Selecting siding for outdoor use

Even the builders of the XIX century thought about how to save buildings and buildings from external influences, while leaving them aesthetic and attractive appearance. Then it was invented to nail the boards to the wall so that each subsequent layer hung over the previous one - this made it possible for the drops to slide down without obstacles when it rained. Wooden boards began to be replaced by vinyl, metal and cement 60-70 years ago. At the same time, a ventilated facade technology was invented. All this made life easier for builders, ensured the durability of the facade and determined its style.

Now this lining has received the modern name - siding and is the most modern exterior finishing material. His plates, as before, combine utilitarian and aesthetic functions.The characteristic of this material, of course, wins, if we compare it with other facade counterparts, and the current variety of colors and textures will be able to please even the most demanding customer. Each panel, regardless of the material of manufacture, is equipped with a latch and an edge with holes for nails.

Facing the facade with siding is a type of ventilated facade technologyin which the panels are attached to the crate, and air is freely circulating in the space formed. If necessary, a heater is installed in the free space, which allows making the siding even more practical. In addition, the rooms decorated with siding also look very stylish.

Below are the existing types of siding, their characteristics and features of the application.

Vinyl siding is a panel of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with the addition of titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, modifiers and other substances. Such panels are used when facing any facade. The advantage of these plates is that they can withstand sudden changes in temperature, including the burning sun and frost, wash easily from a normal garden hose, and retain their original appearance even after many years.

This was made possible thanks to the upper protective layer (capstock)which should be more than 20% of the total thickness of the web. The inner layer (substrate) is responsible for the geometric characteristics. In quality siding, the color of the inner and outer layers match. Despite all the advantages, vinyl siding is burning fast, it can bend under a strong blow and looks not as expensive as it could have been.

You can select the vertical and horizontal siding.

• Verticalbesides the corresponding fastening, it has a symmetrical form factor (standard) of the panels. In Russia, such vinyl panels are rarely used, as a rule, when facing pavilions or cafes. Fits from one angle to another.
• Horizontal the type of fastening is common in Russia, such panels have several profile shapes: “shipboard” and “herringbone”. Installation is from the bottom up.

Plastic burn out and no escape from it. High-quality siding will fade evenly and gradually, so you will not notice it at all. The difference will be visible only when you decide to sheathe the extension or replace the panels. Then there will be noticeable difference in several tones. Therefore, do not stretch the facade cladding for several seasons, try to do everything at once.

Quality Canadian siding will not lose color intensity even after 10 years, the Russian will remain bright and new for at least 5 years, and low-quality and cheap will lose their properties in a year.

In addition, there is foam siding - it is PVC panels, characterized by reduced thermal conductivity and the ability to absorb vibration and muffle the sound. Using foam panels, of course, you can not completely replace the insulation, but you can still achieve a certain effect.

Natural wood is an environmentally friendly and reliable material. Unlike PVC, it rots, deforms and cannot boast of many years of impeccable appearance.On the other hand, it has an excellent level of thermal insulation and excellent decorative qualities.

Wood panels can be divided into several types.

By type of material processing:

• panels, the wood of which has a moisture content of not more than 18%, they are made of hardwood and hard tropical species;
• panels of fire-resistant rocks (pine or ash), undergo additional heat treatment at 170-220 degrees;
• wood, impregnated with antiseptic.

By type of section are distinguished:

• "Groove-crest";
• "A quarter";
• "Overlap" or "American";
• "Butt" (planken).

Wood siding is popular in America and CanadaTherefore, when choosing such panels in Russia, it is better to choose the manufacturers of these particular countries.

Installation is made on slats (crate), which must be made of wood resistant to moisture. At maximum humidity, it is preferable to choose a bar. Nails in 50 mm are necessary for fastening. The corners are covered over the siding panels. Windows and doors make out casing.

Wood panels are divided into double beam and block house.

• Raised bars. It is easy to guess from the name that the raised bars are panels imitating timber, have a smooth front side.There is a huge variety of colors, shades and textures of such panels, so this material is in demand among designers for interior decoration.
• Block house. This type of panel is made of various tree species, but conifers are considered the best. Thanks to impregnations, coniferous panels are not subject to rotting and do not form a mold.

Finishing material, made of cedar, allows you to veneer and indoors. Larch panels - very durable, good and high quality panels, having the highest value. Not so long ago appeared glued block house.

There is a classification that determines the class of material:

• “A” - 1 knot on the 1.5 m panel, not more than 2 blind cracks;
• “B” - 4 bitches and 2 blind cracks on 1.5 meters of the panel;
• "C" - knots are present, but not more than 25 mm in diameter, the presence of 2 through cracks.

Metal siding is made of steel, zinc or aluminum. The latter can be painted in any color, imitate any texture.

The most important disadvantage of metal panels is their “noise” during rain, strong gusts of wind. Corrosion may also occur in places of damage. On the other hand, if there is no mechanical damage and there is no need to replace the whole sheet, metal siding has a lifetime similar to PVC.

Steel panels are applicable for workshops or industrial buildings, they are not exposed to burning, but have a very large weight, which increases the load on the foundation.

Metal siding can be divided into the following types:

• spotlights;
• Wall panels;
• panels under the log;
• straight straight siding (mounted vertically).

The concept of "socle metal siding" does not exist. The manufacturer applies on the metal surface a drawing imitating one or another material. Such a process was made possible thanks to the “photo-offset” technology. These panels have a special name Printech.

Particularly popular panels that mimic the log - is a metal Woodstock. It is peculiar in its shape, it can reproduce the relief of a timbered or masonry, has such a profile geometry that it easily recreates the pattern of natural wood.

Fire organizations and services do not make great demands on cement panels, therefore they are the most common material during repair and finishing works. At the same time, these panels are very expensive and heavy.

Cement panels consist of 80% cement with the addition of sand, minerals and cellulose fibers. Cement siding can be with a smooth or embossed surface; models imitating stone, brick and other materials are very common. Most often, such panels are made in a gray natural color with a surface primed for painting. The buyer is invited to choose the color and paint the siding.

The basement is an important element in the construction of any building, it must be approached with special attention. Due to its proximity to the ground, it is constantly subjected to mechanical damage and often interacts with dampness.Most often panels imitating stone are used; this visually gives reliability to the whole structure as a whole.

Usually the plinth panel is made in sizes 1125x480 mm. The parameters may vary, depending on the manufacturer, but an average value of 1x0.5 m has been found. It is easy to calculate that it will take 2 panels to cover 1 square meter. High-quality and reliable siding does not have a clear visible joint, its fastening is very strong. These joints affect the further operation of the base.

Usually PVC, metal or cement are used for ground panels. The last innovation of construction, which has not yet had time to settle down in Russia, is a basement siding with insulation. Warming is achieved by applying a polyurethane foam to the material.

Corners are decorative elements and do not bear any semantic load. These elements usually trim the corners of windows and doors.

Ventilation grilles also perform a decorative function, for their intended purpose, they are necessary for improved ventilation under the panels.

Ceramic siding panels were first produced in Japan. Ceramiding has established itself as a material with rather high performance characteristics. It is a fiber cement panel consisting of silicate fibrous materials. Later, they are hardened in a furnace; a multi-layer coating is applied on them, which looks very much like ceramics. The top layer of the coating must necessarily include fluorine-containing, inorganic or silicon-acrylic dyes.

Such panels are successfully used in Russia, thanks to their merits:

• material resistant to heat and cold;
• does not fade, thanks to an innovative covering;
• creates a barrier against noise;
• corresponds to the highest class of fire resistance;
• due to the absence of asbestos, it is considered a highly environmentally friendly coating;
• Ceramic panels have a thermal insulation index that is 10 times greater than that of concrete surfaces.

The main disadvantages of ceramics are its large weight and complex installation.To install the panels, you need special fasteners that do not require drilling - clamps. The cleats on the screws are attached to the metal profile of the sheathing. Thanks to hermetic joints, the treatment of seams is not required.

Ceramic siding can not afford everything. First, they have a very high cost. Secondly, transportation from Japan is associated with certain difficulties. Thirdly, the complexity of installation and specific mounting. Therefore, now this type of lining can be found only on the facades of large companies or private houses of wealthy people.

Russian buyers have long noticed siding panels as a first-class facade finish, but so far they have not been in high demand. Below are all the advantages and disadvantages of siding. After examining them, you can decide: is this type of finish suitable for you.

First consider all the advantages of this material.

• Protection of the surface of the facade from rain, snow, wind, UV rays and so on.
• Siding does not require special preparation of the walls and at the same time hides all the visible faults of the facade.
• Condensate is discharged along the inner surface of the siding panels,that ensures no moisture overload.
• Siding can make a house unique, individual, with a unique design. Any building sheathed with siding will look modern.

• Another advantage of the material is that it is durable. If you choose a quality cladding material, then its service life can be up to 50 years. Without restoration, it can serve for more than 30 years. In terms of durability, it is also necessary to take into account that the material from wood serves a little less than from plastic, but it looks more noble and expensive.
• Easy to use: it is enough to wash it occasionally and then only when necessary.
• Siding - quite environmentally friendly and safe material. Being biologically inert, the panels will not do any harm to human health.

On the other hand, siding panels have several disadvantages.

• Install strips, whether they are wooden, metal or PVC, much more difficult than just paint the wall, but faster than to lay it with a real brick.
• For any mechanical impact, special or not, the panel will have to be changed completely, so the question arises in the analysis and collection of the surface.
• It is necessary to clearly know all the characteristics of the material in order to avoid unpleasant incidents. If there is a brazier next to the PVC-lined wall, then the material may melt, if the wall is lined with metal, it may become hot, which will also cause danger.
• The high cost of parts and fasteners. If you use cheaper counterparts, the manufacturer disclaims warranty.

In any case, all the pros and cons will depend on the specific situation, conditions, opportunities and desires of the client.

The modern market offers many Russian and foreign manufacturers operating in the Russian market. It should be noted that each manufacturer has its own cost, and the list of products does not cover all types.

Simplicity of installation and durability of the design depends on the quality of the product, which is set by the manufacturer.

• Canada is considered the founder of the siding industry. One of the most popular companies offering vinyl siding is considered a firm. Mitten. The main advantage of the brand is a guarantee of quality for 50 years.The company also assures that their product is environmentally friendly, not afraid of the sun or frost. The peculiarity of Mitten products is that the client can pick up the panel in any price category, and even the cheapest panels will be resistant to temperature extremes, the manufacturer guarantees no bloating and delamination.

• Vinyl siding panels Foundry come from the USA, they are produced by Tarco Group using special technologies. In Russia, Foundry is the only full-color PVC siding. Despite the material of manufacture, Foundry panels are not subject to burning. They can be used, for example, for facing a section of a house near a brazier. In Russia, this manufacturer has an exclusive dealer, which facilitates the purchase of panels.

• German company Docke engaged in the production of acrylic and vinyl panels. This siding is designed for harsh climatic conditions and, despite the low price, the panels have excellent quality. On the official website of the company the price of such PVC panels ranges from 140 rubles. / piece for vertical siding up to 239 rubles. / pcs per block house. Acrylic panels cost 255 rubles. /PC. Installation is easy and fast, marriage in the "locks" is extremely rare. There are no complaints in appearance, the facade will retain its original appearance for many years.

• Nordside - Russian companywhich is engaged in a plastic and front siding. Reviews speak about good quality of products and compliance with production technologies. Products are certified. Nordside siding warranty - 50 years from the date of sale.

• Firm Nailite is the first company in the world that began to produce panels for basement siding. Planks can imitate stone, brick or wood. The price is from 740 rubles per unit in the size 470x1130 mm. Nailite produce panels with a thickness of 0.003 m, while their endurance is several times higher than that of vinyl. The material incorporates polypropylene resins, which makes it extremely durable. Thanks to the resins, the panels resist moisture, are not covered with mold, do not darken and do not rot.

• Russian brand Holzpast offers the facade of the base type Wandstein. Externally, the product simulates a wide variety of stone and brickwork, in addition, has 6 lines in the range. The advantage of Wandstein is that the panels are made of polypropylene, so they are not afraid of water, dirt and moss, have easy installation thanks to the Clickschloss lock, they can be washed. The manufacturer gives a guarantee on color - 15 years (raw material Zugfest). The cost of the panels is from 390 rubles per unit (0.795 x 0.595 m).

Thus, in the niche of vinyl siding manufacturers, firms from Canada, America, and Germany have strong positions. The companies Novik, Mitten, the American brand CertainTeed and the German Holzplast are also popular. Considering the Russian market of an affordable price segment, one can single out the Alta Profil and FineBer trademarks.

Metal siding in Russia is produced by the company Nord Haus, Grand Line and Optima. The Belgian company Eternit, the Japanese company Nichiha, has a unique fiber-cement cladding of the facade, the Russian brand RosPan deserves special attention.

Siding is chosen according to personal preferences, the climatic conditions of the region, as well as the features of the building operation.

Be sure to check the uniformity of color, thickness of the panel. The high-quality strips are of even color, evenly distributed on both sides of the panel. The cheaper version has a brighter inner side, it is easy to explain using a smaller amount of coloring matter.

The side cut of the panel should have the same thickness throughout the entire length, the further operation of the facade depends on it. It is necessary that the load is distributed equally. The length of the panel, you must check the absence of irregularities, roughness, correctness and uniformity of the location of the holes for screws and nails.

Packing for siding, too, is of two types - cardboard boxes and regular polyethylene. Of course, rigid cardboard boxes prevent deformation of the panels during transportation and storage, but this adds value to the final product.

Do not forget to determine in advance what the panels will be mounted on - a timber or metal profile. This will also determine the choice of related materials for further repairs.

There are myths about siding that interfere with the full choice of this material.

• The thicker the better. Myth. If the thickness of the panel is more than stated, this does not mean high quality.We are not talking about panels produced by special technologies. The optimum panel thickness is 1 cm.

• The price of siding does not depend on its color. Myth. Above, we have already said that budget models have differences in the tones of the external and internal side. Hence the conclusion - the siding of dark colors is more expensive not only because of the greater concentration of the dye, but also because of the layer-fixer: it is necessary to protect the saturated color from burning out, for this a special solution is used.

For example, PVC panels of dark colors are usually 1.5-2 times more expensive than their pastel counterparts. Be careful if you see that the manufacturer puts the panels of dark and light colors in one price category.

There are some tips for cladding structures. For example, when covering a country house, it is better to choose PVC panels. They are easy to transport, they do not have much weight, they are installed quite simply, you can do it yourself.Usually, light colors are chosen so that when fading in a few years, the panel looks the same on the sunny and shady side of the house. If you want to sell a house and need to be quickly put in order, then the vinyl panels will hide all the faults of the facade.

Vinyl cladding is cheaper than other options, but if you still decide to make the right ventilated facade, then you need to consider the cost of insulation, fastening systems, installation. Thus, the difference in price compared to peers will not be so noticeable.

Metal siding is considered the strongest, mainly used in regions with harsh climatic conditions (Siberia, the Far East). Metal can withstand large temperature drops, it is quite unpretentious in the care and operation. Among the drawbacks of such panels, the main tendency is to rust and corrosion in the event of any damage to the integrity of the sheet. Manufacturers reduce the weight for convenient transportation and installation to the maximum, so the average sheet thickness is 5 mm. Such a sheet is easy to deform.

Fiber cement siding resembles wood not only externally: cement panels are easy to saw in any direction.In the presence of special screws for fixing the panels on a wooden crate does not require drilling holes.

Before starting the installation, it is necessary to prepare all the tools.

First you need to determine on which frame the lining will be fixed (metal or wood), and then purchase the tool:

• roulette, ruler, angle;
• pencils with a soft stylus (they leave marks better);
• level, it is better to use water;
• screwdrivers, screwdriver with hammer drill function for hard materials;
• hammer and mount (for the possible dismantling of the panels);
• tools for metal (Bulgarian, scissors or pliers);
• jigsaw for cutting wood.

Other consumables may be needed:

• moisture resistant film;
• profile or slats for crates;
• corners, platbands for corners, windows, doors;
• insulation if necessary;
• fasteners.

Sheathing the facade of the house with siding is not difficult, but quickly and economically. Below you can see a selection of examples of sheathed facades.These patterns can be a great idea for your home.

Option use of metal upholstery at home. At first glance it seems as if the house is lined with wood, the facade looks very elegant and neat. The semicircular shape of metal siding perfectly mimics natural logs.

Different types of panels look different: a herringbone will be appropriate somewhere, and a ship's board will look more elegant somewhere.

If you plan to design the facade in a stylish and elegant way, then pay attention to the fact that combinations of different colors almost always perfectly harmonize with the brown roof.

Choosing light tones of the facade, especially white, do not forget that it expands the space. It is possible that the snow-white building will look much bigger and taller than it actually is. In addition, the white color almost does not fade in the sun, but requires more care.

Do not choose dark tones for repainting, panels of deep color tend to heat up more, and from this the paint will stay bad.

On the metal siding and the features of its installation, see the following video.