Core Fiber Cement Board is a composite product made of fibre, (either wood pulp or cellulose), and cement with a siliceous component. It is different from traditional organic products (like Wood or PVC) in that it has a cement-based matrix, giving it a much higher load-bearing capacity than those made mostly from organic sources; it cannot be burned, it will not rot, and will not be affected by insects. The most important attribute of the fibre cement board is that the inorganic matrix has a very low sensitivity to temperature changes. Unlike wood, it does not expand and contract greatly due to temperature and humidity variations, so the fibre cement board will not crack or deform. Also, fibre cement board will not become brittle from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, as do some plastics. This allows it to survive exposure to heat and freezing temperatures.
II. Facing Five Major Extreme Climate Challenges
High Temperatures and Intense Ultraviolet Radiation
In arid or tropical regions, continuous high temperatures and intense sunlight are the "number one killers" of materials. Fiber cement board has extremely high heat resistance and is non-combustible (Class A fire rating). Its surface is usually treated with multiple densification processes and protected by a high-quality acrylic coating. The high-quality coating has excellent UV resistance, maintaining color stability for a long time and resisting fading. The board itself has low thermal conductivity, which helps reduce the building's heat load.
Severe Cold and Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Freeze-thaw cycles occurring repeatedly in winter months can cause water penetration through the pore structure of cementitious materials resulting in the eventual internal structure failure. Cementitious materials manufactured using very high pressure create a very dense structure with a very low rate of water absorption (good quality products will have a water absorption rate below 15%). Consequently, this material has minimal opportunity to allow moisture to penetrate through to the inside, thus fundamentally protecting this material from freeze-thaw failure. In addition, the very strong flexural strength of the material has a high resistance to forced loads from snow accumulation.
High Humidity, Heavy Rain, and Hurricanes
In coastal or rainy areas, materials need to withstand continuous humidity, heavy rain, and strong winds. Fiber cement board is moisture-proof and rot-proof; even in a high-humidity environment for a long time, its performance will not degrade. When properly installed (using the principle of rainscreen cladding, with correct overlapping and sealed joints), it can form an effective waterproof barrier. At the same time, the board itself is moderately weighted and high-strength. When securely fixed to the framing system, it forms a highly integrated exterior wall covering with good wind resistance and impact resistance.
Salt Water Spray Corrosion from Coastal Air
Salt water is a very corrosive substance for metals and some other materials when it gets into coastal air. To prevent this corrosion, composite fibre cement boards contain no organic (or "novel") fibres. Coated (or plated) fasteners are manufactured to be compatible with the fibre cement composite and produce a corrosion-resistant assembly that allows the exterior finish of the building to last for a long time in saline atmospheres.
Extreme Humidity Changes and Dry, Hot Winds
In some continental climate zones, there are extreme diurnal temperature variations or frequent dry, hot winds. Fiber cement boards excel in these conditions due to their extremely low moisture expansion rate (minimal linear change). Their high dimensional stability prevents significant expansion and contraction due to rapid changes in air humidity, thus ensuring the sealing of joints and the flatness of the wall surface, preventing cracks.
III. Beyond the Material Itself: The Key to System Performance
We must emphasize that the excellent performance of any material depends on its correct system application. As a supplier, we not only provide boards but also proven system solutions:
Accessories Matching: We engineered, assembled and tested both fasteners (that were specifically tested to ensure the system's integrity) and the joint treatment products (that were specifically tested to enhance the overall performance of the enclosure system).
Installation Guides: Every Climate Zone comes with detailed instructions regarding stud spacing, joint treatment, and drained designs, all of which significantly impact the performance of wall systems and other building materials.
Extended Warranty: Products have been subjected to a variety of International Tests (ASTM and ISO) to demonstrate how confident we are that they will stand the test of time in various climate conditions.