How to Make Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement siding is durable, weather and fire resistant, and not bad looking. It deters woodpeckers, termites and mildew. Given all the benefits of choosing fiber cement siding, why would anyone choose vinyl or wood? Detailed mixtures will ensure your fiber cement mix is accurate and you'll be on your way to making some extraordinary fiber cement siding.

Things You'll Need

• Portland Cement
• Sand
• Cellulose Fibers
• Water
• Waxes
• Resin
• Autoclave

Instructions

Make Fiber Cement Siding

1. Gain a healthy understanding of fiber cement products by reading through some of its history. At the turn of the century a French company was manufacturing fiber cement siding and other products and exporting these products from Australia to America. Because the fiber cement siding resists rot, many houses built about 100 years ago still have the original fiber cement siding and roofs.

2. Make fiber cement siding by mixing portland cement, ground sand, additives and water. Wood fiber cellulose replaces asbestos. The different chemical composition of the cellulose fibers makes its compatibility with the cement much more complex than that of asbestos fibers.

3. Mix up a batch of sand composite, cement, cellulose fibers, water, waxes, and resins. The material is then autoclaved, a process in which the mixture is subjected to highly pressurized steam that presses the material into its final form. This autoclave procedure provides increased strength and durability to the final product.

4. Manufacture coconut fiber-cement board, another type of fiber cement, from fibrous materials like coconut coir, fronds, spathes and shredded wood that are mixed with Portland cement at a predetermined ratio of 60-70% cement to 30-40% fiber by weight.

5. Form the cement-fiber mixture into mats, pressing them to the desired thickness ranging from 8 mm to 25 mm. The board measures 244 cm long by 61 cm wide. The board density varies from 600-kg/cu. m. to 750-kg/cu. m.

6. Thicken the fiber cement siding to make it more durable than its vinyl counterparts. While this increased thickness will add more weight to your home, it will also provide more protection.

Tips & Warnings

• Replacing your existing home siding with stronger more durable fiber cement siding increases your homes value and provides your home with a siding product that will last a very long time. If your home already comes with fiber cement siding, leave it alone. The majority of homeowners without fiber cement siding are already talking about making the change.

• Fiber cement siding is frost, acid, and ant resistant, and a highly desirable.

• Installing fiber cement siding can be a bit more intensive, and proper precautions should be taken when cutting fiber-cement siding.

• Flame test showed that while the fiber cement board can be burned, it is rather slow with minimal smoke emission.