How to Drill Fiber Cement Boards Without Cracking or Burning the Surface
Drilling fiber cement boards is not difficult, but it does require the right method. If you rush the job, use the wrong bit, or apply too much pressure, you can chip the face, crack the board, or burn the surface. The good news is that most of these problems are avoidable with the correct setup, proper support, and a clean drilling technique. Fiber cement products also contain crystalline silica, so dust control is a serious safety issue, not an optional extra. OSHA requires employers to limit respirable crystalline silica exposure in construction and provides task-specific controls for silica-generating work.