieva

Journalist with a technical education, specializing in construction topics. I can explain complex technical topics in simple and accessible language.

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