Why HydroBlok HB One Backer CI Is the Smarter Choice as a Cement Board Alternative

For decades, cement board has been the default solution for stucco, stone, and tile-backed exterior assemblies. While it has been widely used, builders today are increasingly questioning whether cement board still makes sense in modern construction.

The answer for many forward-thinking builders and architects is HydroBlok HB One Backer CI: a high-performance cement board alternative designed to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce labor, and deliver superior moisture and thermal performance.

In this article, we’ll break down the limitations of traditional cement board, explore what builders actually need from a modern backer system, and explain why HydroBlok has become the preferred alternative.

What Is Cement Board?

Cement board is a rigid panel typically made from cement and reinforcing fibers. It’s commonly used as a substrate behind stucco, stone veneer, and tile due to its perceived durability and fire resistance.

However, while cement board may appear tough on the surface, it brings several well-known challenges on the jobsite:

• Extremely heavy and difficult to handle (Add, “Up to 99 lbs. Per 4’x8’ Unit)

• Hard to cut and shape (Change to, “More difficult to cut and form into place)

• Brittle and prone to cracking

• Creates silica dust during cutting

• Susceptible to moisture intrusion when improperly detailed

• Requires multiple installation layers and (Installation) steps

As building standards evolve and labor costs continue to rise, these drawbacks have pushed builders to seek smarter cement board alternatives.

Why Builders Are Moving Away From Cement Board?

1. Weight and Handling Challenges:

Cement board is approximately 75% heavier than HydroBlok HB One Backer CI. This added weight increases installer fatigue, (Creates difficulty when mobilizing materials to the job site), risk of injury, and time spent moving and positioning boards. In contrast, HydroBlok’s lightweight design allows for faster installs, easier handling, and safer job sites.

2. Longer, Multi-Step Installations:

A traditional cement board stucco assembly typically requires four separate installation steps, including:

1. Secondary weather-resistive barrier (WRB)

2. Insulation layer

3. Lath installation

4. Scratch coat application

Each step adds labor, coordination, material costs, and opportunities for error. Cement board systems often take up to 15 days to complete.

3. Higher Labor Costs and Longer Timelines:

Because cement board systems are labor-intensive, they typically result in 42% higher labor costs compared to HydroBlok, longer construction schedules, and an increased risk of delays. For builders trying to meet tight deadlines and protect margins, these inefficiencies are a major disadvantage.

A True Cement Board Alternative, HydroBlok HB ONE Backer CI.

HydroBlok HB One Backer CI was engineered to solve the exact problems builders face with cement board. Rather than stacking multiple materials, HB ONE Backer CI delivers a true 4-in-1 system in a single high-performance board.

HB One Backer CI Combines:

• Secondary WRB

• Continuous insulation

• Integrated lath

• Scratch coat

All in one board.

This streamlined approach reduces installation steps, improves performance, and delivers consistent, predictable results.

The Key Advantages of HydroBlok Over Cement Board?

1. Fewer Steps. Faster Installs.

HydroBlok requires just 3 installation steps, compared to cement board’s 4-step process.

The result:

• 20–35% labor savings

• Reduced crew size requirements

• Install times cut from 15 days to just 8 days

Fewer steps mean fewer mistakes and tighter schedules.

2. 100% Mold & Waterproof Performance

Unlike cement board, which can allow moisture intrusion if not perfectly detailed, HydroBlok is 100% mold-proof and 100% waterproof. This provides builders and homeowners with long-term protection against rot, mold growth, and costly callbacks.

3. Continuous Insulation with R-5 Per Inch

Cement board offers no thermal value. HydroBlok HB One Backer CI delivers R-5 per inch, providing true continuous insulation that improves energy efficiency, helps meet modern building codes, and reduces thermal bridging. This makes HydroBlok an ideal solution for high-performance and energy-conscious builds.

4. Lightweight and Easy to Cut

HydroBlok boards are:

• Up to 75% lighter than cement board

• Easy to score and cut

• Clean and dust-free on the jobsite

This dramatically improves installer productivity and safety while keeping jobsites cleaner.

5. Works With Leading Acrylic Stucco Brands

HydroBlok is fully compatible with leading acrylic stucco systems, making it a flexible solution for a wide range of exterior finishes. Builders don’t need to change their preferred stucco brands, they simply upgrade the system underneath.

6. ICC-Listed and Code-Compliant

HydroBlok HB One Backer CI is ICC-listed, giving builders confidence that the system meets code requirements and has been independently evaluated for performance.

The Clear Alternative to Cement Board

Cement board had its place in the past, but modern construction demands better solutions. As labor costs rise and schedules tighten, builders need systems that reduce complexity without sacrificing performance.

HydroBlok HB One Backer CI delivers exactly that. By combining multiple required layers into a single, ICC-listed board, HydroBlok eliminates redundant materials, simplifies installation, and creates a faster, more predictable building process. Builders benefit from fewer steps, fewer mistakes, and tighter control over both timelines and budgets.

In real-world applications, HydroBlok helps crews reduce labor costs by up to 35%, shorten installation timelines from 15 days to just 8, and improve overall jobsite safety thanks to its lightweight, easy-to-handle design. These efficiencies are especially valuable in today’s labor-constrained market, where productivity and repeatability directly impact profitability.

For homeowners, the advantages are just as meaningful. A fully mold-proof, waterproof system with continuous insulation delivers better long-term protection, improved energy efficiency, and reduced risk of costly repairs or callbacks.

HydroBlok HB One Backer CI stands apart as the clear cement board alternative because it delivers:

• Fewer installation steps with faster project timelines

• Lower labor costs and reduced crew fatigue

• 100% mold and waterproof performance

• Continuous insulation with R-5 per inch

• Cleaner, safer, and more predictable installs

For builders looking to save time, reduce risk, and build smarter, HydroBlok isn’t just an alternative, it’s an upgrade.

Ready to Build Better?

Learn more about HydroBlok HB One Backer CI and see how it can transform your next stucco or stone project.