The market of building materials in our time is filled with many finishing materials for the exterior cladding of buildings, structures and individual houses. Among them are fiber cement slabs, which are produced using modern high technology. These are environmentally friendly products that do not contain tar and such a toxic and hazardous component as asbestos. Fiber cement slabs are a structural element in the installation of a ventilated curtain wall in buildings with solid and frame walls.
What is fiber cement board
Fiber cement boards are a modern decorative coating, which is intended for the arrangement of interiors and facade cladding. The composition of this facing material includes such components: cement - 90%, mineral fillers and cellulose fibers - 10%. The panel structure consists of such layers:
- fiber cement sheet;
- water repellent layer;
- decorative layer.
Fiber cement boards, photos of which you will find in the article, can have the following dimensions: length 1200-3600 mm, width - from 445 to 1500 mm, thickness 4-18 mm. These products are made by pressing with subsequent heat treatment, as a result of which they have high strength, flexibility, and a uniform structure.
Differences from other finishing materials
Plates made of fiber cement have a lot of positive qualities that compare favorably with other finishing materials. The main characteristics of the coating are:
- resistance to atmospheric influences;
- low thermal conductivity;
- good sound insulation;
- breathability.
Facing with fiber cement plates does not require special attention and care during operation. The material is several times stronger than others, therefore it does not break under the influence of mechanical loads. The service life of the plates is about 50 years.
Scope of fiber cement boards
This material is used for facing railway stations, supermarkets, sports complexes, multi-storey and individual houses (both newly constructed, and when reconstructing old ones). Refractory fiber cement board, the characteristics of which allow it to be used to decorate baths, saunas, stoves and fireplaces, has a wide variety of species. The combination of this material with other decorative coatings makes it possible to create a unique exterior. The flexibility of the plates allows them to be used for decoration of buildings of various configurations. A large selection of color palettes and textures contributes to the implementation of any design ideas.
Benefits of fiber cement boards
Facade fiber cement boards have several advantages:
- strength and ductility;
- fire resistance;
- frost resistance;
- resistance to ultraviolet radiation;
- environmental friendliness and safety;
- sound and heat insulation;
- dirt resistance;
- Do not corrode and rot.
Installation of fiber cement boards
Installation of fiber cement plates begins with the device of the frame. To do this, metal brackets with a paronite gasket are attached to the supporting wall with dowels . The vertical vertical distance between them should correspond to the dimensions of the sheet of heat-insulating material, but not more than 60 cm. The horizontal profiles of the battens are fixed to the metal brackets with self-tapping screws or rivets.
Insulation boards are fixed with dowels, without gaps between them and the surface. Main and intermediate vertical profiles are mounted on horizontal. The vertical vertical distance of the main elements depends on the size of the fiber cement panels. Intermediate profiles are mounted with a distance of not more than 60 cm horizontally.
Fiber cement boards are produced with or without grooves, of various thicknesses, on which the installation method depends. Panels with grooves are fastened with kleimers, and thin products are attached to the vertical profiles of the crate with sealing tape with colored screws at a distance of not more than 40 cm vertically. In the place of attachment of the front panel, the required hole is drilled at a distance of at least 5 cm from the edge of the plate.
The vertical and horizontal connecting gaps between the facing products should not exceed 2 mm. If decorative facade casting is used in horizontal joints, the gap between the panels can be 10 mm. When applying an angular decorative profile in vertical joints, the gap from the edge of the plate to the corner is 2 mm.
The sequence of installation of plates is as follows:
- fiber cement board;
- thermal insulation layer;
- mounting brackets;
- horizontal profile;
- wireframe vertical element;
- EPDM sealing tape;
- horizontal decorative profile;
- surface.
Plate design options for facades
Structures can be faced with slabs that have colored coatings that imitate brick, natural stone and other materials. Facade cladding on the front side contains a protective layer, which consists of polyurethane and acrylic. This material has a margin of safety, providing reliability and durability of buildings. Installing it on the frames is carried out in one of two ways of fastening: in the form of clamping panels or clamps.
Facade fiber cement boards, which have a coating of "natural stone", consist of three layers. The fiber cement sheet is located inside, the front side is covered with a sawn-off decor in the form of a natural stone. On the other side of the panel there is a polymer vapor barrier layer.
The coating of natural stone chips consists of several layers:
- water repellent layer;
- fiber cement board;
- color chemical composition, the basis of which is epoxy resin;
- natural stone chips.
The practicality of fiber cement slabs
Fiber cement boards are very simple and easy to install, which reduces the time of finishing work. Thanks to the light catalyst layer applied to them, they do not need special care. The surface is cleaned of contamination during rain or water from a hose. Facing the facade of buildings with such plates can be carried out in any climatic conditions. Due to the strength of the plates, they are used not only on the walls, but also on the base.