Fibre Cement: Popular Dry Construction Material

Fibre Cement: Popular Dry Construction Material in the building industry

What is Fibre Cement?

A fibre cement sheet is a composite material made by combining Portland cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibres. The cellulose fibres used in the manufacturing of fibre cement sheets are obtained from various sources such as wood pulp, recycled paper, and other natural sources. The mixture is then cured and pressed into sheets under high pressure and temperature. The resulting material is strong, durable, and resistant to fire, moisture, and pests.

Benefits of Fibre Cement: Popular Dry Construction Material 

Fibre cement boards offer several performance benefits that make them an ideal choice for modern construction. Here are some of the benefits of using fibre cement sheets:

1. Durability:
   Fibre cement sheets are highly durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions, extreme temperatures, and impacts. The boards are highly resistant to moisture, impact, and weathering, which makes them ideal for use in outdoor applications. They are resistant to rot, rust, and decay, making them a long-lasting solution for construction. 
2. Dimensional stability:
   Unlike wood, which can expand and contract due to moisture and temperature changes, fibre cement products remain stable, ensuring that there is no cracking or warping over time. This property makes them suitable for use in both hot and cold environments. 
3. Fire Resistance:
   Fibre cement sheets are non-combustible and do not emit toxic gases or smoke when exposed to fire. This property makes them an ideal material for fire-resistant construction and for use in commercial buildings and high-traffic areas where safety is a primary concern. 
4. Moisture Resistance:
   Fibre cement sheets are resistant to moisture and water, making them ideal for use in humid environments. They do not swell, warp, or rot when exposed to water, making them a perfect solution for areas prone to moisture or wet areas such as public toilets/washrooms. 
5. Pest Resistance: Fibre cement sheets are resistant to pests such as termites, ants, and rodents. This property makes them an ideal material for areas prone to pest infestations. 
6. Sound Insulation: Fibre cement sheets offer excellent sound insulation properties, making them ideal for use in buildings where noise reduction is a critical factor such as commercial buildings or office buildings with large open spaces. 
7. Impact resistant:
   Fibre cement sheets provide the robustness to withstand heavy wear and tear, they are ideal for application in high-traffic locations of hospitals, corridors, shopping centres and schools.

Fire Resistance of Fibre Cement Boards for New Construction

Fire safety is a critical consideration for modern construction, and fibre cement sheets offer excellent fire resistance properties. Fibre cement sheets are non-combustible and do not emit toxic gases or smoke when exposed to fire. They have a Class A fire rating, which is the highest rating for fire resistance. This property makes them an ideal material for use in high-rise buildings, hospitals, schools, and other buildings where fire safety is a top priority.

The reason why fibre cement boards are fire-resistant is that they are made from cement and cellulose fibres, which are not flammable materials. In addition, the boards have a low thermal conductivity, which means that they do not conduct heat quickly, and therefore, do not contribute to the spread of fire. When exposed to high temperatures, the boards will not produce toxic fumes or smoke, which can cause harm to the occupants of a building and the firefighters in the event of a fire.  Please note that no fibre cement boards provide a Fire Resistant Level (FRL) rating.  If you require an FRL, we recommend Promat fire protection boards. 

Kalsi is a leading provider of fibre cement boards for contemporary construction. Their range of fibre cement boards includes facades & cladding, internal lining, eaves & soffits, roof underlays, partition walls and ceiling &  flooring solutions. These products are designed to meet the highest quality standards and are suitable for use in different environments and applications.

Kalsi external fibre cement boards are designed to provide an attractive and durable finish to any building and are suitable for soffits and eaves lining, partitions, gable ends, external wall cladding, panelling and other building applications. 

Kalsi Internal lining boards are perfect for use in interior applications, such as walls and ceilings in both dry and wet areas. The boards are easy to install, and they provide a smooth and seamless finish.

Kalsi Eaves & soffits fibre cement boards are designed to protect the roof and walls of a building from the elements. They are highly durable and can withstand different weather conditions.

Kalsi Flooring solutions using fibre cement boards are ideal for use in high-traffic areas, such as shopping malls, schools, hospitals and office buildings. The boards are strong, durable, and slip-resistant, making them a perfect choice for modern buildings.

Well suited to the sustainability focus of today’s construction industry, fibre cement is the right building material for design freedom and performance.