Facade panels for exterior decoration of the house perform not only an aesthetic function. They are designed to protect the walls of private buildings from the negative effects of the environment. Such panels significantly extend the life of the house and help protect the load-bearing structures from mechanical damage, moisture, cold and ultraviolet radiation. Also, the materials provide increased sound insulation and protect the peace of the residents of the building.
Before choosing a wall decoration, you need to study what panels are. Decorative elements for external cladding have the following types:
- PVC
- siding;
- metal composite;
- clinker.
Exterior home decoration panels are chosen for aesthetic and financial reasons. All of them can be used together with a heater. The exception is sandwich panels, which already have a layer of heat insulator. Mineral wool is used as insulation of the walls of the building in the presence of lining with wall panels. Such material requires the mandatory presence of an air-ventilated layer between it and the inner surface of the decorative coating.
Also, in the process of insulation, vapor barrier and waterproofing are required. Such measures are necessary because of the high hygroscopicity of mineral wool. Insulated sandwich wall panels can greatly simplify work. This should be considered when choosing a material, as well as comparing the cost.
Plastic panels
PVC wall covering is quite widespread for private buildings. Such material is cheap, working with it is quite simple. Also, the advantages include:
- plastic products are lightweight, no additional load on the foundations;
- PVC is weather resistant in the form of precipitation;
- plastic panels for wall cladding are available in different types: you can find material for stone, brick, wood or other types;
- PVC wall panels have a huge number of color schemes, among them you can find an option for the external cladding of any building.
Plastic decorative products are easy enough to buy. They are available in almost all construction stores. Availability can also be attributed to positive features. PVC sheathing is absolutely safe for humans. It does not emit harmful substances, does not lead to a decrease in living standards or a health problem.
Plastic elements are easy to operate. Due to the structure of the PVC material, they are easy to clean; if necessary, various cleaning agents can be used. The service life, subject to installation, is at least 30 years.
PVC plastic elements are safe from the point of view of fire safety. They do not support combustion. The disadvantages of the material include:
- plastic burns out in the sun (the problem is solved in production, it is worth choosing materials with a special coating);
- when exposed to negative temperatures or at constant changes on the surface of the PVC lining, cracks may appear;
- plastic parts can create noise in the wind, this is caused by vibration of the elements;
- PVC is easily deformed.
Manufacturers are trying to eliminate these shortcomings by introducing new technologies. Usually the listed disadvantages have only the cheapest types of material. Noise when exposed to wind occurs if the technology was violated when fixing the products, the work was not carried out accurately enough.
Plastic is commonly used in ventilated facades. As a basis for fixing, a frame of wooden bars or a light metal profile is used. It is necessary to provide a ventilation gap between the panels and the insulation.
Siding
Sheathing of this type is also widespread due to ease of installation and low cost. For siding the walls of private buildings, siding-like natural materials are also used: lining and block house. But they cost significantly more and need additional protection against moisture and fire. Wooden cladding elements are also characterized by a greater mass and are not so convenient to use.
Siding allows you to decorate the walls so that the house will look like a wooden one, with some differences. The material is available in different colors. You can easily find a solution depending on the architectural features of the building, the material of the roof and the surrounding buildings. When choosing a color, it is necessary to observe the integrity of the facade and buildings around. You should not choose too unusual colors, most often such siding does not look attractive in comparison with other houses.
For wall decoration, there are several varieties of material. Species differ in raw materials for the manufacture of:
- metal siding;
- vinyl siding.
Metal is more expensive, but this option is characterized by high strength and durability. It is resistant to fire and does not crack in extreme cold. Such a siding has the disadvantages of:
- more complicated installation;
- increased mass;
- poor sound insulation;
- tendency to corrosion (rust).
Vinyl siding for walls, although it has low strength, but is resistant to rust. Low cost also plays a role. It is important to consider that dust will accumulate on the surface of walls due to static stress.
Metal panels
These elements are also called composite. They consist of two layers of metal with a polymer layer between them. Elements can be rectangular or square. Long parts are produced that can be cut directly at the construction site.
Metal sheets are made of aluminum. This allows the use of elements even in high humidity conditions. Unlike steel, aluminum is not susceptible to corrosion.
Panels are fixed from the inside to special brackets. Between themselves, the elements are connected using a groove system. Metal panels do not perform thermal insulation functions. The advantages of their use include:
- low weight and thickness of the finish;
- reliable protection of the walls of the building from moisture, mechanical damage and other negative factors;
- composite panels can eliminate such a lack of metal and increased noise, this is due to the polymer layer.
The material can be used both for private houses and for large high-rise buildings. With proper fastening, the elements are resistant to significant wind loads.
Clinker
Type of decoration imitates brick or natural stone. It is made of clay in a special oven. Such a stone has the following advantages and disadvantages:
- resistance to abrasion and mechanical damage and scratches;
- strength;
- long service life (clinker stone can serve about the same as ceramic brick);
- resistance to fading in the sun;
- the ability to use clinker in regions with a cold climate, since it is not afraid of low temperatures and sudden changes;
- stone or brick finish has a high density and is moisture resistant;
- environmentally friendly material
- the stone is easy to mount;
- wide range of colors and textures;
- high price;
- decorative stone weighs more than plastic counterparts.
Stone or brick wall finish mounted dry or wet. With the wet laying method, extruded polystyrene foam is used as the base for the tile. It is mounted on the walls before starting the cladding. The thickness of the insulation is determined by calculation. Cement glue is applied to the surface of the insulation, which holds the artificial stone in the design position.
In the dry method, mineral wool is used as insulation. Its installation on the surface of the walls is performed on a metal frame. A clinker panel is then attached to this frame from the inside. Fastening is performed on self-tapping screws or dowels.
A dry method of attaching clinker under a stone is preferred since mineral wool does not impede the movement of air through the walls. When using insulation from extruded polystyrene foam, there is the possibility of a violation of ventilation in the building and the creation of a greenhouse effect.