What are the types of house facades? What are the options for finishing the facade in a private house: methods and cost Types of facade decoration.

At the stage of developing a project for a private house, the customer must determine what material will be used to decorate the walls outside. The exterior decoration of the house gives the object a presentable look, but also thermal insulation depends on it. protects the walls from the negative effects of UV rays, moisture, wind, temperature extremes, etc.

There are so many facing materials on the market that the only difficulty is to make the right choice. Someone wants as a result to get a facade that requires a minimum of maintenance, while someone focuses on thermal insulation.

Someone likes natural materials, while others prefer modern and high-tech materials. If you are deciding how to decorate the facade of a house, explore the various exterior cladding options. And our selection will help you with this. So, let's consider what are the facades of houses in general.

The owners of this house believe that it is better to veneer the house with natural stone.

And this is a more budgetary "version" of travertine -:

Warm sand-colored porous shell rock is also perfect as a cladding material:

Over time, its shade becomes darker, but to avoid this, you can cover the surface with a protective varnish. If you are against the use of natural stone, you can tile your house with artificial tiles that repeat the texture of the natural material:

Another option is an easy-to-install artificial flexible stone, which is acrylic plates with an adhesive base:

Facade brick decoration

The brick façade is a classic that is always in vogue. Optionally, you can choose any shade of brick for cladding. For example yellow:

Not quite a brick, this is a foam block with a facing side

Red with clinker:

Very beautiful facing brick facade

You can choose a gray brick shade:

Colored glazed material in one tone:

Facade of a building with glazed ceramic bricks

Or combine different colors in one facade:

Facing facades with porcelain stoneware

Porcelain stoneware is a frost and wear-resistant tile, which includes clay baked at an ultra-high temperature and metal compounds. For facades, the usual one is also used. Thin, in fact, like ordinary, material can be installed on glue directly on the prepared surface or on. The latter option is often used in the construction of high-rise buildings, public buildings, but can also be used for cladding private houses. Ordinary porcelain stoneware:

And thin porcelain stoneware looks richer due to the wide slab format:

Facade cladding with fiber cement panels

You can revet the house with fiber cement panels "like a stone" or "like a tree". Such panels are 90% cement and 10% filler, which determines the texture. The boards are mounted in a "dry" hinged way, on a heater, without the use of adhesive solutions. domestic production: LTM and LATONIT, or others.

House cladding outside with Japanese panels

The use of cement-bonded particle boards () "under the brick"

You can decorate the house from the outside with siding

Siding is the same hinged panels with different textures that imitate natural materials. But, basically, siding mimics wood. from which it is made. Fiber cement siding looks like this:

Metal:

PVC materials:

Facade cladding with wood

If you decide to use natural wood for decoration, you can choose one of the options.

Lining

Better to use larch resistant to the external environment.

Wooden blockhouse

Facade with beveled slats ("") under the blinds

If you do not want to use natural wood, you can, as an option, under a tree.

Panels imitating natural wood

HPL panels on the facade

HPL plastic on the facade of a private house

ROCK panels

External cladding of a facade under a stone or brick

You can choose cladding without insulation or immediately. Don't know how to veneer the facade of a house if you need panels without insulation? Pay attention to the altfacade hinged slabs. This is how the version with the tavertine effect looks like:

How to make the facade of the house, if you need to immediately with insulation - choose thermal panels. For example, for clinker:

Plaster

You can finish the facade of the house with plastering systems. ":

Plaster "bark beetle":

Rain plaster:

Structural "torn" plaster:

Venetian plaster on the facade:

Marbled plaster with marble chips:

Smooth and smooth gypsum plaster:

Can be sheathed with terracotta panels

A combination of several shades:

Combined facade

If you can't decide how best to decorate the walls of the house from the outside, consider combining different materials.

Combined plaster on the facade

Wood plus brick

Stone effect tiles and wood effect panels

Planken plus polished limestone

You can revet the facade of a private house with stained glass structures

The cheaper it is to sheathe a house outside

If you want to finish the facade of your house cheaply, choose plaster or fiber cement.

Gypsum plaster:

Fiber cement facade:

Interesting design idea on the facade

Inexpensive finishing of the facade of the house is also obtained if you choose panels: for example, with or without insulation, siding or artificial stone:

Artificial stone panels can be very affordable

It is cheaper to decorate the facade with Alt-panels than thermal panels with insulation

On the plaster, you can let dark-colored wooden slats, imitating "Fakhkhverk"

House facade decor

To refine the facade of the house, you can use simple design techniques. Decorative stone inserts in the plinth area:

The most beautiful exquisite facade

A canopy above the entrance group decorates the facade

Stone steps complete the facade

You can equip the terrace and glaze it, trim it with wood or decorate it in a Mediterranean style.

When choosing how to sheathe the facade of a house, it is better to be guided by the climatic conditions of the area in which the house is located, the requirements for the stability of the finish, as well as individual stylistic preferences.

If you have made up your mind, it is not a problem to choose methods of facade finishing.

Due to the fact that the modern range of building materials is very wide, many owners of private houses have a natural desire to update the facade of their home, sometimes changing it beyond recognition. However, the problem is precisely that, due to such an abundance of options and their variety, it becomes very difficult to opt for one of the types of finishes.

Therefore, it is worth considering in more detail the most popular finishing materials for the facades of private houses today, so that it is easier to decide which option is most suitable for a particular building. Well, first, you need to decide on a range of criteria that must be met by a high-quality

Façade cladding selection criteria

It is very important to highlight the points that must be paid attention to when determining the material needed for finishing the facade. In short, the main selection criteria are reliability, aesthetics and an affordable price of cladding. Each of these points deserves an extended discussion.

So, for example, you shouldn't save much and dwell on the “absolutely budget” option, that is, to the detriment of the quality of the material. We should not forget that cladding is not only a decor, but also a protective coating for walls, and it must withstand aggressive environmental factors, such as rain and wind, snow and frost, ultraviolet radiation and temperature changes, chemical exposure and dynamic loads.

Not every material is able to withstand the low or high temperatures of certain regions, so it is necessary to take into account the real conditions in which the material will be used.

It will not be possible to veneer the facade of a house at a very cheap price, but it is quite possible to choose the best finishing option with high performance characteristics, which will have a relatively affordable price.

The selection criteria that you should rely on will help not only save some amount, but also clearly highlight certain advantages and disadvantages inherent in certain facade finishes.

First of all, it is worth taking a kind of "excursion" along the surrounding streets and paying attention to the finished, recently finished facades of buildings that have stood at least one or two winters. It is quite possible that this will help determine the material for decoration, or, conversely, categorically refuse some of them. To do this, you should focus on the state of the facades of houses, that is, learn from other people's mistakes, since some finishes show their failure after the first season of operation.

So, the first thing that is usually determined when choosing a material for transforming the walls of a house is the appearance to be created. Here, each owner relies on his own taste, especially since today you can find a large number of finishes on sale, which, moreover, have an affordable price. If a certain material is planned for its external qualities, then before purchasing it, you should familiarize yourself with a row of operational characteristics:

• Moisture resistance of the finish.
• Frost and heat resistance.
• Flammability.
• Tear resistance.
• The strength and durability of the finish is the service life declared by the manufacturer.
• The complexity of installation and the number of auxiliary elements.
• Resistant to fading, i.e. UV radiation.
• Color scale, texture and similarity of finishing with natural material, if its imitation is chosen.
• The cost of material and components.

Then a completely understandable picture will unfold before the buyer, based on which it will already be possible to make a certain choice.

The most popular materials for facade decoration

Today you can find private houses, the facades of which have a variety of facings, mostly imitating. Finishes are made from polyurethane, metal, cement, plaster, clay, as well as composite compounds. Piece products are given various shapes, and some types of finishes are realized in the form of dry mixes or canvases.

So, the list of traditional and innovative materials can be presented as follows:

• Facing brick.
• Facade plaster - ordinary and decorative.
• Siding - "boards" and panels, "block house".
• Ceramic and clinker tiles.
• Sandwich panels.
• Artificial or natural stone.
• Facade wallpaper.

Well, now, it makes sense to consider each of the groups of materials separately and in more detail.

Brick wall decoration

A house built of different materials can be faced with bricks. In fact, another wall is laid out to protect the capital structure. However, for such a finish, it is necessary to strengthen the old foundation by expanding it, or fill in a new tape, tying it to the existing base.

It must be said right away that such a cladding is a laborious and rather expensive process, but the result is not only an aesthetic facade, but also reliable insulated walls. Usually, using this option for finishing the facade, they immediately carry out the insulation of the walls - for this, the gap formed between the main wall and the new brick finish is filled with one of the insulation materials.

Facing brick is somewhat different from the usual building brick in the following features:

• It has a shape with clear geometry and smooth neat edges, which is necessary for high-quality clean masonry.
• manufactured in a wide range of shades, textures, shapes.
• It has increased resistance to external natural influences, so the facing layer is able to reliably protect the structure from the influence of an aggressive environment.
• The finish has the ability to mask all defects that have formed on the main surface over the years of its operation.
• Facing bricks are characterized by increased thermal and frost resistance, excellent strength characteristics, and operational durability.

Facing a house with a brick is rather complicated, and if there is no experience in this work, then it is better not to take on it, but to entrust it to professionals who know all the subtleties of this process.

For laying out such a finish, various types of bricks are used.

• Ceramic bricks are made from clay that has undergone a cleaning cycle by firing at certain temperatures. This type of brick can have different shades depending on the pigment added to it - light ocher, red or even dark brown.

• Silicate bricks are made from sand and lime by autoclaving using steam and high pressure and temperature. This type of product is produced in different shapes and colors. Since its disadvantages are low moisture resistance and heat resistance, it cannot be used for finishing basements of foundations and chimneys.

• made from special types of clay. The formed bricks dry well and then go through a high-temperature firing process. The result is products with the highest moisture and heat resistance. Therefore, such a facing brick can be used for finishing any part of the facade, including the basement.

• Hyper pressed brick produced from shell rock, limestone and cement by pressing under high pressure, without the use of firing. This type of product is distinguished by its characteristic surface, imitating a chip of a wild stone. The facing material has a wide range of colors and various geometric shapes, it has high technical characteristics, so its price is quite high. The cladding from it turns out to be very massive, which would require significant strengthening of the foundation. Usually used for the basement of the facade or for individual decorative inserts

The most affordable price is for ceramic bricks, and the highest for clinker bricks. This can be explained by different production technologies and, accordingly, the characteristics acquired during processing.

In addition, facing bricks can be divided according to the surface texture: it can be smooth, embossed, glazed and engobered.

• Smooth brick

From this material, an even, neat masonry with a matte surface is obtained. Bricks made from any raw material can have a smooth surface.

• Glazed brick

It has a glossy surface and differs from the usual smooth finishing material in that during its manufacture it undergoes additional heat treatment after applying a special coating on its front surface - glaze. The coating can have different shades, and even patterns, it looks rich, but not always appropriate and, in addition, it has a very considerable cost.

• Engobed brick

This is an improved ceramic brick. It differs in that an additional special layer of clay is applied to the formed blocks before firing, and then they are sent for processing at high temperatures. The result is a perfectly smooth brick face with high protective qualities.

• Embossed brick

This option is typical for any type of brick. It differs from the rest by the presence of volumetric patterns located on the butt side of the elements - these can be reliefs named "tree bark", "bark beetle", "turtle", "wild stone chip" and many others.

Facing brick prices

facing brick

Finishing the facade with bricks is a large-scale task!

Not every home craftsman can cope with such a cladding. Nevertheless, it never hurts to learn about the basic technological methods: they are set out in a special publication of our portal. This will help you to really assess your own capabilities.

Facade plasters

Plastering of walls can be called traditional, since it used to cover almost all walls of buildings, built of bricks, blocks and slabs.

But in our time, despite the appearance of other, more modern finishing materials, plaster still does not lose its popularity. That is why manufacturers do not abandon production, but continue to improve, supplying various additives that make mixtures and solutions more plastic, durable and beautiful. In addition, additives in the form of hard inclusions are often included in homogeneous compositions of plaster mixtures, designed to form various relief patterns on the wall.

Modern additives are able not only to make the finish more decorative, but also to qualitatively protect the wall surfaces from destruction under the influence of external natural factors.

Mixes made according to improved technologies are used not only for brick, block, stone and concrete walls, but also for those made of combustible materials that have been subjected to a special treatment before applying decorative finishing. A plaster coat applied to such surfaces can make them more fire resistant and more aesthetically pleasing to withstand external influences.

If it is decided to choose a plaster layer for facade decoration, then it is necessary to clarify on what basis they are made and what characteristics they have. The presented table will help you decide on the choice of this finishing material:

A kind of plaster mixture Illustration Main advantages and disadvantages
MINERAL PLASTERS
The mineral type of plaster is made on the basis of cement and has a fairly high performance - it is resistance to ultraviolet radiation and ozone, good vapor permeability, resistance to high and low temperatures, durability and strength. Subject to the technology of mixing and applying the solution, its operational life is estimated to be up to 50 years. In addition, mineral facing mixtures are not flammable, therefore they will not spread fire. They are environmentally friendly, as they consist of natural raw materials. A layer of 8 ÷ 10 mm of this type of cladding is able to significantly insulate the premises of the house from outside noise. Mineral plasters are compatible with most building materials from which buildings are erected. However, this material has some disadvantages, which include low elasticity and abrasion resistance, as well as high moisture absorption. It should also be noted that such mixtures have a relatively short pot life, so they must be used within one to one and a half hours after preparation, since then the solution begins to set, losing its already low elasticity. In order to slow down the setting of the mixture, lime dough is often added to it, which will significantly increase the elasticity of the mass. If the walls are finished with ordinary mineral plaster, then it will need to be covered with one of the decorative materials, which will entail additional costs. Mineral plasters are produced in a dry mix, which requires mixing, as well as in a paste-like form, ready for use, but the latter has a higher price. This type of plaster is recommended to be applied to the walls of the house after their shrinkage - in this case, the layer will not chip and crack.
ACRYLIC PLASTERS
Acrylic plasters are produced on acrylic and polyvinyl substrates. They are sold in plastic buckets, ready to use. Like other types of plasters, acrylic mix has its own pros and cons. So, its positive qualities include high adhesion, moisture and heat resistance. Due to the high elasticity achieved by special plasticizers, the mass is easily applied and distributed on the surface of the walls, and during operation it does not crack, unlike cement compositions, and does not deform. Therefore, the plastering of the facade can be done before the structure shrinks. Acrylic plaster is used for cladding walls erected from various materials - this is brick, concrete, stone, wood, etc. You should not use this material only for metal surfaces, as they do not interact well with each other. The disadvantages of acrylic coating include its low resistance to ultraviolet light, as it quickly fade under its influence. The service life of this material, in comparison with other types of finishes, is short - it is only 15 ÷ 17 years. Acrylic mixtures tend to set quickly, so the speed of working with them matters. In the absence of experience in plastering, it will be difficult to cope with wall decoration with this material on your own.
SILICATE PLASTERS
Silicate plasters are made on the basis of liquid glass with additives from coloring pigments and mineral fillers. Thanks to these components, the material has excellent performance characteristics. The advantages of silicate mixtures include absolute environmental friendliness, compatibility with almost all surfaces, high strength, water resistance and vapor permeability, resistance to ultraviolet and other natural influences. Liquid glass plasters are electrostatically neutral and therefore do not attract dust. The excellent adhesion of the mixture makes it easy to apply to the surface. In addition, such mixtures are not flammable, therefore they can become a protective layer for heaters with low fire resistance. This finish is used not only for facade, but also for interior work, due to its environmental friendliness and lack of odor. Silicate plasters have an affordable price with high technical characteristics, therefore, if the negative properties of this material do not become an obstacle, it will be the best option for facade cladding. The negative factors of silicate finishing include only two points - it is its quick setting and hardening, as well as the preparation of walls for its application with special primers. In addition, no others will subsequently fall on silicate compositions - even facade paints will be required exclusively on a silicate basis, and they, as a rule, do not differ in the richness of the palette.
SILICONE PLASTERS
Silicone plasters can be called the most reliable and durable finishing materials from this series. They are made on the basis of silicone resins and are sold in plastic buckets, ready to use. The advantages of silicone-based mixtures include high elasticity and excellent adhesion to the prepared surface, resistance to ultraviolet rays - the plaster practically does not fade, vapor permeability and water resistance, the ability to protect wall surfaces from mold, resistance to high and low temperatures, as well as the ability to self-clean under the action of precipitation. Thanks to all the qualities mentioned above, covering the facade with this material is quite durable. The only drawback of the material is that the price is too high, but if you consider that the wall covering does not have to be repaired for a long period, then it will be quite adequate. If there is a desire to repaint the facade in a different color, then it will be quite simple to do this, since any water-soluble coloring compositions are easily applied to this type of plaster.

All described plaster solutions can be supplied with fillers, which are intended to create decorative relief patterns on the surface of the facade walls.

Facade plaster prices

facade plaster

These additives can be granite, lime or marble chips, mica, different-fraction quartz sand, or polymers in the form of granules. It is with the help of these additives that the surface can be made uniformly rough or vertical, horizontal or chaotic grooves can be created on it.

On the same bases, decorative finishes can be made, which create a durable layer of stone chips on the surface. This type of plaster can be purchased ready-made or even made by yourself by adding the selected option of mineral chips to any of the solutions for facade decoration.

Possible components of decorative plaster	Purpose of materials
Cement	Acts as a binder for the rest of the plaster ingredients.
Lime	Lime is an excellent plasticizer that makes the mortar elastic and makes it easier to apply to surfaces and also prolongs the pot life of the mixture.
Stone chips	This additive makes the finish decorative and creates reliable protection for the main wall. Stone chips can have different fractions, ranging from fine powder and up to 5 ÷ 6 mm. The effect of wall cladding will depend on this.
Washed sand	This ingredient is indispensable in cement-based mortars - it gives them strength, provided that the proportions are correctly selected.
Ground mica	This component is required to give the wall surface a reflective effect.
Coloring pigments	They are used as a decorative additive that colors the mixture in the selected color.
Acrylic, liquid glass, silicone resins	These substances are used in expensive mixtures as binders instead of cement.

Decorative embossed plasters - the broadest possibilities of wall decoration!

If the reader has a desire to choose just such a finish, then he can learn more about it in a special article on our portal, completely devoted to application.

Facade siding - "boards" and panels

Siding, due to the variety of types and ease of installation, has won very great popularity among the owners of private houses. This finishing material somewhat resembles lining, but differs from it in that it has a special fastening, which facilitates the installation of "boards" and panels on the front walls.

Can be made of polymer (PVC), wood, metal. The panels are given different colors and most often the lights imitate natural materials.

It is produced in the form of wide and narrow "boards" - lamellas or large-format panels. The cladding elements are mounted horizontally with an overlap, and for this, a perforated strip located in the upper part of the board or panel is used, through which the fixing parts are screwed. This design allows the siding to reliably protect the walls of the house not only from moisture, but also from other influences of an aggressive environment. One of the insulation materials can be installed under this cladding (between the guides of the frame structure).

On a brick or concrete wall, as well as when installing over an insulation material, the siding cladding is fixed to a pre-fixed crate. If a wooden house is being finished, then lamellas and panels can be installed and fixed directly on the walls using wood screws.

The table shows the comparative characteristics of siding from various materials:

Index	Vinyl (acrylic) siding	Metal siding	Wood siding
Lamels (boards)
Panels
Raw materials for the manufacture of cladding	Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)	Galvanized steel or aluminum, polyurethane coating	Natural wood
Installation work temperature	-10 to +35 degrees	Not limited	Not limited
Operating temperatures during operation	-50 to +50 degrees	-50 to +80 degrees	-80 to +80 degrees
Ignition temperature	Non-flammable, melting at + 450 degrees	Non-flammable, deformation occurs at high temperatures	From + 300 degrees
Fire safety	Does not support combustion	Does not support combustion	Combustible
Hygroscopicity	Non-hygroscopic	Non-hygroscopic	Hygroscopic
Sensitivity to temperature extremes	Average	Low	Average
Surface treatment	Not required	Not required	Impregnation with antiseptics and fire retardants
Dyeing	Not required	Not required	Painting, staining, varnishing
Color range	About 20 shades + imitation of the texture of natural materials	More than 100 shades + imitation of the texture of natural materials + decorative dusting.	Various shades of wood
Color restoration	Impossible	Coloring possible	Special coatings possible
Types of surface textures		Smooth, embossed and embossed	Smooth
Use of panels and lamellas of different sizes	Impossible	Impossible	Perhaps
Mounting		Easy to assemble and fix	Quite difficult
Resistance to mechanical stress	High, but becomes brittle at low temperatures	Medium, deformed by impact	High
Scratch resistant	High	Average	High
Sound and thermal insulation	Average	Low	High
Veneer care	Requires cleaning	Easy to clean with water	Maintenance required - cleaning and possibly replacing the coating
The weight	1.8 ÷ 2.25 kg / m2	3.9 ÷ 5.8 kg / m2	Depends on the type and quality of wood.
Cladding thickness	0.7 - 1.2 mm	0.48 - 0.61 mm	20 - 40 mm
Maximum lamella length	up to 3 660 mm	up to 6,000 mm	up to 6,000 mm
Environmental friendliness		Quality is confirmed by certificates	Environmentally friendly natural material
Low	Low	High
Service life with proper installation and maintenance	Up to 50 years old	Up to 50 years old	Up to 50 years old

A type of siding is also a "block house", which is also made in panels and boards from any of the materials mentioned above, but differs in its shape, imitating the surface of a log, therefore, a structure finished with this type of cladding looks like a wooden frame.

Siding prices

Facade tiles

Possesses good performance characteristics. With the advent of modern production technologies, tiles for exterior cladding of houses acquire higher aesthetic indicators and qualities, which extend its service life. A wide range of facade tiles allows you to choose them for every taste and according to the available financial capabilities.

To opt for one of the options for this material, it is worth briefly considering the characteristics of some of the most popular of them.

The name of the tile by the material of manufacture Appearance The main characteristics of the material
A NATURAL STONE
Natural materials always attract with their environmental friendliness and this is significantly different from the facings that imitate them. However, it cannot be said that they "consist" only of merits. The "pluses" of natural finishing include strength and frost resistance, resistance to chemicals, durability, aesthetic and presentable appearance. The disadvantages of natural slabs can outweigh their advantages, since they are quite significant. So - this is a high price for the material itself and its installation. The cladding has a fairly large weight and lower adhesion than artificial materials. The following types of natural stone are used for facade decoration: - Marble and granite of various shades, which has a dense structure and withstands various external influences. - Sandstone, which has a porous structure and is considered a rather soft agglomerate, therefore, during installation on the wall, if necessary, it can be easily cut. Due to the above qualities, as well as a relatively affordable price, it is often used for cladding facades. - Limestone is another stone available for sawing or cutting, but without special processing it is not recommended to use it for outdoor decoration, as it is not resistant to external natural influences. The stone begins to crumble, losing its strength and aesthetic appeal.
FAKE DIAMOND
Artificial stone is an imitation of natural stone tiles and is made from cement, sand, gypsum, acrylic binders and synthetic fibers. In addition, stone chips are added to some of its types. Depending on the material of manufacture, the characteristics of the finishing material may vary. It should be noted right away that the gypsum cladding option is more suitable for interior decoration. Decorative acrylic stone is used for both external and internal wall decoration, as it has high reliability and durability, which is enhanced by the synthetic fibers included in the finishing material. Acrylic is able to withstand mechanical stress, it is non-hygroscopic, does not absorb dirt, and is distinguished by numerous shades, as well as an aesthetic appearance. Decorative facing stone, made on a cement basis, has a more affordable price, unlike other finishes in this series, and, moreover, having high technical characteristics. Concrete stone is excellent for facade work, since products made in compliance with the technology have even higher strength and resistance to external influences than natural stone.
CERAMIC TILES
Ceramic tiles are popular for both indoor and outdoor decoration. This finishing material is made from clay, and the process of its manufacture is almost the same as that of bricks, that is, the tiles are fired for many hours until the clay and additives in the mixture are sintered. The result is an almost non-hygroscopic finishing material. There are several types of tiles, each with a different purpose. Unglazed ceramic tiles with a relief surface that imitate natural stone are most often used for finishing the facade. Ceramic finishes are distinguished by a wide range of colors, aesthetics, as well as resistance to environmental changes and external influences. Correctly laid material will last at least 50 years. It is very important to choose the right glue composition and reliably close the seams between the tiles with grout, since if moisture begins to penetrate into the gaps between them, the cladding will not last long on the wall.
CLINKER TILES
Clinker tiles are also made of clay, but for this, special grades of it and a special high-temperature firing technology are used. The tile imitates natural stone or the surface and shape of a brick, therefore, on the wall, upon completion of the cladding installation, a very reliable imitation of brickwork is obtained, which is almost impossible to distinguish from the real one. The facing material has high strength and durability. Clinker tiles have a number of advantages over conventional ceramic finishing - they are high frost resistance and strength, resistance to mechanical stress, aggressive environment and ultraviolet rays. The disadvantage of this cladding is that it is much more expensive than conventional ceramic tiles.
TERRACOTA TILES
Another option for ceramic facade finishing is terracotta tiles, which are also called "architectural". This material differs in that it is made from already fired kaolin clay without the addition of chemical pigments. Different shades of cladding are achieved by mixing several types of clay, so the palette can vary from light beige to dark brown. The surface of the tiles can be rough or smooth and glazed. The advantages of terracotta finishing are heat resistance up to + 1000 degrees and frost resistance, as well as resistance to temperature extremes, relatively low hygroscopicity, durability, environmental friendliness of the material. The affordable price, which is lower than the cost of clinker and natural stone, allows you to save some amount. The disadvantages of terracotta can only be called the lack of a variety of colors, but its warm ocher and brown shades will fit well into any design solution of the facade.

It is very important to know what to look for when choosing such a finish for the facade, since the recommendations will help you to purchase high-quality material that will be easier to mount on the wall, and during operation - to keep it in proper form.

• Exterior tiles can be grooved or smooth. Smooth surfaces are easier to maintain compared to embossed versions, as they practically do not retain dirt.
• When buying finishing tiles, it is imperative to check all packages, since the material must be from the same batch. In the case of purchasing cladding from different batches, the tiles may have different shades, therefore it is recommended to mix elements from different batches in order to achieve uniformity of the facade color.
• The products should not have any defects - cavities and cracks.
• When choosing a cladding, you should pay attention to the service life declared by the manufacturer, as well as "estimate" the cost of the annual maintenance of the finish, which includes cleaning and treatment with protective agents.

Facade finishing panels

Facade panels are one of the most demanded and original finishes, as they can be selected for every taste. Many of them are also distinguished by the ease of installation on the walls.

Such cladding is made from different materials - plastic, metal, fiber cement, a composite of sand and polymers, wood and even glass. Convenience also lies in the fact that the panels are made not only in different formats, but also with a different number of layers. An insulating layer is provided in multilayer panels, therefore, revealing the facade with them, it is possible to solve two problems at once - insulation and decorative finishing.

Facade panels are assembled on the wall into a single covering, which is able to protect the building from various external influences. The panels, as a rule, are relatively light in weight, so it is quite possible to revet the walls of an old house, built of any materials, with them.

Type of panels by material of manufacture Appearance Main characteristics of panels
POLYMER SAND PANELS
Polymer sand panels are made from polymers, sand and pigments that give the facing the desired shade. This finishing material is perfect for decorating facades, fences, balconies and balconies, as well as for stoves and fireplaces. The panels are manufactured by pressing and firing at a temperature of 1200 degrees, which brings the components to sintering into a single mass. Thanks to this technology, the cladding acquires high strength and durability, low hygroscopicity, resistance to chemical compounds, and high wear resistance. The panels are lightweight, easily assembled into a single structure and do not require reinforcement of the foundation, therefore, wall cladding with them can be done independently. Polymer sand slabs increase the thermal insulation of walls, perfectly hide their flaws, while leveling the surface. The panels are produced in a wide range of colors and can have different relief patterns and sizes - they can be combined with other finishing materials, for example, with decorative plasters. The facing material is resistant not only to high, but also to low temperatures, which can be -60 ÷ 65 degrees. It is easy to look after such a cladding, since all impurities are easily washed off with plain water. These panels are in perfect harmony with the tiled roof, as they are painted in shades close to it. Polymer-sand panels can be single-layer, and they are also used in the manufacture of thermal panels, mounting with an external decorative layer.
METAL PANELS
Metal panels are made of galvanized steel or aluminum. They can have a smooth or profiled surface with a polymer coating that protects the metal from corrosion and gives the cladding an aesthetic appearance. The metal used for the production of this type of cladding can have different thicknesses, starting from 0.55 mm. For metal coating, polymers are used - pural, polyester and plastisol, which give the surface a glossy or matte sheen. Metal panels are characterized by a long service life of over 30 years, resistance to low temperatures, corrosion, alkalis and acids. The material is characterized by absolute nonflammability, shock and water resistance, a variety of colors, ease of installation and operating temperatures, leaving the range from -45 to +50 degrees. The disadvantages of such cladding include the fact that it does not create any thermal insulation for the walls. Therefore, if the surfaces need to be insulated, you will have to purchase additional insulation material.
VINYL PANELS
Facade panels made of polyvinyl chloride have gained the greatest popularity among owners, as they have an aesthetic appearance, a variety of relief surface patterns, and at the same time, they have a very affordable price. Products are easily assembled together into a single facing using a latch lock, and are fixed to the wall with self-tapping screws. Other positive qualities of vinyl panels include durability (30 and more years), low flammability - G1, good water resistance, inertness to biological and corrosive decomposition, low weight of facing plates, which is only 5 kg / m², resistance to ultraviolet radiation, low thermal conductivity ... Vinyl plates also have their drawbacks. At low temperatures, the material becomes brittle, and if mechanical stress is applied to it, the plates can be damaged.
DOUBLE-LAYER THERMAL PANELS
Two-layer wall thermal panels consist of an outer decorative layer, which is made of metal, polymer composition (for example, polyurethane), clinker tiles or decorative concrete, as well as an insulating polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam layer with a thickness of 40 to 100 mm. Due to the multi-layer panels and the special assembly design, such cladding perfectly insulates the walls with heat and sound. The advantages of thermal panels can be considered a long service life of 30 to 50 years, resistance to low temperatures, to external influences. This type has a low thermal conductivity and high moisture resistance, low weight and a wide temperature range that varies from -50 to +100 degrees. The panels are easy to wall mount and require little or no maintenance. The disadvantages of thermal panels include the instability of the insulation material to open fire, therefore it is recommended to purchase a finish in which extruded polyurethane foam is used as a heater, since it tends to self-extinguish.
SANDWICH PANELS
Another option for a facade insulating cladding material are sandwich panels, consisting of three layers, two of which are made of different materials - it can be PVC, fiberboard, magnesia plate or galvanized metal with a polymer paint coating. Between the outer sheets there is a plate of insulation material - mineral wool, polyurethane foam or expanded polystyrene of different densities. This type of facade cladding perfectly protects the walls from wind and low temperatures, and also provides them with good sound insulation. In terms of thermal conductivity, a sandwich panel with a thickness of 100 mm corresponds to the same quality of cinder concrete with a thickness of 950 mm, brick - 1400 mm, aerated concrete - 600 mm. Therefore, this facing material is well suited for the facades of houses located in regions with a harsh climate. Sandwich panels are mounted according to the groove-and-thorn principle, therefore they create an airtight coating for the facade.
FIBER CEMENT PANELS
Fiber cement panels are made from cement, mineral fillers and cellulose fibers - the latter make up about 10% of the total volume of the mixture and are an effective reinforcing additive. Panels made of this material are great for decorating walls not only for new, but also for old houses, as they have a relatively low weight due to the hollowness of their structure. Plates are fixed on a crate pre-installed on the wall from a metal profile and a wooden bar treated with a special primer. Slabs are often connected to each other using a tongue-and-groove lock. The surface of the panels can have different relief patterns that imitate brick or masonry, wood texture. A protective polyurethane or acrylic coating is applied to the top of the relief, and in some versions the surface is finished with a layer of stone chips. The thickness of fiber cement panels can vary in the range of 8 ÷ 15 mm, and their specific weight - 16 ÷ 30 kg / m². The "pluses" of this type of facing material include a long service life of 25-30 years, high resistance to ultraviolet light, since the substances that make up the material of the plates have the properties of absorbing sunlight, high heat resistance and frost resistance, inertness to biological and corrosive decomposition, absolute incombustibility, low thermal conductivity, good sound absorption and environmental friendliness of the finish. Fiber cement panels have their own "disadvantages" - this is a fairly high hygroscopicity, reaching 7%, which can lead to deformation processes of the slabs, low impact resistance of the cladding, and also the fact that some of the models of slabs do not have a coating and require painting, which is associated with additional costs.
GLASS PANELS
Glass facade panels are rarely used in private construction - they are mainly used for office buildings or supermarkets, therefore, such cladding is classified as a representative class. However, sometimes such a finish is still used for individual sections of the facades of private houses. For facade panels, different types of glass are produced, which differ in shock resistance (class A), designed to protect against vandalism and burglary (class B), bulletproof glass (class B). Except for these options. tempered, reinforced, laminated (triplex) glass is used. Reinforced glass has a thickness of up to 6 mm and can be primed and painted in any shade, as well as have a decorative pattern on the surface. In addition, glass can be mirrored, frosted, opaque and transparent. Foamed glass granulate boards are one of the varieties of this type of panel. They are reinforced with fiberglass mesh on both sides and are 26 mm thick. On the surface of these panels, glass can be fixed with a color, or they can be decorated with stone chips with a fraction of up to 6 mm, metal plates up to 2 mm thick, which imitate precious metals. Crystallized panels are another type of glass facade slabs. This option is made from inorganic substances, and the creation of a crystallized glass panel occurs in close to natural processes of granite formation. Therefore, the technical characteristics of these panels sometimes exceed those of granite and marble. The "pluses" of glass panels include low thermal conductivity, high sound insulation, especially in laminated versions, since they have a sound-absorbing effect. Tinted glass panels reduce the influence of ultraviolet radiation on the premises inside the house, and mirrored plates reflect the sun's rays, preventing the rooms inside the building from heating up. Corrugated glass with a metal oxide coating is also an excellent reflector. The disadvantages of glass panels can be considered the complexity of the calculation and installation of the structure, as well as the high price for drawing up the project. Glass panels are mounted on an aluminum profile frame in three ways. The transom façade (classic) consists of an internal frame assembled from transoms and an external profile, clamps and decorative covers. Frameless facade (structural). When installing the facade in this way, the frame is not installed, and the glass is glued to the aluminum frame profiles from the outside. This structure is one of the façade units - a cassette, from which all or part of the wall is mounted. The cassettes are mechanically fastened to each other through the holes provided in the aluminum frame. From the outside, the joints between the cassettes are sealed with a sealant similar in appearance and properties to the glass structure. The spider facade has the most original glazing, but it is most often used in the construction of public buildings.

Facade wallpaper

Facade wallpaper is a new type of exterior decoration of buildings that has recently appeared on the Russian construction market. The most famous products are the products of the German company "Erfurt".

Despite the fact that the material has not yet gained wide popularity, many builders have already appreciated the convenience of working with it. It is very convenient that the wallpaper is realized in combination with all the components necessary for installation - these are the canvases themselves in rolls, profiles with a reinforcing mesh, special glue designed specifically for this material, as well as paint for the final stage of work.

So, in order to have an idea of ​​what this kit is, it is worth considering each of its components.

• Facade wallpaper canvas

Facade wallpapers are supplied in rolls 710 mm wide and 20 meters long. The cloth is made of synthetic fibers, but does not contain polyvinyl chloride, formaldehyde, heavy metal compounds and plasticizers. Therefore, the material is safe for both humans and the environment.

In addition to the environmental friendliness of facade wallpaper, they also have a number of positive qualities, such as resistance to ultraviolet rays, temperature extremes, vapor permeability and frost resistance. On the canvases, one or another textured pattern is usually clearly visible.

• Reinforcing adhesive

The second most important component of the system is an acrylic copolymer-based reinforcing adhesive. The composition of this glue has a fairly thick consistency, so it is able to hide minor flaws on the wall surface.

The adhesive mass is quite elastic and well compatible with the cement base, therefore it is easy to work with it, and after drying it becomes resistant to external natural influences such as rain, snow, wind, and sun rays. The glue is applied to the prepared base using a roller, and if the mass becomes too thick, it is quite possible to dilute it with water.

• Reinforcing mesh profiles

These elements, equipped with a reinforcing mesh, are necessary when gluing facade wallpaper, since their purpose is to fasten the canvases at joints, corners, abutments, etc., creating a monolithic covering on the wall.

So, the kit should include:

- the starting (closing) profile, shown in the lower figure, is installed horizontally along the lower and upper parts of the wall, as well as on the sides of the surface to be pasted and at the joints of the canvases, where the element is mounted vertically;

- the corner profile is designed to strengthen the corner parts of the facade walls, including on the slopes of door and window openings, as well as to create their clear lines.

These elements are mounted on the walls using the same glue that is used for gluing wallpaper sheets.

• Facade wallpaper paint

The final stage of finishing is painting the facade wallpaper in the selected color. Experts recommend using Alligator brand facade paint, which is reinforced with silicone resins, has a high diffusion rate, without creating stress on the pasted wallpaper. In addition, thanks to the Guard technologies, where fungicidal and algicidal additives are used, such paint is able to protect the base on which it is applied from any biological damage.

The paint has good hiding power, which is achieved even with a thin layer. The dried paint layer takes the form of a mineral matte coating, which is highly resistant to moisture, including heavy rain.

It should be noted that such paints are widely used for restoration work during the reconstruction of architectural monuments - and this speaks volumes!

Advantages of facade wallpaper

This type of decoration, quite unusual in our terms, has many advantages over other facade materials:

• Durability of finishing - the manufacturer guarantees a 30-year service life.
• Walls covered with facade wallpaper look like ordinary smooth or embossed plaster, but unlike it, cracks will never appear on the surface.
• A fairly simple installation of the coating compared to tidying up the walls with the help of plaster compounds. Before gluing the wallpaper to the surface of the facade, it does not need to be carefully leveled - this work will be done by the glue applied under the wallpaper. The only thing that needs to be done is to seal the cracks with elastic sealants.

Facade wallpaper can be called a unique material that can create a high-quality aesthetic and reliable coating for the walls of a house in German. Of course, such a finish has a great future.

For those who are interested in this innovative method of facade finishing, it will be useful to watch the presentation video:

Video: State-of-the-art building technology - Erfurt façade wallpaper

So, having familiarized yourself with the numerous materials intended for, you can choose the appropriate option. Having stopped at one of them and having found out its cost, it is necessary to immediately calculate all the additional elements for its installation, and only after that it will be possible to estimate the approximate scale of the forthcoming costs. It should be borne in mind that components, alas, sometimes run up at a price up to an amount comparable to the cost of the main finishing material.

The choice of material and technology for finishing the facade of the house should be at the design stage. The modern market offers a lot of different materials, so it will not be difficult to equip the facade in accordance with a certain budget or design idea. When choosing a material for finishing the facade of a private house, two of the most important factors should be taken into account. Firstly, the house must be in harmony with the surrounding area, look aesthetically pleasing and in accordance with the tastes of the owner. Secondly, the facade material should become a protection for the house, playing the role of additional insulation and sound insulator, as well as protecting the supporting structures from moisture, sunlight and other negative influences. Not every finishing material will cope with the tasks, so we will focus on the best options.

Types of facade structures

Among other things, when choosing a facade material, it is necessary to take into account what the building is made of; the principle of organizing the facade decoration may depend on this. For example, for wooden houses, it is advised to equip a ventilated facade.

It is customary to divide the facades into the following types:

Depending on whether there is a gap between the outer wall of the house and the finishing material, the facades are divided into:

• ventilated;
• unventilated.

Ventilated facade

Ventilated facades assume the presence of a ventilation gap between the facade material and the wall, or, if used. The gap is necessary for free air circulation and removal of excess moisture that condenses or leaves the house through the walls. At the same time, the material of the ceiling wall remains completely protected from all atmospheric influences. It is better to equip such a facade when the walls are breathing. involves the installation of finishing material directly to the wall. Sometimes facades are simply classified into ventilated and "wet", although this is not entirely correct.

Now we can move on to materials that are widely used in the decoration of the facade of a private house.

# 1. Facade plaster

No. 3. Facing brick

Among the most popular materials for facade decoration has always been and is. Of course, for these purposes, not an ordinary building one is used, but a special decorative one, which is called.

Ceramic brick

Ceramic bricks made from clay by firing it are familiar to each of us. Its facing variety is striking in a wide variety of colors and textures, but this is not the only advantage of the material.

Advantages:

• durability;
• environmental friendliness;
• good sound and heat insulation characteristics;
• resistance to temperature extremes, sunlight, fire;
• relative cheapness.

disadvantages:

Hyper pressed brick

Such material is obtained by using shell rock and some special additives by the method of semi-dry pressing. Outwardly, it resembles a ceramic brick, but in many respects it is ahead of it.

Advantages:

• durability and strength;
• good geometry;
• frost resistance;
• a large assortment;
• ease of processing.

The water absorption of such a brick is at an average level - about 5-6%, and the obvious disadvantages of the material include high thermal conductivity, the ability to change color over time and a large weight, which affects transportation.

Silicate brick

Facing silicate brick is made from a cement-sand mixture by autoclaving, special additives can be used. Due to the simplicity of production and the low cost of raw materials, silicate brick is considered one of the most affordable materials among other types of bricks.

Advantages:

• high strength;
• precise geometry;
• environmental friendliness;
• good soundproofing qualities;
• low price.

disadvantages:

No. 4. Facade porcelain stoneware

Advantages:

• durability;
• the widest assortment. You can find tiles of any size, color and texture, as well as imitating stone, brick and other materials;
• resistance to negative environmental factors;
• fire resistance;
• relatively light weight.

The tiles can be installed both "wet" and by equipping the ventilated facade.

No. 6. Concrete facade tiles

The material is made on the basis of cement, quartz sand, filler and additives.

Advantages:

• durability and moisture resistance;
• strength and rigidity;
• big choice;
• relatively low price.

disadvantages:

No. 7. Decorative siding

Siding is one of the most inexpensive, easy to use and modern materials for the facade of the house. It has excellent decorative qualities, is sold in a wide range, boasts a decent durability (up to 50 years), excellent sound and heat insulation qualities. You can revet any surface with siding and even refine a long-built house.

The main types of decorative siding:

• vinyl;
• wood;
• metal;
• cement.

Vinyl siding

Made of polyvinyl chloride, it can imitate stone, brick, wood and other natural materials. - one of the most popular materials for cladding facades, it is most often used in domestic private construction.

Advantages:

Often, resistance to mechanical damage is also attributed to the advantages, but a strong blow can destroy the integrity of the material. Among disadvantages a large coefficient of linear expansion, which must be taken into account during installation, low thermal insulation qualities and the difficulty of replacing a damaged element in the event of repair.

Separately, it is worth highlighting basement siding... It is completely identical to vinyl, but differs in increased thickness: 3.5 mm versus 0.7-1.2 for conventional PVC siding. Due to this, resistance to mechanical damage is increased, which makes the material one of the best in terms of price and quality ratio for.

Wood siding

Metal siding

It is made of aluminum or steel, which are covered with a layer of primer and polymer coating. in private construction it is rarely used due to the high price. For cladding a house, they are better suited steel sheets with zinc protective layer and polymer or powder coating.

Advantages:

• strength;
• durability (up to 50 years);
• resistance to temperature extremes;
• incombustibility;
• resistance to any weather whims;
• high aesthetics;
• relative ease of installation.

In addition, metal siding is resistant to corrosion due to protective coatings, but if such a coating is damaged, it is worth waiting for the appearance of rust. Naturally, there is no need to talk about heat and sound insulation qualities.

Cement siding

The material is obtained by mixing and pressing cellulose and cement fibers. Cement siding, in terms of its decorative and operational qualities, can replace stone.

Advantages:

• high strength;
• resistance to precipitation, sunlight, high and low temperatures;
• fire resistance.

Among cons large weight, complexity of installation, high cost and insufficiently wide choice of colors and textures.

No. 8. Sandwich panels

They are a multilayer material consisting of two layers of rigid material (usually metal) and a layer of insulation between them. All this "sandwich" is connected by hot pressing, the surface of the panels can be smooth, embossed or decorative.

Advantages:

The only drawback is the high price.

No. 9. Facade cassettes

Today, metal facade cassettes are widely used for cladding the facades of administrative buildings, but recently they are also used in private construction. The material is easily recognizable by its characteristic appearance: these are square or rectangular elements made of metal (steel, aluminum, less often copper) with a polymer coating.

Advantages:

• high reliability and durability;
• aesthetics;
• a large selection of standard sizes and colors;
• resistance to negative environmental factors and fire.

Metal cassettes can be used for cladding old and only erected buildings, they are mounted on a frame. The only negative is the high price.

No. 10. New and uncirculated materials

In addition to those materials that have already become traditional in the field of facade cladding, there are more innovative and in some ways even more progressive. The most interesting of them:

• concrete siding... It is made from cement, sand and dyes. The material has an excellent appearance and a pleasant rough surface, it is durable, but heavy enough, therefore, it will require strengthening;
• clinker thermal panels consist of ordinary clinker tiles and a fused layer of expanded polystyrene, which is an excellent insulation. With external attractiveness, such a finish becomes an additional heat insulator. The disadvantage is the high price;
  
• glass panels- a popular option for shopping centers and office buildings. Suitable for arranging a private house only if you like bold decisions.
  

The choice of finishing material for the facade should be preceded by a multivariate analysis, including the climatic characteristics of the region, the type of house, the style of the site, personal preferences, wall material, own requirements and preferences. Fortunately, there is plenty to choose from.

Cladding materials for the facade of the building play a protective and decorative role. They make it possible to make the building not only attractive and respectable, but also to improve its operational characteristics. Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages, as well as features of the most popular materials for outdoor decoration.

Requirements and norms

Today on the construction market there are many facade materials that differ in composition, properties, and appearance.

In this regard, it is important to decide what kind of material is suitable for a particular structure.

When choosing a material, you should consider the following criteria for its assessment:

• strength, reliability (the facade of the house is subject to heavy loads, including mechanical damage, so the coating must withstand them);
• moisture resistance (on how much the compositions for decorating a house are able to withstand moisture, its operational characteristics, appearance and durability depend);
• fire resistance (the ideal material for finishing is non-combustible, although this is quite rare, therefore it is important to at least exclude spontaneous combustion and the release of toxins during combustion);
• weather resistance (that is, resistance to environmental factors, primarily UV rays);
• windproof properties of the material (an important criterion when choosing hinged panels and slabs mounted on modern buildings; the effect is achieved by means of a special locking fastening);

• frost resistance (the ability of the coating to withstand freezing and defrosting cycles without losing the geometry of the material and performance);
• biostability (the ability to withstand the effects of pests, rodents, the absence of mold and mildew on the surface);
• environmental friendliness (one of the most important criteria for finishing materials when facing a country house or any room that involves people living or staying in it for a long time);
• long service life (a rare owner dreams of changing the cladding every 2-5 years, so modern facade materials are designed for 20-100 years of service);
• ease of maintenance (most hinged materials do not require constant maintenance and even have the ability to self-clean, others, such as wood, imply regular impregnation with special compounds).

If we talk about aesthetic criteria, then this is, of course, an attractive appearance. Today's claddings and boards are distinguished by a variety of designs and textures (a further review of examples of exteriors is a convincing confirmation of this). Separately, it is worth highlighting panels that imitate natural surfaces (stone, brick, wood, plaster). Modern technologies make it possible to produce them as close as possible in their color and texture to natural materials.

At times, imitation cannot be determined even upon closer inspection.

Exterior decoration

The material used for finishing determines the methods of its installation, and therefore the following cladding options are distinguished:

• wet (building mixtures are used);
• dry (finishing materials are fastened with bolts, dowels and other fasteners).

Depending on whether a small air space remains between the facade and the wall, the facades are distinguished:

• ventilated (assume a gap between the material and the wall or insulation, necessary for air circulation and the removal of excess moisture);
• non-ventilated (the material is attached directly to the wall).

The material for external processing, like the type of facade, is determined by the characteristics of the structure. For example, for a house made of foam blocks, the optimal facing materials will be brick, stone or facade tiles, in other words, hinged systems, composite material and traditional cladding.

For frame country houses, it is better to use sheet sheathing options. Galvanized profiled sheet will provide additional support for the structure, but it will not require additional strengthening of the foundation.

It is important to correctly combine insulation and cladding materials. The main rule is that one of the components must be non-flammable. So, for fiber cement non-combustible plates, you can use mineral wool insulation. It is not recommended to use them in combination with vinyl siding.

Wet and light plaster

Decorative plaster allows you to create an externally expensive, aesthetically attractive and original facade, which can be painted if desired. It is an environmentally friendly material that allows the walls to "breathe". Suitable for ventilated facades, however, the building needs high-quality internal sound and thermal insulation, since plaster does not provide insulation and noise protection. All types of plasters tolerate temperature changes well, they are not afraid of moisture and direct sunlight.

The disadvantages of the material are the complexity of application, the need for careful preparation of the walls (leveling, preliminary antiseptic treatment, application of primers). If the installation technology is not followed, cracking and peeling of the plastered layer is possible.

There are the following types of plaster.

• Mineral. The type of plaster, which is the cheapest one to finish walls, which makes it widespread.

Of the obvious features - absolute incombustibility, which allows you to combine the material with flammable insulation.

Suitable for all types of surfaces, but has low elasticity. This causes cracks to appear when the building shrinks, which is why it is not suitable for newly built buildings. The average service life is 12-15 years.

• Acrylic. It is characterized by high elasticity, and therefore is suitable for decorating walls even in newly built buildings. Possessing higher indicators of strength and moisture resistance, it demonstrates a longer, up to 18 years, period of operation. The disadvantage of an acrylic mixture is its flammability, so it should not be used in combination with combustible insulation materials, for example, mineral wool. Usually it is combined with foam insulation materials. In addition, the surface attracts dust, and washing it is unacceptable. You have to either regularly clean and care for the facade, or be prepared for the fact that it will quickly lose its visual appeal.

• Silicate. A material with excellent performance properties, including high elasticity, dust and dirt repellency, rain self-cleaning ability and long service life. The latter reaches 30 years old. Such characteristics are explained by the presence of potash glass in the composition. A feature of the material is its rapid solidification, therefore, it is necessary to apply plaster promptly, a team of specialists will be required. In addition, a special primer is required under it, which also increases the cost of installation work. The price for the mixture is also rather big.

• Silicone. The material, which has practically no flaws, like all types of plasters, the composition tolerates heat and frost, temperature "jumps", exposure to moisture and direct UV rays, is environmentally friendly and vapor permeable. Moreover, it is characterized by strength and increased wear resistance, non-flammable, combined with all types of surfaces and insulation. The disadvantage is the high cost, which, however, is offset by the increased technical characteristics of the mixture.

Suspended structures

Suspended structures involve the use of a lathing on which the finishing material is mounted. This method is gaining more and more popularity, since it allows you to create a ventilated facade, use insulation of the required thickness.

Thanks to the lathing, it is possible to hide irregularities and minor defects in the walls, and to carry out installation even at negative temperatures.

The lathing is usually made from timber or metal profiles. The latter option is preferable, since it does not require pretreatment of the elements of the sheathing with fire retardants and similar compositions for wood.

Siding is considered a type of suspended structures. It is a panel similar in size to the size of the boards. At the same time, the material has special grooves and locking systems, due to which it is assembled like a children's designer. This type of installation allows you to make it simple and efficient, it is possible to carry out installation work all year round. The material has improved performance properties, including hydro-wind protection.

The sizes and designs of the material are very diverse. It can be both colored models (bright glossy or quieter, neutral matte panels), and imitation of the texture of any natural material (brick, stone, wood). The material is easy to clean - most surfaces have a self-cleaning function. Wet cleaning of coatings is possible.

There are the following main types of siding panels.

• Plastic. It is based on PVC, as well as various modifiers and pigments. Such panels are strong enough, but with increased mechanical stress (shock) they can crack. The material is moisture resistant, withstands high and low temperatures, their abrupt change, and is resistant to UV protection.

Light weight (up to 5 kg / sq. M) does not require strengthening of the foundation. The disadvantage is the low rate of fire safety.

• Metallic. Metal siding is based on aluminum or galvanized steel profiles. Metal siding is characterized by a large margin of safety compared to the PVC analogue. The features of the technologies used, including special impregnation, provide anti-corrosion protection of the material, and with it durability. It also demonstrates high weather resistance, but is used only on reinforced substrates due to the increased weight of the material.

• Wooden. A wooden profile is a board or profile that has been dried and treated with antiseptics. The material is completely environmentally friendly, vapor permeable, has high thermal insulation performance, and is resistant to high temperatures.

Natural wood trim looks elegant and noble.

However, despite the processing of wooden panels with special compounds, their service life is short. During operation, siding requires regular maintenance.

• Fiber cement. The panels are made from cement mortar and dried cellulose, resulting in a durable, wear-resistant material with increased sound and heat insulation characteristics. Among the advantages are impact resistance, weather resistance, preservation of the shade of the panels even under the influence of direct sunlight, thanks to ceramic spraying, high moisture resistance. The composition of the material determines its high weight (up to 25 kg / sq. M), which makes it possible to use it only on reinforced foundations.

Separately, it is necessary to highlight the basement siding, intended for cladding the lower part of the building. It has a greater thickness of profiles, better weather resistance and moisture resistance, resistance to mechanical damage. This is due to the fact that the basement of the house is more often than others exposed to shocks and other damage, freezing, moisture and other negative environmental factors.

Basement siding is rather rectangular panels. Their width is usually equal to the height of the basement and starts from 60 cm. This leads to ease of installation.

Facade panels have some similarities, in terms of fastening and possible materials used for manufacturing, with siding. They can be square or rectangular in various dimensions. Some slabs contain insulation. The multi-layer panels provide their high performance properties.

Another popular hinged type material is sandwich panels. They represent a "sandwich" in which the "middle" of the insulation is laid between 2 layers of rigid material (usually metal). The strength and durability of the structure is ensured by using the hot pressing method. The front side of the "sandwich" can be painted in any shade, be smooth or have a relief.

Sandwich panels are highly resistant to fire and moisture, exhibit excellent thermal insulation properties with low weight. The material is easy to install, and if a separate area is damaged, only it can be replaced without going through the entire facade.

Ventilated facades can also be created using facade cassettes.

If earlier they were used for cladding office buildings, now they are used to decorate private buildings as well. This is due to the durability and reliability of the material, its weather resistance. Externally, the cassettes are squares and rectangles of aluminum, steel, less often copper, covered with a protective polymer layer. The size and design of cassettes may vary.

Cladding materials: pros and cons

Each of the materials presented has specific advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, even within the same type, materials can have polar characteristics according to a certain criterion. For example, fiber cement and metal siding are nonflammable, while plastic siding is not highly fireproof.

When choosing a material, one should focus not only on the pros and cons of the material, but also on the structural features. So, for a wooden and log house, it is better to choose ventilated facades. In this regard, even the most high-quality and expensive plaster will be inferior in its characteristics to siding or cladding panels.

But brick or stone buildings (which are environmentally friendly in themselves) are preferable to decorate the outside with decorative plaster. Being completely natural, it helps to remove moisture from the building, keep warm in cold seasons and create pleasant coolness in hot weather.

It is also important to take into account climatic conditions. For example, wood trim, which has a number of advantages, will quickly deteriorate in coastal areas. It is better to sheathe the house with panels or slabs. This waterproof material will withstand squally gusts of wind and will literally repel moisture.

Modern facing material must be moisture resistant. Some surfaces (plaster, siding and panels, clinker tiles) have low moisture absorption, while others (most types of bricks) cannot boast of similar characteristics.

The moisture resistance of the material directly affects how the facade withstands frost. With high moisture absorption, moisture accumulates in the pores of the coating, which freezes and expands at low temperatures.

As a result, the surface becomes covered with cracks, the performance properties of the cladding are lost, and its appearance suffers.

Clinker tiles

Visually, the material is a brick of the correct shape. The material is based on shale clay subjected to high-temperature firing. In the process of the latter, the clay changes its yellowish tint to terracotta, brown, beige (depending on the initial state of the clay and the characteristics of the technologies used).

The main feature of clinker is its increased strength, frost and earthquake resistance. The advantages of the material are also high indicators of moisture resistance, resistance to temperature extremes, environmental friendliness, and a variety of choices. It is suitable for the design of ventilated building facades and has a fairly high cost. However, the price range is wide enough: from premium models to economy versions.

In addition to clinker tiles, there are ceramic and concrete tiles. They are characterized by strength, wear resistance and low moisture absorption. Concrete tiles do not tolerate temperature extremes, may have disturbed geometry, and have considerable weight. Ceramic tiles are suitable for both dry and wet installation.

Natural and artificial stone

Stone cladding is strong and durable. When choosing a natural stone, this should be done taking into account the climatic conditions. So, marble is unsuitable for regions with high humidity, while limestone is not used in areas with a harsh climate.

Natural stone undergoes complex processing, including its purification, elimination of the radiation background, giving the desired shape. Naturally, all this affects the cost of the finished product, which is very high. The large weight of the material necessarily requires strengthening the foundation. It is worth noting that buildings decorated with natural stone look respectable, and such a facade can last up to 100 years. True, with regular care.

Today, those who want to decorate their home with marble stone are increasingly using an artificial analogue. In terms of its strength and durability, this material is not much inferior to the natural mineral, but at the same time it has a lower cost and lighter weight, and easier installation. Artificial stone is based on polyester resins, modifiers and pigments, as well as fine-grained stone chips.

The latter ensures the strength and attractive appearance of the material, and the resin provides its increased moisture resistance, high antibacterial properties, and the ability to self-cleaning.

As for the appearance, the material imitates any stone surface. At the same time, it is not always possible to detect a "substitution" even on closer examination - the color and texture are so close to the shade and structure of natural stone. Aerated concrete or brick wall is usually hidden under the finish, less often - wooden surfaces.

Brick

It contains only natural ingredients, so you can confidently declare its environmental friendliness. Moreover, the presence of micropores in the material allows the walls to "breathe", which contributes to the creation of a favorable climate in the building. In addition, the material is not afraid of frost, and retains its resistance to UV exposure for a fairly long time.

Using different types of bricks and their masonry, it is possible to create original and unique facades. A big plus: if a fragment of the facade is damaged, spot repairs can be made. Bricklaying is a rather laborious process that requires a professional approach. It is also important to use it only on a reinforced foundation and after carefully waterproofing the basement. Of the significant disadvantages is the low heat capacity.

Brick can differ in composition and production methodology, and therefore it is customary to distinguish the following types of it.

• Clinker. The basis of the brick is plastic clay, which is fired and pressed. If we talk about the technical properties of the material, then it is the best among other types of bricks. The clinker modification is characterized by high mechanical strength, heat resistance and resistance to direct sunlight. The frost resistance of the material is 300 cycles. Clinker brick is resistant to aggressive environments, has a low coefficient of water absorption. Undoubted advantages are also environmental friendliness and ease of maintenance - it is enough to wash the facade. The disadvantages are high cost and high weight. An alternative to this type of brick can be thinner, and therefore lightweight, clinker tiles.

• Ceramic. A widespread type of brick with a variety of colors and is characterized by durability, resistance to temperature changes, fire resistance and low cost. Unfortunately, the water absorption of ceramic bricks can reach 10%, which also affects its frost resistance. If limestone is present in the composition, this will cause even more increased moisture absorption.

In this case, the limestone will appear in the finished product with darker inclusions.

It is among the lots of ceramic bricks that there are often materials with broken corners and not the most impeccable, from the point of view of geometry, shapes.

• Hyper-pressed. The basis of such a brick is cement, special additives and shell rock, which are subjected to semi-dry pressing. Visually, the material is difficult to distinguish from ceramic, but it is characterized by lower moisture absorption (it is at an average level and is 5-6%) and, accordingly, better frost resistance, more accurate brick geometry. This durable and strong material is easy to install, however, the bricks are heavy and tend to change shade during use.

• Silicate. The silicate brick contains a cement-sand mixture, the production method used is autoclaving. This ensures the affordability of the material. In addition to its low cost, it is distinguished by the correct geometry of forms, good soundproofing properties, and durability. Moisture absorption is up to 15%, which becomes the reason for the instability of silicate bricks to frost. Large weight combined with high thermal conductivity and less attractive aesthetic qualities - all this is the reason why buyers rarely choose sand-lime bricks for facade cladding.

Sheathing

House cladding, in contrast to cladding, performs 2 functions - decorative and load-bearing. The latter manifests itself primarily in frameless buildings. The outer cladding has a large load, therefore the materials used in this case are based on metal (more often steel), which necessarily has anti-corrosion protection. House cladding is usually done using special metal sheets or thermal panels.

Thermal panels

They are a material consisting of a foil layer with a fastening system, insulation and a decorative layer. Polystyrene foam and its extruded version, as well as polyurethane foam are used as insulation. Preference should be given to polyurethane foam products. The insulation in them contains the smallest air bubbles, which provides excellent thermal insulation performance with a low weight of the product.

Clinker tiles are usually used as a decorative layer.

As a result of cladding, an imitation of brickwork is obtained, the choice of shades and textures is diverse.

The material is durable, 1.7 times warmer than many of the materials reviewed. It is quite simple to install it, however, it is important to observe the fastening technology. The material should be fixed directly to the wall, avoiding the formation of an air gap between the panels and the façade. This is due to the vapor tightness of the thermal panels.

The walls should be leveled first, otherwise the skirting of the cladding cannot be avoided, which will lead to the loss of its operational properties. The service life of the cladding is up to 30 years.

Sheets

Steel is usually used as the basis for external cladding sheets. It is covered with a layer of zinc, which allows you to achieve decent anti-corrosion performance. Additional protection against environmental influences (primarily UV effects), as well as the decorative effect of the material is provided by applying a polymer coating.

The strength of the material and its wind resistance are ensured due to the peculiarities of the shape: a profiled galvanized sheet is used to create a ventilated sheathing. Similar sheets are used as roofing sheets for roof decoration.

This finishing method is applicable not only for residential buildings, but also for household buildings, garages. Profiled sheets are robust and durable, and new fastening systems ensure ease of installation and durability. By choosing one or another shade or direction of "furrows", you can create unique exteriors.

Installation is carried out on a prepared frame. For insulation, you can choose polystyrene, mineral wool materials or purchase a profiled sheet, thermally insulated at the factory. The latest models are 2 profiled sheets, between which a layer of insulation is laid.

Combined solutions

Increasingly, owners of private houses are resorting to combined cladding of cottages. This method involves a combination of several textures within the boundaries of one facade. It is noteworthy that the difference in textures is achieved both by using different materials and by using the same material with imitation of different surfaces.

The latter method is more convenient in terms of installation and preparatory work, as well as maintenance. In most cases, the basement of the building, corners, small architectural elements, door and window openings are distinguished by a different material. Combined finishing of the facade allows you to emphasize the complexity and sophistication of buildings of complex configuration and add zest to buildings that are simple in shape.

One of the synonyms for the word "facade" is the word "face". Indeed, the front of the building plays the role of a kind of showcase and is considered the visiting card of the whole house. Along with decorative, the facade also has a practical function. Even at the design stage, it is necessary to consider the combination of finishing materials, coordinating them with the entire building structure. In the modern profile market, a variety of finishing materials for house facades are presented, which involve installation of different levels of complexity.

What to look for when choosing materials for the facade?

The need for external finishing of the facade is determined not only by aesthetics, but also by the ability to significantly increase the operational characteristics of the building. Thinking about what material to decorate the facade of the house, you should pay attention to the following criteria:

Resistance to atmospheric precipitation and climatic manifestations;

Resistant to moisture and frost;

Thermal insulation level;

Environmental Safety;

Possibilities of the material as a design element.

Do not forget to insulate the walls before finishing the facade.

If there is a use of imitation material, then it is worth paying attention to the level of its similarity with the original. The soundproofing characteristics of the finishing raw materials and the level of wind protection are also taken into account. High-quality cladding of the facade of the house is a guarantee of strength, durability and aesthetics of the facade. By choosing the optimal materials for the facades of the building, you can increase its service life and add originality to the overall design. When choosing cladding materials, it is also worth taking into account the complexity of installation and cost.

Types of facade finishing

Modern decoration of facades of private houses is most often carried out using the following types of finishing materials for the facade:

Facade plaster- the material is the most "ancient" and popular way of facing, it requires a good preparation of the walls. There are many types of plaster - silicone, silicate, acrylic, etc.

- inexpensive facade cladding material. The vinyl look is usually installed on houses in temperate climates, as it heats up quickly from high temperatures.

Facing brick- classic type of decoration, made of cement and shell rock. Possesses high performance and aesthetic characteristics.

Clinker tiles- a durable material for finishing facades, resistant to abrasion, therefore it is installed most often in places with high traffic, so that the facade does not lose its appearance due to numerous touches.

Panels- are optimal for facade decoration and can be of different types: metal, wood, glass, polyurethane foam, etc.

Choose the right material

Facade plaster

Such a facade decoration material as plaster is used very often and is distinguished by its ease of application. Its main purpose is to create an attractive appearance for your home furnishings and to protect against climatic influences.

Advantages of the method of finishing modern decorative facade plaster:

Wide decorative possibilities - the creation of different textures and colors.

Ease of application;

Resistance to temperature fluctuations;

Moisture proof;

Low cost.

However, if the finishing technology has been violated, then cracks, swelling, spotting, flaking of the finishing layer are possible. Plastering the facade of a private house is a simple process that you can carry out on your own, with minimal skills in this area.

The decision to decorate the facade with siding will allow the home owner to get a good result and a beautiful appearance of the building. The most popular are vinyl and metal siding.

Pros of vinyl:

Disadvantages of vinyl siding include:

Metal siding for facade cladding is most often made of aluminum.

Facing brick

The use of facing options for brick finishes gives the house respectability and solidity. The installation of this material should be done by professionals, since the process requires certain skills.

Pros of facing bricks:

It does not require special care;

Frost-resistant;

Environmentally friendly;

The facade gains strength and stability;

Brick protects the house from precipitation and other climatic manifestations;

Adds service life to supporting structures;

A wide range of textures and colors.

The disadvantages of facing the facades of houses with bricks include:

The formation of white bloom (efflorescence) over time, which spoils the appearance of the building;

The high price of the material.

A special way of processing clay allows you to achieve high performance clinker tiles. The result is an optimal facing material that is suitable for outdoor use in all respects.

Advantages of clinker tiles:

Durability and not susceptibility to mechanical stress;

UV resistance;

Frost resistance;

Low water absorption;

Durability.

The clapboard, familiar to all of us, is the very first type of facade panels. After it, various variations of this cladding began to be used, making it from metal, porcelain stoneware, stone, and polyvinyl chloride.

What are the advantages of house cladding with panels:

Installation of cladding does not require long preparatory work, it can be carried out in any weather conditions, the installation process is quick;

The facade is reliably protected from temperature extremes and other adverse influences;

The material is not flammable;

Doesn't require any special care;

Low weight.

What material should you choose for facade decoration?

When choosing the best material for the facade, one should take into account what the house itself is built from. After all, wooden and log houses, for example, require the construction of a ventilated facade, and siding or panels are optimal for such needs. Whereas brick and stone buildings "love" plaster and brick. You should also focus on your financial capabilities, because the market for modern facade finishing materials is so large that it will satisfy the needs of any category of citizens. The cladding should ideally match the overall design of the building and act as a single ensemble with it.

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