What Is the Difference Between a Fiber Cement Board and a MgO Board?

06 Dec What Is the Difference Between a Fiber Cement Board and a MgO Board?

Do you find it difficult to choose a durable building material that is pleasant to look at? Choosing the boards while building a home is as hard as finding a needle in a haystack. 

However, the process can be much simpler if you know the difference between boards. Simply analyze your requirements and match them with the property each board offers, and you’re all sorted. But is it as simple as it sounds? NO. 

Fiber cement boards are an all-time favorite because they were the primary substitute for wood and have been the only king in the industry for years. However, MgO boards are now in the limelight because of their extensive features and versatile usage. 

So, which one you should choose? 

We’re here to help you understand the difference between fiber cement and MgO boards. So, let’s get into the topic!

Fiber Cement Board

Have you been looking at those pale cement walls all through childhood? Well, fiber cement boards are versatile and common building materials. They are equally popular in residential and commercial buildings to make sturdy homes. Cement boards are made of cement, wood fibers, water, sand, and cellulose. When combined with gravel, they make a composite material used as a building material. 

Since cement boards are available in different shapes and sizes, they have wide applications in indoor environments. Due to their thickness, they are also commonly used for exterior usage. Similar to wood, fiber cement boards can be:

• Cut
• Sculpted 
• Placed

You can use them as small pieces or huge sheets for big building projects. 

That’s all we need to know about cement boards; now, it’s time to learn how they are made. 

Manufacturing process

Fiber cement boards are made with cellulose, cement, and sand, which makes them a long-lasting and low-maintenance building material. Moreover, the constituents of the fiber cement process make them: 

• Durable
• Fire-resistant 
• Resilient 

All of these features make it an increasingly popular building material. And strong board. 

Here is how the fiber cement boards are made:

First, we have to prepare the raw materials in a fixed quantity. The constituents include:

• Cement
• Water
• Silica
• Cellulose fibers

The next step is to mix all the materials well until you make a slurry. It’s an important step to combine the materials in a well-proportionate manner.

Then, make the cement sheet of the desired thickness and size. This step involves careful consideration, and you might have to remove the extra water.

Moving on, cut the sheets into the desired form. Ensure that every board has a smooth and delicate surface and meets quality standards. 

Key Features 

Here are the key features of fiber cement boards:

Durability: Fibre cement boards are made with fine material that allows them to tolerate high weight and extreme weather conditions like rain, temperature, and high UV radiation.

Fire Resistance: Consider using fiber cement boards for areas prone to fire. The material does not catch fire easily and keeps the surroundings safe in case of fire.

Water Resistance: Fiber cement boards’ moisture resistance is another key feature. The material can withstand prolonged exposure to water without swelling. Although not a water-proof material, it still provides resistance against water.

Resistance to Insects and Pests: Fibre cement boards, unlike wood, are not a good host for insects and pests. 

Low Maintenance: Fiber cement boards do not require high maintenance compared to other materials. Simply install them once, and you’ll be safe for 15-20 years. This saves cost, time, and effort to fix wear and tear. 

Design Versatility: The cement boards come in different textures and finishes and can be modified to fit different styles and designs.

Eco-Friendly: Last but not least, fiber cement boards have little impact on the environment. They frequently incorporate recycled materials, making them an eco-friendly choice.

Cons

Despite these key features, here are the common drawbacks of fiber cement boards:

• The hazardous material is used in manufacturing, making it unfit for indoor environments. 
• Fiber cement boards have a high carbon footprint.
• There is no proper disposal and recycling of cement boards.
• The material has meager moisture resistance. 
• There is little to no noise resistance ability in cement boards. 

Common Uses 

Now that we know fiber cement boards’ drawbacks and key features let’s explore their usage. Fiber cement boards come in different designs and live longer, so they are used indoors and outdoors.

Roofing: Fibre cement boards are highly fire-resistant and can withstand extreme temperatures, so they are often used as a substitute for conventional roofing materials.

Interior Wall Cladding: The cement boards are also used as interior walls. You can use them to enhance the overall look of your home, as there are multiple designs of these boards. A few decorative ideas to use fiber cement boards to amp up the interior of your living space are:

• Architectural accents
• Ornamental facades
• Imaginative sceneries 

Tile backer: Fiber cement boards are water resistant and can be used as tile backers in damp areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

MgO Boards

MgO boards are versatile building materials for builders since they are among the most adaptable and long-lasting materials used in the building sector.

This is because of its remarkable resilience and sleek appearance. Fibreglass and magnesium oxide boards are a great match. Their combination provides them with the durability and adaptability needed for modern building projects. Due to their feature set, they are the greatest substitute for Portland cement.

MgO boards can tolerate harsh environments and are resistant to water damage. They are ideal for damp or wet spaces, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or outside walls. 

Manufacturing Process

As mentioned above, MgO boards have a cleaner manufacturing process. 

First, the materials, including magnesium oxide, fiberglass, and additives like sawdust, are prepared. 

Then, prepare the slurry just like for fiber cement boards. However, we must add perlite and vermiculite to reduce the boards’ weight. 

Then, a sheet of fiberglass mesh is prepared to pour the slurry. Just like the cement boards, you can press the slurry to remove the air and maintain the thickness of the boards. 

After the boards are cured, they can be cut into desired shapes and sizes. 

Key Features 

Here are the key features of MgO boards:

Durability: Because of its remarkable resilience and sleek appearance, fiberglass and magnesium oxide boards are a great match. Their combination gives them the durability and adaptability needed for modern building projects. Due to their feature set, they are the greatest substitute for Portland cement.

Withstand Extreme Weather: MgO boards can tolerate harsh environments and resist water damage. Their ideal locations are damp or wet spaces, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or outside walls.

In addition, MgO boards can withstand extreme temperatures. They are fire-rated boards that remain intact even at 1200*C. 

Strength: MgO boards are stronger than many traditional building materials because they can withstand impacts. Because of this, MgO Boards are utilized in locations subjected to high levels of impact or usage.

Thermal Insulation: Good thermal insulation from magnesium oxide (MgO) boards helps maintain consistent interior temperatures. They also offer good sound insulation.

Environmental Friendliness: MgO boards are manufactured and produced more cleanly. These boards are recyclable and made of natural, non-toxic materials, so you can use them without releasing hazardous chemicals. 

Versatile Usage: MgO boards are made of cleaner and non-toxic material therefore, they are ideal for use at:

• Educational institutions 
• Hospitals
• Workspaces and offices 
• Residential buildings 

Cons

Here are some downsides of MgO boards:

• These boards have a high upfront cost
• MgO boards require high-end equipment for installation 
• These boards are heavier 

Common Uses 

MgO boards have many uses. Because of their special qualities, they can be applied in many different ways throughout the building industry. MgO boards are widely used as:

Panels for the walls and ceilings: MgO boards are widely used for indoor and outdoor wall panels. Magnesium oxide flooring planks are long-lasting and, therefore, most appropriate for flooring. They are an excellent option for high-traffic areas because of their strength and sound-isolating qualities.

Siding and roofing: The boards are suitable for underlayment in roofing applications and siding because they can tolerate high temperatures and dampness.

Fireproof Material: MgO boards are frequently utilized for their ability to withstand fire. They are used in ceilings, fireproof partitions, and fire-rated walls. This is particularly helpful in buildings where fire safety is essential.

Structural insulation: The face material for structural insulated panels (SIPs) is magnesium oxide (MgO) boards. These boards are used in energy-efficient structures. They provide better insulation and strengthen the panels’ structural integrity.

Lining for Wet Areas: MgO boards can withstand dampness, making them simple to use in damp areas.

Learn more about the applications of MgO boards in detail. 

Let’s understand the key differences between fiber cement boards and MgO boards.

Key Differences between Fiber Cement Board and MgO Board

The table highlights the key differences between the Fiber Cement Board and the MgO Board:

Composition 

MgO boards are composed of bonders, fiber mesh composites, non-organic minerals, and magnesium oxide.

Sulfycor offers the most cutting-edge and creative new sulphate chlorine-free MGO board that uses magnesium sulphate (MgSO4), a non-metal corrosive, instead of magnesium chloride.

The production uses plentiful natural resources like brine pools and saltwater.

Cement boards are made of sand, cellulose fibers, and cement. As is widely known, Silica is dangerous to inhale.

Fire Resistance Properties

MgO boards are frequently used in fire-rated applications, as they are highly fire-resistant and can tolerate high temperatures.

Although fiber cement board is likewise fire-resistant, its rating is often lower than that of magnesium oxide boards.

MgO Boards have high impact strength and are not affected by high moisture. However, fiber cement boards are brittle and require frequent upkeep.

Resistance to Moisture

MgO Boards are suitable for damp or humid conditions; this material is naturally resistant to rot, mold, and mildew.

Although fiber cement board is moisture-resistant, the material can remain as it is even after prolonged exposure to water.

Fibre cement board is moisture-resistant, but improper sealing and maintenance could cause problems.

Impact on the Environment

MgO boards have a low carbon footprint because they are made with natural materials and cleaner production methods. The non-toxic constituents can be recycled, leading to a zero-waste economy. 

Due to energy-intensive cement production procedures, fiber cement board has a larger carbon footprint and is less environmentally friendly because it uses much energy to produce cement.

Safety and Health

MgO Board is safe for indoor use because it doesn’t contain dangerous substances like Silica, formaldehyde, or asbestos.

Fibre Cement Board might have Silica in the dust during cutting or installation, which could harm one’s health.

Price

Fibre Cement boards are inexpensive because of their weight and material cost. However, labor expenses are higher.

MgO boards are more costly initially, but their smaller weight and more straightforward installation may reduce labor expenses.

Applications

MgO boards are all-in-one boards that can be used in every environmental condition. They are perfect for: 

• Floors
• Walls
• Fire-rated ceilings.

MgO boards are ideal for damp spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor cladding.

Fibre Cement Board is utilized in high-performance building assemblies because of its structural sheathing and breathability. It is frequently used for siding and external cladding.

Interior walls are also made of it, particularly in places where resilience to moisture and durability are essential.

They can be used for both commercial and residential buildings.

Advantages of the MgO Board

• High structural fire ratings and fire resistance assist in reducing the fire rate of gypsum layers and systems.
• Outstanding resistance to dampness.
• It has a low carbon footprint and is beneficial to the environment.
• Safe for the quality of indoor air.
• Robust, long-lasting, and capable of providing structural support.

Advantages of Fibre Cement Boards

• Good resistance against fire.
• Long-lasting and resilient.
• Resistant to moisture when correctly cared for.
• Adaptable to a range of uses, particularly

Which One You Should Choose

Although both of the boards possess remarkable properties, choosing one could be a tedious task. However, make sure you choose the one depending on the following:

• Your surroundings
• Weather pattern 
• Your preferences
• Budget 

Get The Best MgO Boards With Sulfycor

Get the all-in-one MgO boards for wall sheathing, flooring, ceilings, and other applications from Sulfycor. With more than eight years of expertise, we upgrade to deliver the greatest experience since we value quality over quantity. Here’s what we offer:

• Chloride-free Magnesium oxide boards 
• ISO-certified MgO boards that meet quality standards and are safe for health 
• Versatile shapes and sizes of boards 
• International delivery
• Door-to-door service

Do you want to talk to the professionals about this? 

Contact us via phone or our social media accounts to receive prompt responses. The service is accessible at all times.

Wrap Up

Here, we come to the end of the difference between fiber cement boards and MgO boards. These boards have remarkable features that make them good options in the building industry. However, the MgO boards set the bar as they have versatile applications and unmatchable features. 

So, carefully consider which boards are perfect for you based on your requirements. For MgO boards, head to Sulfycor to get high-quality products delivered to your doorstep.