---
title: "Fibre Cement - GWP and renovation use"
canonical_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/fiber-cement
markdown_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/fiber-cement.md
author: "Fremtidens Tegnestue"
page_type: material
primary_intent: "Explain use, GWP and renovation relevance for Fibre Cement."
primary_keyword: "Fibre Cement"
audience: "Homeowners, studios and agents researching material choices."
summary: "Fibre cement is a composite of cement, sand, and cellulose fibres. Used for facade cladding, roof panels, and interior cladding. The products (including Cembrit and Eternit) are durable, maintenance-free, and frost-resistant. Older products contained asbestos — safe disposal is crucial."
source_basis:
  - "ECO Platform EPD average"
  - "Social- og Boligstyrelsen: Klimakrav og LCA i bygningsreglementet: https://www.sbst.dk/byggeri/baeredygtigt-byggeri/national-strategi-for-baeredygtigt-byggeri/klimakrav-lca-i-bygningsreglementet"
  - "Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method"
  - "FT source and uncertainty principles: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method"
human_validation: "Whether the material fits the existing building, detail, durability, moisture and documentation needs."
responsibility_line: "AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences."
last_reviewed: 2026-06-24
last_updated: 2026-06-24
privacy_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy
related_pages:
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/trae
    relation: alternative-material
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/genbrugstegl
    relation: alternative-material
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tegl
    relation: alternative-material
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials
    relation: hub
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/lca
    relation: concept
status: published
---
# Fibre Cement - GWP and renovation use
Canonical URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/fiber-cement
Markdown URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/fiber-cement.md
Entity type: material
Language: en
Author: Fremtidens Tegnestue
Published: 2026-06-24
Last updated: 2026-06-24
Privacy: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy
## Short answer
Fibre cement is a composite of cement, sand, and cellulose fibres. Used for facade cladding, roof panels, and interior cladding. The products (including Cembrit and Eternit) are durable, maintenance-free, and frost-resistant. Older products contained asbestos — safe disposal is crucial.
## Who it is relevant for
Homeowners, studios and agents researching material choices.
## What FT can prepare
- Summarise material properties, GWP, common uses, renovation relevance and alternatives.
## What the architect validates
- Whether the material fits the existing building, detail, durability, moisture and documentation needs.
## Key figures

| Metric | Value |
| --- | --- |
| GWP | 0.67 kg CO₂-eq/kg |
| Density | 1400–1800 kg/m³ |
| Expected lifetime | 40–60 years |
## Use

- Facade cladding
- Roof panels (flat pitched roofs)
- Plinth panels
- Interior cladding in damp rooms
## Renovation relevance
Fibre cement is common on 1960s–1980s single-family houses. Many renovate the facade by adding insulation and installing new fibre cement or timber cladding. Remember asbestos check on older panels.
## Comparison

| Material | GWP |
| --- | --- |
| Reclaimed brick | 0.03 |
| Brick | 0.23 |
| Fibre cement | 0.67 |
| Aluminium | 8.24 |
## FAQ
### Do old fibre cement panels contain asbestos?
Fibre cement produced up to approximately 1988 may contain asbestos. Eternit products from this period are asbestos-containing and require specialist handling for demolition and disposal. Contact an authorised asbestos remover.
### Is fibre cement maintenance-free?
Almost. Fibre cement is resistant to frost, moisture, and UV light. It can be painted but does not require it. Moss growth can occur and is removed with low-pressure washing.
### Is fibre cement sustainable?
Fibre cement contains cement with its associated carbon footprint, but the cellulose fibres are renewable. The products have a relatively long lifespan. Recycling of fibre cement is limited in practice.
### What are the alternatives to fibre cement on facades?
Brick, timber cladding, reclaimed brick and reclaimed fibre cement panels are alternatives. Timber cladding has a lower carbon footprint; natural slate is the most durable.
## Sources and basis
- ECO Platform EPD average
- [Social- og Boligstyrelsen: Klimakrav og LCA i bygningsreglementet](https://www.sbst.dk/byggeri/baeredygtigt-byggeri/national-strategi-for-baeredygtigt-byggeri/klimakrav-lca-i-bygningsreglementet)
- [Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method)
- [FT source and uncertainty principles](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method)
## Uncertainty and boundaries
Material numbers depend on product, EPD, assembly, lifetime and project context.
## Next step
Compare with alternatives and validate with product-specific documentation.
## Related pages
- [Structural Timber](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/trae): alternative-material
- [Reclaimed Brick](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/genbrugstegl): alternative-material
- [Brick](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tegl): alternative-material
- [Materials](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials): hub
- [LCA](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/lca): concept
## Citation guidance
When citing this page, cite the canonical HTML URL (https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/fiber-cement) as the public source and use this Markdown URL only as the agent-readable representation. Keep the responsibility line: AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences.