The description “Sanded & slightly rough surface fibre cement board” refers to a specific, highly textural category of architectural cladding favored for its authentic, mineral aesthetic and tactile quality.
This finish is characteristic of premium, often through-colored (mass-colored) fibre cement boards, where the natural material composition is intentionally exposed rather than hidden beneath a thick coating.
Exposed Texture (Sanded/Rough)
The surface treatment involves a mechanical grinding or sanding process after the board has been cured. This process serves two main functions:
- Reveals the Core: It lightly removes the outermost skin of the board, exposing the natural composition of the cement, sand, and mineral aggregate beneath.
- Tactile Finish: This intentional abrasion creates the characteristic slightly rough, mineral feel. The texture is not aggressive but provides a fine grip and depth that distinguishes it from smooth, painted finishes.
Directional Grain
The sanding process often leaves subtle, fine linear grinding lines running across the surface. These lines add a fine, directional texture that catches the light differently, preventing the large panel surface from looking flat or monolithic.
Designers choose the sanded, slightly rough surface for its raw, authentic qualities:
| Aesthetic Quality | Description |
| Natural Authenticity | The finish celebrates the raw, unpolished nature of the fibre cement material, aligning with contemporary architectural trends toward minimalism and industrial honesty. |
| Dynamic Light Play | The rough texture and subtle sanding lines catch and disperse light unevenly, creating soft, natural shadows and highlights that change throughout the day, giving the facade a dynamic, living appearance. |
| Colour Depth | When combined with through-colour technology (where the pigment runs throughout the board), the rough surface enhances the richness and variation of the tone, making the colour look deeper and more integrated into the material itself. |
| Patina Effect | In many high-end lines, this surface is designed to interact with the environment, allowing it to subtly weather and develop a desirable patina (natural aging) over the decades, ensuring the building’s facade evolves gracefully. |
Ideal Application
This type of board is typically used in projects where the architect wants to emphasize materiality and texture over a high-gloss or perfectly smooth finish. It is ideal for contemporary institutional buildings, commercial projects, and high-end residential facades seeking a natural, understated elegance.
NOV
2025