Fabricating and installing Fiber Cement Boards (FCB)

Fiber Cement Board is kind of building material that is widely used as a wood substitute for wall, floor, lath and plywood. However, fiber cement board installation has some certain requirements to achieve the best quality and asthetics.

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1. Score and snap FCB:

- use factory edge of FCB as a guide

- lift panel to snap FCB

2. Power shear FCB: Support panel to prevent breaking the end

3. Blind hole cut FCB

- Drill holes at opposte corners

- Clean up edges for proper fit: use a raso or coarse file

4. Cut large holes in FCB: Use jigsaw for large holes or irregular cuts

5. Drill holes in FCB: Use bi – metal, carbide, or diamond core bit

6. Installing FCB

- All bacjer board ends must be supported. Full face is best; never less than 1-inch

- The beads of gel applied to the edges of this shower base and the edges of the fiber-cement boards are part of a surface-applied waterproof membrane system.

- Refer to board manufacturer’s fastening schedule.

- Hot-dipped galvanized roofing nails can be used but screws offer greater holding power

- Use corrosion-resistant backer board screws only!

- Gap boards with 10d nails

- Use alkali-resistant mesh tape only!

Wall installations

- Space wood or steel studs no more than 16-inches

- All board ends must be supported

- A surface-applied membrane is recommended for wet-area applications

- Use self-tapping backer board screws for steel studs

- Reinforcing tape may or may not be required by manufacturer

- Install alkali-resistant tape immediately before tiling

Floor installation

3.4 inch subflooring is recommended over 5/8 inch. 16 inch joist spacing – not 19.2 or 24

Subfloor must be flat to within 1/4 inch in 10 feet

- A support plane of thinset mortar is required. Hot-dipped galvanized roofing nails may be used. Reinforcing tape may or may not be required by manufacturer

- Install alkali-resistant tape immediately before tiling

- Use 1/4x1/4x1/4 square notch trowel to spread thinset

- Use your body weight to help seat the board

- Gap and tape as required by board manufacturer

- 1 ¼ inch fasteners were used to attach this ¼ inch backer board to a ¾ inch subfloor. Fasteners should not penetrate joists

Magazine – loaded hot-dipped galvanized roofing nails are available for stand-up nail guns.

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