When fiber cement boards are used in external applications, fixing selection becomes just as critical as the board itself. Even the highest-quality fiber cement board can fail prematurely if the wrong fasteners are used — particularly in aggressive outdoor environments.
Fire resistance in building assemblies is never achieved by a single material alone. While fiber cement boards are widely specified for their A1 non-combustible performance, the fixings used to install them play a critical role in maintaining fire integrity.
Fiber cement boards are widely specified for façades, interior linings, and high-performance building envelopes due to their durability, fire resistance, and dimensional stability. However, one of the most common installation questions remains:
Fiber cement boards are widely used in façades, exterior walls, soffits, and interior linings because of their non-combustibility, durability, and dimensional stability. However, even the best fiber cement board can fail prematurely if edge distances and fixing patterns are not applied correctly.
Cracking, edge breakage, screw pull-out, and surf
Selecting the correct screws for fiber cement boards is just as important as choosing the board itself. Even the highest-quality fiber cement board can fail prematurely if it is fixed with the wrong fasteners. Cracking, loose panels, corrosion staining, and reduced fire performance are often the result of incorrect screw selection rather than material defects.
Fire-rated wall assemblies are a fundamental part of modern building safety. They are not just about meeting minimum fire regulations; they are about containing fire, protecting occupants, preserving structural integrity, and ensuring regulatory approval across the building lifecycle.
Fiber cement boards are widely used in fire-rated wall assemblies because they offer non-combustibility, dimensional stability, and predictable performance.