Fibre Cement
Mineral material — EQUITONE, Eternit, Swisspearl. A1 non-combustible classification, raw/textured appearance, palette of greys and mineral tones. Thickness 8-12mm. Average price: €60-120/m² supplied.
Guide comparatif
Fibre Cement
HPL Compact
EQUITONE, Eternit vs Trespa, Fundermax — two panel families for ventilated facades. Fire regulations and aesthetics dictate the choice.
- Fibre cement A1 = the only choice for high-rise buildings and ERPs
- HPL: 430+ colours, superior mechanical resistance
- Both are installed on the same aluminium sub-frame
Analyse QUASART
Two facade materials, two philosophies
Fibre cement (EQUITONE, Eternit, Swisspearl) is a mineral panel made of fibre-reinforced cement. HPL (Trespa Meteon, Fundermax Exterior) is a high-pressure laminate based on thermosetting resins. Both are installed as ventilated facades on aluminium sub-frames — but their properties differ significantly.
This guide compares the two families point by point, without bias, to help you choose with full knowledge. The short answer: if you are subject to strict fire requirements, fibre cement is the obvious choice. Otherwise, HPL opens up an unrivalled chromatic range.
Comparatif point par pointOption A Option B
Fibre Cement HPL Compact
Criteria
Fibre Cement
HPL Compact
Fire classification
A1 — non-combustible✓ Advantage
B-s1,d0 — very low flame spread
High-rise / public-access
Compatible without restriction✓ Advantage
Restrictions depending on height
Impact resistance
Good (brittle on edges)
Excellent (Barcol 60-70)✓ Advantage
UV resistance
Excellent (mineral)✓ Advantage
Very good (10-year EBC treatment)
Colour palette
~80 mineral shades
430+ colours, wood/concrete effects✓ Advantage
Appearance
Raw, textured, mineral
Smooth or textured, your choice
Thickness
8-12mm
6-13mm
Supplied price
€60-120/m²✓ Advantage
€80-160/m²
Maintenance
Virtually none✓ Advantage
Simple cleaning✓ Advantage
Service life
50+ years✓ Advantage
25-30 years (UV warranty)
HPL Compact
High-pressure laminate — Trespa Meteon, Fundermax. B-s1,d0 classification, smooth or textured surface, 430+ colours including wood/concrete/metal effects. Thickness 6-13mm. Average price: €80-160/m² supplied.
Notre recommandation
The choice depends on regulations and aesthetics
If your project is a high-rise building, a public-access building, or any structure subject to strict fire requirements: fibre cement, no discussion. The A1 classification is unbeatable.
If your priority is chromatic freedom (wood effects, concrete, bold colours) and mechanical resistance on a standard building: HPL is the clear winner.
QUASART installs both families and can deliver mixed facades — fibre cement at ground level and in regulated zones, HPL on upper floors for an architecturally coherent result.
Questions fréquentes
Tout ce que vous devez savoir
Réponses directes aux questions que nos clients nous posent le plus souvent sur ce sujet.
Can you combine fibre cement and HPL on the same facade?
Yes — in fact, this is a common solution. Fibre cement is installed at the base and in regulated zones (high-rise, public-access), while HPL clads the standard floors with greater chromatic freedom. Joints and sub-frames are identical — no technical constraints.
Does fibre cement yellow over time?
No. Fibre cement is a mineral material dyed through the mass — it does not yellow under UV. It may develop minor biological soiling in very damp areas, which can be cleaned with a low-pressure jet wash. Its colour remains stable for 50+ years.
Does HPL withstand Luxembourg frost?
Yes. The outdoor ranges Trespa Meteon and Fundermax Exterior are designed for continental climates with intensive freeze/thaw cycles. Fixings and the rear ventilation cavity (air gap ≥ 20mm) are the critical points — QUASART sizes the systems for the Luxembourg climate.