WPC front panels: types, characteristics and installation

Facing front panels of the WPC is a modern look at the exterior design of buildings. They are designed not only to protect external walls from climatic and weather effects. They are durable, aesthetic in appearance, economical and easy to install.

Advantages and disadvantages

Such a building material, like WPC, is a combination of wood-shaving flour, dyes, and also polymeric additives, which are the connecting links between different components. Thanks to this combination, the product has the useful properties of plastic and wood, it retains a rich color for a long time, is durable and long-lasting, and is immune to ultraviolet.

The main advantages of composite panels are due to the following several indicators:

  • high strength, no deformations - chips, cracks, dents, which is typical for metal and wood in its pure form;
  • fire resistance when properly assembled;
  • increased heat and sound insulation and the possibility of ventilation;
  • resistance to fading, exposure to sunlight;
  • material is not susceptible to damage by mold, fungus, bacteria, resistant to the appearance of rust;
  • siding does not shrink, is water resistant;
  • composite panels do not emit toxic compounds;
  • installation is quick and easy with special fixings;
  • product characteristics are not affected by critical low and high temperatures;
  • preparation of the surface of the walls before installation is not required;
  • the material does not require additional decoration;
  • in the presence of a large range of products.

In addition, the WPC plates have a long service life - about 25 years, during which they continue to retain their original color and brightness.

Separately, it is worth noting the ease of care - you can wash the panels with ordinary water with the addition of detergents, but without using abrasives and coarse, hard brushes and sponges.

Of the minuses of building materials, its high cost is distinguished, compared to similar siding made of metal and polyvinyl chloride, in addition, dark-colored slabs in the first year of operation still lose some color saturation. Despite the fact that WPC boards are subject to thermal expansion under the influence of external conditions, this is not considered a disadvantage. This is only 1–3 mm per running meter, and this fact must be taken into account during installation.

This product is used not only for the facade - thanks to safety, it can be used for interior decoration, partitions, fences, benches, floor coverings for verandas, arbors are made of it.

Types and specifications

All facade panels must have quality certificates and relevant fire safety documentation, so it is important to pay attention to this when purchasing.

There are several types of products from WPC:

  • batten with dense structure;
  • Planken is a similar dense material with additional grooves for klyimer;
  • siding - a product without internal surfaces;
  • board with a cellular structure (hollow).

Different types of plates have their own texture, decoration, color, can imitate wood and other materials, however, as a rule, have the same technical characteristics:

  • standard width is 20.4 cm;
  • length can vary from 3 to 3.6 m;
  • water absorption - 3%;
  • weight loss during wear - 0.1 g / cm2;
  • mechanical strength (bending) - 35 MPa;
  • operating conditions - temperature from -50 to +70 degrees.

Such features of the material make it possible to install it in any weather conditions, but the manufacturer warns that it is advisable not to carry out installation at temperatures below +10 degrees.

Installation

Since the front panels are lightweight, it greatly simplifies installation. In the future, it is possible to replace damaged plates with new ones, and this does not require the removal of other materials.

For work you will need the following tools: jigsaw or circular saw, mall, building level, tape measure, marker.

The preparatory stage includes:

  • cleansing the walls of the house from the small litter;
  • alignment;
  • sealing cracks and crevices;
  • primer.

The first stage involves several steps.

  1. Making the frame, it is made of metal or wood materials. More durable and durable, as well as not needing additional processing, is a metal profile.
  2. All parts of the crates are attached with anchor bolts or nails. For metal parts use thick-walled fasteners.
  3. Under the frame of the hinged facade, the installation of heat-insulating materials may be relevant - in this case you will have to install waterproofing as well. Works are performed taking into account the thickness of the insulation.

At the second stage, the paneling is started in strict sequence.

  1. They start from the bottom of the structure - they make holes in it, then they put a panel and fix it with screws, it’s better if they are made of galvanized steel, they need to be inserted at a right angle.
  2. You can fix the material with clips or do without them.
  3. As a result of heating, WPC products can expand; therefore, it is important, when laying the plates, to leave a distance of 2-3 mm between them.

It is important to secure the composite panel at each intersection with the guide. Each row is mounted with a slight shift.

Special advantages have front panels from the German manufacturer Holzhof. They have a hollow structure, therefore, they are characterized by increased reliability, durability and low thermal conductivity. In fact, this is siding, which has a hidden gap for high-quality ventilation, due to which optimal facade ventilation takes place.

This product has high quality - high thermal insulation properties, low weight - 1.7 kg / m. n., original color scale (ivory, wenge, coffee with milk, dark beige). The texture implies the presence and absence of grinding. In addition, these products have a longer service life - up to 30 years. Besides the fact that such plates are more economical due to the increased width, they are also suitable for finishing wooden walls.

When there is a choice of composite materials, first of all, you should pay attention to the accompanying quality certification, but there are also some subtleties that are important during installation - WPC panels should be mounted on facade walls that have a foot (based on the foundation), that is, the basement .Hollow panels are more suitable for facades where minimum load on the structure is required. And one more important recommendation - facing the sunny side of the building will be more productive if you choose the light colors of the siding, since the dark front panels burn out more quickly, and this is noticeable.

Using composite WPC facade panels for exterior walls, one can be sure of high quality of durability and protection of walls in any weather.

With the right approach to installation, the increased cost of the material is fully justified - such panels provide a long service and beautiful appearance of any home.

More information about the front panels of the WPC, see the video below.

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Information provided for reference purposes. For construction issues, always consult a specialist.

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