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Panel board buying guide
Fibre Cement Board vs Bison Panel
Both get called “cement board” at the counter, and online listings often mix them up. They are made differently, and that decides where each one works.
Two cement boards, explained.
Fibre cement board
Cement and fine sand reinforced with cellulose (plant) fibre. It’s built up in thin layers and pressed, and the better boards are steam-cured under pressure.
It has a smooth face and comes mostly in thinner sheets. It’s made to Indian Standard IS 14862.
Bison Panel
Cement bonded particle board
Cement mixed with mineralised wood particles and pressed into one solid sheet, with fine particles on the faces and coarser ones in the core. It’s made by NCL Industries in India since 1992 with technology from Bison-Werke, Germany.
Grey face, and it comes in much thicker sheets than fibre cement. It conforms to IS 14276.
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Side by side.
| Fibre cement board | Bison Panel | |
|---|---|---|
| Made from | Cement, sand, cellulose fibre | Cement, mineralised wood particles |
| How it’s built | Thin layers, pressed and cured | One solid pressed sheet |
| Sheets | Mostly thinner sheets | Thin to very thick sheets |
| Strongest at | Ceilings, wall linings, cladding | Floors, mezzanines, load-bearing panels |
| Water and weather | Handles both. Seal cut edges | Handles both. Leave small gaps at joints, because it moves a little with moisture |
| Fire | Cement-based and fire resistant | Cement-based and fire resistant |
| Termites and fungus | Not affected | Not affected |
| Finishing | Paint, texture, tiles | Paint, laminate, tiles |
| Indian Standard | IS 14862, ISI mark compulsory | Conforms to IS 14276 |
| At Kripalu | Not offered | We deal in Bison Panel |
Which one for which job.
Mezzanine or loft floor
Bison Panel
It comes as one solid, thick sheet made to carry load. Have your fabricator space the steel frame for the load.
Bathroom or kitchen false ceiling
Fibre cement board is the usual pick
It’s thin, so it’s easier to hang, and it’s made for wet ceilings. Bison Panel works too where a sturdier ceiling is needed.
Partition walls and cabins
Both, fixed on a frame
Fibre cement for light drywall partitions; Bison Panel for sturdier partitions, shop cabins and site offices.
Outside walls and elevation
Both are used for cladding
Use stainless or galvanised fixings and seal the cut edges.
Kitchen platform base, cabinets, furniture near water
Bison Panel
It takes laminate and won’t swell like wood boards.
Behind wall tiles in wet areas
Fibre cement board
What decides the price.
Type of board, thickness, finish (plain or pre-finished), brand and quantity. Send us your requirement on WhatsApp for the current rate.
Working with cement boards.
Cut with a carbide-tipped or diamond blade, and wear a dust mask: cement dust is harmful to breathe.
Pre-drill near the edges and don’t over-tighten screws. Use galvanised or stainless-steel screws.
Both are heavy. Carry sheets on edge with two people and fix them to a strong frame.
Edges chip if a sheet is dropped. Store sheets flat and dry.
How to check what you’re buying.
Fibre cement board
Fibre cement flat sheets must carry the ISI mark with a CM/L number by law (since September 2024). Check the licence on the BIS Care app.
Bison Panel
Ask for the brand name on the bill. Every sale at Kripalu is billed on a GST invoice with the brand.
Questions we get asked.
Is Bison board the same as cement fibre board?
No. Both are cement boards, but Bison Panel is cement bonded particle board: cement with wood particles, pressed into one solid sheet. Fibre cement board is cement and sand reinforced with cellulose fibre, built in thin layers. Bison comes thicker and carries more load; fibre cement is thinner and suits ceilings and linings.
Which board is better for a mezzanine floor?
Bison Panel is the usual choice, because it comes as a thick solid sheet made to carry load. The steel frame matters just as much, so let your fabricator decide the frame spacing.
Which board is better for a bathroom false ceiling?
Fibre cement board is the usual pick because it's thin and made for wet ceilings. Bison Panel also resists water and works where a sturdier ceiling is needed.
Do cement boards contain asbestos?
Bison Panel contains no asbestos and no formaldehyde, according to its maker. Today's fibre cement flat sheets use cellulose fibre in place of asbestos. The old corrugated asbestos roofing sheets are a different product.
Can I put laminate or tiles on cement board?
Yes. Bison Panel takes laminate, paint and tiles. Fibre cement board is usually painted, textured or tiled.