Many people think that the most important thing in building a house is the walls, the roof, and even communications. Undoubtedly, this is true, but how the house will look from the outside and how it will be protected from external factors is no less important. The facade of the house must be made in such a way that it not only harmonizes with the surrounding area, but protects the supporting structures from moisture, wind, sunlight, and other negative influences. Not every finishing material is able to cope well with the listed problems. Therefore, his choice is one of the priority tasks, which should be solved at the design stage of the house. Currently, there are many finishing materials for facades, each of which has its own characteristics.
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Varieties of facade structures
Facade decoration using various materials
The choice of facade material is primarily determined by what the walls of the house are made of. The very principle of organizing external decoration depends on this factor. What is applicable, for example, to cinder block or foam concrete buildings for wooden houses will not be entirely correct, and sometimes even an unacceptable solution.
By type, facades are conditionally divided into two groups:
- created using building mixtures or "wet"
- made on the basis of various fastening methods: nails, self-tapping screws, anchors, profiles, other devices - the so-called "dry"
If there is space between the walls of the building and the facade material, such a facade is called ventilated, but if the cladding material is attached close to the wall, it is called non-ventilated.
Ventilated dry facade on profiles with insulation
Consider various options for choosing external finishing materials, evaluating their properties.
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This is one of the most popular facade materials, which has long become a classic. It is characterized by good performance, a wide range of colors and shapes. Brick is used to decorate houses of any type.
The method of production, as well as the raw materials from which it is made, determine the group to which this material belongs.
Brick for cladding happens:
- ceramic
- silicate
- hyperpressed
- clinker
Each group has a characteristic set of properties.
ceramic brick
Material with low cost and simplicity. It is made from ordinary clay by firing.
Cladding with ceramic bricks
- long service time
- relative environmental friendliness
- thermal insulation
- soundproofing
- high resistance to sunlight, fire, temperature extremes
- high level of moisture absorption resulting in low frost resistance
- possible destruction due to the use of solutions of the wrong composition
- a relatively large percentage of products with irregular geometry
silicate brick
It is made by heating a mixture of cement and sand. Due to its low cost, it is one of the cheapest.
The use of silicate brick
- high mechanical strength
- cheapness
- correct geometry
- poor thermal insulation
- the level of moisture absorption is 1.5 times higher than that of ceramic
- poor frost resistance
- high density
- not the best decorative qualities
Hyper pressed brick
Obtained by pressing a mixture of cement with shell rock. Outperforms ceramic.
Cladding with hyper-pressed bricks
- durability
- high strength
- frost resistance
- large selection of colors
- poor thermal insulation
- changes color over time, the so-called. "burnout"
- very high density
Clinker brick
It is obtained from special clay when it is pressed and then fired. By the combination of properties it surpasses all types of bricks. Regarding roads. Due to the large weight, as well as the high cost, its “stripped down” version is often used - clinker tiles, which have a smaller thickness.
Clinker brick
- the highest strength among bricks
- durability
- high frost resistance
- temperature resistance
- resistance to aggressive environments
- large selection of colors
- does not need care
- high cost
- high density
- complex installation
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A rock
Natural stone, along with artificial stone, among all facade materials, are among the leaders in terms of reliability and durability. Their decorative qualities are also unrivaled. However, the cost of finishing made of natural stone is very high.
Natural stones include:
- granite
- marble
- limestone
- quartzite
- dolomite
- durability
- high mechanical strength
- aesthetics
- environmental friendliness
- resistance to all natural and man-made impacts
- very high price
- big weight
- installation complexity
- difficulties in creating ventilated facades
Due to the high cost of stone, it is often used to finish only part of the facade., filling the rest of the space with decorative stone.
Facing part of the facade (basement) with natural stone
Decorative stone can be used as an imitation of natural stoneoutwardly practically indistinguishable from him. At the same time, its cost, as well as its weight, is much lower.
It can be mounted either directly on walls using various adhesives, or it can be used to create ventilated facades.
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The use of decorative plasters is the simplest and most common way. not only to give the facade an attractive appearance, but also to take care of the protection of your home.
The market can currently offer a huge selection of compositions for the manufacture of plaster, which differ significantly in color, type of surface obtained, its properties, and cost. In the variety available, there is a material suitable for any wall, able to satisfy the various needs of the buyer.
The use of plaster
- aesthetics
- Huge selection of color options
- the ability to change the color at any time by repainting
- high moisture resistance
- low thermal expansion, which provides protection against temperature extremes
- immunity to sunlight
- low thermal conductivity
- good sound insulation
- ease of finishing
- relatively low price
- cracking over time
- exfoliation of the outer layer
- staining
The following types of plasters are most widely used:
- acrylic
- mineral
- silicate
- silicone
Let's consider them in more detail.
Acrylic plaster
Walls covered with acrylic plaster
The best insulation when using such a finish is polystyrene, but it is better not to use mineral wool with it.
- Acrylic-based compositions have good elasticity
- and almost never crack. Even with wall deformations due to shrinkage or movement foundation there will be no cracks on the "acrylic".
- Such plaster has a sufficiently long durability (from 15 to 20 years), it tolerates temperature extremes well.
- high combustibility
- rapid pollution
- the need for frequent washing
mineral plaster
A more affordable option compared to acrylic, practically the most common way to finish the facade with plaster. It goes well with any building solutions. Can be applied to any insulation.
Finishing with mineral plaster
- high temperature resistance
- fire resistance
- resistance to the spread of mold, as well as other microorganisms
- in addition, this type of plaster has a huge selection of colors. The service life of such plaster is from 10 to 15 years.
- low elasticity. Therefore, it is better not to use it for newly built buildings that have not gone through the shrinkage stage.
silicate plaster
Thanks to the use of potash glass in the production of this plaster, silicate plaster has received a number of unique properties.. Firstly, it is the highest durability (up to 30 years), and secondly, high elasticity. This type of plaster can be applied to the walls of newly built houses, it will not crack during shrinkage.
silicate plaster
- in addition, such plaster has the ability to practically not attract dust, and in case of contamination it is well washed
- it has good resistance to moisture, temperature changes, solar radiation
- fast "grasping"; plaster must be applied very quickly due to the rapid hardening
- requires a primer
- not compatible with all types of insulation (polystyrene, for example, is not suitable for it)
- in addition, silicate plaster has a high price, and the choice of its colors is small
silicone plaster
The best choice for those who are willing to spend money. This type of plaster is devoid of all the disadvantages of the above, however, its price is comparable to finishing with more expensive materials. This plaster is elastic, resistant to temperature, moisture.
It is well applied, and also cleaned of dirt and dust. The price is from 8 to 15 dollars per square meter, which is commensurate with the cost of facing with artificial stone.
Silicone plaster, decorated in the form of a stone
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Various types of tiles
This group of finishing materials includes the following types:
- concrete tile
- ceramic tile
- porcelain stoneware
All of them have a long service life, high strength, resistance to moisture.. This finishing method can be used to create both non-ventilated and ventilated facades, however, the latter option is used more often.
concrete tiles
The composition of concrete tiles includes cement, hard grades of sand (for example, quartz), various additional components.
Production of a ventilated facade from concrete tiles
- low price
- big choice
- strength and rigidity
- poor resistance to temperature changes
- high weight of the tile, making it difficult to "wet" installation
- a large number of cheap tiles with irregular geometry
Ceramic tile
This tile, originally created for interior decoration, has proven itself well for exterior. Recently, only "external" options have appeared, characterized by increased moisture resistance due to a decrease in porosity.
Installation of ceramic facade tiles
It has all the advantages and disadvantages of the type of brick, according to the technology of which it is made.
- The choice of colors, shapes and textures for this type of finish is much greater than that of a similar type of brick
- The lower price as well as the simpler workflow allows the manufacturer to experiment with decoration.
- Unlike concrete tiles with porcelain stoneware, it is excellent for wet and dry installation, as well as for creating facades with and without ventilation
- Outwardly, it looks like a finishing brick, which in fact it is, with the only difference that it has a smaller thickness and, accordingly, less weight.
- No major deficiencies identified
Porcelain stoneware
Unique in its kind tile obtained by cold pressing of clay, quartz sand and feldspar. The strength is commensurate only with granite. In terms of other performance indicators, it is practically not inferior to it.
It is used for both interior and exterior decoration. For facade cladding, it is recommended to choose porcelain stoneware with a thickness of at least 14 mm.
Cladding of a ventilated facade with porcelain stoneware
- durability (up to 100 years)
- absolute moisture resistance; porcelain tile does not absorb moisture at all
- resistance to extreme temperatures
- invariability of appearance depending on age
- a huge variety of colors; the ability to imitate any kind of stone, wood, other materials; multi-color tiles, mosaics and more
- high price
- as well as a lot of weight. The latter means that a strong metal frame with good stability is desirable for mounting tiles.
However, the possibility of "wet" installation of the material remains, only for this you need a special, especially strong glue.
Read also: Popular options for finishing window slopes outside and inside: materials and technologies | (Photo & Video) Siding
This is the most inexpensive and easy-to-install modern facade material.. It has a wide range of choices and wonderful decorative properties. The durability of siding is about 50 years, it well isolates the room from sounds.
Siding. Cheap and cheerful
This material is well combined with other means for facade cladding. It is often used for exterior decoration of auxiliary premises, outbuildings and various MAFs.
Combination of siding and artificial stone
The following types of siding are currently the most popular:
- metal
- vinyl
- wood
- concrete
metal siding
It is made mainly of steel, less often of aluminum (due to the high price)which are covered with a primer and a polymer coating. Cheap siding can just be powder coated. In some cases, galvanizing is used.
metal siding
- high strength and long service life
- ease of installation
- this siding does not burn
- resistant to temperature changes
- easy to install
- vulnerability to moisture, especially if the protective coating is damaged
- poor thermal insulation
- no soundproofing
wood siding
The name speaks for itself. As panels, it uses wood dried and treated with special antibacterial and antifungal compounds.. Most often used in the form of timber or boards. Sometimes used in the form of a slab (the so-called "block house").
Facade decoration under a wooden frame. Block house used
- aesthetics and naturalness
- ease of installation
- good thermal insulation
- relatively short service life
- high price
- flammability
- the need for constant treatment with protective agents against moisture, fungus, bugs, etc.
Vinyl siding
Perhaps the most popular of the finishing materials in domestic construction. In popularity it can compete with mineral plaster. It is made of PVC and can be designed to match any material - stone, wood, metal, brick, etc.
Vinyl siding
- low cost
- relatively long service life
- good resistance to temperature, fire, solar radiation
- light weight
- a large selection of exterior design
- ease of installation and maintenance
- poor heat and sound insulation
- Difficulty in replacing damaged parts
cement siding
It is a successful attempt to apply the idea of siding to decorative stone. Obtained by pressing a mixture of cement and cellulose. According to its characteristics, it is close to a decorative stone.
Installation of cement siding
- strength
- moisture resistance
- high fire resistance
- big weight
- and complexity of installation
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These are multilayer structures consisting of a rigid, most often metal, shell filled with polyurethane foam insulation.. Their surface can have any coloring and texture.
Facade made of sandwich panels
- It is both durable and has a beautiful appearance, as well as good protective properties.
- Sandwich facades are excellent to maintain and easy to repair.
- Separately, it should be noted their almost complete invulnerability to fire and moisture, as well as excellent heat and sound insulating properties.
- The disadvantage of such a facade is one - a high price.
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The choice of finishing material for the facade is a very difficult task, which must take into account the type of house, the climate of the area, and the design features of the site.Not the last role is played by personal preferences and available funds.
But the house, and especially its facade, is not a reason to save money. In this matter, it is better to spend money once, but then not have a lot of problems.
VIDEO: The cost of materials for finishing the facade
The face of your home: finishing materials for facades. Description of the most popular types with their advantages and disadvantages (Photo & Video) + Reviews
