Cement Board vs. Fibre Cement Board: What's the Real Difference?
People often mix up cement board and fibre cement board, but they're not the same material once you look at how they're made. That structural difference directly affects strength, durability, fixing performance, and service life.
The Short Answer
The key difference is internal structure.
Cement board gets its strength mainly from cement itself.
Fibre cement board is a reinforced composite — cement + cellulose fibers working together.
That internal reinforcement changes everything: cracking resistance, impact strength, edge durability, and how long the board lasts on site.
What Is Cement Board?
Cement board is a rigid panel mainly made from:
--Portland cement
--Mineral fillers (sand, calcium-based materials)
--Sometimes a basic fiberglass mesh
Because it relies mostly on cement hardness, it is hard but brittle. When exposed to impact, movement, or temperature change, cracks can form easily.
In practice, cement board usually means:
--Lower flexural strength
--Poor impact resistance
--Weak edges (easy to chip or snap)
--Limited screw-holding strength
What Is Fibre Cement Board?
Fibre cement board is an engineered, fiber-reinforced composite, made from:
--Cement
--Refined cellulose fibers
--Mineral fillers
Those fibers form an internal "net" inside the board, stopping cracks from spreading and distributing stress evenly — similar to how rebar works in concrete.
Typical performance includes:
--Density around 1.0–1.5 g/cm³
--Flexural strength often ≥10-12 MPa
--Strong impact and edge resistance
--Excellent screw-holding performance
Because of this, fibre cement boards are widely used for facades, fire-rated partitions, flooring, and subfloor systems.
Cement Board vs. Fibre Cement Board (Quick Comparison)
| Feature | Cement Board | Fibre Cement Board |
| Structural behavior | Hard but brittle | Tough, crack-resistant |
| Impact resistance | Low | High |
| Edge strength | Weak | Strong, easy to machine |
| Fire performance | Non-combustible | Stable, often A1 rated |
| Long-term durability | Limited | Designed for long service life |
Which One Makes More Sense Today?
For modern construction, fibre cement board is usually the better choice because it offers:
--More reliable structural performance
--Fewer breakages during installation
--Better stability under moisture and temperature cycles
--Easier compliance with current fire and safety standards
That's why fibre cement boards have become the default solution for exterior wall cladding, fire-rated walls, and load-bearing substructures.
Manufacturers like FEEPOP Board design fibre cement boards around real construction demands — not just basic rigidity, but long-term performance on site.
Final Answer (Snippet-Friendly)
Cement board is a basic cement-based panel suited for low-stress applications.
Fibre cement board is an engineered, fiber-reinforced material built for durability, fire safety, and long-term performance.
If strength, service life, and compliance matter, fibre cement board is the technically better choice.
