Boards, joints, insulation, engineered for GCC infrastructure.

What are construction materials?

Construction materials are the engineered products used to build the envelope, structure, joints, partitions, insulation and finishing systems of a building or infrastructure project. TIC Dubai's Construction Materials division focuses on board products (bitumen softboard, fibre cement, calcium silicate, the Eco-Friendly Joint Filler Board), preformed expansion joint fillers (ASTM D1751 / D1752), thermal and acoustic insulation, and the specialty composite panels that surround them.

Which construction materials does TIC Dubai supply?

Bitumen softboard and expansion joint filler boards (ASTM D1751 / D1752), the Eco-Friendly Joint Filler Board (sustainable wood-fibre filler), fibre cement boards, calcium silicate boards, mineral wool / stone wool / XPS / EPS / PIR insulation boards, and a future range of acoustic, fire-rated, honeycomb, phase-change, thermal and specialty construction panels.

What is an expansion joint filler board?

A preformed sheet of compressible material installed in a concrete joint to accommodate thermal expansion, shrinkage and live-load movement between adjacent slabs or elements. The filler maintains the joint gap during the pour, then compresses and recovers under service loads. ASTM D1751 covers bitumen-impregnated boards (the GCC default); ASTM D1752 covers cork and rubber types.

What is bitumen softboard?

A 10–25 mm cellulose fibre board impregnated with asphaltic bitumen, conforming to ASTM D1751. It is the standard expansion joint filler on roads, highways, bridges, airports, ports, industrial floors and structural concrete across the GCC. Supplied in 1220 × 2440 mm sheets with full mill test certification.

What is ASTM D1751?

The American Society for Testing and Materials standard for 'Preformed Expansion Joint Filler for Concrete Paving and Structural Construction (Non-extruding and Resilient Bituminous Types).' It specifies maximum compression, recovery, extrusion, water absorption and density limits for bitumen-impregnated filler boards.

What is ASTM D1752?

ASTM D1752 covers preformed sponge rubber, cork and recycled PVC expansion joint fillers in three types: Type I (sponge rubber), Type II (self-expanding cork), Type III (resin-bonded cork). It is the alternative to D1751 for water-retaining structures and architectural concrete.

What is a cement board?

A flat board made from Portland cement, mineral fillers and cellulose or synthetic reinforcement, manufactured to EN 12467 or ASTM C1186. Cement boards are non-combustible (Class A1 / A2), moisture-resistant and dimensionally stable, used for wet-area partitions, fire-rated walls, external sheathing and tile substrates.

What is calcium silicate board?

A board made from silica, calcium and reinforcing fibres, autoclaved into a stable mineral matrix. Fully non-combustible (A1), lower density than fibre cement, with superior fire-rating performance, used in fire-rated shafts, smoke barriers, lift lobbies and dry fire walls.

What is the Eco-Friendly Joint Filler Board?

An expansion joint filler board manufactured from compressed wood fibres, a sustainable, bitumen-free alternative to traditional bitumen softboard. Olive-green in appearance, compressible, resilient and dimensionally stable, it is used for concrete movement joints in highways, bridges, pavements and industrial floors, and supports submissions under Al Sa'fat, Estidama, SBC 601 and LEED.

What is an insulation board?

A pre-formed rigid or semi-rigid panel of mineral wool, stone wool, glass wool, XPS, EPS, PIR or cellular glass, manufactured to EN 13162 / ASTM C612, and selected for declared thermal conductivity (λ in W/m·K), density, fire class and dimensional stability.

Which expansion joint filler should I use on a highway?

ASTM D1751 bitumen softboard at 20–25 mm thickness, installed at every transverse joint (typically 4–6 m spacing) and at longitudinal isolation joints. This is the GCC default and is universally accepted by ADNOC, RTA, MOMRA, ASHGHAL and Ministry of Public Works tenders.

Which filler should I use in a water-retaining structure?

ASTM D1752 Type III resin-bonded cork, it has high recovery on cyclic extension and remains dimensionally stable when wet. Bitumen softboard is acceptable on water-retaining roofs and slabs, but cork is preferred for joints below the water line.

What thickness of bitumen softboard do I need?

10–12 mm for light-duty interior slabs, 15–20 mm for standard roads and warehouses, 20–25 mm for highways, airports, bridges and heavy industrial floors, and 30–40 mm at major isolation joints. The structural engineer specifies the thickness based on the design movement, with reference to ACI 224.3R.

Can bitumen softboard be used in airports?

Yes, ASTM D1751 bitumen softboard is the standard expansion joint filler on airport runways, taxiways and aprons globally. For fuel-resistance, a project-specific certification may be requested by the consultant; supplementary fuel-resistant systems are added where required.

Is cement board fire-rated?

Cement board is non-combustible (reaction-to-fire Class A1 or A2-s1,d0) but a fire-rated wall is rated as a tested assembly, board + studs + insulation + fixings + joint treatment. EI 60 / 90 / 120 ratings are achieved by complete systems tested to EN 1364 or ASTM E119.

Can I use cement board on a bathroom wall?

Yes, 12 mm fibre cement board on the wet face of the partition is the GCC standard. Combine with a 50–75 mm steel stud, mineral wool insulation core, and 12.5 mm gypsum on the dry corridor face. Tile is bonded directly to the cement board with cement-based adhesive.

What is the difference between cement board and gypsum board?

Cement board is denser (1,150–1,450 kg/m³), water-resistant, used on wet faces and external sheathing. Gypsum board is lighter (650–900 kg/m³), used on dry partitions, ceilings and fire-rated dry walls. Most partitions use both, cement board on the wet face and gypsum on the dry face.

What insulation should I use on a GCC roof?

Mineral wool or stone wool 60–100 kg/m³ at 80–150 mm thickness for inverted roofs and warm roofs; XPS 30–45 kg/m³ at 50–100 mm for inverted insulation; PIR for sandwich panel roofs. Final thickness is set by the project U-value target (Al Sa'fat, Estidama, SBC 601).

What insulation should I use for HVAC ducts?

Stone wool or fibreglass duct wrap 40–60 kg/m³ at 25–50 mm thickness, with reinforced foil facing. For chilled-water lines, closed-cell elastomeric or PIR. All insulation must meet local fire codes, A1 / A2-s1,d0 in concealed spaces.

What is acoustic insulation and which board do I use?

Acoustic insulation absorbs sound energy inside a partition cavity, raising the Rw (weighted sound reduction index) of the wall. Mineral wool 60–80 kg/m³ at 50–100 mm thickness in a stud cavity is the GCC standard for apartment-to-apartment, hotel, hospital and office partitions.

What is the difference between thermal and acoustic insulation?

Thermal insulation is selected on declared λ (W/m·K), the lower the value, the better the thermal performance. Acoustic insulation is selected on density and air-flow resistivity, typically 40–80 kg/m³ mineral wool. Many products perform both functions; the selection criterion changes by application.

How do I store cement board on site?

Flat on level pallets, raised 100 mm off the ground, under cover, in dry well-ventilated areas. Never stand boards on edge for long periods. Wrap pallets in shrink wrap if rain is forecast. Rotate FIFO. Damaged or wet boards must be set aside and tested before installation.

How do I store bitumen softboard on site?

Flat on pallets, raised off the ground, under cover, away from direct heat sources. Bitumen softens at high temperatures, so avoid stacking in full GCC summer sun. Maximum stack height should not exceed the manufacturer's recommendation (typically 1.2 m).

How do I store insulation boards on site?

Flat on pallets, raised, under cover, in shrink wrap until the day of installation. Avoid moisture pickup, wet mineral wool loses thermal performance. XPS / EPS must be protected from UV (degrades within weeks of direct sun exposure).

What is the lead time for construction materials from TIC Dubai?

Bitumen softboard, cement board and standard insulation: 4–8 weeks from order confirmation to discharge at GCC ports. Specialty fire-rated systems and large-format facade boards: 8–12 weeks. Stock items: same week dispatch where available.

Do you supply mill test certificates with every shipment?

Yes. Every container of bitumen softboard, cement board, calcium silicate, the Eco-Friendly Joint Filler Board and insulation board ships with the manufacturer's mill test certificate, batch records, CE Declaration of Performance (where applicable), and ASTM / EN compliance documentation suitable for consultant submission.

Can I mix construction materials in a single container?

Yes. Most GCC projects consolidate bitumen softboard, cement board, insulation and Eco-Friendly Joint Filler Board volumes in one 40' container. We optimise the loading plan to maximise utilisation and minimise per-m² freight.

Which countries does TIC Dubai cover?

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, full GCC plus Levant and Mesopotamia. Material flows through Jebel Ali, Dammam, Jeddah, Hamad, Sohar, Aqaba, Alexandria, Sokhna and Umm Qasr.

Which GCC infrastructure projects accept TIC Dubai materials?

ASTM D1751 bitumen softboard, cement boards and insulation supplied by TIC Dubai meet Aramco, ADNOC, ASHGHAL, NEOM, Etihad Rail, DEWA, RTA, MOMRA, KIPIC, MOWMUP and Egyptian New Administrative Capital specifications, subject to project-specific submittal approval.

How do I submit construction material samples for consultant approval?

We dispatch sample sheets cut to A4 or 300 × 300 mm with the production batch MTC, datasheet, ASTM / EN certificate and CE declaration. Most consultants approve within 5–10 working days; we can also coordinate site mock-ups for tower facade and wet-area systems.

Is bitumen softboard the same as a bituminous waterproof membrane?

No, they look similar but serve different functions. Bitumen softboard is a rigid, low-extruding joint filler. A bituminous membrane is a flexible, fully waterproof sheet. Don't substitute one for the other; the joint will leak and the membrane will be crushed.

What is the fire rating of mineral wool insulation?

Stone wool and mineral wool achieve Euroclass A1, fully non-combustible, contributing zero to fire load. They are the GCC default for fire-rated walls, escape stairs, lift shafts and high-rise envelopes.

Do you supply Estidama / Al Sa'fat compliant materials?

Yes, our insulation, cement board and Eco-Friendly Joint Filler Board ranges include products with the EPD, CDP and recycled-content documentation required for Al Sa'fat (Dubai), Estidama (Abu Dhabi) and SBC 601 (Saudi Arabia) green-building submissions.

What is BS EN 13501-1 fire classification?

The European reaction-to-fire classification: A1 (non-combustible, no contribution), A2 (limited combustibility), B (very limited), C–E (combustible, varying), F (no performance determined). Most GCC fire codes require A1 or A2-s1,d0 for concealed envelope materials.

How is fire resistance (EI rating) of a wall different from fire reaction (A1) of a board?

Reaction is the board's behaviour as a material, A1 means it does not burn. Resistance is the assembly's ability to stop fire spread for a set time, EI 60 (one hour), EI 90, EI 120, EI 240, tested on the complete wall system. A non-combustible board does not automatically give a one-hour wall; the assembly does.

What is the cost premium for FSC / sustainable construction boards?

Most fibre cement, calcium silicate, mineral wool and stone wool products are inherently low-impact (mineral content > 70%). Specialty FSC-certified cellulose substrates and EPD-declared products typically carry a 5–15% premium over standard production.

Can construction materials from TIC Dubai be used on Aramco / ADNOC projects?

Yes, our bitumen softboard, cement board and insulation ranges meet the relevant ASTM, EN and BS standards specified in Aramco SAES and ADNOC technical specifications. Project-specific submittal and inspection (TUV, SGS, Bureau Veritas) are coordinated by TIC Dubai on request.

How do I read a fibre cement board datasheet?

Look for: thickness range, density (kg/m³), bending strength (MPa) per EN 12467, reaction-to-fire class (A1 / A2), water vapour resistance, moisture movement (%), thermal conductivity (W/m·K) and recommended fixing centres. Cross-check the declared values against the project spec.

What does 'tested assembly' mean for fire-rated walls?

A fire-rated wall is rated only as the complete tested system: studs of declared gauge and centres, insulation of declared density and thickness, boards of declared thickness and manufacturer, fixings of declared type and spacing, and joint treatment as detailed. Substituting any component voids the rating.

Can I install bitumen softboard in cold weather?

Yes, bitumen softboard is dimensionally stable from 0 °C to over 60 °C. In sub-zero conditions store at room temperature before installation; in high-summer GCC temperatures store in shade until use to avoid surface softening.

How is the joint sealant chosen for bitumen softboard?

Cold-applied polyurethane or polysulphide sealants to BS 5212 are standard for horizontal pavement joints; silicone sealants to BS 5889 for vertical and architectural joints. The sealant fills the top 20–30 mm of the joint above the bitumen filler, forming the visible weatherproof cap.

Do you supply construction materials with carbon footprint declarations?

Yes, EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) to EN 15804 are available for most mineral-wool, stone-wool, fibre cement and calcium silicate products, supporting LEED, BREEAM, Estidama and Al Sa'fat submissions.

Do you keep stock in Dubai?

TIC Dubai is a mill representation and international procurement company. Rather than holding warehouse stock, we coordinate factory-direct shipments sized to your project and consolidate deliveries against your programme.

Can I buy a few sheets or a single length?

Our supply model is built around container-load and project quantities. For small retail requirements, a local stockist will serve you faster; for bulk, project or recurring procurement, we're the right partner.

Do you supply containers directly from the factory?

Yes. Every enquiry is quoted mill-direct, with forward production booking, third-party inspection and shipment coordinated by our procurement team, from FOB origin through to your discharge port.

Can you support recurring procurement?

Yes. Long-term supply agreements and forward production bookings are the core of what we do for importers, contractors, distributors and EPC firms across the GCC and wider Middle East.

What is your minimum order?

Typically one FCL container per specification, though this varies by product and mill. Share your requirement and we'll confirm the mill's MOQ, lead time and indicative pricing.

Retail, spot & same-day pick-ups.

• Retail-quantity purchases
• Same-day requirements
• Spot warehouse pick-ups

If your requirement sits on the right, a local stockist is likely to serve you faster. We're happy to point you in the right direction.