Medium vs. High-Density Fiber Cement

Medium vs. High-Density Fiber Cement

Compare the performance, durability, and design potential of high-density vs. medium-density fiber cement to make the best choice for your project.

Not all fiber cement panels are created equal.

Not all fiber cement panels are created equal.
Not all fiber cement panels are created equal.

Whether you're designing a residential project or a high-performance commercial façade, understanding the difference between high-density (hi-strength) and medium-density fiber cement is critical. While medium-density options may suffice for basic applications, high-density fiber cement delivers superior performance where it counts—durability, aesthetics, and long-term value.

From resisting moisture and impact to enabling bold, open-joint designs, high-density panels are engineered to meet the demands of modern architecture. In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences to help you choose the right material for your next project.

What is fiber cement and how is it made?

What is fiber cement and how is it made?

Fiber cement is a durable building material made from a blend of cement, cellulose fibers, sand, and water—engineered to deliver long-lasting performance in exterior and interior cladding applications. Its strength, density, and durability depend heavily on how it’s manufactured.

High-density fiber cement, also known as hi-strength fiber cement, is compressed under an immense 12,000 tons of pressure during production. This process results in a denser, more refined material with exceptional flexural strength, minimal porosity, and enhanced resistance to moisture, cracking, and impact. High-density panels often feature through-color pigmentation and require no painting, sealing, or caulking—making them ideal for open-joint, ventilated rainscreen systems.

In contrast, medium-density fiber cement undergoes a less rigorous manufacturing process, resulting in a softer, more porous product that is more susceptible to water absorption and brittle edges. These panels typically require painting and regular maintenance, and are often installed using closed-joint systems with visible caulking or trim.

Medium-density fiber cement

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Medium-density fiber cement

Medium-density fiber cement typically features a painted, surface-coated finish that can look flat and require trim or sealants that interrupt clean visual lines.

High-density fiber cement

High-density fiber cement
High-density fiber cement

High-density fiber cement offers a crisp, architectural aesthetic with through-colored or factory-finished surfaces and clean edges ideal for modern, open-joint designs.

Defined as different by ASTM C1186:

 

 

Ordinary (Medium-Density)

Grade II

  •  Medium-density = typically fall within 1,200 – 1,300 kg/m3
  • Lower flexural strength
  • Wet strengths of around 1,015 psi
  • Equilibrium strengths of around 1,450 psi
Hi-Strength (High-Density)

Grade III or Grade IV

  • High-density = typically greater than 1,500 kg/m3 for Grade IV!
  • Higher flexural strength
  • Wet strength greater than 1885 psi - 85% higher if Grade III or twice as high if Grade IV than medium density product!
  • Equilibrium strength greater than 2320 psi - 60% higher than medium-density product if Grade III or roughly twice as high if Grade IV!

Understanding medium density fiber cement: limitations to consider

Understanding medium density fiber cement: limitations to consider

Medium-density fiber cement is often marketed as a cost-effective cladding solution, but it comes with limitations that can impact both performance and aesthetics over time. Unlike high-density fiber cement, medium-density panels are typically painted, either in the factory or on-site. This painted surface can wear down or scratch easily, revealing a contrasting base color that diminishes the building’s overall visual appeal.

Aesthetic durability is limited—these panels are not through-colored, meaning surface damage is difficult to conceal and often requires repainting. While anti-graffiti coatings can be applied in the field, they are not covered under most manufacturer warranties, leaving building owners and project teams responsible for future protection and maintenance.

Additionally, installation costs for medium-density fiber cement can be misleading. Pricing often excludes critical elements like substructure materials, labor, trim accessories, and the exterior painting itself, which may be specified separately. This can lead to underestimating the true cost of the system—especially compared to high-density fiber cement, which often includes integrated finishes and is installed with more efficient rainscreen systems.

In short, while medium-density fiber cement may seem like an economical choice upfront, its long-term maintenance needs, aesthetic trade-offs, and hidden installation costs make it less suitable for projects demanding durability, visual consistency, and performance-driven design.

Medium-density fiber cement example

Ordinary Fiber Cement

Ordinary medium-density fiber cement is typically a drained closed-joint barrier cladding such as in these images showing metal accessories or wood battens around all panels.

Medium-density fiber cement example 2

Ordinary Fiber Cement

Ordinary medium-density fiber cement is often installed with visible seams, battens, or trim pieces that interrupt the clean lines of the design.

The advantages of high-density fiber cement panels over standard options

The advantages of high-density fiber cement panels over standard options

High-density fiber cement is a superior solution for modern architectural façades. Engineered under extreme pressure, this advanced material delivers unmatched strength, moisture resistance, and aesthetic longevity. Unlike medium-density fiber cement, which requires painting and frequent maintenance, high-density fiber cement is built to last with minimal upkeep.

One of the standout advantages is its integrally colored or factory-finished surface. Many high-density panels, such as those in the EQUITONE range, are through-colored, meaning the color runs throughout the entire panel. This ensures that scratches or edge cuts won’t reveal a different color beneath the surface, preserving the material’s sleek, uniform look over time.

In addition to its visual benefits, high-density fiber cement resists moisture absorption, reducing the risk of edge damage, cracking, and mold—especially important in challenging climate zones. And because the panels require no painting, sealing, or caulking, maintenance is significantly reduced over the life of the building.

For added protection, select high-density panels come with factory-applied anti-graffiti coatings, such as EQUITONE [natura] PRO and [pictura], both backed by the manufacturer’s warranty. This makes high-density fiber cement a smart, long-term investment for architects and building owners who value both form and function.

High-strength fiber cement

Hi-strength fiber cement

High-density fiber cement offers an upgraded aesthetic with open-joint installation for a clean, modern look. Panels can be perforated and routed for enhanced design opportunities.

High-density fiber cement example

Hi-strength fiber cement

High-density fiber cement allows for bold, contemporary façades with large-format panels, clean vertical lines, and subtle tonal variation—ideal for modern architectural expression.

Ordinary fiber cement systems

Medium-density system render
Ordinary fiber cement systems
  • Commonly installed by nailing to wood studs or furring as in a drained rainscreen.
  • Edges are often painted if field cut, edges are typically sealed either with caulk, a batten or metal trim piece.
  • Panels typiclly are planks, much smaller than 4'x8'.
  • It can be a drianed system, though it is not usually fully back ventilated.

Hi-strength (high-density) fiber cement systems

Hi-strength (high-density) fiber cement systems
Hi-strength (high-density) fiber cement systems
  • Installed primarily on sophisiticated metal substructures but can also be installed on wood substructures with a fully back-ventilated cavity.
  • Features open-joint, back ventilated design for a cleaner look, no trim pieces or battens or sealant lines between the panels.
  • Panels can be as large as 10'x4', offering more fabricaed panel sizes.