MATERIAL DATA SHEET

Fibre Cement Weatherboard

Concrete/Masonry
mineral › Cementitious › Concrete/Masonry
mineralcementitiousfibre-cementweatherboardcladdingnon-combustiblebushfire-resistantAS-2908NCC-deemed-to-complyjames-hardiescyon-lineahardieplankBAL-FZ-suitabletermite-resistantlap-siding
ATLAS CODE
MIN-CEM-FC-002
Fibre Cement Weatherboard
Category mineral
Material Family Cementitious
Regulatory Status Non-combustible (deemed-to-comply)
Density
1290-1300 kg/m3
Carbon (A1-A5)
0.5-0.8 kgCO2e/kg
Fire Class
Non-combustible (deemed-to-comply)
Lifespan
30-50 years
Description

Profiled fibre cement cladding boards manufactured to AS/NZS 2908.2 in horizontal lap (weatherboard), shiplap, and panel formats for external wall cladding. Available in 7.5mm thickness (HardiePlank) and 16mm thickness (Scyon Linea), with widths from 150mm to 405mm and standard lengths of 3000-4200mm. The cement-cellulose fibre composite provides non-combustible classification under NCC C1.9(e), suitability for all BAL ratings per AS 3959 (BAL-LOW through BAL-FZ), and complete termite and rot immunity. James Hardie dominates the Australian market with HardiePlank (entry-level, 7.5mm smooth/woodgrain), Scyon Linea (premium 16mm with deep shadow lines), and Scyon Stria (contemporary 14mm shiplap with bold grooves). Density approximately 1290-1300 kg/m3. Unlike flat fibre cement sheet (MIN-CEM-FC-001), weatherboard products feature profiled overlap geometry for concealed fastening and superior weather-shedding performance in external cladding applications.

Primary Sectors
[Residential]
Typical Uses
  • Residential external wall cladding
  • Bushfire-prone area cladding
  • Heritage renovation
  • Medium-density residential
  • Contemporary architectural facades
  • Coastal construction
  • Gable end and feature cladding
15030007.5mm
Thick.
Primary Form [Plank/weatherboard]
Standard Widths [150mm, 180mm (Linea); 230mm, 300mm (HardiePlank); 325mm, 405mm (Stria)] mm
Standard Lengths [3000mm, 4200mm] mm
Thickness Opts [7.5mm (HardiePlank), 14mm (Stria), 16mm (Linea)] mm
Weight [2.4-3.8] kg/LM
Recycled Content 0
Renewable Content 5-15
Recyclability 10-30
Embodied Carbon 0.5-0.8 kgCO2e/kg
Embodied Energy 6-10 MJ/kg
EPD Available Yes
Advantages
Deemed-to-comply non-combustible under NCC C1.9(e) — no AS 1530.1 testing requiredSuitable for all BAL ratings (BAL-LOW through BAL-FZ) per AS 3959 — universal bushfire zone complianceAS 1530.3 indices 0/0/0/2-7 — NCC Group Number 1 fire hazard classification (best rating)30-50 year service life with 25-year James Hardie product warrantyComplete termite and rot immunity — inorganic cement matrix unaffected by wood-destroying organismsConcealed fastening system — no exposed nail/screw heads for superior weather tightnessMultiple profile options (HardiePlank, Linea, Stria) for heritage through contemporary aestheticsColorPlus factory finish with 15-year colour warranty and ~700 standard colours available
Cautions
Weight 2.4-3.8 kg/LM — heavier than timber weatherboards (~1.5 kg/LM for 19mm pine), requiring robust framingSupply cost $40-75/m2 for premium Scyon products — higher than vinyl cladding ($15-30/m2) or basic timber weatherboardCrystalline silica dust hazard during cutting — mandatory water suppression or HEPA extraction per SafeWork AustraliaMoisture-driven dimensional movement 1.265mm over panel length — requires expansion gaps and proper overlap detailingRepainting required every 10-15 years for field-applied finishes; ColorPlus extends to 15+ years but at premium costBrittle material — can crack if over-driven fasteners crush board, or if framing movement exceeds material flexibilityLimited recycled content in standard James Hardie formulationsHeavier than vinyl or aluminium cladding — increases structural framing loads and handling requirements
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TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES MIN-CEM-FC-002
Density (Dry) 1290-1300 kg/m3
Specific Gravity 1.29-1.30
Porosity Not specified %
Water Absorption 34-36 %
Hardness Not specified Mohs
Surface Roughness Not specified um
UV Resistance excellent
Chemical Resistance good
pH Tolerance Not specified pH
Available Colors
Primed (ready for field painting — unlimited colour options)ColorPlus factory-applied finish (~700 standard colours)Custom colours available for volume orders
Surface Finishes
Primed (for field painting with acrylic exterior paint)ColorPlus factory-applied baked finish (15-year colour warranty)Woodgrain embossed texture
Texture Options
Smooth (clean contemporary finish)Woodgrain/Cedarmill (timber-look texture — HardiePlank)Fine texture (Scyon Stria)Colonial roughsawn
Pattern Options
Horizontal lap (traditional weatherboard — HardiePlank, Linea)Horizontal shiplap (Scyon Stria — bold grooves)Board and batten (vertical with cover strip)Mixed profile (combining Linea and Stria on same facade)
Compressive Strength 38-46 MPa
Tensile Strength 2-4 MPa
Flexural Strength 7.0-10.0 MPa
Shear Strength Not specified MPa
Elastic Modulus 12-18 GPa
Yield Strength Not applicable MPa
Impact Resistance Not specified J
Bearing Capacity Not specified kPa
Poisson's Ratio 0.2-0.25
Creep Resistance good
Abrasion Resistance good
Thermal Conductivity 0.137-0.153 W/mK
Thermal Resistance 0.04-0.06 m2K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 780-990 J/kgK
Thermal Expansion Not specified mm/m/degC
Melting Point Not applicable degC
Ignition Temperature Not applicable degC
Sound Transmission Class (STC) Not specified (system-dependent) STC
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) ~0.05
Weighted Sound Reduction (Rw) Rw 45-55 (system) dB
Optical
Light Transmittance 0 %
Light Reflectance (LRV) Not specified %
Solar Reflectance (SRI) Not specified

Fibre cement weatherboard evolved from the Australian 'fibro' tradition that dominated residential construction from the 1920s through 1970s using asbestos-reinforced cement sheets and profiles. Following the progressive ban on asbestos products (total ban 2003), manufacturers transitioned to cellulose fibre reinforcement. James Hardie introduced HardiePlank as a direct replacement for traditional timber weatherboards, offering similar aesthetic with superior durability. The Scyon formulation range, launched in the 2000s, introduced lower-density fibre cement enabling deeper milled profiles (Linea, Stria, Axon) that create architectural shadow lines previously achievable only with thick solid timber. The 2019 NCC amendments strengthening non-combustibility requirements for external walls further consolidated fibre cement weatherboard's market position, particularly in medium-density and multi-storey residential construction. Australia has the highest per-capita consumption of fibre cement cladding globally, reflecting the material's suitability for the country's bushfire-prone environment and termite challenges.

CLAD MATERIALS ATLAS PAGE 2 OF 4
SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION MIN-CEM-FC-002
Flame Spread Index 0
Smoke Developed Index 2-7
Combustibility Class Non-combustible (deemed-to-comply)
Ignition Temperature Not applicable degC
Fire Resistance Rating 30-120 (system-dependent) minutes
Heat Release Rate Near zero kW/m2
Toxicity of Combustion low
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) 0.5-0.8 kgCO2e/kg
Embodied Energy 6-10 MJ/kg
Water Footprint Not specified L/kg
EPD Available Yes
Recycled Content 0%
Renewable Content 100%
LEED Points 1-3 points
Circular Economy Score 3 /10
IARC Classification Crystalline silica dust: IARC Group 1 carcinogen. Intact product: not classified.
VOC Emissions Negligible ug/m3
VOC Class Low VOC (uncoated: zero VOC)
Formaldehyde Class Not applicable — no formaldehyde in composition
Crystalline Silica Present (hazard during cutting only) %
Asbestos Content None — cellulose fibre reinforcement only. Australian asbestos ban enacted 2003.
Heavy Metals Free Yes
PPE Required
P2 respirator (mandatory for power saw cutting per SafeWork Australia/WorkSafe QLD)Safety glasses/gogglesHearing protection (power tools)Gloves (handling)Long sleeves (dust protection)
Skill Level Skilled
Crew Size 2-3 persons
Installation Time 0.10-0.16 hours/m2
Curing Time Not applicable hours
Setting Time Not applicable hours
Temperature Range 5-40 degC
Humidity Range No restriction %RH
Required Tools
Score-and-snap tungsten-tipped knife (preferred for minimal dust)Circular saw with water suppression or HEPA dust collection (M-class minimum vacuum)Pneumatic nail gun with adjustable depth control (for concealed nailing)P2 respirator (mandatory for power saw cutting per SafeWork Australia)Safety glasses/gogglesHearing protection (when using power tools)Spirit level and string line (for course alignment)Tape measurePre-drill bit (for edge fixings and steel framing)Caulking gun and flexible sealant
Certifications Required
No specific licence required — experienced carpenter/cladding installerSafeWork Australia silica awareness training for cuttersWorking at heights certification if applicableJames Hardie installation training recommended
Weather Limitations
Can be installed during light rain — overlap design sheds waterAvoid power cutting during heavy rainNo frost or wind speed limitations beyond general WHS requirementsPainting/sealing of cut ends should be done in dry conditions
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COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY MIN-CEM-FC-002
Material Cost $20-75/m2 supply only. HardiePlank ~$20-30/m2, Scyon Linea ~$40-70/m2, Scyon Stria ~$50-75/m2 m2
Installation Cost $50-80/m2 installed including materials and labour m2
Annual Maintenance 1-3 AUD/m2/year
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) Not specified AUD/m2
Market Availability Readily available
Lead Time 1-4 weeks
Supply & Logistics
Country of Origin Australia (James Hardie, CSR Cemintel manufacture locally)
Regional Availability
Australia (nationwide)New ZealandAsia-PacificGlobal (James Hardie operates internationally)
AU Distributors
James Hardie Australia (manufacturer — market leader)CSR Cemintel (manufacturer — Cemintel weatherboards)Bunnings Warehouse (retail)Betaboard (trade supplier)All major trade building suppliers nationally
Design Life 30-50 years
Warranty Period 25 years
Maintenance Interval 6-12 months
Service Temp Range -20 to 50+ degC
Freeze/Thaw Resistance Passes AS/NZS 2908.2 cycles
Dimensional Stability 0.3-0.5 mm/m
Certifications Held
CodeMark CM40300 (James Hardie Primeline Newport Weatherboard)AS/NZS 2908.2 Type A Category 3 complianceJAS-ANZ accredited testingJames Hardie EPD (Environmental Product Declaration per ISO 14025 and EN 15804)CSR Cemintel EPD-IES-0018187Green Building Council of Australia — eligible for Green Star materials creditsNot classified as hazardous per SafeWork Australia (intact product)
Fire Code Compliance
NCC Clause C1.9(e) — deemed-to-comply non-combustibleNCC Section 3.7.1 — Housing Provisions non-combustible classificationAS 1530.3 — fire hazard properties (indices 0/0/0/2-7)AS 5637.1 — Group Number 1 fire hazard classificationAS 3959:2018 — bushfire-prone area construction (all BAL levels)
Standards Compliance
NCC 2022 Volume One (Class 2-9 buildings)NCC 2022 Volume Two Part 3.5.4 (timber and composite wall cladding)NCC Part C — Fire resistance and stabilityAS/NZS 2908.2:2000 — Cellulose-cement products, Part 2: Flat sheetsAS 4055 — Wind loads for housing (fixing requirements by wind zone)ASTM C1186 (Flat fibre-cement sheets — mechanical testing)ISO 8336 (Fibre-reinforced cement products — flat sheets)EN 12467 (Fibre-cement flat sheets)
Technical Data Sheet PDFSafety Data Sheet (SDS) PDFInstallation Manual PDFEnvironmental Product Declaration PDFFire Test Report PDFManufacturer Website URLProduct Page URL
Data Confidence MANUFACTURER
Source Primary: James Hardie product pages (HardiePlank, Scyon Linea, Scyon Stria); FSRI Material Database (fiber cement board physical properties); James Hardie EPD; CodeMark CM40300 certificate. Secondary: SafeWork Australia/WorkSafe QLD silica guidance; American Fiber Cement technical bulletins; Hipages/ServiceTasker cost guides.

DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.

ID: MIN-CEM-FC-002 Schema: v3.0
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