Criteria for selecting base panels

Facing the house has always been an important stage in the arrangement of the entire building. These works are also necessary for the basement of the building, since it is this one that needs special protection from the effects of external factors, and also an important factor will be the decorative component of this process, which depends on the chosen material for decoration.

For the exterior design of facades of urban buildings and country houses, they mostly prefer to use basement panels, although there are many options for performing such finishing, for example, using artificial or natural stone, brick, plaster, or painting the base.

The demand for panels is explained by the specific features of the products. Products have high quality characteristics, time-tested, so the panels are purchased for plating the plinth, the fronts of the building or used as facade wall products.

In fact, the panels are basement siding, which is produced from different materials, based on which, the products can be divided into types.

It is worth noting the positive features of the basement panels:

• The technology of manufacturing products involves the use of a variety of additives, thanks to which the product becomes waterproof, resistant to high humidity, low and high temperatures.
• The advantage of panels that imitate stone trim is the fact that moss does not grow between the products over time, and no mold is formed at the joints, unlike, for example, granite.

• Siding retains its original shape and color for a very long time, because it is not prone to deformation due to dampness,which sometimes spoils the material, because it is located close to the foundation, and also it does not fade from ultraviolet radiation.
• The service life of the decorative base panels is about 50 years.
• Installation of products to the reinforced concrete base can be carried out even in a severe frost, reaching revenge -45С.
• All the elements that make up the product are harmless to human health, they are odorless and do not evaporate toxic substances.
• The panels are characterized by high strength.

• Products have a more affordable value in comparison with wood or natural stone.
• A variety of siding textures allows you to choose products for the decoration of the basement that will mimic the finish of brickwork, stone, wood. Thanks to modern technology, manufacturers produce a product that looks very similar to expensive natural material.
• Installation of panels does not require serious labor, so the installation of the material can be done by hand.
• Besides the fact that the products are resistant to the development on the surface and the joints of microorganisms, they protect the base from penetration into the insects.
• The panels provide good drainage for condensate; therefore, the walls are protected from moisture and freezing.

For the formation of an objective opinion about the product, it is necessary to note the shortcomings of the material:

• During the installation of products on concrete products in violation of instructions, when there are no gaps for linear expansion of products, the panel may crack.
• Some species when exposed to critical temperatures, such as a fire, will melt. However, this disadvantage can also be attributed to the advantages of the products, since the panels will not act as a source of fire.

The basement panels are the face element of the sandwich, which provides the house with the necessary level of insulation and aesthetic appeal. Products comply with the norms of SNiP, in which indicators of thermal and sound protection of private structures and general-purpose buildings are prescribed.

The most popular are two types of panels, which differ in texture:

• Products that mimic brickwork. This kind of demand for country buildings.
• Panels made under the stone.

Based on the material used for the manufacture of basement panels, products can be classified as follows:

This product is sold at the highest cost, unlike other varieties, regardless of the type of texture. According to the specifics of manufacturing, fiber cement refers to a variety of concrete with the inclusion of special substances that provide a higher level of practical and aesthetic properties of products. Basically, these components are produced from quartz sand and cellulose.

The positive features of the products should include:

• resistance to temperature extremes (raw materials do not lose their properties at temperatures from +600 to -500 C);
• incombustibility of fibrous cement panels;
• no impact on the quality of the level of pollution or high salt content in the environment where the panels will be operated;
• do not pass moisture, on condition of reliable seal of joints;
• big operational term;
• high level of durability of products.

Among the shortcomings of fiber cement basement panels is the fragility of products, so products require careful transportation. In addition, the products are not repairable.

Such products are sold in the construction market not so long ago. However, the scope of its application allows you to operate products for lining the foundation, as well as for finishing the entire building.

Among the advantages of this material it is necessary to highlight the following properties:

• High level of protection for the structure against atmospheric phenomena. This characteristic is due to the presence of a special polymer layer on the surface of the panels.
• A variety of textures - in addition to the above options, the panels can be decorated with a variety of photo printing.
• Easy installation - installation can be done independently, using the base of the base as an assembly.
• Products are allowed to be used for buildings located on sloping areas, in contrast to fiber cement panels.

The disadvantages of such products are quite labor-intensive installation, when it is supposed to use large panels - about 3 meters.However, this disadvantage is easily solved when purchasing additional elements, due to which one can use not one six-meter product, but three parts of two meters each.

The versatility of the texture and a large selection of colors allowed the products to take a leading position in the number of purchased products, in comparison with other varieties.

The advantages of the products are the following characteristics:

• the ability to mount panels with their own hands;
• the reliability of parts for fastening (most often, fixing strips are used for fixing, which are distinguished by their external attractiveness and are in perfect harmony with the rest of the building's facade);
• the big operational term which depends on the producer of panels, and also thickness of products.

Experts do not note significant defects in products. However, it is worth highlighting the specifics of the crates - it should be quite thick. When buying products, you should give preference only to proven manufacturers and avoid purchasing fakes. Otherwise, the panels may become deformed and lose color during operation.

Vinyl products are visually not much different from the products described above from polyvinyl chloride. But the technical properties of vinyl products are several times lower. The only advantage of such panels is their low cost.

This product is made on the basis of insulation. Due to the specific composition of the product, they provide an additional level of base insulation, as well as an attractive appearance to the base. Brick products made of brick from types of polystyrene foam, there are three-layer products made of polyurethane foam.

The products have a certain shape and dimensions, due to which the products joined to each other form an integral composition with minimally distinguishable joints. Products are presented in a variety of colors, but at a cost they are much more expensive than PVC panels.

Production is carried out in a similar way as the clinker products for finishing the basement. However, the role of the finishing element in this case is not tile, but porcelain stoneware, due to which the products belong to the category of expensive panels.

It is possible to carry out facing of a socle of a building only after shrinkage of the foundation. This applies to all types of its arrangement. Usually it takes from 6 to 12 months.

Fastening panels can be done in two ways:

• In the first embodiment, fasteners involve the use of special locks, which are located on the end part of the facing elements. There is a hook at the bottom of the panel; there is a counterpart on the upper side. Such a fixation has a high level of reliability. Experts recommend to carry out installation from below, gradually rising up.
• The second method of installation is carried out on the pins located at the bottom of each product. At the top of the elements for them made special holes. This method of installation assumes that the work will be performed in reverse order.

To perform lining with your own hands, first of all, you need to study the design of the basement panels.

Main components required for installation of products:

• starting strip and J-profile;
• outer and inner corner;
• fitting profile;
• H-profile.

Panel mounting technology involves the following work:

• First, lathing is performed that will provide a flat base surface. This indicator is fundamental because it guarantees reliable installation and fixation of the panels. The construction of the structure requires the use of strips of metal or wood, they can be homemade.
• Next, mount the starting profile. It should be at a distance from the corner of the house at a distance of 10 centimeters. Its fixation is done with nails. The correct location of the bar can be easily checked using a level.

• Then, based on the measurements made of the base, you should start cutting the material. It is important to remember that the extreme panel must be at least 30 cm long.
• All installation work on the basement panels should be started on the left side of the building. The installation of the first element is performed, it moves as far as possible to the left.Then, using a sealant, the part is joined to the corner of the house.
• Having laid the bottom row, you can continue to work, followed by a number of elements.
• After all the panels have been laid, it is necessary to mount the external corners, after which the upper edge of the last row of panels is closed with a special board.

The following companies that produce basement panels are popular in the modern market: Novik, VOX, Docke, Alta-Profil.

Novik brand products distinguished by products made under stone, panels have a low cost. In the composition of the polymers used for the manufacture of products, there is talc.

FirmVOX produces the most delicate products for facing the basement, imitating brickwork.

For the release of Docke panels casting technology is used, so the products have a short operational life.

Alta-Profile panels represented on the market as the products having the greatest thickness, which affects the cost of facing products.

To avoid mistakes during the selection of building materials, you need to follow the recommendations:

• Pay special attention to the joints of products.Panels should fit as closely as possible to each other. The presence of gaps will indicate that the material is made in violation of production technology, which will negatively affect its quality.
• It is worth knowing that the indicator of the strength of products is not determined by the hardness of the material.
• The basement panels are narrow-profile material, so the entire facade of the house can not be revetted.
• To fix the elements, it is better to purchase high-quality consumables, therefore nails and self-tapping screws for work should be made of stainless steel.

For installation of Wandstein base panels, see the video below.