Matte finish fiber cement panels are a top-tier choice for modern architecture, offering a sophisticated, “stony” aesthetic without the gloss or glare of metal or plastic composites. They provide a muted, organic look that shifts beautifully with natural light.
Key Characteristics
When choosing between Through-Colored (Integrally Pigmented) and Painted (Surface Coated) fiber cement, the decision usually comes down to a trade-off between “natural material honesty” and “perfect color uniformity.”
Here is a breakdown of why through-colored boards are generally considered the premium choice for modern architecture.
A “translucent/matte through-colored smooth fiber cement facade” describes a high-end architectural cladding system that balances raw material honesty with a refined, modern finish.
While fiber cement itself is inherently opaque, the term “translucent” in this industry typically refers to the top coating or the visual “depth” of the panel, rather than the board being see-through like glass.
Key Characteristics
Through-colored, sanding-textured fiber cement is a high-performance facade material where the pigment is integrated throughout the entire panel. Unlike surface-painted boards, the color is consistent from the face to the core, and the surface is mechanically sanded to create a raw, tactile aesthetic.
Key Characteristics
When comparing Fiber Cement and MgO Sulfate (MOS) Board for facades, the choice often comes down to a trade-up between proven aesthetic durability (Fiber Cement) and superior technical safety/handling (MgO Sulfate)
While both are non-combustible alternatives to wood or plastic, they behave very differently in real-world exterior conditions.
Technical Comparison Table
| Feature | Fiber Cement (FC) | MgO Sulfate (MOS) |
| Primary Advantage | Aesthetic longevity & UV resistance | Fire safety & Moisture stability |
| Weight | Heavy (1,400+ kg/m3) | Lighter (1,000 – 1,100 kg/m3) |
| Moisture Response | Can absorb water; potential for “dark spots” | Highly stable; does not ... |
MgO Sulfate Board is highly recommended for high-humidity areas. In fact, its superior performance in moisture-prone environments is the main reason architects and builders choose it over the cheaper Chloride-based MgO boards.
Here is why it excels in humid conditions:
The most critical advantage is that Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4) does not attract moisture from the air.
MgO Sulfate board (Magnesium Oxysulfate / MOS) is considered a “second-generation” advancement over the traditional Chloride MgO board (Magnesium Oxychloride / MOC).
The primary reason it is “better” is that it solves the two most significant failures of the original technology: metal corrosion and “sweating” (leaching).
Traditional Chloride boards use Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2), which is highly hygroscopic—meaning it naturally attracts moisture from the air.
The primary reason engineers and architects switch from standard MgO boards to MgO Sulfate Boards is specifically to eliminate the “sweating” (hygroscopic) and “leaching” (efflorescence) issues.
Here is the technical breakdown of why MgO Sulfate boards perform differently in high-humidity environments.
The Chemistry: Why it doesn’t “Sweat”
To understand why Sulfate boards don’t sweat, you have to look at what causes the problem in older versions:
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.
When discussing weatherboards, the “profile” (the shape of the edge) determines how they look on the wall:1
Fiber cement planks are renowned for their exceptional dimensional stability, meaning they are far less likely to crack or warp compared to wood or vinyl. However, like all building materials, they do undergo slight physical changes.
The key to their durability is that fiber cement is “Engineered for Climate.” Here is a detailed breakdown of how it handles thermal expansion:
Fiber cement has a very low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (COTE). Because it is a ...
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