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Redefining Construction Standards in the UAE with Fiber Cement Board Manufacturers

Ever seen a building material that acts like concrete but works like wood? That is the magic concerning fiber cement boards. Geminite, a respected brand amongst the industry leaders, has partnered with the best Fiber cement board manufacturers to facilitate this revolutionary material to become the focus of modern constructions in the UAE. 

These composite boards are a cement-like product that is made out of a mixture of sand and cellulose fibers. This hyped up camouflaged version of cement is astoundingly durable and versatile, having become a builder’s go-to in the last decade.

At a Glance

Unpacking the Power of Fiber Cement Boards

What then is in these boards? It is a very deceiving simple recipe yet so very effective. You begin with Portland cement to give it strength and water resistance, add a little sand to provide it with bulk and stability and then follow it with the key ingredient, cellulose fibers. These little strands of wood fibre interlace throughout the blend, like a resistant structure net. This guards against the board turning brittle and imparts great plasticity to the board, giving it a resilience that it won’t break.

It is this combination which produces a material that cleanly avoids the issues of the competitors. It cannot rot and will not attract pests, like wood does, and it is significantly more durable than vinyl, which easily splits under abnormal temperature changes. Fiber cement board manufacturers have mastered this balance to meet construction to the extreme.

Why Is It Gaining Popularity?

Fiber cement boards’ popularity has absolutely skyrocketed and it is no wonder why. Construction companies and consumers are always in search of products that are aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting, particularly in harsh climatic settings. Fiber cement accomplishes all of the above, giving you both a long-lasting barrier against scorching sun, high humidity, and varying temperatures, as well as looking great.

A large portion of its attractiveness lies in the fact that it doesn’t require a lot of upkeep. Forget about the recurring process of painting and staining which accompanies wood siding. Fiber cement can keep its finish looking good for years, and occasionally, only a clean-up is necessary. This is the kind of quality which will appeal to people after an installation that can be forgotten.

Consider a material that has the concrete toughness but the ability of wooden material to work with it. This is the fundamental guarantee of fiber cement- a product that has been developed to survive decades of environmental exposure to still retain its functions and appealing cosmetic qualities. The prevalence of fiber cement boards in the construction market of the UAE is attributed to the constant innovation by leading Fiber cement board manufacturers towards perfection of these qualities.

A Market on the Rise

The regional construction field has most certainly got in touch. One can value the Middle East fiber cement board market at approximately USD 215.85 million in 2021; it is likely to rise to USD 314.91 million by 2028. This boom is being fuelled by large commercial projects which require tough, fire-retardant and extreme environment-resistant materials. 

This growth curve portends a paradigm shift regarding our thinking about building. With elevated safety and durability standards in vogue, products such as fiber cement are gaining prominence as the preferred means of constructing solid, sturdy buildings rather than as an alternative. 

Added to this ability to be shaped and finished to the appearance of classic painted wood or sleek, modern panels, there is the fact that Metacadmin gives architects the freedom of creativity without ever having to forego performance.

Modular and Prefab Construction: A Fiber Cement Core

Modular and prefabrication construction are catching on, and fiber cement boards are central to that advancement. The important points are:

  • Prefabricated Panels: Walls and floors are built outside and can be assembled quicker on the job site, which saves on labour costs.
  • Material Advantages: Fiber cement board is light, strong and dimensionally stable, thus it is suitable for a modular system.
  • Global Supply: Multi-layer fiber cement panels can be used in schools, hospitals and worker hostels in countries like Scandinavia, Japan, the UAE, etc.
  • Multi-use: Panels take the place of both structural and finishing layers, eliminating the additional finishing and the cost associated with it.
  • Performance Advantages: Sound and thermal performance are enhanced, given good acoustic and thermal performance.
  • Durability Features: High resistance to heat expansion with high load distribution makes it resistant against warping and cracking during transportation and installation.
  • Fire Resistance: Inherent fire-resistant characteristics make it possible to pass local safety codes without any extra fireproofing.

High-performance fibre cement boards are on the rise in fire-rated and prefab, as stronger safety codes and a trend towards modular buildings are changing the way buildings are built around the world. Nikhil Kaitwade is an Associate Vice President with Future Market Insights.

Market Segmentation and Future Trajectory

Future Market Insights predicts that the global fiber cement board market will amount to 11.9 billion in the year 2025. These forecasts indicate that the market will attain a value of USD 18.8 billion in 2035 with an increasing CAGR of 4.6%. This has been necessitated by tougher building regulations, increased standards of insurance and the general transition into off-site building.

Asia-Pacific is maintaining its lead in volume terms, attributable to enormous housing and infrastructure needs; however, North America and Europe are driving the premium-grade and code-compliant products versions. Even in an emerging market, increasing concerns relating to urban fire safety are leading the way towards non-combustible materials to be used such as fiber cement.

Are Fiber Cement Boards An Eco-Friendly Option?

Fiber cement is undoubtedly one of the sustainable building materials, and there are good reasons to explain so. It is easy to create and made of easy natural materials like cement and sand, and cellulose fibers tend to come from responsibly harvested forests.

However, the greatest environmental success? Strict measures are taken to prevent it. Amazing life span Properly put in place, the fiber cement boards can serve their purpose even up to 50 years. Such robustness suggests fewer replacements throughout the life of a building, wasting a lot of resources and preventing waste that ends up in landfills.

The true effect an environmental product has on the environment does not only depend on what material it is composed of, but also on its durability. Fiber cement passes the test of time; less material and energy are required to make repairs and replacements over the decades making it a sustainable choice.

How Does The Cost Of Fiber Cement Compare?

When considering the cost side, it is really important to look at the big picture, not the price label. However, the material cost of fiber cemented boards typically occupies an intermediate position in terms of cost- this is opposed to bricks and top-quality wood and in relation to low-quality vinyl siding.

It would be deceptive to look at the initial price. The true cost of fiber cement is seen over the course of time, once in the total cost of ownership. Since it does not require much maintenance, you are saving yourself the recurring expenses that are incurred with other materials.

Consider the following long-term savings:

  • No Routine Sealing or Staining: Unlike wood, you do not need to seal it even frequently to protect against moisture or even sunlight damage.
  • No Pest Control: It does not suffer from any rotten insects, and this saves you the bothersome costs of pest removal.
  • Not Having to Paint as Much: Paint on fiber cement will last 10-15 or so years and may last much longer than paint on wood siding.

In the search for builders and homeowners to look for high-quality products? Geminite is aligned with credible Fiber cement board manufacturers to make sure it has durability and aesthetic appeal in the same package. Get in touch with them today to understand the solutions available in the fiber cement construction.

FAQ’s

  1. What are fiber cement boards made of?

Fiber cement boards are a composite material, the composition of which is cement, sand, and cellulose fiber. A combination of these attributes makes it have the strength of concrete and the flexibility and workability of wood.

  1. Why are fiber cement boards popular in the UAE?

They are durable, fire-resistant, and require little maintenance and therefore ideal in the extremities of the climate in the UAE, with high heat and humidity and variation of the temperature.

  1. Can fiber cement boards be used in modular and prefab construction?

Yes, they are very popular with modular systems. Prefabricated fiber cement panels introduce dimensionally stable, lightweight construction with a high degree of durability, uniquely suited to off-site manufacturing and fast onsite assembly.

  1. Are fiber cement boards eco-friendly?

Absolutely. They are constructed out of natural materials such as cement and sand, have an extensive lifespan of 50+ years, and are not subject to pests or rot without aggressive chemical treatment, minimising environmental impact.

  1. How do fiber cement boards compare cost-wise to other materials?

Although the initial expenditure is greater than that of vinyl siding, fiber cement boards are cheaper than fancy wood or brick. They do not require much maintenance and have a long lifespan and durability, which ensures substantial long-term savings.