• Although FCBs come in pre-stained forms in the market, they can be finished in a wide selection of colours and veneers to suit the design of the facade and typology of house, even after the installation of the boards.

• These boards, in both raw and embellished forms, go well with other facade materials such as wood, metal and glass.

• FCB’s compact and robust structure makes it stand the test of time, even under the unpredictable and varying climatic conditions of India.
• Before FCB boards are cured, certain additives and fillers are added to aid fire resistance, termite resistance, thermal and acoustic insulation, rot and warp resistance and more. This attribute expands the spectrum of application of these boards to interior lining, partition walls, flooring and decking, false ceilings, eaves and soffit lining, tile underlay, duct facia, kitchen backsplashes, wardrobe shutters, doors and more.
• When used internally, FCBs can be finished with wallpaper and digital printing to elevate the design. They can also be CNC-cut into jali patterns when used as partition walls, wall linings and wardrobe shutters.
• Installing, replacing and repairing FCB is far less demanding than wood, stone, tile or stucco.
• FCBs are easy to work with. They can be nailed or screwed on as needed.
• Upon cutting, these hardy boards give clean edges and hold both large and small dimensions well.

Commonly available thicknesses and their applications
4.5 millimetre: False ceiling
6 millimetre: False ceiling and backsplash
8 millimetre: Elevation wall cladding, interior wall lining, backsplash, floor underlay and tile underlay
9 millimetre: Elevation wall cladding, interior wall lining, partition walls, floor underlay and tile underlay
10 millimetre: Partition wall, interior wall lining, floor underlay and tile underlay
12 millimetre: Elevation wall cladding and high-impact partition wall
15 millimetre: High-impact partition wall and flooring
18 millimetre: High-impact partition wall and flooring

Fibre cement boards are readily available in 4 x 8 foot sheets of the above-mentioned thicknesses with many domestic vendors. Zykron by CenturyPly, Birla Aerocon by HIL Industries, Shera by Mahaphant Group, and fibre cement boards by Ecopro and Everest Industries are some names in the market who offer quality sheets and planks, and some interesting finishing options to choose from.

Keep in mind
While the thin fibre cement boards are fragile, thicker ones are quite heavy. Hence, the sheets need to be handled with care during transportation and installation. The boards should only be cut outdoors or in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhalation of crystalline dust. It is always suggested to employ skilled labour for both installation and retrofitting works. Dust masks, safety goggles, and the right tools and equipment must be used at all times.