House facade: modern facing materials for private houses and country cottages

Design features of facade systems

Modern decoration of the facade of the house.
Cladding the building is the final stage of construction work.

Designs made from various raw materials are used, for example:

1. Sandwich panels are a heat-insulating finishing material with 2-sided protection.
2. “Wet stone” or “wet facade” is a technology where insulation is mounted on a treated surface. Additionally, a reinforced layer is installed on which plaster is applied.
3. For ventilated structures, an air gap is created between the wall and the decorative elements.
4. Aluminum systems are considered the most reliable. They have a long service life. Such structures are coated with special powder paint, which protects the walls of the building from adverse weather conditions.

Modern materials for finishing the facades of private houses

Cladding the facades of houses with modern materials is a current service provided by many construction companies. The choice is always individual and depends on the personal preferences of home owners. You can choose and purchase any material to equip the facade of the building in such a way that it harmoniously combines with the roof of the building. It is best to purchase facing materials together with a specialist. Decorative finishing of the facade of a house is a complex task that must be approached seriously.

The most common types of finishing the facade of a private house:

• Plastering
• Natural stone (sandstone, granite, marble)
• Fake diamond
• Facing brick
• Porcelain tiles
• Facade tiles
• Decorative siding
• Fiber cement boards
• Sandwich panels
• Thermal panels

The following can also be used: flexible bitumen tiles, block house, timber.

Types of facade finishing

There are various options for exterior finishing of buildings. But the compositions and building materials used must perform not only decorative functions, but also protective ones.

Thermal insulation

The finishing upholstery is made from insulation materials. Therefore, in addition to an attractive appearance, they provide the home with increased energy efficiency and prevent heat losses.

Thermal insulation coating of house walls.

Protective and decorative

Fencing systems reliably protect buildings from natural influences. Manufacturers produce single- and multi-layer structures.

Protective and decorative structures for house walls.

"Wet"

To obtain “wet walls”, different building compositions are used: adhesive mixtures, cement mortar, rough and finishing plaster.

Finishing for wet walls.

Mounted

Such systems are manufactured using a mechanical dry method. To fix them, a sheathing is arranged and hardware is prepared.

Hinged ventilated house facades.

Exterior decoration of the house with bark beetle

Where is it used?

The bark beetle is used for plastering the facades of houses and offices. Suitable for walls made of stone, brick, sandwich panels, concrete, foam and aerated concrete. It can be applied to any insulation: mineral wool, foam concrete, expanded polystyrene.

There are two types of bark beetle:

• Acrylic. Sold ready-made. Does not need painting.
• Cement-gypsum or mineral. Sold as a dry mixture. The mineral bark beetle must be painted with silicone-based paint. Otherwise, in 2-4 years not only the decorative layer will collapse, but also the base reinforcing layer.

Depending on the application technique, the bark beetle looks different (photo No. 6)

pros

• Weather resistance. The plaster can withstand temperatures from - 55°C to + 60°C.
• Resistance to mechanical stress. The bark beetle can withstand impacts from hail, water flow, and light tapping.
• Texture, due to which you can hide uneven walls. Also, due to the pattern on the bark beetle, cracks are less visible.
• Easy to apply. If desired, you can plaster the walls yourself.
• Large selection of colors.

Minuses

• It quickly becomes clogged with dust. It needs to be washed at least once a year.
• If a chip has formed, it is difficult to restore the bark beetle without it being noticeable.
• If you do not prepare the walls for application or violate the technology, there is a risk of swelling and peeling of the plaster.

Basic requirements for materials

The main criteria for choosing external finishing for a building are: appearance, reliability, price.

High-quality composition

Special attention is paid to the quality of finishing mixtures and solid decorative elements. They must withstand mechanical loads, natural influences, high temperatures, frosts, not fade in the sun, and be resistant to fire.

Harmonious combination of home design with the surrounding environment

The decor should be attractive and combined with the landscape design.

Value for money

It is not recommended to choose the cheapest building materials. There are relatively inexpensive cladding slabs on the market with good performance. You can see the condition of the facades of neighboring houses that were made several years ago.

Protective functions

External decorative upholstery must be resistant to moisture, severe frost, and acid-base compounds.

The upholstery must perform protective functions.

Cladding the facade of the house with ceramic tiles

Among the options for cladding the facade of a house, tiles deserve special attention. This is a fairly common and inexpensive cladding method.

Let's consider the advantages:

• Long-lasting operation
• A wide range from which you can choose the desired option
• No deformation
• Not susceptible to sun fading
• Variety of colors and textures
• Options with imitation of expensive materials
• Fairly light weight

Finishing the facade with brick tiles is a popular trend among owners of mansions. Being environmentally friendly and having an original appearance, the tiles perfectly transform the appearance and provide insulation of the house. When installed correctly, the tiles will reliably protect the building from atmospheric influences and give it a well-groomed and expensive look. It should be taken into account that tiles are fragile, so work with them should be carried out by trained, experienced specialists.

Sandwich panels for facade cladding

The finishing board consists of 3 layers. Insulation (polyurethane or mineral wool) is placed between 2 metal or polymer blanks.

Sandwich panels are characterized by low weight and high thermal insulation properties.

Installation does not require special tools or construction skills. These slabs are affordable for everyone.

Related material: Features of constructing a garage from sandwich panels with your own hands

Sandwich panels for the facade of your home.

Facade cladding with artificial stone

This is a budget solution for inexpensive but high-quality cladding. The structure of the stone and its pattern create a unique design. This material is in great demand. Thanks to innovative technologies, manufacturers managed to create an artificial stone, which in its characteristics is in no way inferior to its natural counterpart. This option has gained great popularity among residential building owners, builders and designers.

What are its advantages:

• Light weight, installation requires a small amount of solution
• The stones are light in weight
• Does not cause cracks
• Durable and durable
• Excellent washability
• Does not have a negative impact on the environment.

Installation of this type of stone is simple and carried out quickly. Its cost is affordable; the material is in great demand in Moscow.

Metal cassettes for exterior decoration

This cladding option is used for private houses and public buildings.

Cassettes are mounted in an open (closed) way using self-tapping screws (rivets).

Advantages of metal structures:

• environmental friendliness;
• fire safety;
• resistance to frost, elevated temperatures, aggressive environments, natural phenomena;
• are not susceptible to fungus formation;
• long operational period.

The only drawback is the high price.

Decorating the house with metal cassettes.

Decorative cladding of the house

Decorative cladding of a house is done to improve its aesthetics or to give it a status appearance when it is impossible to construct the entire building from expensive elite materials. Modern facing materials make it possible to decorate the walls of a wooden house to look like brickwork, and to decorate an aerated concrete building to look like a wooden building.

Today, the most widely used materials for exterior cladding of a house are:

• wooden lining and imitation timber;
• siding;
• thermal panels;
• block house;
• ceramic or stone tiles.

Lining or imitation timber

The main aesthetic advantage of wooden finishing is status and presentability; a wooden house simply reeks of prosperity, solidity and well-being. Therefore, disguising cheap reinforced or aerated concrete with wooden trim is a very good solution for homeowners who are not able to build an entirely wooden house. In addition, wood harmoniously combines with any decorative material: forged products, natural or artificial stone, tiles of any origin.

The operational advantages of wooden cladding include:

• naturalness and environmental friendliness;
• good additional sound insulation;
• significant insulation even when using thin boards;
• relatively low price.

The “disadvantages” of wooden cladding are:

• easy flammability;
• the need for careful additional treatment with various impregnations and solutions, since natural wood in its pure form is susceptible to rotting and is a favorable environment for the appearance and reproduction of bark beetles.

In general, wood cladding is a good option for people on a tight budget who are deciding on the cost of cladding the outside of their home.

Siding

Probably, today this is the most popular and widespread cladding material for building walls, due to its undeniable advantages:

• increased resistance to external mechanical influences;
• elasticity;
• fire safety;
• resistance to temperature changes over a wide range;
• long service life;
• the impossibility of the appearance of harmful insects, microorganisms and fungi;
• indifference to the effects of ultraviolet radiation;
• resistance to chemical reagents;
• ease of installation;
• good protection from external climatic and atmospheric phenomena;
• affordability;
• non-toxic;
• ease of replacement of individual cladding elements if they are damaged;
• ease of care.

From a production point of view, siding can be uniform and two-layer. The first type is produced using monoextrusion, when finishing panels are formed by extrusion from a homogeneous mass. The second type is obtained through the co-extrusion process, which results in the formation of a two-layer panel: the bottom layer is the base of the material, and the top is protection from adverse external influences.

Read also:

Modern materials for soundproofing walls, floors and ceilings in an apartment

If we talk about the aesthetic advantages of siding, we should note the huge variety of colors and textures produced: it can easily imitate almost any type of wood, natural stone or brick, so it is an excellent material for cladding a house.

Siding comes in the following types:

• aluminum - it is usually used to decorate the walls of industrial buildings;
• made of thin steel;
• wood fiber - intended for cladding private houses, but quite expensive;
• cellulose-cement (fiber cement) - it is mainly used to finish the plinths of buildings;
• vinyl.

The most common is vinyl siding, since it has an optimal price/quality ratio, good performance properties and is extremely easy to attach to the wall: the panels are installed vertically, overlapping each other and secured with snap locks. The cladding is attached to the sheathing only in the upper part of the wall with nails or self-tapping screws through holes made during production.

Clinker thermal panels

Clinker thermal panel is one of the most modern facing materials that appeared on the public construction market about ten years ago. It consists of a base made of polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam into which clinker tiles are pressed. Due to their appearance, clinker panels are the best cladding for a brick house.

Despite their relative youth, clinker thermal panels have gained wide popularity among both builders and homeowners, due to their significant advantages:

• this material is both a facing and an insulating material: the polymer base increases thermal insulation several times, while maintaining an ideal vapor-tight microclimate for the main walls;
• clinker panels are quite simply mounted on any surface and any material; they can easily be used to cover both wooden and concrete houses;
• the panels are light in weight;
• they have very low moisture absorption, so the panels can be washed with water under high pressure;
• thanks to the locking mechanisms (tongue-groove system), the panels are so tightly connected to each other that they completely block access to the walls of the house to any unfavorable external factors: wind, precipitation, cold air, ultraviolet radiation;
• panels imitating brick are available in a wide color palette, so choosing the right shade will not be difficult even for people with very original taste.
• the material is very durable, it can last more than half a century without changing its performance properties and original appearance;
• cladding the facade of a house is made easier by the fact that clinker thermal panels are produced in a wide variety of shapes and configurations (straight, angular) and are equipped with additional parts.

Stone for cottages

Natural or artificial rocks are purchased for the exterior cladding of buildings in any climatic zone.

Sandstone

In appearance and size, sandstone resembles limestone. But it is much stronger.

Main characteristics:

• brown, yellow or beige shades;
• rough to the touch;
• light weight.

For façade structures, only pisolite and solitic sandstone are used.

Limestone

For external facing work, durable stone is used, which contains 98% calcite.

Features of limestone:

• easy to process, any shape can be obtained from it;
• the surface is chipped in relief, after grinding it is smooth matte;
• Available in yellow and white colors.

It is not recommended to use limestone for external cladding in regions of the country where the climate is harsh. After sudden changes in temperature, changing seasons, and high humidity, the cladding is destroyed.

Limestone contains 98% calcite.

Slate

Slate is a rough stone resulting from the precipitation of clay or quartz. Its shape is clearly defined, flat, smooth. Slate blanks are lightweight. Advantage: affordable price. Disadvantage: ability to delaminate.

Granite

This is an elite building material. Matte or glossy (polished) granite is used for cladding cottages. Advantage: suitable for all climate zones. Disadvantage: heavy weight, high price.

The plinth is faced with granite.

Quartzite

The raw material has a dense structure, is characterized by increased strength and hardness, but can be polished. Quartzite is fine- and medium-grained. Its processing is carried out with a diamond tool.

Advantages of facing stone:

• refractory;
• wear-resistant;
• frost-resistant;
• resistant to alkalis and acids.

Thanks to these characteristics, the building material is durable.

Gabbro

Gabbro stone has the same structure as granite. This is a crystalline deep rock. More often it is medium- and coarse-grained.

Main characteristics: can be machined, polished, retains its original shine for a long time, is resistant to weathering and frost, high strength.

Marble

One of the most expensive building materials. For facade work, polished stone of medium density is used.

Marble tile cladding.

A natural stone

– this is a finish that will last forever, as it does not burn, does not rust, does not rot, or deteriorate. This is truly a timeless material. There are more than 8,000 different types of stones. But not all of them are in demand and in demand. Marble, granite, labradorite, slate, sandstone, and limestone are indispensable in construction.

To choose the type of natural stone in each specific case, you need to know the physical and mechanical properties of the material. After all, let’s say when cladding a building, the stone needs high resistance to low temperatures and cold resistance. If you need to make stairs from stone. Then another amount of natural stone is taken into account - resistance to abrasion and impact.

4.1. Dagestan stone

Finishing the facade with Dagestan stone.
The so-called “Dagestan stone” is a type of natural stone mined in quarries in Dagestan and Azerbaijan, which, due to its properties and external beauty, is ideal for cladding the facades of houses, garages and fences.

Types of “Dagestan” stone:

1. 1. Sandstone – beige or light brown in color, the stone has an interesting texture. This type of stone itself is not expensive and is widely used.

Pros of this stone

• Low cost

• Ease

• Suitable for making carved decorations

• Fast processing

• Mined mainly in Russia

Minuses

• Not used for horizontal surfaces

Limestone.

1. 2. Limestone – speckled white sandstone, white Dagestan stone. Its structure is rich and unique. The color and texture of the material gives it an expensive look.

Pros of this stone

• High-quality production of the finest architectural works

• High quality material

• Expensive look

• Low load on the walls and base of the building

• Does not fit on a horizontal surface

Facade cladding with natural stone. Dolomite.

1. 3 Dolomite is the popular name for “rock”. Widely used for finishing basement floors and buildings. Dagestan dolomite is the most durable and stable of this category of stones. According to its physical properties, dolomite is a very strong, resistant fireproof material, frost-resistant and durable.

4.2. Hard varieties of natural stone.

Façade finishing with travertine.

1. Travertine – has the properties of both limestone and marble. It is decorative and at the same time resistant to weather conditions. Hard enough to resist mechanical damage, and soft enough to be easy to handle. He has a very rich color palette. Moreover, the shades of each stone palette are unique. Resistant to negative temperatures, it can be used for exterior decoration of houses where winter frosts are a common occurrence. Travertine can also be used in interior design, for example, for flooring - it is resistant to abrasion.

Pros and cons of travertine:

• Affordable price and attractive appearance;

• High sound and thermal insulation of surfaces;

• The porous structure makes it less durable;

• Quickly absorbs moisture;

• When interacting with dyes, the stone may change color.

2 . Marble is the epitome of luxury, and yet, surprisingly, it is one of the most affordable natural stones for finishing and cladding.

Marble façade finishing.

Positive aspects of marble:

• Classic and elegance

• Great for bathrooms

• Fireplaces and countertop furniture

• -Looks great polished and chiseled

Negative aspects of marble:

• Softer than other natural stones

• Requires some maintenance and care

3. Granite is a volcanic rock formed as a result of the slow cooling and petrification of magma. Has an original grainy pattern. Granite is stronger than marble, but marble is more often used in interiors because the colors and patterns of marble are more varied.

Facade finishing with granite.

Where can granite be used:

– Kitchen countertops - does not absorb tea, coffee, wine, it is not damaged or scratched.

– Window sills – not afraid of water and constant heating from the radiator.

– Finishing of fireplaces – does not crack due to high temperatures

Types of granite processing:

Bush hammering is surface treatment using a grinder and special attachments that make the surface rough.

Polishing - processing with a fine abrasive to create a matte surface.

Polishing – processing the stone to a mirror shine

Heat treatment - using a high-temperature gas jet, a rough surface with an aging effect is formed.

Heat treatment of stone.

“Rock” texture – imitates natural chipped stone

The main objective disadvantage of granite is its weight. This stone is one of the heaviest finishing materials; this factor must be taken into account.

4.3. Booth

Finishing the facade with rubble.
Rubble stone, rubble, rock, quarry stone are natural stone fragments of different rocks, certain sizes and shapes. There are a huge number of types, breeds and categories of rubble stone, so it can be used in national and private economy, architecture and construction, gardens and landscape design. In addition, the sale of rubble stone today occupies a special place due to its excellent environmental characteristics. The basic advantages of rubble stone include unsurpassed strength, the ability to withstand vertical and horizontal significant loads, durability and frost resistance.

Application area:

• Foundations of structures that can be classified as fundamental.

• Engineering structure. These include retaining walls and various enclosing structures in unheated structures.

• Hydraulic structures such as canals, wells, etc...

• Low height fences.

• Paving roads and sidewalks in elite areas and settlements.
• Landscape and decorative elements.

• Finishing the plinths of building facades and individual fences.

Alpine slides, decorative pools, fountains, frames for flower beds and lawns made from this material look particularly effective.

External brick cladding: types

This is the most profitable option for exterior decoration. Despite the fact that brick is one of the most expensive facing building materials, this disadvantage is completely covered by a long period of operation.

Ceramic

A single blank costs from 7.6 to 17 rubles. This is the cheapest type of brick. The price depends on the texture of the front side and the manufacturing company. 1 m² of cladding - from 390 to 850 rubles.

Clinker

The most expensive building material, but durable. The cost of 1 product is from 20 to 90 rubles, 1 m² - from 900 to 4300 rubles.

Silicate

This is an environmentally friendly brick. It contains lime and quartz sand. It is frost-resistant and inexpensive.

Hyper-pressed

A building block is 2 times more expensive than ceramic bricks. The price of 1 m² of masonry using the cheapest product is from 900 rubles.

Brick in the cladding of the house.

Types of facing materials and their features

The most popular finishing materials for the facades of private houses are as follows:

• stone:
• brick;
• porcelain stoneware;
• Japanese panels;
• siding;
• tree;
• cement bonded particle board;
• panel: Pock, HLP, terracotta, fiber cement;
• combination of materials.

Any type has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at the main types.

Brick

Brick is a classic material and is appropriate everywhere, despite its high price. However, durability, no need to repair the facade, and simple maintenance compensate for the initial costs . The following types of bricks are used:

• Ceramic. The most affordable material, offered in a wide color palette and choice of textures. With a long service life, high sound and heat insulation properties. However, you can find inclusions of limestone, the brick has an inaccurate geometry, low water absorption, which gives low frost resistance. If the installation is not carried out correctly, destruction is possible.

• Hyper-pressed. Twice as expensive, larger in size, sometimes has a textured surface. It is obtained by mixing shell rock, additives and cement by semi-dry pressing. It is characterized by high strength, clear geometry, and a wide selection. Easy to process. Disadvantages include high thermal conductivity, heavy weight, and color change after time.

• Clinker. The most durable and expensive material. Plastic types of clay are pressed and fired, and a natural-based dye is added to add color. Material with high mechanical strength, durable, frost-resistant. Does not require special care, easy to clean. Difficult to install, heavy and expensive.

• Silicate. The most affordable. For production, a mixture of sand and cement is taken. High strength, good sound insulation, regular shape. Externally it does not look very aesthetically pleasing, with a lot of weight and thermal insulation parameters.

Comparing the properties of the material and the price, the optimal facing coating for the facade of the building will be facing brick.

Natural and artificial stone

Among facing materials, as well as among construction materials, stone is the leader: it is a durable, reliable material with high decorative properties. However, it is quite expensive, so natural stone is often combined with artificial or other types of cladding. The stone has the following advantages:

• aesthetic appearance;
• environmental friendliness;
• long period of use;
• practicality;
• high resistance to environmental influences and mechanical influence.

One of the properties of the stone is its heavy weight. Granite, quartzite, marble, sandstone, slate, and limestone are used for cladding. Decorative stone is able to imitate any of the rocks.

Tree

Wood is an eternal classic of construction. It will be successful to use it to decorate a house in a rustic or eco-style.

Various types of wood panels are used in construction:

• Lining. The thickness of the façade lining differs from the interior lining – more than 14 mm. The final cost will depend on the type of wood, its grade, humidity, as well as the width of the panel;
• Imitation of timber: a thicker version of the “standard” type lining.
• Block house: resembles an imitation of a log house with a rounded surface, creating an analogue of the wall of a log house.
• Planken: one of the types of cladding boards that does not have a tongue-and-groove fastening. It is produced with straight and oblique profiles, differing in the gap between the panels.

Porcelain tiles

Porcelain stoneware slabs are resistant to extreme frosts, and due to the composition of the coating they have high performance characteristics. Clay with additives is taken as a raw material and baked at high temperatures with the addition of metal alloys.

Resistant to damage, temperature changes, and highly resistant to moisture. Durable and attractive coating, there is a large selection of colors and textures. You can choose imitation wood or stone. Disadvantages: considerable weight, installation features and high cost.

To decorate the facades of private houses, thin porcelain stoneware is used: kerlite, archskin, laminam. Decorative elements are fixed using adhesives, thereby decorating large buildings and private structures.

Plaster

If you are faced with the task of how to decorate the facade of a house inexpensively and beautifully, stop with plaster.

Plaster is divided into types:

• Mineral façade. It is made on the basis of a mixture of cement and lime and is used for walls. Widely used due to its low cost and absolute non-flammability. Universal - suitable for any surface. Disadvantage: low level of elasticity, which forms cracks during shrinkage. Therefore, as a rule, they are not used for new buildings.
• Mineral decorative. Used as a second layer of plaster if there is a two-layer coating;
• Acrylic. With high elasticity, long service life, increased strength and moisture resistance. The disadvantage is that it is flammable, so it is often combined with foam heat insulators. Difficult care: washing is not allowed, but attracts dust.
• Silicate. More expensive than acrylic. Material with the highest performance properties: has a high level of elasticity, repels dust, self-cleans during rain, durable in use due to the content of potassium glass. It must be applied quickly, as it hardens quickly, using a special primer.
• Silicone. The most inexpensive of plasters, and also practically without disadvantages. Durable, frost-resistant, environmentally friendly, vapor-permeable, wear-resistant, non-flammable. Suitable for all surfaces.

The plaster has an aesthetic appearance, it is easy to select and paint in the desired color. Resistance to temperature changes and ease of installation make this coating very popular. During installation, you need to be careful and attentive, since improper plastering of the facade can lead to the formation of cracks, peeling of layers and stains.

Siding

Siding is a type of hanging structure. Easy to assemble thanks to the presence of grooves and locking systems.

There are types of siding:

• Vinyl: wall and basement. The latter is thicker and has higher mechanical strength. Due to its use for finishing the lower part of the house, it has increased moisture resistance. The panels are durable, resistant to sudden temperature changes and exposure to sunlight. Disadvantage: low fire safety.

• Metal. It is based on an aluminum profile or galvanized steel. Has a greater margin of safety. Special impregnation protects against rust formation and gives durability. It costs almost the same as vinyl wall siding and is available in different textures. The disadvantage is increased weight, so it is used on reinforced bases.

• Wood. These are dried boards (profiles) treated with antiseptics. The material looks noble and stylish, is frost-resistant, environmentally friendly, vapor-permeable, and retains heat efficiently. Disadvantage: it requires maintenance and has a short service life despite the fact that the coating is treated.

• Fiber cement and wood-polymer composite (WPC) cladding boards. Cement mortar and dried cellulose are used as raw materials for production. They provide a material with high strength, wear-resistant, excellent thermal insulation, and shock-resistant. Resists weathering, maintaining its original color during prolonged exposure to the sun. It is heavy and requires strengthening of the base.

This material for finishing the facade of a private house has high performance properties, variety in size and appearance. Most panels have a self-cleaning function.

Sandwich panels

When choosing how to decorate the facade of a house, look at the sandwich panels - insulation (plastic or mineral), which is located between two metal sheets. The inner surface of the panel is smooth or corrugated, the outer surface is finished with natural material. The cladding has a porous structure, which facilitates installation, makes the material lightweight and retains heat in the building . The price of the coating is quite affordable, and the properties are adequate.

Thermal panels to beautifully cover the facade

Thermal panel is a universal insulation material that is often used for exterior decoration of building walls. The slab is multi-layered and resembles façade panels.

The internal thermal insulation layer of the structure is made of pressed shavings, polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam, and mineral wool.

The outer layer of the thermal panel is made of PVC panels, artificial stone, marble chips, polymers, clinker tiles.

The bases on which the panels are attached are pre-prepared: leveled, plastered, primed. Special connecting grooves are made on the products. When attaching slabs to walls, adhesives and mounting nails are additionally used.

Brick-like thermal panels.

Finishing house facades with modern materials: sandwich panels

For a long time, sandwich panels were not used in our country. But today the situation has changed dramatically. Among other alternative options, sidings and stones, panels took an honorable leading place. This material is multilayer, it consists of several layers: metal and insulation. The two layers are connected to each other using hot pressing. Sandwich panels look great, the material is lightweight and non-flammable. It is also worth mentioning the excellent soundproofing characteristics. With proper installation, the panels will last a long time. Insulation and high aesthetic qualities are ensured. Sandwich panels are also used to insulate balconies. In combination with plastic, PVC panels provide maximum comfort in the room.

Among other types of cladding of house facades, panels remain in demand and popular; they are often used in the design of balconies and loggias. Facade panels can be purchased profitably in specialized stores in Moscow.

Wooden cladding of buildings

Wood is often used for both exterior and interior decoration of country houses.

Board

For exterior work, planed or unplaned boards are used. The products are attached to the base horizontally with an overlap (butt-end). According to Scandinavian technology, the boards are laid vertically.

Lining

This is an inexpensive building material, the price of which depends on the width.

For example, lining made from pine costs from 170 to 220 rubles/m², from larch - from 1200 to 1350 rubles/m².

Wooden "Block House"

“Block house” imitates buildings made of logs and differs from lining in its rounded shape.

The cost of a pine product with a width of 13.5 cm and a thickness of 2.7 cm is from 300 rubles/m², size 23x4.5 cm - from 750 rubles/m².

A similar “Block House” made of larch costs 2.5 times more.

Wooden “Block House” - imitation wood.

"Imitation of timber"

The building material looks like lining for facade work, but it is thicker.

A square meter of “Imitation timber” made of pine with a thickness of 1.8 cm costs from 220 rubles, 2.1 cm - from 330 rubles.

The price of “AB” class panels, made of larch, with a cross-section of 2 cm, starts from 800 rubles/m², “Extra” - from 1400 rubles/m².

Beveled slats under the blinds (planken)

The facing material goes well with the architectural style.

“Planken” is a type of cladding board, but without connecting grooves. The blanks are produced with a straight or oblique profile. They differ from “Imitation timber” by the presence of a gap between the individual panels.

"Shingles"

Small-piece building material made of wood. The plates are made up to 40 cm long, 1.5 to 5 cm wide, and 0.5 to 1 cm thick.

All types of wooden cladding are fixed to the sheathing using clamps, mounting nails, and other hardware.

Natural shingles.

Cladding a house with decorative plaster

Where is it used?

Decorative plaster is suitable for houses with complex architecture. It can be applied to walls made of brick, shell, concrete, foam and aerated concrete. But there is a nuance: if the masonry is uneven and the vertical discrepancies reach 2-3 cm, then leveling the wall with layers of plaster is expensive.

The material may crack at low temperatures. Therefore, such plaster is rarely used in the northern regions.

Stores offer several types of plasters, depending on the problems that need to be solved.

Acrylic

Elastic plaster. If you follow the application technology, it will not crack even with slight shrinkage of the house. Resistant to high humidity and frost, vapor permeable. Plaster quickly absorbs dirt, but is easy to clean.

Using acrylic plaster you can create different textures (photo No. 1)

Silicone

It has good wear resistance. With its help you can create different wall textures: grooves, “pebbles”, patterns. Silicone plaster needs to be updated no more than once every 10-15 years.

“Pebble” effect created with silicone plaster (photo No. 2)

Mineral

Consists of cement and colored stone chips. The color range is small - 4-7 colors. Disadvantage: low elasticity. At the slightest shrinkage of the house, the plaster on the outside cracks. This is especially impractical because all new homes are susceptible to shrinkage.

Mineral plaster with marble chips in its composition hides unevenness on the walls well (photo No. 3)

Silicate

It is based on potassium liquid glass, which provides high moisture and fire protection. High vapor permeability and low contamination are the advantages of this material.

Silicate plaster can be applied in a thin layer (photo No. 4)

Pros and cons of finishing with plaster

pros

• Suitable for cladding very complex architectural structures.
• Can be combined with other types of materials.
• Lower price compared to other types of facing materials.

Minuses

• Needs updating and repair every 2-4 years depending on the type of plaster.
• Not suitable for curved walls. It is necessary to first remove the wall so that there is no vertical discrepancy. These are additional costs.
• High requirements for compliance with application technology. Before applying plaster, the walls of the house must be prepared: cleaned, leveled, reinforced with mesh, puttied and primed.

To reinforce the facade, the builders used poor quality glue and mesh, which is why the plaster began to crack a month after application (photo No. 5)

Artificial wood for exterior walls

Many owners of country houses decorate their facades with decorative components that imitate natural wood.

HPL panels

The facing covering is made of cellulose and fiber. These components are pressed under high temperatures.

Advantages of HPL panels:

• low weight of the structure;
• do not require additional processing;
• resistance to mechanical and atmospheric influences;
• easy care;
• durability.

When installed correctly, the structure is quite durable.

HPL panels are durable and lightweight.

Rock

The blanks are produced by pressing stone wool followed by processing with decorative film. Rock panels are often made to look like wood, brick or stone, but they are also available with other decorative options.

The structure is quite light - 1 m² weighs 3 kg. This type of cladding is easy to work with.

The sheets are fixed using special rivets. Rock panels are cheaper than HPL plates. The blanks are resistant to fire.

Finishing the facade of a private house: decorative siding

Finishing the facade of a house with siding is a wonderful way to beautifully improve your home. Used for finishing facades, balconies and loggias. Unusual beautiful siding can decorate both a cottage and a large mansion. Siding is a budget material for facades; it has excellent decorative qualities. Before purchasing, you need to decide how many m2 you will need. This material is durable and will last for years. Often used for finishing aerated concrete structures. We also highlight good heat and sound insulation qualities. Covering the facade with siding can transform the appearance of even a house that was built a long time ago. This is a common type among other facade materials. The key step in the cladding process is the installation of the frame.

Types of siding:

• Vinyl siding is a budget-friendly and beautiful-looking material. Manufacturers offer a lot of original options with imitation timber, stone, and logs. Available in a variety of colors. Due to its ease, it can be installed even without the involvement of a specialist. Siding of this type can radically transform a country house and give it an incredibly sophisticated look. Inexpensive siding of this type has some disadvantages, including the likelihood of cracks forming in severe frost, and in hot weather the panels become softer, which sometimes leads to deformation. In private construction, this type is used most often. Often the advantages include resistance to mechanical damage, but it must be taken into account that a strong blow can damage the integrity of the siding. And damaged elements are difficult to repair. The method is suitable for cladding a frame house.
• Metal siding. Made from aluminum or steel. The metal must be coated with a special layer of primer and polymers. Aluminum siding is an expensive option, which is why it is rarely used in private construction. More often they resort to steel sheets with zinc protection. The material is strong and durable, exhibits excellent temperature resistance and is non-flammable. Any vagaries of the weather are not scary, we also note the high aesthetics and attractiveness. Installation of metal siding is absolutely simple. In addition, it is resistant to rotting. Does not lose color under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Cons: probable rust formation and high price. Metal siding, even despite its shortcomings, is in demand and popular.
• Wood siding – wood has not lost its popularity over the centuries. Modern technologies make it possible to work with durable and reliable wooden panels that demonstrate excellent performance properties. The panels are made from wood pre-treated with antiseptic compounds. Wood siding is absolutely safe and environmentally friendly. Facades designed in this way look natural and cozy. Cons: the need for periodic treatment with special protective compounds, mold formation and insect attacks. The cost of wood siding is relatively high.
• Cement siding is produced in the following way: cement and cellulose fibers are mixed and pressed. This is a highly durable, weather-resistant material. Disadvantages: large mass, labor-intensive installation and rather high price.

Finishing the facades of houses with modern materials should be carried out by professional specialists who know how to work competently with a certain material.

Types of facade finishing: fiber cement boards

Fiber cement boards. They do not contain harmful toxic compounds or hazardous impurities. The slabs are often used to construct suspended ventilated facades in frame buildings. Such elements can be used as a decorative coating outside or in the process of interior decoration. The material is non-flammable, provides sound insulation and is resistant to atmospheric influences. Manufacturers guarantee a long service life of 50 years. Fiber cement boards are perfect for use in private construction or the construction of high-rise buildings. Thanks to its special structure, the material is breathable, thereby creating a favorable microclimate in the premises. The plates are quite strong and reliable.

Options for finishing country cottages with decorative plaster

This type of finishing is suitable for buildings with complex architecture. Decorative plaster is used for walls made of aerated concrete, shell rock, foam concrete, brick, and concrete. But the bases are pre-leveled with cheaper solutions.

"Lamb"

The “Lamb” plastering technology is simple. The building mixture is applied to the walls of the building in 3 layers. After application, 2 rough coats take 5 hours to dry.

The third decorative layer is applied with a special device that sprays the solution. Convex elements reminiscent of lambs' wool are formed on the processed surface.

"American"

This version of plaster is applied mechanically. “American” is used for cladding concrete, brick, foam concrete walls, fiberboard, chipboard, and cement plaster bases.

This composition is applied quickly, it protects the walls from dirt and damage. It has good noise insulation characteristics and an attractive appearance.

American type plaster.

"Bark beetle"

Facade plaster "Bark beetle" comes in 2 types:

1. Mineral (cement-gypsum). Sold in stores in dry form. Such a coating must be covered with a layer of paint made from silicone. If the “Bark Beetle” is not painted, after 2-3 years the decorative plaster will collapse along with the reinforcing layer.
2. Acrylic. This plaster is sold ready-made, i.e. the composition can be immediately applied to the surface. Its advantage over mineral is that no additional coloring is required.

The mixture is applied to expanded polystyrene, foam concrete, mineral wool, sandwich panels, aerated concrete, concrete, brickwork, and stone. The coating is resistant to mechanical stress and temperatures -55°С…+60°С.

"Rain"

“Rain” is a special technology for finishing facades, when used, a texture in the form of rain is obtained on the base. For this you can use any structural plaster. The required pattern is provided by fine-grained mixtures.

"Ragged" surface

To obtain “Ragged Stone”, the solution is applied randomly. The imitation of torn sandstone, marble, granite, malachite or rock on the walls is formed using various prints using artistic methods.

"Venetian"

“Venetian” is the most expensive, complex option for external decorative cladding. In this case, special mortars, wax, and paint and varnish mixtures are used.

The technology involves applying up to 5 layers of rough plaster composition. The final decorative surface is formed with a construction spatula using wave-like movements.

Dear Venetian.

"Marble chips"

The basis of “Marble chips” is a mixture of sand and cement. The solution is applied evenly to the surface to be finished. This type of cladding is used for large public buildings.

Additionally, different pigments are used, which are pre-mixed with a polymer composition, then sprayed on the wall with a special device.

Types of facades

Currently, there are options for finishing the external walls of a house, which make it possible to obtain:

1. Ventilated structures. In this case, the technology assumes the presence of a special gap between the load-bearing wall and the cladding product. Its presence is mandatory in many situations, especially when surfaces have high vapor permeability. The fact is that due to the presence of this space, free air circulation is achieved.

   
   Ventilated design diagram

2. Unventilated facades. The casing is attached without a gap.

Important! Each type is selected taking into account all available factors. If you make a mistake, you will end up with gradual deformation of the facing coating. But a more serious process is often observed - the destruction of supporting structures.

The facades also differ in their installation features:

• Wet method. For this purpose, materials are used that are fixed directly to the base in a liquid state. This can be any type of plaster. This also includes products that are fixed to an adhesive composition applied to the surface in a continuous layer.

• Frame. Most often, this method is used to create the necessary ventilation gap. This structure is erected from a metal profile or wooden beam. Installed guides allow you to finish the walls of your house efficiently and safely.
• Installation of sheathing with insulation. In principle, this technology almost completely repeats the previous method, the only addition being a thermal protection layer. It must be taken into account that the gap for ventilation is often formed separately.

All options have their own characteristics. There are also materials that are not included in the listed groups. For example, brick can be laid closely and with a gap, and no frame is required for it. And modern thermal panels can be mounted directly on the surface, but self-tapping screws are used for fixation.

Cladding with thermal panels is accessible even to a non-professional, but the price is quite high

Fiber cement modern panels

For the production of fiber cement panels, sand, cement, cellulose, and additional synthetic-based components are used. The composition is subjected to heat treatment under high pressure. This gives the finished coating increased strength.

Japanese

Japanese slabs, unlike standard fiber cement panels, imitate natural surfaces: wood, brick, stone, even grass. The products are attached to a wooden crate.

Cement particle boards (CPB) “brick-like”

DSP boards differ from fiber cement boards in their manufacturing methods, but they are similar in appearance.

Advantages: fire resistance, good thermal insulation, environmental safety, frost resistance.

Disadvantages: heavy weight of the product, low level of bending strength.

Fastening of cement-bonded particle boards is carried out using rivets or self-tapping screws. The coating requires additional painting.

DSP “brick-like”.

Basic Rules

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

When deciding what is best to sheathe the outside of the house, do not forget to take into account the vapor permeability of the materials

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

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

• A ventilated facade is being installed. A ventilated gap with a width of 60 mm to 150 mm is left between the wall or insulation layer (with high vapor permeability) and the finishing. Ventilation holes are left at the bottom of the cladding at the rate of 75 cm2 for every 20 m2 of wall, including windows and doors. Air will enter through them. There are exit holes at the top. With this device, moisture will be removed from the wall material or insulation, and the outer cladding will protect from precipitation and perform a decorative function.

  
  The principle of finishing a house using a ventilated facade

• The finishing material is attached directly to the wall. But from the inside the wall must be protected by a layer of vapor barrier. In this case, the penetration of vapors into the wall material is prevented and it remains dry. Excess moisture is removed by the ventilation system.

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

Facing material siding

Siding is a fairly popular finishing building material. It is characterized by high strength and resistance to natural phenomena. The service life of such decor, depending on operating conditions, is from 25 to 50 years.

Metal

Steel siding is made from galvanized metal or aluminum. The slabs are impact-resistant and can withstand -50°С…+50°С.

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride can withstand frost and is not susceptible to various microorganisms. The cost of PVC panels is less than other materials. The main disadvantage: the fragility of the coating.

Vinyl

Vinyl siding is frost-resistant and can withstand shock loads at temperatures of -60°C. Therefore, such coatings are often used for facade finishing in the northern regions.

Vinyl siding.

Option 3: cladding with piece materials

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

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

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

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

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

An example of combined home decoration

The most popular types of piece materials are:

• stones;
• clinker tiles;
• ceramic tile.

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

Limestone façade

Facing stones

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

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

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

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

Clinker tiles

Clinker tiles

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

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

Facade finished with clinker tiles

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

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

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

Facade finished with ceramic tiles

Ceramic tile

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

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

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

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

Cladding a house with bricks

Terracotta panels for the exterior of the house

This is a special ceramic coating for facades, in the production of which no synthetic dyes are used. The product is made using special technology from clay.

Terracotta slabs are fired for 10 hours at temperatures above +1000°C.

This procedure provides the product with high strength.

Advantages:

• presentable appearance;
• environmentally friendly material;
• long-term operation.

To increase strength, the panels are impregnated with special agents. The surface is easy to clean from dirt. Products can be selected to match any range of colors.

Terracotta panels made from environmentally friendly material.

Siding

In addition to the fact that wood is not always available, it is also expensive, since it falls into the category of environmentally friendly materials. That is why wooden building materials are very popular nowadays, and prices, as a rule, are dictated by demand. In addition to being expensive, it requires annual maintenance. If you cover a residential building with siding, it will cost less, and you won’t have to take care of it every year: do it and forget it.

Finishing a house with siding

The siding is attached to the sheathing, so the facade is ventilated. Siding is very popular because the installation technology is so simple that you can do it yourself. The advantage of this finishing material is that it is easy to process and can be used to cover the walls of buildings and structures made of any building material. This is also possible due to the fact that this finishing material is not heavy and does not unnecessarily load the walls of buildings. It is safe to say that siding is a universal finishing material with a long service life.

Vinyl siding

This finishing material is made of PVC material and is called vinyl. As a rule, the finishing material is represented by strips 205 and 255 mm wide, having a thickness of 1.1 or 1.2 mm. On one side of the strip there is a lock for connecting the panels, and on the other side there is a strip with perforation for attaching the strip to the sheathing. Fastening is mainly carried out with self-tapping screws (PS) with a wide head.

How to avoid mistakes when installing siding!!!

Before installing the siding, a sheathing made of wooden blocks or a profile (SD-60) intended for installation of plasterboard systems is attached to the wall. The strips are equipped with various profiles (starting, connecting, corner, etc.) to give the work a complete look. As a rule, the screws are slightly too loose to allow the strip to slide freely under the influence of ambient temperature fluctuations. Such installation will not allow the siding to crack due to stresses associated with siding expansions, and vice versa.

The advantage of this finishing material is that it is inexpensive (if you take into account self-cladding), it is quite simple and durable.

When choosing a material, it is better to give preference to imports, since domestic siding quickly fades in the sun. In addition, the finishing material of a domestic manufacturer becomes brittle in the cold, so it can easily be damaged.

Houses covered with siding themselves do not always look good, without taking into account proportions, as evidenced by the photo below.

Many nuances are not taken into account here, so the façade looks like a barn: specialists don’t work like that. In any case, if you have no experience working with siding, it is better to invite craftsmen. It will turn out much more beautiful, and there will be someone to ask for the quality of the work.

Metal siding

The main material of manufacture is either aluminum or galvanized steel, on the base of which a protective and decorative coating is applied. Fastening such siding is no different from fastening vinyl siding.

Metal siding

As a rule, siding is covered with polymer materials, which increases its service life, since the coating is resistant to fading, as well as other climatic processes. It is noted that metal siding does not have a wide choice of colors. In the case of powder coating, the color range is wider, and the coating is more reliable.

Metal siding is not a bad option, although it is too expensive. Despite this, everything pays off due to the fact that it will not be possible to simply damage metal siding, as is the case with vinyl. The advantage of this finishing material is that it is permissible to sheathe a building even at sub-zero temperatures, while such manipulations are undesirable with ordinary siding.

The building is completely covered with metal siding

An excellent option in terms of durability, but in terms of aesthetics, siding is inferior to many finishing materials, although the simplicity of installation is captivating, and this is an opportunity to save money by doing the siding yourself. In addition, the practicality of the design and its functionality are beyond doubt.

Basement siding

This is a material that was developed specifically to protect the bases of buildings. It is a type of vinyl siding, but differs in appearance and panel thickness. Despite its purpose, the characteristics of the finishing material made it possible to use it not only for finishing the plinths of buildings, but also for cladding the facades of buildings and structures. This finishing material is distinguished by patterns that imitate various building materials, including brick and wild stone. The drawing turns out to be so believable that from a distance it is generally difficult to understand that this is vinyl siding and not decorative brick.

Basement siding under stone

Basement siding has the same fastening as regular siding, but there are also differences: base siding is not produced in strips, like vinyl, but in the form of separate fragments, which should be joined using figured edges. Therefore, the sheathing is performed slightly differently, taking into account the sizes of these fragments. The most important thing is not to tighten the screws all the way, leaving a small gap.

The lathing is made from wooden blocks treated with special antiseptic compounds or from metal profiles. Alternatively, you can make a solid sheathing of plywood or OSB boards. In this case, you can get a fairly reliable facade of a residential building, the quality of which is much higher.

Metal siding. Selection and installation features // FORUMHOUSE

Combined facade

To create a more stylish façade finish, you can combine different materials.

Wood and brick

Brick is often used to build the first floor of a country house. It is more resistant to temperature changes and fire. The second floor is built from wood. This allows you to save on the compounds used to construct the foundation.

This combination of building materials provides the building with fire safety and a comfortable microclimate.

Stone effect tiles and wood panels

Wood goes well with stone, and their combination merges with nature. At the same time, small buildings decorated with such materials visually look larger.

Planken plus polished limestone

Limestone lends itself well to processing. Therefore, it is also combined with other facing coatings. For example, “planken” is used as the main cladding of a cottage, and the frame is made of white polished limestone or vice versa.

The house is faced with planken.

No. 6. Concrete facade tiles

The material is produced on the basis of cement, quartz sand, filler and additives.
Advantages :

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

Flaws:

• poor resistance to temperature changes ;
• large tiles are too heavy for “wet” installation ;
• There are many low-quality on the market with inaccurate geometry.

Tiles for a private house

Facade tiles are used for exterior decoration of both country houses and office buildings. Moreover, this material is suitable for standard, ventilated facades.

Concrete

Concrete panels for exterior finishing of houses are made to look like artificial or natural stone or brick.

Advantages of the coating: ease of installation, large selection of textures, high resistance to precipitation and wind loads, long-term operation.

Ceramic (clinker)

The surface of clinker slabs resembles a brick in texture, differing only in thickness, but at the same time retains all its operational properties.

The building material is fixed to the base using special mixtures or mounting adhesive.

Clinker tiles resembling bricks.

Wood paneling

Wood has been used as a construction and finishing material for many centuries. Our time is no exception, and wood finishing remains relevant to this day. In addition to the fact that wood has a natural appearance, it is a material that removes excess moisture, regardless of what material the walls of a residential building are made of.

Wood façade finishing

The most suitable materials for wall cladding are considered to be block house and materials that imitate timber. You can offer lining for exterior finishing, which is thicker than lining for interior work.

Block house is a material that imitates processed logs and is distinguished by a rounded shape of the front part. The material imitating timber is similar to planed square timber. All wood cladding materials are mounted and coated with protective compounds, and they can either be painted or varnished.

Blockhouse finishing

Such facing materials are well suited for decorating walls made of foam blocks. Installation boils down to nailing wood or metal sheathing onto the walls. If necessary, insulation in the form of mineral wool is placed between the guide rails. After this, finishing material is attached to the sheathing.

The cheapest option is to cover the front part of a residential building with ordinary planed boards. The board is mounted according to the same principle as a block house, but it is necessary to ensure that the lower edge of the subsequent board overlaps the upper edge of the previous one by at least 1 centimeter, according to the “bump” principle, which allows you to reliably protect the walls of a residential building from atmospheric precipitation. This is a budget option, although in the end it will turn out quite well if everything is done wisely and slowly.

Planed board finishing

This type of finishing has the same disadvantages as all wood, since it is susceptible to rot and pest invasion. Without appropriate and, as practice shows, annual maintenance, such a surface quickly loses its decorative functions, as it darkens and becomes less and less attractive. Therefore, such material requires constant maintenance, and this is not the principle on which modern developers or owners of private houses rely. As a rule, the owner wants to do everything reliably, quickly and forever, so as not to think about such a problem anymore.

Beautiful porcelain tile options for a country house

In terms of technical characteristics, porcelain stoneware is not inferior to natural stone. It provides buildings with good heat and sound insulation.

"Arkhskin"

This brand of porcelain stoneware brings together several manufacturers presenting their products on the Russian market. The material is characterized by small dimensions and wide format. The thickness of the slab measuring 3x1 m is from 3 mm, weight is from 7 kg. The advantage of thin porcelain tiles: good flexibility.

"Kerlit"

“Cerlite” is another type of flexible, thin granite. The fairly lightweight material is produced in Italy. The slabs are made in different thicknesses - from 3 to 7 mm.

The production technology involves pressing porcelain stoneware using a fiberglass reinforcing mesh. The firing temperature of the products is +1220°C. The finished building material has high strength, not inferior to natural stone.

In some technical properties, Kerlit even surpasses porcelain stoneware.

"Laminam"

Laminam slabs are made from clay, granite rocks, and ceramic pigments.

Advantages:

• high strength;
• fire safety;
• environmental friendliness;
• frost resistance;
• durability.

The product does not release harmful components into the environment at high and low temperatures, when interacting with water, acids, and alkalis.

Laminam is used to cover the facades of buildings in regions with any climatic conditions.

Laminam slabs for building facades.

When is the best time to cladding a finished building?

Before choosing how to decorate the outside of the house, you need to decide at what stage of construction the preparatory work for installation will be carried out. Cladding should be carried out only after the door and window openings are closed. It should also be taken into account that a structure of any number of floors is subject to shrinkage during the first year after construction. The higher the number of floors, the more weight will be exerted on the foundation. Sometimes the shrinkage reaches such values ​​that the façade finish is damaged. Therefore, most experienced builders recommend carrying out facade work only a year after the completion of the construction of load-bearing walls.

Helpful advice! It must be taken into account that wall finishing done at the wrong time can be damaged when fixing other building parts.

It is not recommended to decorate the house when it is very hot or cold

After a year, before starting cladding work, you need to check the surfaces of the walls for the presence of vertical or horizontal distortions. If you find even minor violations at first glance, you need to correct them with plaster or lathing. Everything will depend on the material used to construct the box and the finish chosen.

You should also not carry out facade work in cold or too hot seasons. It is best to sheathe a building at an average daily temperature of 10 to 25 °C. At these temperatures, building materials are in normal condition and are not subject to compression or swelling.

When choosing finishing materials, you need to take into account the original condition of the building. Some types of cladding are characterized by greater weight, which will subsequently affect the foundation. This is especially true if the exterior of an old house is being decorated. To avoid troubles, it is better to contact a construction engineer who can assess the permissible additional load on a ready-made foundation.

Stained glass designs

This is an expensive method of finishing facades. Therefore, stained glass systems often decorate commercial and administrative buildings.

Advantages of glass systems for finishing cottages:

1. Representative appearance.
2. Triplex glass is characterized by good strength. Such surfaces can withstand high mechanical loads.
3. Glass is an excellent heat and sound insulator.
4. Products can be repaired. If one of the segments of the stained glass system breaks down, there is no need to replace the entire structure. Only the damaged element is replaced.

Disadvantages: difficult to install, high price. But despite the fact that after finishing the finishing work the house takes on a rather expensive look, such facades are not suitable for everyone. Some people feel uncomfortable in all-glass rooms.

Stained glass for finishing cottages.

The most common methods of exterior finishing

Today there are many options for finishing the exterior of a building. The most common and familiar to many is facade plaster.

Plaster

This method is still relevant today. This method is suitable for facing brick, concrete and block surfaces. The market offers different options for finishing mixtures.

Plaster is a good building insulator and a durable coating that can last up to 50 years without repair. The disadvantage is the dirt when laying walls using this method and the labor-intensive process.

Brick

Facing a building with brick is a reliable protection against negative external influences. At the same time, the house looks beautiful and makes a pleasant impression. It is important that the cladding does not require special care.

The finishing of external walls may be partial. Only the corners of the building can be highlighted with brick, which will give a unique and individual look. Today the market offers many shades of the working product, including facing bricks of various shapes.

On a note! It is important to understand that the weight of the structure due to the use of brick as a finishing material affects the overall weight. Therefore, at the design stage, it is necessary to take this nuance into account.

Stone

Finishing stone (wild or artificial) is the most expensive option. High wear resistance of the working product, external sophistication: this is what can be said about the stone finish.

Siding and wood paneling

An excellent choice for cladding a summer house. Ease of installation and practicality, as well as reasonable cost - these are the main advantages of the wooden structures in question. There are many types of siding. Including:

• acrylic;
• metal;
• block house (imitation logs);
• wooden material and other options.

Installation does not require the use of special tools or fundamental knowledge. What you should pay attention to is the choice of fasteners. Unless, of course, you will be worried about rusty streaks from poor-quality fasteners in the future.

The most commonly used wood is the following:

1. Pine.
2. Alder.
3. Ash.
4. Linden.
5. Oak.

Experts recommend using moisture-resistant wood. External wood cladding adds warmth and rich decoration to the building. When choosing a tree, you need to know the characteristics of the wood and its features. Including thermal conductivity and moisture/resistance and a number of other characteristics.

Features of self-installation

When performing external finishing work yourself, you first need to create a project, preferably a 3D model. Afterwards, it is recommended to prepare the wall surfaces (level, putty, etc.), the necessary working tools, calculate and purchase a decorative coating.

Tools for work

For installation work you will need:

• primer;
• putty;
• aluminum profiles;
• facing slabs (other material);
• mineral wool, polystyrene foam, other insulation;
• mushroom dowels, other fasteners.

After preparing the tools, working compositions, and finishing materials, it is necessary to clean, level, and treat the surfaces to be finished with protective agents. Only after this can you begin cladding the façade of the building.

Calculations

Preliminary calculations of consumables are the most important stage of finishing work.

The dimensions of the facing slabs are known. And to calculate their number, you just need to measure the area of ​​the house walls, gables, and other areas of the building that require cladding. But it is better to purchase building materials with a small margin, taking into account the need to trim the workpieces.

Siding

Combined facade - siding and decorative stone.
Sidings are cladding of building walls that perform two functions: utilitarian (protecting buildings from external influences such as rain, wind, snow, sun), and aesthetic (decorating the facade of buildings).

of siding , and we will now briefly describe their properties:

8.1 Aluminum siding

– perfect for offices, residential premises in multi-storey buildings. Due to the softness of the panels, the use of this material allows you to update walls and ceilings in a short time without significant costs or complex repairs.

8.2 Wood siding or laminated lining

– contains wood fibers, compressed at high temperatures with a special resin. Externally, the texture imitates natural wood. This siding is very expensive and is flammable.

8.3 Steel siding

Finished with metal siding.
- industrial engineering. It has heavy material weight and is susceptible to corrosion.

8.4 Fiber cement siding

– fire-resistant material made of cement and cellulose fibers. Looks like wooden boards, thanks to the special texture of the application. It is used for finishing kindergartens, clinics, and educational institutions.

Pros:

• Will last a long time (at least 60 years)
• Has a presentable appearance
• Easy to install and handle, easy to clean and repaint
• Doesn't fade
• Flexible and lightweight
• Does not require special skills for dismantling
• Able to withstand temperature changes, etc.

Minuses:

• price due to novelty for the market

8.5 Ceramic siding

– it can perhaps be called the “golden mean” in terms of price criterion. Its composition is a mixture of clay and some natural materials.

The sequence of do-it-yourself work

The technology of facade finishing may vary slightly depending on the finishing coating used. But the sequence of work is the same in all cases.

First, the walls are leveled and treated with special protective compounds. Next, the building is insulated. The last stage is the actual installation of the decorative coating.

Thermal insulation and sealing

Insulating materials are fixed to wall surfaces using mounting adhesive. For wet facades, compositions made from polymers are often used. They have good adhesion to any surface.

Base layer

After installation, the thermal insulation material must be covered with a hard layer. This is necessary to prevent mechanical damage.

Most often, a fiberglass reinforcing mesh is used for this, additionally impregnated with various protective compounds.

Facade decoration as part of the overall idea: what to pay attention to

The facade is very important for a house and its architectural image. The decoration of the facade also depends on the building materials used for the construction of the residential building. For example, the lined facade of a wooden house must be ventilated. What does it mean?

Depending on the design, facades are divided into two types:

• ventilated: there is a gap between the cladding and the outer wall. Thanks to it, air moves freely, moisture is removed, and the wall is not affected by the external environment;
• unventilated: the cladding material is attached directly to the wall, so there is no gap.

Facade finishing is required in the following cases:

• for decoration. The building can be built from inexpensive materials that are not very attractive in appearance. The sheathed structure takes on an expressive appearance;
• for environmental protection. After some time, the house loses its aesthetics, and the cladding will return it to its former attractiveness;
• for insulation of internal space. Cold materials are sometimes used to build a house, and moisture gets into porous structures. The finishing prevents this from happening.

The cladding of the facade of the house is divided into two groups:

• thermal insulation finish. This includes multilayer structures based on insulation, which minimize heat loss from the structure, increase its energy efficiency and give an aesthetic appearance;
• protective and decorative. This group includes multi-layer and single-layer systems that protect the house from external influences and add attractiveness to it.

According to the method of arrangement, facades are divided into types:

• “wet”: building mixtures are used to create them;
• “dry”, or mounted: they are created using fasteners. This method can be used at any time of the year, but installation does not provide such a complete surface as the previous method.

Requirements for finishing materials

For the cladding to function fully, façade materials must have the following qualities:

• low level of thermal conductivity, which will keep the house warm;
• high fire resistance;
• vapor permeability sufficient to create a comfortable microclimate in the house, as well as to protect the insulation from possible condensation formation;
• increased moisture resistance, which will eliminate moisture leading to metal destruction;
• resistance to chemicals, biostability (influence of microorganisms, mold);
• the ability to withstand sunlight while maintaining the original color and quality;
• strength: the exterior is subject to significant loads, and the coating must withstand them as well;
• resistance to wind loads: especially for suspended structures;
• environmental friendliness;
• long period of use;
• ease of care.

Decorating the outside of the house: what material is suitable for the frame type of building

Finishing the outside of a frame house gives rigidity to the structure and removes some of the load from the frame. Before sheathing a house, you need to select a material with sufficient mechanical strength that can withstand compression and work well in bending. It is important that the walls retain their original shape for as long as possible, regardless of environmental conditions. In addition, the cladding must withstand moisture, temperature changes and the influence of various microorganisms. Other important requirements when choosing a material are ease of installation and ease of processing, especially if you plan to do the cladding yourself.

Exterior finishing of a wooden frame house will protect it from rot and fungus

Helpful advice! Whatever panels are chosen for finishing the outside of the house, they need to be easy to cut and drill. The material should not crumble or crack, and the panel must maintain its density at the cut site. Durability is also important so that you don’t have to re-clad the house after 5-10 years.

The following types of materials are most often used for finishing a frame house:

• moisture-resistant plywood;
• cement particle boards (CSB);
• fibreboards (fibreboard);
• oriented strand boards (OSB);
• edged board.

Finishing the outside of a house with OSB boards is the most popular when constructing frame structures. The sheet consists of glued shavings and wood chips, which have a longitudinal arrangement in the outer layers and a transverse arrangement inside. Synthetic resins and wax are used as an adhesive mixture, providing the finished slab with water-repellent properties.

For the exterior finishing of a frame building, fiberboard, edged boards, fiberboard, OSB and plywood are often used

For external finishing, OSB-3 boards are used, which are characterized by increased rigidity, moisture resistance, elasticity and the ability to withstand vibrations. Using OSB boards will help you save money and cover the outside of your house cheaper than when choosing other materials. This is explained by the fact that to give a more attractive appearance, it is enough to treat the surfaces with waterproof varnish or facade paint. Features of using other types of material for cladding the outside of a frame house:

1. DSP. It is a compressed mass of cement and softwood shavings. It is durable and has a long service life, and is considered an excellent base for plastering or painting. The plate is designed for 50 freezing and thawing cycles.
2. Fiberboard. These are sheets made from compressed shavings; during the manufacturing process they are highly heated, which allows them to achieve maximum density without the use of adhesive mixtures. The natural resin contained in the shavings protects the material from mold. Sheets with a thickness of at least 2.5 cm are suitable for sheathing.
3. GVL. Moisture-resistant material consisting of natural gypsum reinforced with cellulose fibers. Its high density makes it suitable for creating surfaces; the sheets are fastened to supporting posts using self-tapping screws. To make the facade attractive, the top is covered with decorative plaster.

The material for cladding a frame house must be of increased strength

Plastering as one of the ways to decorate a house beautifully

Plaster has been used as a material for exterior finishing of houses for many decades. During this time, the material has become more improved. Houses whose facades are finished with plaster not only look attractive, but are also durable and sustainable. Using a variety of modern plaster mixtures, you can create relief patterns on the surface of the walls. A thick layer of plaster reliably protects the walls from external influences and various types of damage.

Related article:

Clinker bricks for the facade: reliable and presentable design of the building

History of origin and manufacturing technology of the product. Classification. Installation features. Rating of popular manufacturers and product prices.

Polymer plaster mixture is made on the basis of water-soluble or polyvinyl acetate solutions; it can also consist of polyurethane and epoxy resin. The most common are acrylic plasters, characterized by high adhesion and elasticity. Due to the peculiarities of the composition and the presence of plasticizers in it, the applied plaster does not deform or develop cracks after drying. These positive qualities allow the mixture to be applied to the facade immediately, because the material is not afraid of shrinkage.

This is interesting! Plaster is considered a universal material for home siding because it can be applied to stone, block and concrete surfaces. You can also plaster a facade made of flammable materials. The main advantages are fire resistance and the ability to withstand elevated temperatures for a long time.

Modern plaster for facades is characterized by stability and durability

Another positive quality of this type of exterior home decoration is its versatility, since acrylic is suitable for any type of base: wood, brick, stone or concrete. Disadvantages of using acrylic mixture:

1. Poor resistance to ultraviolet rays. With constant exposure to the sun, the coloring substances in the plaster lose their properties and fade.
2. Short service life compared to other types of cladding.
3. Fast drying. The mixture sets very quickly, which can cause some difficulties for novice craftsmen who want to decorate the outside of a country house with their own hands.

Other types of plaster used for exterior decoration of a house: photos of beautiful facades

Cement-based plaster is used for finishing the exterior of brick houses, concrete and block buildings. The main components are cement, purified and well-washed sand, and lime, which gives the mixture elasticity. The composition also contains plasticizers and elements that add texture.

Plaster based on polymer mixtures is highly elastic

Helpful information! Cement mineral mixtures have good fire-fighting properties and have sufficient vapor permeability. They are sold in the form of dry mixtures, which, after opening the packaging, are mixed with water in the proportion specified in the instructions.

The main advantages of using material for exterior finishing of a house:

• environmental friendliness and natural composition;
• ensuring protection of walls from external influences;
• lack of flammability;
• good heat-shielding and sound-insulating properties;
• compatibility with most building materials used to construct the box;
• long service life - about 50 years;
• low probability of cracks and other disturbances during the shrinkage process of the building.

Before covering the outside of a brick house or a building made of other materials using cement plaster, you need to take into account that the material sets quickly and after mixing the solution it must be used within 1-1.5 hours. In some cases, a finishing material will need to be applied over the cement mixture, which will entail additional costs.

Cement plaster is suitable for finishing concrete, block and brick houses

Silicone plaster is considered the highest quality option for finishing facades, but the material is expensive. In retail establishments, ready-made mixtures are mainly presented, which are sold in plastic buckets. The main positive aspects of applying silicone plaster:

1. Good elasticity and adhesion to the surface, which greatly facilitates the application of the solution to the finished base.
2. The ability to self-clean, because even during rain, major contaminants are washed off the walls.
3. Resistance to sunlight and long-term preservation of the color of the facade without fading.
4. There is no possibility of cracks appearing as a result of temperature changes.

It is permissible to apply a silicone solution to any surface, including wood, which the plaster will protect from the growth of fungus or moss. The presence of fine-grained solid additives in the material allows the formation of a beautiful relief on the façade.

Acrylic plaster is considered the most universal, as it is suitable for most types of base materials

How can you cover a house? Another good option is silicate plaster based on liquid glass, which contains mineral additives and coloring pigments. Solutions of various colors are sold ready-to-use. The environmental friendliness of the material ensures the absence of an unpleasant odor and good vapor permeability along with water resistance. Compared to the previous option, it has a more affordable price, while maintaining all the positive qualities. Its feature is neutral electrostaticity, which prevents dust deposition.

What is finishing a house with siding: types of material

Siding resembles clapboard. The only difference between them is that one material is attached to the wall surface with an overlap, and the second - using locking joints. Most often, the exterior of a house is finished with siding made of aluminum, although vinyl and wood panels are also considered in demand.

Some options are distinguished by the presence of a polymer coating of various tones, but the greatest demand is for panels that imitate the pattern of wood or stone. You can often find trim on the outside of a house that imitates timber, which can only be distinguished from real wood upon closer inspection. Due to the fact that each panel is laid on the previous one at a large slope, moisture flows freely from the surface without penetrating onto the main wall.

Vinyl, wood and aluminum siding are used to decorate houses.

Helpful advice! Siding is available in single or double panels. To make the house look more attractive, it is recommended to use several different textures for finishing: the base can be finished with stone-like siding, and the rest with wood-like siding. In the photo, houses covered with brick siding cannot be distinguished from ordinary brick trim.

As for the prices of finishing a house with siding on the outside, it is worth noting that using this material you can save a lot of money, because siding is cheaper than natural materials and is much easier to install. At the same time, the panels have a long service life. Another advantage of siding is the ability to use it for cladding buildings made of any material.

Before decorating a house with siding, you should familiarize yourself with the main types of this material. Vinyl sheets are made from high-tech polyvinyl chloride, which can be used at any temperature. The panels are easy to cut, which allows you to create the ideal appearance of the facade, even if there are protrusions and other decorative elements on the base.

Siding is the most economical cladding option, since it is not expensive, and its installation is quite simple.

Vinyl siding consists of lamellas, the thickness of which is 1-1.2 cm, and the width is 20-25 cm. It is mounted on a metal or wooden sheathing. To leave room for possible movement of the lamella, it is not recommended to screw in the self-tapping screw with great force until it stops; it would be better if a small gap remains. To cover the lower part of the building, it is recommended to take not the usual, but the basement type of siding, which is thicker. The main advantages of purchasing vinyl siding include:

• easy installation on buildings of any shape;
• low cost of panels;
• wide temperature range at which installation can be carried out from -5 to +40 °C.

Among the disadvantages is rapid fading under the influence of ultraviolet rays, so preference should be given to light-colored panels. Installation should not be carried out at non-recommended temperatures: if it is too cold, the siding sheets may crack when cutting, and in extreme heat the sheets may bend.

Houses covered with siding: features of metal slats

Metal siding, unlike vinyl, is made from galvanized steel or aluminum. After creating the workpiece, a coloring agent is applied to its surface, which protects the base from rust and corrosion. Decoration of lamellas occurs in two ways:

Metal siding is made from aluminum or galvanized steel and is painted in a variety of colors.

1. When using a polymer shell, it is possible to create a large selection of shades and colors. This type of siding does not fade and is not subject to mechanical stress.
2. Coloring is carried out using the powder method. The lamellas are designed for operation under any conditions and temperatures. Even when heated, the paint does not peel off or fade, and a large selection of colors and shades is available.

Installation of metal siding is carried out on supporting and additional beams located on the side, using self-tapping screws and connecting locks on the strips. The main advantages are considered to be low cost and the possibility of installation under any conditions, because metal panels, unlike vinyl ones, are not so easy to damage. The disadvantages include the relative simplicity of the facade due to the not very attractive appearance of the stripes.

Features of using natural stone for decoration: pictures of village houses

Stone of natural origin is considered the most expensive cladding option, because its production requires a large amount of material and labor. But even despite the cost, it is this material that can be seen more often than others on the facades of houses, because the stone is distinguished by its versatility and durability.

A house decorated with stone on the outside is not afraid of even large temperature amplitudes, does not change color under the influence of sunlight and is not exposed to humidity. If you follow all the rules for installing wall cladding, it will be impossible to damage the cladding, which is a guarantee of durable use. The following types of rocks are used to make stone slabs:

Finishing the facade of a house with natural stone is the most expensive option

1. Sandstone. A high-strength stone that consists of individual parts of sedimentary rocks. After processing, the stone takes the form of polygonal or rectangular slabs. To give an aesthetic appearance, each stone is polished.
2. Limestone. It is considered a more common finishing stone due to its ease of extraction. Limestone finishes are distinguished by pleasant light tones, less often they are gray in color.
3. Slate. In nature, it is formed by displacement of rock thickness and, in addition to wall decoration, is used as a roofing material. The disadvantage of slate is its ability to delaminate along the fibers as a result of damage.
4. Granite. A noble stone with the greatest strength and hardness. Thanks to increased wear resistance, it maintains a smooth surface for a long time and does not allow moisture to pass through. The main disadvantages are heavy weight and high cost.
5. Labradorite. An unusual and beautiful stone, characterized by the presence of iridescence on the cut surface. The facade of a house made of labradorite looks unusual, but at high temperatures the stone can crack.
6. Porphyrite. It is quite often used when finishing the base. The stone is red in color and polishes well. The parameters of the rock mainly depend on the place of extraction, but in any case, the slabs are resistant to mechanical stress and are non-hygroscopic.
7. Marble. The basis of the rock is calcite. Inexperienced builders often call limestone or dolomite marble, but unlike them, marble has a light shade and a large number of inclusions of red, black or green. The material is characterized by a large number of advantages, but is prone to yellowing of the surface, which spoils the appearance of the facade.

Natural stone is not afraid of temperature changes, humidity and sunlight

Helpful information! Having decided to use natural stone for finishing the facade, you need to take into account that you will need to pay a lot not only for the material itself, but also for its installation. However, a house beautifully decorated with natural stone will always emphasize the good taste of the owner.

How to cover the outside of a house: the advantages of finishing the facade with artificial stone

Artificial stone intended for finishing is produced by combining cement and gypsum with various additives. The price of artificial material is much cheaper than natural material, but thanks to modern technologies it is not inferior in quality. Another advantage is the fact that artificial stone can perfectly imitate the natural structure and shade.

Another important advantage over natural stone is its lower weight, which will help simplify the installation process and reduce the load on the base of the building. In addition to standard-sized parts, corner tiles are available for sale, with which you can neatly finish the outside of windows in a wooden house. The installation technology is similar to the process of wall cladding with ceramic tiles.

Artificial finishing stone is much cheaper than natural stone, but is almost as good as it in terms of characteristics.

Individual tiles of artificial stone have different shapes; they are made both in the form of tiles with the correct shape, and in the form of fragments of natural stone with chips and unevenness on the surface. If you follow the recommendations and lay the tiles in accordance with the technology, it will be impossible to distinguish the masonry from natural ones. A significant disadvantage is the need to periodically repaint parts with façade varnish.