Cutting Fiber Cement Siding

The extensive use of fiber cement siding results in an even excessive work with the siding material. One of the most frequently arising issue is, cutting of the siding material. Fiber cement material is composed of cellulose fibers, sand and cement mixture, usually in a horizontal arrangement of overlapping boards. A thick and dense variety of the material is preferred as it provides better insulation against temperatures and sound proof coating. The uncut sheet is so heavy that a regular sized sheet has to be carried by more than one person. It is a good substitute for wood and the warranty can extend to almost 50 years. It does not catch fire, is resistant to corrosion and abrasion, available in many sizes and shapes at a comparatively low cost than wood. Thus, it is the most attractive alternative for wood, especially in tight budget home improvements.

Therefore, cutting fiber cement siding can prove to be quite a task in home construction. Another property of the material is that it can also be very fragile, due to a brittle character. This makes it prone to chipping at places, hence it has to be handled carefully and cut in precision using proper tools. The installation of fiber siding requires cutting it according to the requirements of the job. A mechanized saw or hand shears. The process can involve a heavy duty blade for cutting to thin sheets, use of mechanical saw for thick and dense sheets and also a device 'fibro cutter' as referred to a cutter by Australians. What needs to be borne in mind is, fiber cement cutting amounts to cutting a combination of sand and cement. therefore, the process involves silica dust which can cause great harm to human body. Therefore, as far as the cutting equipment is concerned, there should be no compromise on quality and safety procedures.

The cut can be made in many ways which are elaborated as follows.

• One of the most common methods used for cutting fiber cement siding is to use the siding shear mechanism. These siding shears are powered by high air pressure, which gives them the cutting power. It works as a pair of cutting tool like a scissor. A siding shear is easily available in the market and the fiber cement can be cut by connecting it to an air compressor.
• Carbide blades can be used for heavy cutting. Before using these type, make sure that you wear a protective gear for guarding against the grainy and dusty particles entering your mouth or eyes.
• Cement sides can be cut very effectively by using diamond blades. A diamond blade properly fitting in the arbor of the saw tool is more effective for cutting fiber siding. Hence, even more adherence to safety rules is a must for a cutting job. These blade are tough and durable, making them them the most effective tools.
• A fiber cement siding consisting of more thickness is aptly sized, by using a circular saw with dust collector. The convention generally followed for cutting is keeping a defined gap between the first and the second siding and the first two fingers of the blade. This gap varies approximately around 13% to 22% of the thickness of fiber cement siding in use. This ensures a proper and finished cut to the siding.

A fiber cement siding offers a really attractive and durable option to get that classy look to your construction. Only make sure that the cuttings have been done using proper devices and of course with proper care.