Fiber cement is a building material composed of cement reinforced with cellulose fibers (extracted from plants). In years past, asbestos fibers were commonly used to reinforce cement, but because of the health risks of asbestos exposure, cellulose or other synthetic fibers are mainly used today. Fiber cement has, thus, become a popular material in modern construction, especially for exterior applications, due to its combination of durability, weather resistance, fire resistance, aesthetic appearance, ease of fabrication, and minimal maintenance.