How to sheathe the old one. Exterior cladding of a wooden house: comparison of characteristics of finishing materials

The external cladding of a wooden house performs several important functions - it protects the walls from atmospheric influences, insulates the building, and gives it a more aesthetic appearance. Even at the design stage, you should think about how to cover the outside of a wooden house so that the finishing meets the technical requirements and financial capabilities.

Let's look at popular cladding options and find out which ones are best suited for cladding houses made of wood.

Wooden houses to this day remain the most environmentally friendly, breathable, healthy and comfortable to live in. However, wood is a short-lived material and therefore requires mandatory protection.

In addition, due to its softness and friability, the wood is attractive to rodents, bugs and other living creatures.

But protection becomes more effective if the top of the façade of a wooden house is covered with cladding - reliable, beautiful, and heat-insulating.

Wood constantly absorbs moisture, as a result of which it becomes deformed, loses strength and density, darkens over time, becomes covered with cracks, begins to rot and mold.

There are no universal rules for choosing a facing material, but preference is given to finishing that has the following characteristics:

• is a heater;
• has vapor permeability;
• easy to install;
• has a low cost;
• does not require constant painting.

Of course, wooden types of cladding win - lining, block house, planken, imitation timber. They have the same characteristics as the main building material and preserve the naturalness and environmental friendliness of the building.

Review of materials for home decoration

Often, when purchasing, they focus only on the cost of the facing material. This is the wrong approach, since cheap finishing requires additional investment.

It is also wrong to purchase expensive material that does not meet the technical parameters. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account all aspects - cost, characteristics, compliance with the climatic zone.

The modern market provides the opportunity to choose exactly the cladding that fits perfectly in all respects. Popular types of finishes include four types made of wood, and four more from other natural and synthetic materials.

Image gallery

When choosing a material, you can rely on the standards specified in GOST 8242-88. There are also more stringent standards - DIN 68126/86, which set out the requirements for the so-called “eurolining”.

The wooden house has been a traditional home in Scandinavia and Rus' for centuries, but recently it has come back into fashion again. A wooden structure is environmentally friendly, it can be built faster than a stone structure, and it is not stuffy or damp. Its disadvantages are low fire resistance and susceptibility to fungus. Shrinkage of up to 6% may occur after construction. During this period, especially if the house was not built perfectly, it is worth thinking about additional cladding.

Video - how to sheathe a wooden house

What does exterior cladding of a house provide?

• Increased fire resistance, pest and chemical resistance
• Improving the appearance of the building
• Insulation and protection from drafts

To achieve these conditions, refractory materials with low thermal conductivity and gyroscopicity are usually chosen. For insulation, mineral wool and polystyrene foam are used; decorative materials include wooden lining, siding, heat-insulating plaster, block house and even facade brick.

Insulation

It is especially necessary to insulate a house in the northern regions; in the south, you can often get by with only sheathing; it also insulates the house a little.

The main advantage of foam insulation is its price and ease of use. There are many more disadvantages. The vapor permeability of this material is 10 times lower than that of mineral wool, so when using polystyrene foam you need to carefully consider the ventilation system. The wood underneath may begin to rot; the material “does not breathe.” These savings can add up to much higher costs in a few years.

Mineral wool is a more common and environmentally friendly material. They insulate a wooden house using a frame scheme:

1. Fill up the voids between the beams.
2. Lay out a vapor barrier layer (roofing felt, foil, plastic film).
3. They make a frame - they nail 50 by 50 mm bars to the walls every 0.4-0.6 m.
4. Lay mineral wool, filling all voids.
5. Lay another layer of film to insulate from wind and water.
6. The house is clad on top.

Additionally, there is no need to attach the mineral wool to the frame; it will stick between the layers on its own.

Exterior wood cladding of a house

Wooden cladding includes lining, imitation timber and block house. The materials differ in price and appearance, all three are environmentally friendly, perfectly absorb street noise, insulate the room and look natural. There is also the option of planken or “finish quarter” cladding. But these materials do not have spikes, so gaps may appear during installation.

They should be used for interior work. The most expensive and beautiful block house, it easily withstands temperature changes, and from the outside it looks like a rounded log. Lining is a common choice in the mass market; it looks a little simpler. The cladding is made from larch, oak or pine wood. In order for wood paneling to serve for many years, it must be impregnated with a fire-resistant compound, varnished and painted.

The cladding technology is the same for all three finishing materials. The wood is nailed, glued or attached to hooks. You need to sheathe from bottom to top. The first board is attached to the frame, the second is put with a groove on the ridge of the first. Using wooden wedges, press the top to the bottom along the edges and middle, then nail it down, and remove the wedges. This way they reach the roof. Work can only be carried out in dry weather.

Siding can be made of metal or vinyl. The first is less durable, but it is lighter than metal and successfully resists corrosion. It does not need to be painted; the dye is added to the composition already at the manufacturing stage. The second quickly cools down and heats up in the sun, when hit, dents and scratches appear on it, then it can begin to corrode.

Installation begins from the corners. Attach with self-tapping screws to the sheathing, from the middle of the panel to its edges. You need to leave a gap of 5-7 mm between the nail head and the siding, since the material expands when heated. When installing siding in cold weather, the gap should reach 10 mm. The elements are connected with an overlap of 2 cm.

Tiles are rarely used for walls; they are usually used to decorate the foundation and corners of a house. The tiles are fastened from the bottom corner of the sheathing and then moved horizontally. The row is fixed with self-tapping screws. The next row is inserted into the locks of the first tiles, then again held in place with self-tapping screws. Tiles can also be glued using special compounds.

Corners can be overlapped or butted. When fastening with an overlap, the lathing should be at the level of the wall tiles; installation is carried out by extending 30 mm onto the tiles.

Facing with stone and facade bricks

Finishing with stone greatly weighs down the house; a weak foundation may not be able to withstand the additional load. At the same time, the house becomes warmer and is not subject to combustion. Artificial stone is much lighter and suitable for any type of foundation. Work is carried out only after the house has completely settled, no earlier than a year after construction. The gap between the brick and the wall should be at least 5 cm.

As we can see, there are many types of decorative finishes. The choice should be made based on your own budget and climatic conditions. Perhaps your house does not require additional finishing or insulation at all, and it is enough to simply paint it.

Some building materials from which walls are erected immediately imply the need for exterior finishing of the house: the resulting picture is very unsightly. Others may lose their appeal over time. And the third case is extensive crack formation, which is “treated”, but the results remain visible. In all these cases, the question arises: “How to sheathe the outside of the house.” Moreover, most often it is necessary to “sheath” it - without using mortar or other similar means that require a lot of money and time. I want to do everything quickly and, very preferably, inexpensively, and, if possible, with my own hands. Oddly enough, there is a choice of materials and technologies, and a considerable one.

Basic Rules

When selecting materials for cladding a house from the street, be sure to remember that in order to maintain normal humidity in the rooms, the vapor permeability of the materials must decrease from inside the room to the outside. That is, the exterior finishing should conduct steam better than the wall material. Then the increased humidity, which is typical for our homes, will be removed through the walls naturally (explanations in the photo).

If this principle is violated, moisture will accumulate at the interface of materials with different vapor permeability. It condenses, creating conditions for rotting and the development of fungi and mold. In winter it freezes, destroying the wall material and/or finishing. Sooner or later such a system will have to be dismantled and rebuilt.

The trouble is that only wood meets this requirement. Most other materials for exterior decoration of a house have low vapor permeability. The problem is solved in two ways:

Today the second option is becoming increasingly popular. Very effective thermal insulation materials have appeared that can significantly reduce heating costs. But they have very low vapor permeability (expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene foam). When using them, only the second humidity control scheme is possible. When choosing what to cover your house with, consider these points.

Wood paneling

Wood has been used in construction and decoration for centuries, and it seems that it will be relevant for a long time. All thanks to its excellent appearance and ability to regulate indoor humidity. This is perhaps the only material that will remove excess moisture without problems, regardless of what material the walls are made of.

Wooden cladding can have a completely non-standard appearance: different colors and sizes, different directions. It's simple, but the effect is amazing

The most popular materials for wall cladding are block house and imitation timber. There is also lining for exterior finishing - it is thicker than what is intended for it, but otherwise it is no different.

The block house imitates the surface of a rounded log - the front part has a rounded shape. Imitation timber is very similar to planed timber. Both types of cladding are attached to the sheathing, then sanded and coated with protective impregnations, and optionally varnished or painted.

What does lumber look like for exterior cladding of a house?

If you can't decide how to cover the outside of a foam block house, consider wood cladding. In this case, lathing (metal or wood) is nailed to the walls. If necessary, insulation is laid between the slats - basalt wool (foam or polystyrene foam cannot be used), and then wooden sheathing is nailed.

This building is sheathed with imitation timber. Under the skin there can be brick, log frame, frame or any of the building blocks

If you need the cheapest option, for most regions of Russia this is an ordinary planed board. Its thickness is from 40 mm, it is stuffed in the same way as a lining or block house onto the sheathing, the lower end of the upper board extends 10-20 mm onto the one located underneath it. It turns out the principle of the cone. This way you can cheaply cladding a country house or even a residential one. When properly processed, such cladding has a very good appearance.

How to cheaply cover the outside of a house? For central Russia - planed wooden boards

The disadvantages of such finishing are the same as with any wood: it can be damaged by pests, rot, without proper care it quickly loses its decorative effect, becomes dark and ugly. If you want to cover your house and not think about it for years, this is not your choice. Wooden cladding requires maintenance, and, most often, annually.

Siding

In some regions, planks and other lumber are not the most affordable materials. In this case, it’s cheaper. This is the option when, having completed the finishing once, you can forget about it for a long time.

If you are thinking about how to decorate the outside of a timber house, perhaps your option is siding

Since the sheathing is nailed onto the sheathing, the façade is ventilated. If you need to inexpensively decorate wooden walls (from timber, logs, panels), siding is one of the options. It can also be used for buildings made of any other material: foam block, aerated concrete, slag-filled concrete, etc. This cladding is universal.

Vinyl

Siding is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is therefore also called vinyl. It consists of strips of material 205 and 255 mm wide, 1.1 mm and 1.2 mm thick. The longitudinal edges have a lock on one side and perforation for fasteners on the other (self-tapping screws are more often used).

The siding is also attached to the sheathing. It is recommended to use a special metal one, but impregnated wooden blocks are quite suitable. Only standard starting and side stripes will be needed. The only caveat: the screws need to be “undertightened” a little, leaving some play in order to compensate for temperature changes in the materials. With this installation, the siding will not crack due to stress.

The advantages of this material for exterior cladding of a house: low prices, easy installation.

The disadvantage of vinyl siding: it quickly fades in the sun, so it is advisable to use dim colors. It has a fairly wide operating temperature range: from +50°C to -35°C, but even in slight frosts it becomes brittle and easily damaged.

One more point: houses covered with siding and having a broken configuration look good. If the building is rectangular, without architectural frills, it does not have the most attractive appearance (as evidenced by the photo below).

If the building is simply long, without reliefs or protrusions, covering the walls with sading will not embellish it very much

Metal

Metal siding consists of strips of thin aluminum or galvanized steel, onto which a protective and decorative coating is applied. It has the same fastening system as vinyl.

Sheathing a house with metal siding is simple: you can do it yourself even without much construction experience

The coating can be made of polymers. It is distinguished by its reliability, resistance to burnout and other climatic factors. Its disadvantage is the limited choice of colors. The second coating option is powder coating. The color range is much wider, the paint lasts for years without signs of peeling.

If you are looking for something to clad the outside of your home for a durable and vibrant finish, one of the metal siding options may be right for you. It can be bent, it is very difficult to break, installation is not very difficult: you need good metal scissors, self-tapping screws, a screwdriver or a screwdriver. All installation features are the same as for vinyl, with the only difference being that metal can be installed at sub-zero temperatures.

It is not easy to harmoniously decorate a building covered with metal siding

From the point of view of durability, this is a good option, but from the point of view of aesthetics, it is difficult to work with: it looks too “manufactured”. The building no longer resembles a residential building, but rather a warehouse or some kind of workshop.

Tsokolny

This is one of the varieties of vinyl siding, but it has a completely different configuration, appearance and greater panel thickness. It was developed specifically for decorating and protecting the plinths of buildings, but I liked it so much that it began to be used for cladding facades. External design - brickwork of different types and colors, with or without drawings, wild stone. Sometimes the imitation is so successful that you can understand that it is not brick cladding, but vinyl, only by touching the wall.

It is mounted, like other types, on the sheathing, there are perforations and locks. The difference is that the basement siding panel does not look like a long rectangle, but a certain section of the wall with curly edges. These curly edges are used to join. Accordingly, the sheathing must be adjusted to the size of the fragment. When installing, first the edge of the panel is inserted into the already installed lock, a match is achieved, and then secured. The main thing is that during installation, do not overtighten the screws, leaving the siding room to move with temperature changes.

The sheathing can be made of treated wooden blocks (with protective impregnation) or from plasterboard profiles (galvanized). How to install basement siding on a basement, watch the video. It is mounted on the wall in the same way. The difference is in area.

Fiber cement boards and siding

Relatively recently, a new cladding appeared on our market: fiber cement boards and siding made of the same material. They consist of wood fiber, quartz, mica, cement, and may contain chlorine and asbestos (some materials used only for exterior finishing). This mixture is formed into sheets, then dehydrated in several stages, and fired using some technologies. Then a protective and decorative coating is applied to the surface:

The coating can be smooth - glossy or matte, or can imitate brickwork, wood and other finishing materials. It is installed on guide mounting strips and secured to the wall with clamps. This material may be suitable for you if you do not know how to cover the outside of a frame house: it creates a continuous surface, the panel joints are airtight and precipitation will not get inside.

This house is also lined with fiber cement slabs

Watch the video to see how to attach fiber cement boards.

Fiber cement siding is produced using the same technology, only it is molded into long strips. They are basically standard: 3600*190*12 mm. This material is cut with a jigsaw, installed on a wooden sheathing with an overlap (like a cone) and nailed to it or screwed with self-tapping screws.

Thermal panels

Thermal panels are a material that performs two functions at once - cladding and external insulation of houses. A layer of decorative coating is applied to the thermal insulation layer at the factory. It looks like marble or natural stone, does not burn, and has low water absorption characteristics.

This finishing material is made from polystyrene foam, mineral wool or extruded polystyrene foam. Depending on the type of insulation, the installation method is selected: polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam are glued to the appropriate composition. The joints are closed with a special aluminum strip or rubbed with paste.

Based on mineral wool, they are mounted only on a special system of profiles; the joints are also sealed.

A very attractive idea is to immediately insulate the house and cladding it. Excellent appearance, and the characteristics of this cladding are impressive. It’s just a pity that there is little operating experience and no reviews yet: it appeared only recently.

There are also clinker thermal panels. Clinker tiles are glued to the insulation. The material is not cheap, but the characteristics are impressive, as is the variety of finishes.

Another option for thermal panels is with clinker tiles

The choice of materials that can be used to cover a house at any time - winter or summer - is considerable. There are expensive options, and there are cheaper ones. In any case, in addition to cost, be sure to consider vapor permeability. Then you won’t have to deal with mold and dampness.

It is a facade covering of the walls of a building, consisting of panels laid on a sheathing.

The range of panels is varied: they can be made of various materials and have a variety of shapes, textures and colors.

Installation of siding is quite simple, its operational period can reach fifty years.

In this article you will learn how you can cover the outside of a house other than siding.

The popularity of siding cladding is primarily associated with its characteristics, which are inherent in this type of material. Houses covered with siding have an aesthetically attractive and very neat appearance.

Distinctive characteristics of siding are:

• Durability of the material;
• a large assortment;
• variety of materials (wood, vinyl, metal);
• ease of care;
• the presence of an air gap between the wall of the house and the cladding prevents the formation of mold or mildew;
• quite easy to install;
• UV resistant;
• frost-resistant;
• waterproof;
• has resistance to mechanical damage.

quite fragile at subzero temperatures, flammable and quite flammable.

Requires care during installation, since even with a slight bend the material cannot be restored: the panel must be replaced.

short-lived.

Despite the presence of shortcomings, siding still has much more advantages, which determines the rapidly growing interest in this type of cladding.

Siding analogues

In addition to siding panels, you can also clad your house with other materials that are no less common on the construction market.

These include:

• decorative plaster;
• porcelain stoneware;
• sandwich panels;
• natural and artificial stone;
• tree;
• brick.

Each house cladding option has its own advantages and disadvantages. Before choosing a cladding option, you should be guided not only by the aesthetic appeal of the material, but also by its technical characteristics.

Decorative plaster

Decorative plaster is a budget material, so it is widely used.

Plaster can be non-aqueous or water-free. Popular is mineral plaster, which is made on the basis of cement and additional components.

Decorative plaster can be polymer, silicone or silicate.

ATTENTION!

The material is presented in the form of a dry mixture, and for application this mixture must be diluted with water. Various colors and admixtures can be added to the plaster mixture to achieve the desired color and effect.

The advantages of decorative plaster are:

• no toxic fumes;
• high adhesive ability;
• long shelf life of the dry mixture;
• no special care required;
• ease of manufacture and application;
• does not absorb dirt;
• a wide variety of colors and textures;
• the vapor permeability of the material ensures a comfortable microclimate in the room;
• resistance to temperature fluctuations;
• good sound insulation and heat insulation properties.

The plaster perfectly withstands atmospheric and mechanical influences.

Decorative plaster has disadvantages, but they are not decisive when choosing cladding:

• in the absence of a reinforcing mesh, the plaster is susceptible to chips and cracks;
• repair work must be carried out at temperatures above +5° C;
• the cost of decorative plaster is much higher than usual.

When using decorative plaster, you should follow the recommendations for its application.

When creating a textured relief, professionalism and a lot of time are required.

Decorative plaster

Porcelain tiles

Porcelain tile is a compressed and fired clay mixture with the addition of quartz, feldspar and natural-based dyes.

The main quality of the material is strength.

Porcelain tiles are made in the form of slabs of various thicknesses, textures and colors. It has properties that are not inferior to natural stone.

The main indicator of the color, structure and texture of a material is its composition, which includes manganese, chromium, iron, zirconium or cobalt salt. The surface can be matte, polished, embossed, polished or glazed.

The features of porcelain stoneware are:

• high strength;
• durability;
• independence from weather changes;
• environmental friendliness;
• no fading;
• soundproofing;
• thermal insulation;
• fire safety and protection of walls from fire;
• resistance to microorganisms;
• ease of installation;
• a ventilated façade ensures a comfortable microclimate.

The aesthetic appearance of a porcelain stoneware building is ensured by the textured coloring of the material., it is easy to maintain and simple to repair.

The disadvantages of porcelain stoneware are the heavy weight of the slabs, which requires a solid foundation for the building and load-bearing walls and high cost.

Porcelain tiles

Sandwich panels

Sandwich panels are a thin aluminum sheet with a thermal insulation layer. They are used for finishing office, administrative, sports and socially significant facilities.

The panels are available in glossy, matte, lacquered color coatings, and also treated with powder or polymer mixtures.

The advantages of sandwich panels are:

• environmental friendliness;
• soundproofing;
• good thermal protection;
• a light weight;
• resistance to corrosion and rotting;
• ease of installation;
• durability;
• low cost.

Sandwich panels are easy to install and the structure itself is not heavy, which does not require additional reinforcement of the walls.

• the possibility of having fire hazardous insulation in the panels;
• limited assortment;
• During installation, the joint areas must be covered with a special sealing tape.

CAREFULLY!

The installation of sandwich panels should be entrusted to professionals, since minor errors can reduce the thermal insulation qualities of the cladding.

Particular attention should be paid to the places where the slabs are connected.

Sandwich panels

Natural and artificial stone

Facade stone can be natural, which is classified by species, and artificial, which is an imitation of natural rock or organic mineral.

Natural stone

There are several types of stone cladding for masonry:

• “from the die”;
• "Castle";
• "Plateau";
• "Shahriar";
• "Assol";
• "Rondo".

The texture of natural stone can be granite, marble, limestone, slate, sand.

The advantage of natural stone cladding is durability and strength. The material is environmentally friendly, frost-resistant and fireproof.

Natural stone cladding requires its treatment with protective agents to prevent the formation of salts on its surface.

The disadvantage of natural stone cladding is its cost and heaviness.

Natural stone

Fake diamond

It is produced by mixing polymer and mineral components, which are poured into molds and hardened under a brick press.

Happens:

• clinker;
• concrete;
• architectural;
• polymer sand;
• resin based;
• ceramic.

Artificial stone has similar characteristics to natural material, but is much lighter.

Compared to natural stone, the resistance of artificial stone to external influences is much less, and therefore the service life is reduced.

Fake diamond

Cassette facade

Cassette facades are cladding material in the form of slabs. Cassettes can be composite or metal. The design of the structure is worked out by computer, based on the shape, size of the building and the material of the cassettes.

Small cassettes are made from aluminum. For large forms, composite materials are used.

Cassettes differ in color, size and texture.

Positive characteristics of a cassette facade:

• strength;
• resistance to atmospheric and mechanical influences;
• resistant to corrosion;
• ease of construction;

A high degree of decorativeness provides individuality to any building equipped with cassettes.

A significant disadvantage of this type of façade improvement is its high cost.

Cassette facade

Tree

Wood is used as cladding to give the house a natural look.

Modern types of cladding can be used to imitate wood:

• lining;
• block house;
• facade board (planken);
• imitation timber.

The lining is a solid board. Has different quality classes. It is lightweight, accessible and low cost.

Block house is a high-strength material that is a covering in the form of timber. Classified by color and texture.

Facade board is a profile material resembling siding panels. The peculiarity of the installation is the technology of the permissible distance between the boards to ensure ventilation.

Imitation timber looks like a board. Mounted using tongue-and-groove technology.

The advantages of wood are environmental friendliness, non-toxicity and good thermal insulation and sound insulation properties.

A significant disadvantage of wood is its susceptibility to rotting and fragility. However, with regular treatment of a wooden facade, its service life increases significantly.

Brick

The brickwork that is used to clad the building is designed to give the building strength and protect the internal load-bearing wall.

The structure of facing brick can be:

• ceramic;
• clinker;
• silicate;
• hyper-hyped.

Based on the front surface, bricks are classified into:

• smooth;
• raised;
• glazed;
• engobed.

Brickwork can be of different colors, and the material itself differs not only in texture and composition, but also in color.

The main advantages of brick cladding are strength, resistance to external influences, and protection of the house.

In addition, the brick has:

• fire resistance;
• environmental friendliness;
• frost resistance and low thermal conductivity.

The disadvantage of brick cladding is its significant weight. In addition, the price of bricks is quite high.

Conclusion

Thus, quite a lot of alternative cladding options, in addition to siding panels, can be used when finishing the facade. You can determine what exactly is suitable in a particular case, based on the price, characteristics of the material, the ability to install it yourself, as well as in accordance with design ideas.

Useful video

In this video we will look at all analogues of siding:

In contact with

October 24, 2016
Specialization: facade finishing, interior finishing, construction of summer houses, garages. Experience of an amateur gardener and gardener. We also have experience in repairing cars and motorcycles. Hobbies: playing the guitar and many other things that I don’t have time for :)

The facade is the calling card of any building; in addition, the exterior decoration of the house, as is known, serves to protect the walls from rain and other negative environmental influences. Therefore, the choice of finishing materials must be approached competently and responsibly.

Currently, the market is replete with various offers, which, on the one hand, is, of course, good, but on the other hand, this makes it difficult for a beginner to decide how best to decorate a house. To help in this matter, below I will introduce you to the most common exterior finishing technologies and their features, as well as modern facade materials.

Exterior finishing options

So, the following façade finishing options are currently popular:

1. dry (curtain façade)– involves the installation of a frame, which is subsequently covered with panels;
2. wet (plaster)– carried out using all kinds of plaster solutions, which can be applied to walls in different ways;
3. cladding with piece materials– involves covering walls with tiles, natural stone or other similar materials;
4. brick cladding– in this case, walls made of facing bricks are erected around the perimeter of the house;
5. thermal panels- This is a relatively new material that is attached to walls using a dry method.

Each of these finishing options has its own characteristics, as well as pros and cons, which we will discuss below.

Option 1: curtain façade

Features of the technology

Finishing using ventilated or curtained facade technology is very popular, as it has a number of advantages:

• the facade is quickly and easily installed, and finishing can be done at any temperature;
• the finish is quite strong and durable;
• a large selection of materials, which allows you to implement any facade design to your taste;
• It is possible to place thermal insulation under the casing, as well as hide communications.

Due to the absence of wet work, this finish is an excellent option for wooden buildings. You can also finish a house made of blocks such as aerated concrete or wood concrete using a similar method. Is it true, in this case, it is necessary to use special fasteners for mounting the frame.

The disadvantages include the higher cost compared to plaster.

Materials for curtain façade

As mentioned above, the basis of the curtain wall is the frame. It is assembled from metal profiles or wooden beams. In addition, of course, you will need some other materials for exterior finishing of the house in this way:

• thermal insulation material for wall insulation. On our resource you can find detailed information about choosing thermal insulation. The only thing I note is that it is best to use slab materials, for example, polystyrene foam boards or mineral mats;
• vapor barrier film;
• if the house is wooden, protective impregnation and inter-crown insulation will also be required;

Particular attention must be paid to the finishing material on which the design of the facade depends, and also how durable the exterior decoration of the house will be. The range of various panels is simply huge, and it is impossible to list them all. Therefore, below we will familiarize ourselves with only the most common materials:

• wooden finishing boards - these include block house, lining, imitation timber, planken, etc. They all differ only in size and profile.

Among the advantages of these coatings are environmental friendliness, attractive appearance and relatively low cost - from 300-350 rubles. for 1m2. The disadvantages include the need for periodic maintenance, namely treatment with protective compounds.

As a rule, such materials are used for finishing wooden buildings. For example, a log house, even after finishing, can retain its natural beauty if it is covered with a block house;

• vinyl siding - plastic panels in the form of several boards connected to each other. Vinyl siding is a good alternative to wooden materials, as it is cheaper (from 200 rubles per 1m2), and also does not require any maintenance;

• metal siding - looks like vinyl siding, however, it is made of galvanized steel or aluminum. Externally, this material reliably imitates a wooden covering, but at the same time it has some disadvantages:
  • high cost - from 400-500 rubles. for 1m2;
  • noise during periods of precipitation and strong winds;
  • high thermal conductivity.

Therefore, metal siding is rarely used for finishing residential buildings.

• facade panels are essentially an analogue of vinyl. The difference lies only in appearance - this coating can imitate natural stone, masonry, and other materials.

Often, home craftsmen are interested in how to decorate the bottom of the house in order to highlight it and ensure sufficient strength for the base? An excellent solution is special plinth panels. Externally, they resemble facade panels, but are more durable.

Everyone must choose what material is best to decorate the outside of the house themselves, depending on the desired facade design and, of course, financial capabilities.

Option 2: plaster

Features of the technology

Plaster is no less popular than, for example, a curtain wall, as it has its own advantages:

• is much cheaper than other finishing options. Therefore, if you are looking for a cheaper way to decorate the outside of your house, then plaster is an excellent solution;
• allows you to achieve a presentable appearance of the structure - there is a large selection of decorative plasters on sale that can highlight even the most inconspicuous structure;
• This method can be used not only to decorate the outside of a private house, but also to decorate the façade of an apartment. True, for this it is necessary to obtain permission from the relevant authorities;
• it is possible to insulate the facade - in this case, the plaster is applied on top of the insulation using a special technology, which has already been described several times on our resource.

If you decorate the plastered and painted facade with decorative slats and beams, it can be decorated in half-timbered or Japanese style.

However, plaster also has some disadvantages:

• plastering is a seasonal job, since it cannot be done at sub-zero temperatures;
• durability is much lower than other finishes. As a rule, it does not exceed 10-15 years, subject to strict adherence to technology and the use of the most expensive and high-quality materials. Otherwise, the facade will have to be repaired even earlier;
• strength is much lower than other types of finishing, especially if the plaster is applied over insulation. In this case, it is protected by a thin layer of cement-based adhesive and fiberglass mesh. As a result, even minor mechanical loads can damage the surface of the facade;
• Applying plaster is quite a labor-intensive job.

If the house is made of wood concrete or aerated concrete, it is not recommended to plaster it over the insulation, since the walls will have much greater vapor permeability than the finishing, which will lead to their constant dampening with all the ensuing consequences.

Types of plaster

It should be noted that there are several types of plastering:

Type of plastering	Peculiarities
Draft	The task of such plastering is to level the external walls and prepare them for further finishing, for example, applying decorative plaster, tiling, painting, etc. Cement mortars are used to perform rough plastering. It is best to use special plaster mixtures that contain additives that improve the quality of the coating. Their cost starts from 180-200 rubles. per bag 25kg. The liquid solution for such plastering is applied to the wall manually or mechanically, after which it is leveled using the beacon rule. True, if the wall unevenness is insignificant, plastering can be done without beacons.
Decorative	It forms the texture of the facade and, accordingly, performs an exclusively decorative function. As a rule, decorative plastering is performed with special mixtures that are applied in a thin layer. They may contain marble chips or other filler that forms the texture of the coating. The cost of the cheapest mineral plasters starts from 300-400 rubles. per bag weighing 20 kg. The cost of more expensive polymer compositions can reach 2500-3000 rubles. It must be said that there is a technology for decorative plastering with ordinary cement mortar. Its essence lies in spraying the composition on the walls, resulting in a texture reminiscent of a fur coat. That's why this technology is called a fur coat.
Wet facade	With this type of plastering, the walls are first covered with insulation, for example, polystyrene foam or mineral mats. In addition, the insulation is additionally fixed with special dowels. Then the surface is reinforced with fiberglass mesh, which is glued with glue like Ceresit CT 85. Thus, it performs the function of rough plaster. Any decorative plaster is applied on top of the surface finished in this way, which is subsequently painted.

If you want to insulate a house using the curtain wall technology, but at the same time decorate it with decorative plaster, you can sheathe the frame with LSU slabs, then putty them and apply a decorative composition on top.

Option 3: cladding with piece materials

Exterior decoration of the house can be done with piece materials. Among the advantages of this solution are the following points:

• reliable protection of walls from atmospheric influences;
• the facade acquires a presentable appearance;
• durability.

Of course, along with the advantages, there are also some disadvantages:

• walls under such cladding cannot be insulated from the outside;
• the cost of piece facing materials is much higher than the coatings described above.

Therefore, combined exterior facade decoration is very popular. In this case, piece materials are used only for finishing the base or corners, and the main part of the walls is plastered or finished in other ways, as in the photo below.

The most popular types of piece materials are:

• stones;
• clinker tiles;
• ceramic tile.

Below we will take a closer look at the features of all these coatings.

Facing stones

Natural stone is a common finishing material that always looks stylish and fashionable.. In addition, this finish is durable and very durable.

True, it should be borne in mind that two stones differ from stone to stone. Therefore, next we will consider the most common types of stones that are used for finishing facades:

Stone type	Peculiarities
Limestone and sandstone	They are beautiful stones that come in a variety of shades. Of course, in addition to visual appeal, their other advantages can be highlighted: low cost - from 400-500 rubles. for 1 m2; relatively light weight. Disadvantages include low strength and porosity.
Shell rock	This is also an inexpensive, but at the same time beautiful stone. It has the same disadvantages as the above-described limestone and sandstone.
Slate	It is a beautiful and at the same time durable material, which is why it is very popular. It is often used when decorating facades in Provence style. The cost of slate also starts from 400-500 rubles. for 1 m2;
Marble	This stone is one of the most famous and widespread. It has a beautiful texture and a rich selection of shades. In addition, this stone can be called eternal due to its high strength and hardness. The only serious drawback of marble is its high cost - the price starts from 3500-4000 rubles. for 1m2.
Granite	It has almost the same performance qualities as marble. True, its cost is somewhat lower - from 2,500 rubles per square meter.

To prevent the porous stone from getting wet and becoming clogged with dirt, it should be coated with a special varnish.

The stone is installed using regular tile adhesive. Since when laying this material you do not need to make even seams and strictly maintain the level, even a beginner can cope with this task.

Clinker tiles are a beautiful and durable material for exterior wall decoration, which is made on the basis of slate clays. Thanks to a special manufacturing technology, it has the following qualities:

• high strength;
• weather resistance;
• durability - many manufacturers of clinker tiles provide a guarantee of 100 years;
• light weight compared to natural stone.

Externally, the tiles resemble bricks, so a wall finished with this material is almost impossible to distinguish from brickwork. True, the installation process itself is quite complicated, since the tiles must be located in the same plane and have the same seams.

In addition, the grouting process is quite complex. Therefore, if you decide to tile your house, you will have to turn to specialists for help.

As for the cost of clinker tiles, the price of products from domestic manufacturers starts from 600 rubles per square meter. European tiles cost several times more.

Ceramic tile

A good alternative to clinker tiles is ceramic and porcelain tiles. It can be smooth and structured. The latter resembles natural stone, which is why it is very popular.

Sometimes even photo printing is applied to the glazed surface. As a result, the material can have any texture or patterns. Accordingly, this coating looks very impressive.

It should be noted that not only tiles are made from ceramics, but also large facade panels, the width of which can reach 60 cm and the length -180 cm. The panels are easier to install, however, the design of the facade in this case is quite unique. Therefore, tiles are still more popular.

The cost of ceramic facade tiles starts from 400 rubles. for 1m2.

Option 4: brick cladding

When considering modern types of exterior decoration, one cannot fail to mention brick cladding. This is perhaps the best protection of walls from negative environmental influences and mechanical influences.

Therefore, if you are interested in decorating an old house, brick cladding is an excellent solution. After all, in this way you will not only protect the walls from negative influences, but also give the building a presentable appearance.

True, for objectivity it is necessary to familiarize yourself with some of the disadvantages of this solution:

• brick has a lot of weight, as a result of which facing walls need a foundation , even if you are planning to decorate a one-story house. Therefore, if such cladding was not planned at the design stage of the house, it is necessary to make an additional strip foundation along the perimeter of the building;
• the cost is quite high - starts from 10-15 rubles per piece;
• facing masonry requires a highly qualified mason, so you won’t be able to save money by doing the finishing yourself.

Option 5: cladding with thermal panels

Finally, let’s look at modern exterior finishing materials that fall into the category of thermal insulation boards. Their main feature is the presence of two layers:

• base – is a heat-insulating material. This could be expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene foam or even polyurethane foam;
• the front layer serves as protection for the insulation from environmental influences, and is also a decorative element. Clinker tiles, marble chips, porcelain tiles and other materials are usually used as the front covering.

It should be noted that these panels do not require installation of a frame, as they are fixed directly to the wall using special fasteners. At the same time, they are connected to each other in a lock, which provides a continuous surface without cold bridges.

The disadvantages of this finishing method include:

• high cost - the price of thermal panels starts from 1000 rubles. for 1m2;
• The vapor permeability of such a coating leaves much to be desired, so you should not decorate a house made of gas silicate or other materials that have a high vapor permeability using this method.

Here, in fact, are all the types of exterior wall decoration that I wanted to introduce you to in this article.

Conclusion

Exterior decoration of a house can be done in different ways and materials. Moreover, it is impossible to say unequivocally that some option is better and some is worse, since they all have their own pros and cons. Therefore, everyone must make their own choice depending on their own wishes, financial capabilities and other factors.

If you have any questions regarding facade finishing, ask them in the comments and I will be happy to answer you.