Cement board, also known as fiber cement board, was invented in the late 19th century as a fire-resistant and durable alternative to wood for interior and exterior building applications. It is a composite material made of sand, cement and cellulose fibers that are pressed and baked into strong, solid panels. Originally developed for roofing tiles and panels, cement board has grown in popularity and versatility over the decades.

Advantages of Cement Board

One of the major advantages of cement board is its fire resistance. Made from non-combustible materials, fiber cement panels won't burn, warp or disintegrate under high heat exposure. This makes it an ideal substrate for walls and ceilings in areas that require a fire rating like garages, utility rooms and commercial spaces. Cement board is also exceptionally durable and resilient. It withstands impacts, moisture damage and normal wear and tear better than other building materials. Fiber cement won't rot, degrade or sustain permanent damage from water splashes or brief submersion.

Versatility of Application

Thanks to its unique properties, Cement Board has a diverse range of interior and exterior applications in residential and commercial construction. It is commonly used as a durable backer for wall tile installations in bathrooms, kitchens and other wet areas. Cement boards also provide a stable substrate for exterior siding materials like lap siding, brick, stucco and stone veneer. Other applications include floor underlayment in basements, utility rooms and commercial spaces. Some cement boards are specially formulated for roofing underlayment, replacing traditional asphalt felt. Its rigidity and impact resistance makes cement board an excellent choice for shelving and countertops as well.

Rise in Popularity

Over the past decade, cement board has significantly grown in popularity among builders, remodelers,tile installers and homeowners. This can be attributed to several factors. To begin with, the compelling functional advantages of fire resistance, durability and ease of installation have led to wider acceptance and use of this versatile material. Cement board provides an affordable but high performance alternative to traditional wood-based sheathing and tile backerboards. The introduction of new product varieties suitable for diverse conditions has also expanded its applications. Manufacturers have invested in educating the building industry about best practices for incorporating cement board into projects. This has propelled its use in recent years, especially for wet areas and flooring underlayment. Sustainability is another big selling point as cement board has higher recycled content than traditional materials.

Installation Guidelines

While very durable, cement board still needs to be installed properly as per manufacturer's instructions to ensure it functions as intended. It is important to use fiber cement panels built for the specific intended use like interior wall substrate, exterior siding backer or roof underlayment. When installing cement board over wood or steel framing, it should be installed with appropriate screws or nails (not staples) leaving proper spacing between fasteners and edges. Joints must be reinforced with fiberglass mesh tape and joint compound for a smooth surface prior to tile application. Proper sealing of cut edges is also recommended to prevent water intrusion. With simple tools and following basic guidelines, most contractors and DIYers can effectively install cement board for a variety of applications.

Market Growth Projections

Concrete and cement construction materials continue gaining popularity around the world due to their inherent durability, robustness and sustainability advantages. The global cement board market size was valued at USD 8.4 billion in 2019 according to industry analysts. Driven by its rising use in residential construction for wall, floor and countertop applications, North America currently holds the largest market share of over 35%. However, the Asia Pacific region is projected to become the fastest growing regional market in the coming years with large scale construction taking place in developing economies of China, India and Southeast Asia. Market reports forecast cement board sales to grow at an annual rate of more than 6% through 2027 on the back of its versatility for wet areas and growing recognition in both housing starts and commercial projects globally.

Cement board has established itself as an essential building material beyond just a tile backer. With the necessary guidelines, it can be reliably used for a wide variety of interior and exterior applications. Its advantages including fire resistance, durability and sustainability continue to drive the switch from traditional materials like gypsum and wood. Cement board manufacturers are also introducing new product innovations to expand suitable usage cases further. All these factors point towards continued market expansion and rising popularity of this composite building panel worldwide in the construction industry. 

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