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In many international markets, especially in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, the terms Fiber Cement Plank and Weatherboard are used interchangeably. However, “Weatherboard” specifically refers to the style of installation where boards overlap to shed water.

Here is a breakdown of the key English terminology and technical details specifically for Fiber Cement Weatherboards.

1. Style & Profile Keywords

When discussing weatherboards, the “profile” (the shape of the edge) determines how they look on the wall:¹

• Lap Siding / Traditional Lap: The most common style where the bottom of one board overlaps the top of the one below it.
• Ship-lap Profile: A more modern look where the boards have a “rabbeted” edge so they fit together snugly, creating a flush or recessed joint.²
• Square Edge: A standard flat board edge.
• Bullnose / Beaded Edge: A decorative rounded edge at the bottom of the plank for a heritage or traditional look.

2. Technical Specifications

If you are looking at data sheets, you will see these terms:

• Effective Cover (or Exposure): The actual width of the board visible after the overlap.
  • Example: A 210mm wide board with a 30mm overlap has an exposure of 180mm.
• Thickness: Typically ranges from 7.5mm to 16mm for weatherboards.
• Standard Length: Usually sold in 3.6 meter (12ft) or 4.2 meter lengths.
• Density: Measured in kg/m3⁴ High-density boards are more impact-resistant.⁵

3. Installation Components

To complete a “Weatherboard” system, you need more than just the planks:

• Mounting Concealed Clips: Used for some ship-lap systems to hide screws.
• Box Corners: Metal or fiber cement trims used to cover the vertical corners where two walls meet.
• Jointer / Joint Flashing: A small piece of plastic or metal placed behind the “butt joint” (where two planks meet end-to-end) to prevent water ingress.⁶
• Eaves / Soffit: The underside of the roof overhang, often finished with thinner fiber cement sheets.

4. Comparison Table: Plank vs. Traditional Timber

If you are marketing this product, use these keywords to highlight the “Weatherboard” advantages:

Common Industry Phrases

• “The planks feature a low maintenance finish that mimics the look of natural timber.”
• “Designed for horizontal cladding applications in residential construction.”
• “Ensure a minimum overlap of 30mm for maximum weather-tightness.