Fibre Cement

Fibre cement was developed as a direct replacement for asbestos cement products following the phase-out of asbestos in Australian construction. The material is manufactured by combining Portland cement with cellulose (wood pulp) fibres, silica, and water, which is then compressed and cured to form sheets, planks, and moulded products. The most well-known fibre cement brand in Australia is James Hardie, whose products include flat sheets, weatherboard cladding, and eaves lining. In roofing applications, fibre cement is primarily used for eaves lining (soffits), fascia cladding, and decorative gable infills rather than as a primary roof covering. Some older fibre cement products were manufactured in a corrugated profile as a direct replacement for Super Six asbestos sheets, but these have largely been superseded by Colorbond steel sheeting for roof applications. In Gippsland, fibre cement is commonly encountered during roof restoration and replacement work, particularly when replacing fascia boards, soffit linings, and verge capping on tile roofs. It is important to note that fibre cement manufactured before the late 1980s may still contain asbestos — any suspect material should be tested by a NATA-accredited laboratory before removal or disturbance.