Is fibre cement a serious alternative to traditional Stucco wall cladding? Is it a superior alternative, or are there serious disadvantages to using this product?
Stucco has been in use since the first days of the U.S. and the U.K. It is used mainly as exterior wall cladding and for use on roofs and other large structures. It is a very cost-effective option and is commonly used today in many parts of the world.
What is fibre cement? It is a relatively new product that is not yet widely available. Here is a quick rundown of the necessary ingredients that make up fibre cement and why it might be a better choice than traditional stucco wall cladding.
Improved Bonding Between The Calcium Carbonate And The Water
First, let’s take a look at how fibre cement is made. It consists of water, sand, and calcium carbonate. The sand is mixed with a high-pressure water supply, and then the calcium carbonate is added to help improve the bond between the calcium carbonate and the water.
More Resistant To Chipping Or Breaking
Fibre cement is much more resistant to chipping and breaking compared to Stucco, which is a popular material to use for home and commercial construction today. Fibre cement will not chip, crack, or break when subjected to heavy use. There is also no discolouration to the finished product, as there can be with traditional materials.
Less Expensive To Install
Another significant difference between fibre cement and Stucco is that Fiber cement is much less expensive to install than Stucco. It also requires only one coat of cement to be applied, whereas the regular Stucco requires several coats before it will be dry enough to use. This means that with Fiber cement, you can apply just one coat and have a finished product that is much easier to apply.
Much Cheaper than Stucco Wall Cladding
While many people are turned off by the idea of using fibre cement over Stucco, many others are now opting to use it because of the differences between the two. One of the biggest reasons for this is the price. Fibre cement is much cheaper than stucco. And if you compare the two, you will quickly see why. As stated above, there is a huge cost saving when using fibre cement over stucco.
Strong Enough To Support High-Quality Cladding
In addition to being environmentally friendly, fibre cement is considered to be very strong. It is strong enough to support high-quality cladding, but it’s not as sturdy as other types of cladding. This means that your old exterior walls may need to be replaced before applying fibre cement. However, this also means that you won’t have to spend much money on installing the replacement walls. You’ll need to hire a professional like Nichiha, though, and expect to pay quite a bit more than you’d pay to have it done yourself.
Gives A Natural, Warm And Inviting Appearance
Another great reason why fibre cement is a good choice is because of its colour. Although most other cladding products are pale or yellowed, fibre cement is made from a brown-green colour. This gives it a natural, warm, inviting appearance, rather than the usual white or off-white that many other products have.
Incredibly Durable
Another major advantage of fibre cement is that it’s incredibly durable and will last for years without needing to be re-painted or repaired. Unlike older, less durable cladding materials, it is weather-resistant, meaning it won’t crack or chip easily. Because it’s very durable fibre cement can be used on any wall, including chimneys, porches, porcelain, or brick chimneys.
Effortless To Install
Another great benefit of fibre cement is that it’s effortless to install. It’s a simple process that involves spraying the mixture onto the wall with a sponge applicator, allowing the new fence to dry in a couple of hours. Once it’s dry, it’s simply a matter of covering the wall with sealant and sanding to give it a finished look.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that fibre cement is a serious option for replacing all types of exterior surfaces. It provides the look and feels of wood, yet it’s durable enough to last for decades. No matter what kind of exterior wall you have, if you use fibre cement for your project, you’re sure to get the same result.
In the end, when choosing between the two, it will come down to your specific preferences and budget. However, if you look around, you should have no trouble finding a fibre cement contractor who can perform this job for you.
