Fibre cement vs MGO

Alex Twigg • 13 December 2022
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Fibre Cement vs MgO Boards

In this blog we will be covering, the fundamentals of fibre cement then into the the similarities and differences between Fibre Cement and MgO.


What Is Fibre Cement?


Fibre cement is a building material that is made from a mix of cement, sand, and cellulose fibres. It is strong, durable, and versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including wall cladding, roofing,  flooring and for wetrooms. It is also resistant to weathering, rot, and insect damage, making it a popular choice for both residential and commercial construction. Fibre cement is also non-combustible and can be used in fire-rated applications, making it an ideal choice for fire-resistant construction.


Advantages of Fibre Cement Vs MgO



Fibre cement is a more durable and long-lasting material than MgO boards, making it less likely to warp, crack, or break over time. It is also resistant to weathering, rot, and insect damage, making it a better choice for outdoor or wet environments. Fibre cement is also non-combustible and can be used in fire-rated applications, whereas MgO boards are combustible and should not be used in fire-resistant construction. Fibre cement is also available in a wider range of colours, textures, and styles, giving you more design options to choose from. Overall, fibre cement is a more versatile, durable, and reliable material for building applications than MgO boards.


Benefits of Fibre cement vs MGO


There are several benefits to using fibre cement over MgO boards in building applications that include:


  1. Durability: Fibre cement is more durable and resistant to damage than MGO. It is also fireproof and does not rot, corrode or decay.
  2. Strength: Fibre cement is stronger and more rigid than MGO. It can withstand extreme temperatures and high moisture levels without warping or splitting.
  3. Versatility: Fibre cement is versatile and can be used in a variety of applications, such as exterior siding, roofing, flooring, and decking.
  4. Cost: Fibre cement is less expensive than MGO, making it a more budget-friendly option for many projects.
  5. Maintenance: Fibre cement requires minimal maintenance and can be painted or stained to match any decor


Cons Of Fibre Cement?


However like anything, not everything is perfect. Fibre cement does come with some cons. Here are a handful of potential disadvantages to using fibre cement, including:


  1. Weight: Fibre cement is a relatively heavy material. An example of this is our Cembloc board which averages in at 1350kg/m3 meaning a 1000mm x 1000mm x 10mm board would weigh in at 13.5kg per board, which may make it potentially difficult to install and may require additional support.
  2. Installation: Installing fibre cement siding's require specialised tools and skills.
  3. Differences: This point is an interesting one, and sometimes gives fibre cement a bad reputation. The vast amount of fibre cement products on the market range from Grade I to Grade III. The later being often compared to weetabix. In these instances, fibre cement is pushed aside for other building material alternatives due to the Grade III quality, but this is by all means a false reality of how fibre cement should be. That is why, we highly recommend talking to a fibre cement specialist prior to any order as it may not be what you're expecting.


For more information about Fibre Cement and its potential benefits in your application get in touch with the Cembloc team, where we can guide you in the right direction.

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Risks of MG0 Board In Construction

by Alex Twigg • 30 January 2023
The purpose of this article is to educate and provide evidence-based resources to the UK market on the comparison of MgO and Fibre Cement. We will compare key factors such as price, fire safety, water resistance, and focus on durability, a crucial factor often overlooked. We will examine construction industry practices to highlight potential issues with MgO, enabling you to make an informed decision. Risks of MG0 Boards? To start this article is best to dive into the deep end. As of April 2020, NHBC (National House-Building Council) announced "NHBC will not accept MgO building boards on buildings where the foundations are begun on or after 30 April 2020 under its insurance warranty" and "Where MgO building boards have already been, and are currently being, installed on buildings, you should use an alternative product if it is practical to do so." - Reference: https://www.nhbc.co.uk/builders/products-and-services/techzone/technical-updates Alongside NHBC, the LABC announced "LABC Warranty no longer accept the use of all types of Magnesium Oxide board (MgO) on any of our structural warranty schemes." 15 days earlier. - Reference: https://www.labcwarranty.co.uk/technical-blog/updated-guidance-for-magnesium-oxide-boards-mgo Leading render manufacturers have prohibited the use of MgO boards with their renders, as per their "red list, following the withdrawal of LABC, NHBC and their own findings. Why The Discontinuation of MG0 Boards In Construction? The discontinuation of MgO use was prompted by a 2017 study from the Technical University of Denmark that revealed moisture damage issues with magnesium oxide boards."and they begin to leak salty water, which is highly corrosive, and leads to moisture and mould problems in wooden members of the structures." leading onto a repair bill "which has had detrimental consequences, such as an expected cost of repair of around 2 billion DKK." when converting into todays value in GBP the cost is in excess of £300million (three hundred million pounds). - Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876610217349378 Concerns were raised down under, when both School of Science and Engineering and College of Engineering, Australia had "raise questions about the appropriateness of magnesium oxide boards" following their study of hygrothermal performance of magnesium oxide (MgO) boards. - Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0950061821021875 Followed by a released finding that shows "Magnesium oxide (MgO) wallboards have been linked to damages reported globally and within Australia. These damages include dampness, cracking, and accelerated corrosion of contacting metal fixtures." - Reference: LINK Effects of MG0 board in Steel Structures?

Why fibre cement is the future of construction"

by Alex Twigg • 12 December 2022
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