Bio Modular Home Design

Fiber cement board is a combination of sand, cement and cement fibers. A fiber cement siding is usually made of overlapping horizontal slats, that imitates wood siding, clapboard and shingles. Manufacturers have designed the cement board siding in a sheet layout to utilize it as a cladding or as an under surface for balconies, arch, cornice, etc. These sidings are often used as a tile underlay for bathrooms and decks. One of the conveniences of the fiber cement board is that they can be used for both indoor and outdoor sidings. They can also serve as a replacement for timber and barge boards in flammable areas.

Different manufacturers have different sizing for their for their sheet boards. The standard size will range from 8 to 12 ft in length and 4 to 5 ft in width. The size of the board is designed as such to minimize the on site wastage on residential floors, wall as well as roof structures. The thickness of the fiber cement board also varies, the measurement usually range from 4.5 to 18mm. The density of the board will depend on the texture of the edges. You would notice that the density is lower if the fibrous edge is roughly cut and the density becomes higher if the fibrous edge is cut smoothly.

Fiber cement products have different weather and thermal resistance. The sound transmission also varies from board to board. Sheet products are said to be poor in weather and thermal resistance as well as sound transmission. In putting up sheet boards, it is recommended that you insulate a separate wall. Fiber cement boards that are thicker as well as denser, and are proven to have better resistance from temperature and sound transmission. Another good thing about these cement boards is that they require very little maintenance once they are painted and installed. Only the thinner products need to have an added protection from impacts. Plus, fiber cement products are not susceptible to termites and the like as compared to wooden boards.

These boards are also resistant to fire because they are made of non-combustible materials. That’s the reason why they are greatly used in fire-prone areas in Australia. Fiber cement boards are also very easy to install. As long as you have someone to help you, then it should be a piece of cake. Fire cement is a really heavy and fragile product that’s why you need to be very careful in carrying it. The sheet boards have a tendency to chip and break when handled improperly.

You need to have someone who will help you cut and install the product. You can hold the sheet flush against frame work and your assistant can nail the product in place. To cut a fiber cement board, you will need to use a merchandised saw blade or metal hand shears. The product can be cut in three ways: thin sheets can be cut by a heavy duty cutting blade and snapped, Australian’s use a gadget that they call ‘fibro cutter’ and for thicker and denser sheets, you can use a mechanical saw. You must always be cautious when cutting fiber cement products as extended exposure to the silica dust can cause silicosis.