How to decorate the walls outside in a private house. What is better to sheathe the outside

When construction is nearing completion, developers are faced with the question: what to cover the house with? There is currently a huge range of facade finishing materials on the market, which complicates the choice. Therefore, in this article I decided to talk about the five most popular finishing options and their features in order to answer the question posed above.

Sheathing options

So, currently the most popular types of finishes are:

Option 1: wooden coverings

If you don’t know what to cover a wooden house with, then my advice is to use wooden finishing materials, such as:

• lining - flat finishing board;
• block house - a finishing board whose front side has a cylindrical shape;
• planken - finishing board with beveled edges.

Wooden finishing boards have a number of advantages:

• are natural and environmentally friendly material;
• wood is known to have good heat and sound insulation properties, which will make your home even more comfortable;
• has vapor permeability - thanks to this, finishing a wooden house with wood will not disturb the indoor microclimate;
• wood looks beautiful, in addition, the use of imitation timber or logs will preserve the original appearance of wooden housing.

However, at the same time, wooden materials also have some disadvantages:

• require periodic maintenance, which includes treatment with protective impregnations, opening with varnish, etc.;
• Wood is susceptible to rotting and moisture, however, the use of impregnations makes wooden materials resistant to these negative factors.

Keep in mind that the properties of wooden finishing materials also depend on the type of wood.

For outdoor use, it is advisable to purchase materials from moisture-resistant wood species, such as:

• pine;
• larch, etc.

Also, keep in mind that wood materials come in different grades, which determine the quality. As an example, let's look at the features of different types of lining:

Class	Peculiarities
Premium or extra	The expression “without a hitch” is just about top-class lining. You will not find any defects on the surface of such a board. True, the cost of this material is the highest.
"A"	The material has no falling knots, and there are no through cracks. The knots that are present should be light-colored, with a diameter of no more than one and a half centimeters. The length of non-through cracks should not exceed 9.5 cm.
"B"	Second grade lining has visible defects, such as: cracks; chips; dents. In addition, the presence of blue on the surface is allowed, but not more than ten percent of the total volume. The diameter of the knots should not exceed 2 cm, and only one knot is allowed per linear meter. The length of through cracks should not exceed 30 cm. Through-layer cracks can have a length of up to 15 cm and a width of no more than 1 mm. Rot and wormholes are allowed, but not more than ten percent.

There is also a third grade, however, it is not suitable for finishing the facade of a house, so we will not consider it.

It must be said that the price of the lining is quite affordable, especially for inexpensive types of wood:

As for the installation of wooden materials, they can be used to cover walls using the “curtain facade” technology. To do this, a frame is mounted on the walls, to which the lining or other covering is attached. At the same time, a vapor barrier can also be laid in the space between the sheathing and the wall, as shown in the diagram above.

Option 2: vinyl siding

Vinyl siding is an inexpensive and practical material that is perfect for those who are looking for a cheaper way to cover their home.

Its advantages include:

• attractive appearance, in addition, there is a large selection of colors on sale;
• durability is about 25 years (some models last 50 years);
• does not require maintenance and is easy to clean;
• not subject to negative biological influences;
• does not burn, but only melts under the influence of high temperatures.

For these reasons, vinyl siding is one of the most common siding materials. Its installation is also carried out using the “ventilated facade” technology, so the finishing does not affect the vapor permeability of the walls.

When purchasing vinyl siding, you should pay attention to the color and structure of the plastic. It should be smooth and uniform. If impurities or graininess are visible, then the material is of low quality, and accordingly, it is better to discard it, since problems can begin after a few years.

Below are prices for vinyl siding from some well-known manufacturers:

Option 3: thermal panels

Thermal panels are a relatively new type of finishing materials.

Their feature is the presence of two layers:

• base - is an insulation material, which can be used as polyurethane foam, extruded polystyrene foam or ordinary polystyrene foam (foam);
• decorative coating – serves to protect the insulation from external influences, and also decorates the facade. For these purposes, clinker tiles, porcelain tiles, marble chips, quartz granite, etc. can be used.

As you can see, thermal panels are a combined material that serves not only as cladding, but also as insulation.

Among their other advantages, the following points can be highlighted:

• ease of installation;
• the panels are connected to each other in a lock, as a result of which cold bridges are eliminated;
• allow you to give the facade an attractive appearance.

However, this material also has some disadvantages:

• high price;
• low vapor permeability or even its complete absence (depending on the type of insulation). This can lead to moisture accumulation between the wall and the insulation. Therefore, if you are interested in cladding a wooden house, you should pay attention to other materials;
• the cost is often higher than separately for insulation and facade finishing material.

Thermal panels are installed using special dowels. No glue is used. As a rule, thermal panels are mounted without a frame.

Below are the prices for thermal panels that you can find on the domestic market:

Thermal panels covered with porcelain stoneware or clinker tiles require grouting of the joints after installation.

Thus, if you want to cover your house inexpensively, it is better to pay attention to other materials.

Option 4: wet facade

Another currently popular type of home decoration is the “wet facade”. The principle of this technology is to cover the walls with insulation (usually mineral wool or polystyrene foam), which is subsequently reinforced and covered with decorative plaster.

This cladding method has quite a few advantages:

• allows you to insulate the house, and thus make it more comfortable and energy efficient;
• the facade acquires a presentable appearance;
• for a wet facade, you can use inexpensive materials and thereby save money;
• The installation technology is quite simple, so you can do the work yourself.

True, along with the advantages, the “wet facade” also has a number of disadvantages:

• the finishing turns out to be unstable to mechanical stress, since the insulation is protected only by a thin layer of glue, reinforced with fiberglass mesh, and covered with decorative plaster on top;
• finishing is a seasonal job, since installation cannot be done at sub-zero temperatures;
• durability is lower than that of the finishing materials described above. In addition, finishing using this method requires strict adherence to technology.

For effective thermal insulation, the thickness of the insulation must be at least 100 mm, and for northern regions - 150 mm. If you use foam plastic as insulation, its density should be at least 25 kg/m3. Mineral mats must have a density of 100-125 kg/m3, otherwise the finish will not be durable enough.

Brief instructions for installing a curtain wall look like this:

1. work begins with preparing the facade - the hanging elements are dismantled, peeling areas are removed, if any, and the surface of the walls is primed with two layers of façade primer;

1. Next, the insulation is glued to the wall using special glue. The slabs should be placed on the wall in a checkerboard pattern, as shown in the photo above, and with bandaging in the corners.
   When gluing the slabs, it is necessary to ensure that they are located in the same vertical plane, otherwise the walls will turn out crooked. Therefore, it is imperative to use a level and beacons;
2. then the insulation is additionally fixed with special dowels with wide caps. Dowels are located in the corners at the joints of the plates, as well as two in the center, as shown in the diagram below;

1. then the slopes are covered with thinner insulation;
2. then the surface is prepared for reinforcement - the gaps between the slabs are filled with foam or scraps of insulation, and all irregularities are smoothed over with a special grater. In addition, you should stick perforated corners on all outer corners with your own hands;

1. after this, reinforcement is performed - the fiberglass mesh is glued with the same glue that was used to glue the insulation. The mesh should overlap and always be turned at the corners;
2. then the reinforced insulation is covered with another layer of glue several millimeters thick. This operation is reminiscent of puttying, since its task is to level the surface;
3. then the surface is primed with two layers of façade primer;

1. At the end of the work, decorative plaster is applied to the surface, after which the facade is painted. This operation does not contain any special features and is performed according to the standard procedure.

This completes the finishing.

Option 5: clinker tile cladding

Finally, let’s look at a material such as clinker tiles. It can be recommended to those who are primarily interested in the durability of the finish. After all, many manufacturers provide a 100-year guarantee on clinker tiles.

Of course, durability is not the only advantage of the material, as it also has other positive qualities:

• attractive appearance - clinker tiles, as a rule, have the shape of a brick. Therefore, a wall finished with it is almost impossible to distinguish from brickwork. Moreover, there is a large assortment of colors on sale;
• maintains an attractive appearance throughout its entire service life;
• has sufficiently high strength;
• protects walls from moisture and other negative influences.

The disadvantages include high cost. In addition, in order to properly stick tiles on walls, you need to have some experience. Therefore, it is better to entrust the work to specialists.

Below is the cost of clinker tiles from various well-known manufacturers:

Here, in fact, are all the methods of finishing a facade that I wanted to introduce you to in this article.

Conclusion

There are quite a lot of options for covering a house, so I tried to talk about the most popular ones today. As for the choice, everyone must decide for themselves, taking into account the cost of materials, design, and finishing tasks.

I also recommend watching the video in this article, which contains additional information on the topic discussed. If you have questions that you haven’t found an answer to, ask them in the comments, and I will definitely answer you.

Most often, people build houses from wood. The reasons may be different. Wood is an environmentally friendly material. It is cheaper to build such a house than a stone one. It maintains a normal level of humidity. For such a construction, a strip base is sufficient. But often this structure requires additional external finishing. There are a huge number of facing materials on the market. Therefore, it is recommended to thoroughly study them all in advance. Only after this can you make a choice about how to sheathe the outside of a wooden house.

Reasons and goals

The decision to make additional cladding for a wooden house can be made for several reasons:

1. Wood was used in the construction of the house, which is not very visually beautiful.
2. Over time, the tree lost its attractiveness.
3. The house requires additional thermal and waterproofing.
4. Increased fire resistance of the structure is required.
5. Pests have appeared: termites, mold, mildew, etc.

To achieve these goals, there is a huge amount of different materials (cladding, insulating).

Material selection rules

When using insulating materials, it is important to maintain normal humidity in the room. To do this, there must be a decrease in vapor permeation from the inside to the outside. Thus, moisture will leave the home naturally. Neglecting this rule can lead to serious problems. The appearance of condensation between the layers will create excellent conditions for the development of fungus and mold. Destruction will begin. And in cold weather, this condensation will freeze and expand, deforming your home.

This rule only applies to wood. Other materials do not have very good vapor conductivity. There are two ways to fix this.

1. The first method is to attach the cladding directly to the facade wall. In this case, the inside of the wall must be equipped with a vapor barrier material. Moisture will not penetrate into the house through it, but will be released through ventilation.
2. The second way is to install a ventilated façade. This is a unique dividing layer between the internal wall of the house and the external decoration. Thanks to it, the air inside circulates freely, providing natural ventilation.

Wait until the house has completely settled before you begin tiling work. Each material from which a house is built has its own deadline:

• felled trees take at least two years to grow;
• rounded log - from 6 to 12 months;
• glued and profiled timber do not require shrinkage.

Wall preparation and vapor barrier

Foil, polyethylene and bitumen roofing felt can be used as a vapor barrier material. But most often, polyethylene film is used for vapor barrier of wooden structures. It does its job perfectly and is inexpensive.

When using polyethylene as a vapor barrier, leave a small space between the walls and this layer.

If the house is built of round logs, you need to make a slatted frame. The thickness of the slats is 20–30 mm. They need to be nailed vertically to the wall at a distance of 400–500 mm from each other. And already install polyethylene on them.

Laying vapor barrier takes place in 3 stages:

1. Make small holes (diameter 200–300 m) in the slats located along the edge of the wall perimeter.
2. Using nails or a construction stapler, attach the film to the frame with an overlap of 150 mm.
3. Using special tape, glue all the joints of the vapor barrier, as well as the places where it connects the material to the frame.

Installation of heat and waterproofing layer

There are not so many insulation materials for wooden structures.

Table: heat and waterproofing materials

Name	Description
Foam boards	Advantages: high rates of heat and sound insulation; easy installation; resistance to pests. Flaws: does not allow air to pass through, which can lead to wood rotting; burns easily; not environmentally friendly.
Penoplex	Appeared relatively recently. Manufactured using the extrusion method. Advantages: good thermal insulation properties; increased fire resistance; resistant to fungus and bacteria. Flaws: vapor tightness; Difficulty in self-assembly.
Mineral wool	The most popular option. Advantages: allows air to pass through well; easy to install; does not burn; characterized by environmental friendliness. This material has one drawback. It does not tolerate moisture at all on the surface.

The most commonly used material is mineral wool. It should be purchased in the form of slabs. It's more convenient for work.

The installation process occurs in several stages:

1. First of all, the frame is installed. To do this, boards 5 cm thick and 10 cm wide are nailed onto the vapor barrier layer. The distance between them should be 20–30 mm less than the width of the mineral wool slab. This is necessary for a tighter fit of the material to the wall surface without the use of additional fastening. Mineral wool can be laid in 2 layers. To do this, you need to make another frame so that the second layer covers the joints of the first.
2. Now the waterproofing material is attached. The uneven rough side of the film should be adjacent to the mineral wool, and the smooth side should look outward. The film must be secured using a construction stapler with an overlap. And the joints and places where the material is fastened with staples must be taped with special tape.
3. 5x4 cm boards are nailed onto the frame, which was made for thermal insulation. This will be the sheathing. It will create additional space for air circulation and become a frame for finishing work.

Photo gallery: thermal insulation materials

Table: what can be used to cover the outside of a house

Name		Advantages	Flaws	Peculiarities
Wood cladding	lining	Recreates the wooden essence of the house. It looks like a flat board made of wood of different shades. Easy to install. Environmentally friendly, durable, has good heat and sound insulation.	Susceptible to insect pests, but this problem can be solved. It is enough to treat the surface with special protective agents. Requires periodic touch-up.	-
	imitation timber	Environmental friendliness, durability, good heat and sound insulation, low weight, reliable fastening.	Increased flammability, the need for constant maintenance.	Wood panels very similar to real timber. There is a tongue-and-groove system. Made from coniferous, hardwood and cedar. The panels range in length from 2 to 6 m, and in width from 13.5 to 19.5 cm. Their thickness varies from 2 to 3.5 cm. The panels are fastened with tongues and grooves. Their humidity is no more than 10–14%. Divided into classes: AB (the highest and most expensive material); VS (they have minor defects, but the surface is even and smooth); C-class (there are some minor irregularities). You can also find an elite class, the cost of which is very high.
	block house	Aesthetic appearance, environmental friendliness, strength, low initial humidity level, easy installation.	Low level of vapor permeability, the need for constant maintenance, lack of thermal insulation properties, burns.	This is a board made of wood, the inside of which is flat and the outside is cylindrical. Equipped with a tongue-and-groove system for easy installation. One or more longitudinal grooves are made on the inside of the board to reduce pressure on the cladding surface and for ventilation. Maximum material humidity 15%. To produce the material, you need to use special equipment to chop the log from four sides. A block house is made from the cut parts, polished and given the required dimensions. The central part of the log is used for timber and lining. The block house is made from pine, spruce, cedar, Siberian larch, linden, birch and aspen. Divided into classes: E (ideal specimens); A (there may be light or dark knots, but without mechanical damage); B (normal surface, there are fallen knots, there may be cracks or chips, but minor); C (quality is acceptable, but worse than previous ones).
Siding	metal	Reliability, fire resistance, lack of fragility, ease of installation even at sub-zero temperatures, durability.	A small selection of colors, externally reminiscent of a public building. You can choose powder coated siding. There is a larger range of colors, and the paint will not come off the surface for a very long time.	For manufacturing, thin aluminum or galvanized steel is used. Covered with a decorative protective layer. Attaches in the same way as vinyl.
	vinyl	Low price, easy to install.	Exposure to sunlight. Increased fragility in the winter season.	Polyvinyl chloride or PVC is used in production. These are thin strips (1.1–1.2 mm thick), the width of which is 20.5–25.5 cm. There is a lock on one side of the longitudinal edge, and perforation for fastening on the other. Attach it to a frame, preferably metal. During installation, the screws are loosely screwed in so as not to deform the material.
PVC panels		Moisture resistance, flexibility, wide range of applications, large selection of colors, ease of installation, no need for special care.	Poor resistance to UV radiation, low impact resistance.	This finishing option is used quite widely, and not only for its intended purpose due to its low cost.
		High fire resistance, preservation of the original appearance for a long time, a wide variety of colors and shapes, ease of installation, protection from corrosion by a plastic coating, environmental friendliness, durability, low price.	Low noise insulation, high probability of condensation, difficulty of installation on the roof due to its large size, since it is not easy to cut the sheets.	Transversely rigid profiled steel sheet. Manufactured by cold stamping. The thicker the steel sheet, the deeper the stamping and the stronger the product itself. Thickness varies from 0.5 to 1.2 mm. A polymer or layer of zinc is applied to protect against corrosion. Currently, corrugated sheeting with a layer of zinc and a polymer coating for decoration is popular. It is made of rolled steel, so the length can be any, and the width can be from 98 to 185 cm.
Facade tiles		Moisture resistance, reliability, durability and strength, attractive appearance, fire resistance, color retention, ease of installation due to low weight.	Increased fragility.	-
Stone		Environmental friendliness, durability, reliability, resistance to climate change, ease of installation, unique appearance.	Very heavy weight.	-
		High strength, resistance to ultraviolet rays, natural color, frost resistance, a wide range of textures, waterproof.	High cost, fragility before installation.	For home finishing, professionals recommend glazed or engobed bricks, clinker. The first two will give the house an original appearance. They have a wide range of colors. The surface of the facade before facing should be without severe deformation. You need to be very careful when working, as these bricks are fragile. In addition to cladding the façade, the plinth is finished with clinker. Facade bricks are made using refractory clay. It is fired at high temperature.

Photo gallery: types of facing material

The lining can be of absolutely any color. A house finished with imitation timber looks very natural. There are several types of material with their own advantages and disadvantages, one of them is a block house
A house covered with metal siding looks more like a public building. Vinyl siding looks like wood. PVC panels are not only monotonous, but also with patterns
Bright color options for corrugated sheeting allow you to choose the ideal cladding for yourself. Facade tiles have different textures. Finishing the facade of a house with natural stone looks very expensive.
Types of facade bricks

Reviews from real people

The house is good, but the wood is already starting to deteriorate in places. That’s why we thought about its good and reliable protection. Painting is definitely not an option, since the wood has never been painted. You'll have to pour eleven or even more liters of paint on these walls. And periodically painting is also not the best solution: the house is quite large. Along with finishing the facade, it is planned to completely replace the roof, since a tin roof is just “tin”!!! There is no question of any painting here. So the priority is practicality and durability, not authenticity.

http://forum.onliner.by/viewtopic.php?t=14667282

If it is metal, then I would not recommend it for a living space: 1. Metal can heat up in the summer 2. The siding itself in places where it is bent or cut can corrode. In principle, we can solve this issue by treating it with anti-corrosion from the inside, but for an office, a hangar, or a utility room, that’s fine. A wooden block house is still better suited for a home. Eco-friendly and beautiful. But more expensive. I do not agree with those who write that the block house requires constant maintenance. At my dacha the façade is being decorated with a block house. No problems in 5 years. The main thing is to process it correctly initially before covering. And under the casing.

http://forum.onliner.by/viewtopic.php?p=83009084#p83009084

Honestly, I don’t really understand. Maybe I'm wrong, but the point of panels filled with foamed polymer, in my understanding, is energy saving and as an additional option. insulation. And if you hang them on the ventilated façade, then, in fact, there will be no energy saving; the air flows calmly both inside and outside. Accordingly, does it make sense to use an inherently insulating material in the form of a purely decorative finish? But here “everyone sharpens as he wants.” I don’t claim to be the ultimate truth, I’m just expressing my doubts.

https://www.forumhouse.ru/threads/270223/

Since 1996 I have been doing natural stone cladding, and not a single stone has fallen, I agree with RELIABLE, natural stone requires a structurally strong wall, although our guys also cladding insulation, but the work adds up and takes a fair amount of time.

engineer 05 Doug

https://www.forumhouse.ru/threads/154141/page-2

Step-by-step instructions for cladding a wooden house with corrugated sheets with your own hands

All work on cladding a house from logs or other materials can be done independently.

How to make a choice

Profiled sheets of grade C are ideal for cladding wooden buildings. It has subtypes:

1. C8 - light and durable sheets. Their light weight makes it possible to complete the cladding in the shortest possible time.
2. C10 - it has a wide wave and is thicker than the previous one. Ideal for vertical cladding of building facades.
3. C15 - like C10, is also a good option for cladding. In addition to all the advantages, it is galvanized and treated with polymer.

Material calculation

Calculation of the required amount of corrugated sheets implies:

1. Determining the area to be covered with sheathing. The height of the facade must be multiplied by the width. This will give you the total surface area of ​​one wall. However, not all of it will be covered with sheathing. Therefore, you need to measure the area of ​​​​elements that will not be lined (windows, doors). Take similar measurements on each side of the house. All numbers found must be added.
2. Finding the right amount of material. To do this, calculate the area of ​​one sheet of corrugated sheeting. Divide the previous parameter by the size of one unit of material. Get the number of sheets you need. But always have a small supply of material.

Stages of work completion

Facade cladding takes place in several stages:

1. Installation of sheathing. Sheathing of corrugated sheets is done on a metal frame with reinforced fasteners, secured with dowels. Can also be laid on wood. At this stage it is necessary to use a building level.
2. Insulation fastening. Lay it in the grooves of the sheathing, secure it with disc-shaped dowels.
3. Fastening of profiled sheets. Self-tapping screws are suitable for this.
4. Installation of fractional elements: basement, corner, drainage and roofing.

Helpful Tips:

1. Use a protective film for the insulation to prevent moisture from getting on it.
2. Self-tapping screws with moisture-proof gaskets are ideal for installing the cladding.
3. The originality of the cladding design can be achieved by laying corrugated sheets horizontally and vertically alternately.
4. Don't forget to waterproof the foundation.
5. Fix the guide profile with anchor bolts.
6. Attach the racks with jumpers well to the frame profile.

Video: sheathing with corrugated sheets

Cladding the facade with a block house

Cladding a wooden house with a block house has its own characteristics

Table: required tools and materials

Material calculation

For cladding the facade, pine beams 10–20 cm wide and 4–6 m long are often used. The amount of material required can be found by calculating the total area for cladding.

Step-by-step finishing with facade bricks

When to choose a brick for cladding:

1. If you need to protect low-quality and unattractive timber.
2. When do you need additional thermal insulation?
3. If a frame house is built.

Insulation

Insulation can be placed both outside the house and inside. If you choose the second option, the space of the rooms will be reduced. For this option, you should not take foam insulation. It has too many shortcomings. It is better to use basalt. In this case, a vapor barrier membrane must be placed on both sides. After this, cover the walls with clapboard or imitation timber.

To insulate the outside of the house, mineral wool or basalt material is suitable, which must be covered with a vapor barrier membrane. Then you can proceed directly to the finishing itself.

Table: calculation of the number of bricks

Unit	Size bricks	Excluding mortar joints, pcs.	Taking into account mortar joints. PC.
1 m 3 masonry	1	512	394
	1,5	378	302
	2	242	200
1 m 2 masonry of 0.5 bricks (thickness walls -12 cm)	1	61	51
	1,5	45	39
	2	30	26
1 m 2 masonry in 1 brick (thickness walls - 25 cm)	1	128	102
	1,5	95	78
	2	60	52
1 m 2 masonry of 1.5 bricks (thickness walls - 38 cm)	1	189	153
	1,5	140	117
	2	90	78
1 m 2 masonry of 2 bricks (wall thickness - 51 cm)	1	256	204
	1,5	190	156
	2	120	104
1 m 2 masonry of 2.5 bricks (wall thickness - 64 cm)	1	317	255
	1,5	235	195
	2	150	130

Brick finishing stages

Now you can move on to the cladding. For this:

1. Thoroughly clean the wall surfaces from excess parts and treat them with an antiseptic.
2. Lay vapor barrier material.
3. Make a horizontal sheathing with a distance between the slats 2 cm less than the width of the insulating material.
4. Using disc dowels, secure the insulation.
5. Place another layer of vapor barrier material.
6. Leave a small gap to the brick for ventilation (20–40 mm).
7. Throw plumb lines from the corners of the building. This way you will monitor whether the brickwork is laid correctly. Control the process level.
8. Tie the wood wall and brickwork together with reinforcement mesh. To do this, one end of the reinforcement is attached to the wooden surface of the wall, and the second, without protruding, rests against the brickwork.
9. Do the cladding in half a brick.
10. In the first and last rows of masonry, leave small gaps (1–0.5 mm) for air circulation. The distance between them is no more than 4 m.

Video: facing with facade bricks

The variety of finishing options for wooden structures is great. Among all these types of facing materials, you can easily choose the one that suits you.

Finishing repairs to the facade of any house is worth attention, since over time any building material tends to deteriorate and loses its attractiveness. Repair work on the cladding of the house frame or its cladding directly depends on the type of material from which the walls are built. If you are ready to decorate the outside of a country or country house with your own hands, we will answer all your questions and help you complete the renovation quickly and efficiently.

Main questions

You probably haven’t even thought about how wide the choice of finishing materials is that can suit your home: plaster coating, natural or decorative stone, lining, wood, metal, clay tiles, thermal panels and many others. No less wide is the range of colors and varieties of each material. If materials are used correctly and combined wisely, the façade of your home will be no different from a professional design solution.

We propose to consider how the exterior of houses is decorated.

Required material characteristics

A beloved home should not only have comfort, warmth, space and coziness inside, but also look aesthetically pleasing, attractive on the outside and be protected from natural disasters. To do this, the selected material for cladding must meet a minimum of qualities in order to serve for a long time:

• low thermal conductivity in order to maintain and maintain a warm temperature indoors;
• high vapor permeability of the material so that moisture cannot accumulate between layers of insulation;
• resistance to moisture is an obvious quality for using the material outdoors;
• resistance to temperature changes and hot or cold climates;
• the presence of an inert reaction to chemical influences;
• a special microclimate so that there are no favorable conditions for the proliferation of pests, fungi and mold;
• preservation of properties when exposed to direct sunlight.

The facing material will last a long time if you do not forget about the need for protective actions.

Plaster as an option for cladding a house

It is often used as a finishing coating on insulated slabs, for example, on foam plastic, fiber cement and others. The main material of the walls is concrete or brick.

Before applying decorative plaster to the walls you must:

1. We install the insulation, which is supported by metal holder profiles. The thickness of the profile fully corresponds to the width of the insulated material. Dust and dirt are removed from the walls. A specially diluted adhesive composition is applied to the surface of the insulation, after which it is attached to the walls in a row. After the glue has dried, all corners, window and door openings are glued using reinforcing mesh.
2. We give time for the insulation to dry completely and begin applying the polymer plaster coating to the walls. The layer of plaster on the walls should be uniform and amount to 2-3 mm.
3. The final stage of finishing can be considered the final application of decorative plaster. It must be chosen to your taste, color, texture and decorated in your own way.

Lathing for facade finishing

The lathing serves as an auxiliary frame for applying a decorative coating layer. Its number of layers and the position of the timber masonry directly depend on the decorative cladding.

1. We mark on the wall the approximate location of the beams. The width between the beams should be such that the insulation can easily fit into the gaps.
2. We mount the beams on the wall, securing them with anchors.
3. We install insulation on the walls. Next, we stretch the diffuse membrane, fastening it to the sheathing with construction staples.
4. We spread the decorative facing material, apply it over the entire area of ​​the walls and give it time to dry.

Another lathing method can be used if desired. It consists in the fact that wooden hangers are attached to the wall at such an interval from it that the insulation fits into the gap. The distance between the beams should be about 60 cm. Thus, the sheathing has a “U” shape, onto which the decorative finishing of the house from SIP panels or another version of the finishing material is attached.

Types of decorative cladding

It is very important to know as much as possible about the facing material in order to skillfully apply it to your home. Exterior finishing work always begins with choosing the right material and planning the design. Let's look at some options:

Clinker thermal panels - an option that combines both decorative finishing and wall insulation. One of the advantages of this material is its versatility. The panels are placed to create the visual effect of a brick-like house. Installation of decorative panels does not require much effort. The uniqueness of the panels allows you to care for external walls by washing and cleaning them under a water jet. Clinker tiles are characterized by their reliability, resistance to precipitation and durability. The total service life of the coating can reach 60 years. The shape of the panels can be straight or angular, which allows you to easily finish all the end and corner elements without much difficulty.

Siding panels - a popular way to transform walls, imitating stonework or wood cladding. High-quality material is distinguished by its strength, safety in operation, protection from the proliferation of pests or fungi and direct resistance to natural precipitation. Note that siding is often chosen by builders because it does not require frequent maintenance, and if such a desire arises, it is enough to wash it. The structure of the panels may differ: metal structures, wood material, cement-cellulose version of siding or ordinary vinyl.

Natural wood block house , imitating a log house, is perfect for lovers of log structures. Firstly, the surface of such material is environmentally friendly, lightweight and easy to install. Secondly, the block house is characterized by resistance to moisture, temperature changes and the ability to create a favorable microclimate. The types of material come down to metal and vinyl structures.

Fiber cement boards are produced on the basis of wood fiber. The panels contain quartz, mica, cement, and may contain chlorine and asbestos. The final coating of the material is the protective and decorative application of acrylic, hydrofilceramic or photoceramic coatings. An electric jigsaw is used to change the size of the slabs; installation requires the formation of the sheathing. Thus, the material serves to decorate the house in the same way as siding panels on the outside of the facade or other types of durable decorative coatings.

An equally popular type of material for facade finishing is fake diamond , imitated as natural rocks. The use of such material, in contrast to natural stone, significantly saves money on repairs, and also facilitates installation due to its weight and convenient shape.

Exterior decoration of houses

Having figured out the question of which facade to choose for your home, the next one immediately appears: “How to choose the material?” The basic requirements relating to all types of cladding have been specified, which means that it remains to determine the coating depending on the material from which the house was built.

Exterior finishing of a wooden house

Today, wood remains a very beautiful and high-quality material, but it requires constant care, since the material is most often exposed to external factors. Any owner would like to protect his home from precipitation, temperature changes, and moisture. For such a case, there is a useful method - facade cladding.

You can begin finishing work only after you are sure that the house has completely settled. This may take at least a year. Cladding, including finishing the outside of a house made of timber, is only needed when the house is used all year round. Insulating the house for summer cottage purposes is not necessary; it will be enough to treat the wood surface with protective antiseptics and cover it with varnishes and paints.

External wood finishing is divided into several stages:

• preliminary preparation of walls;
• installation of a vapor barrier layer;
• creation and assembly of the sheathing frame;
• installation of insulation;
• protection against moisture and condensation;
• decorative wall covering.

Regarding the choice of facing material, it is worth paying attention to the characteristics of the coating. It is important to warn that the material must be light so that the overall load on the foundation does not increase. So, a wooden house will be transformed if it is finished on the outside:

wooden clapboard:

block house:

• the material is made from coniferous trees;
• the characteristics are similar to lining;
• finishing is done to imitate a log house.

siding panels:

• affordable price;
• easy handling;
• there is no need to treat the surface or tint;
• material strength;
• Very convenient when it comes to installation.

Home finishing options

The easiest way to finish a frame house is with facing materials such as brick, wood, siding panels, thermal panels, and also perform a number of other manipulations: plastering the walls, painting them, and more. It is important that it is necessary to decide on the type of exterior finishing at the stage of designing a house, since certain materials must be used for finishing already at the stage of constructing the foundation.

Brick finish

The use of natural brick or simulated artificial material is your choice. One thing needs to be taken into account: the use of natural stone according to standard rules for facade finishing can lead to complete destruction in the future. The finishing will not last the expected period, damaging the frame of the house itself.

Wood finish

Decorating a country house with wood is a less difficult option; it will help the house acquire a stylish and modern “color”. Wooden coverings retain heat rather poorly, so it is recommended to use wood as finishing on double-frame houses. A disadvantage of the coating may be the constant care of the wood, treating it with antiseptic and protective solutions. For some this may not be a problem.

Siding

Simple and convenient. Frame houses can withstand the usual fastening of panels from the outside directly to the walls. The material differs mainly in that it does not deform during temperature changes and under the influence of precipitation. The choice of one type of siding or another depends on your preferences.

Thermal panels

The peculiarity of their use lies in their double layer: insulation + decorative coating, this greatly facilitates the work of the master when finishing the facade. When decorating a frame house, the owners often choose this material.

Other types of finishing coatings include paint and other polymeric substances. It is important to note that the suitable material is one that is specifically made for OSB. We advise you not to use materials from unpopular manufacturers.

Finishing a house made of aerated concrete

Brick or thermal panels for aerated concrete walls are the best option. The material is considered very durable and creates a special microclimate that is favorable for walls. The advantages of brick finishing a house made of aerated concrete on the outside are:

• affordability of prices for any consumer;
• types of variations in finishing and creation of patterns;
• used for low-rise cottages and houses.

An alternative option could be porcelain stoneware or clinker tiles, as well as thermal panels.

Thus, any facade, any material, given the diversity of the construction market, can be protected from weather conditions and other external factors, while at the same time improving the walls of the house and making them attractive to you and your neighbors. Plan everything in advance and create a unique atmosphere of home warmth, starting with the cladding of the frame of your cottage or country house.

Exterior decoration of a house, a wide range of options available on the modern construction market, can transform the walls of any building, both old and new. But, Besides, properly installed material will perfectly protect surfaces from the influence of external factors, preventing their erosion and destruction.

If the house is just being designed, it is recommended at this stage to foresee in advance how and how its walls will be decorated. If a decision is made to protect and renovate the façade of an old building, then this issue needs to be approached more responsibly, since you will have to select the finish not only according to its aesthetic and quality characteristics, but also according to its compatibility with the wall material. Therefore, you should familiarize yourself with the various finishing options to make it easier to decide on the right choice.

At what stage of construction is facade finishing carried out?

Before moving on to considering various facade finishing materials, it makes sense to immediately decide at what stage of construction the installation work should be carried out. This is also important because finishing installed at the wrong time can be damaged during the installation of other building elements.

• So, firstly, finishing work is carried out only after window and door blocks are installed and secured in the openings of the house.
• Secondly, almost any structure shrinks during the first year after construction, sometimes quite significantly, which can significantly damage the façade finishing. Therefore, final finishing activities are recommended to be carried out after this period.
• After a year of shrinkage, before finishing, all surfaces of the building should be checked for verticality and horizontality. If significant distortions appear, the wall may have to be leveled using plaster or lathing, depending on the material from which the house was built and the chosen finish.
• It is recommended to carry out facade work at moderate temperatures, approximately from +5 to +25 degrees, at which the materials are in their natural state, without expanding or contracting.
• Some of the finishing materials have considerable weight, so they will significantly increase the load on the foundation, and this factor is especially important to take into account when finishing an old house. If doubts arise on this issue, it is best to invite a specialist who can calculate the possible additional load on the foundation of the house and its admissibility.

Plaster finishing of the facade

Brick facade finishing

Brick cladding is the only finishing method that can be carried out before window and door frames are installed in the openings, so with this approach another durable layer of the wall is built, and when installing frames or frames, they will not harm the finishing in any way.

Quite often, an insulating material, such as mineral wool, is laid between the main wall and the facing layer of brick, or the gap between them is filled with polyurethane foam, expanded clay or vermiculite backfill.

Artificial stone can be of regular or irregular shapes and is made in the form of tiles or fragments of “wild” stone with chaotic chips on the outer surfaces.

If the stone is made and laid in strict accordance with existing technological recommendations in this regard, then it is difficult to distinguish it from natural one. True, the artificial material will have to be periodically tinted, and possibly covered with a special façade varnish.

Facade finishing with panels

Facade panels are made from different materials - it can be metal, polyvinyl chloride, fiber cement or wood, so to speak, “for every taste and budget.” The panels are produced in different sizes, so it is possible to choose exactly the option that will be most convenient for installation. On sale you can find single-layer and multi-layer finishing boards, therefore, if there is a need, along with finishing, to also insulate the walls, then it makes sense to choose sandwich panels in which thermal insulation material is prudently installed.

The panels reliably protect walls from external natural influences, keeping them without damage for a long time, as they are combined into a single covering.

Modern facade panels have high strength and resistance to corrosion and ultraviolet radiation. They are great for cladding the walls of old houses, transforming them beyond recognition, since many of them imitate natural stone, wood, brick and other finishing coatings.

Metal panels with polymer coating

Metal panels are made from aluminum or galvanized steel. Their surface can be smooth, profiled or even textured. The thickness of the metal sheet is sometimes up to 0.55 mm. The surface of the panels can be coated with different polymers - plastisol, glossy or matte polyester, as well as pural.

This type of panel is characterized as follows:

— their service life is 30 years or more;

— high frost resistance is expressed;

— resistance to corrosion processes;

— moisture resistance;

- absolute non-flammability;

— ease of installation;

— variety of color solutions;

— resistance to acids and alkalis;

— impact resistance – up to 50 kg/cm².

The disadvantage of these panels is the complete lack of insulating and soundproofing qualities.

Vinyl panels

Vinyl facade panels can be called the most popular material for surface finishing, as they have an excellent appearance and a variety of options offered

Prices for wooden lining

The panels are assembled together into a single wall cladding, most often using locks or latches, and the cladding is fixed to the wall (or to the frame structure) using dowels or self-tapping screws.

The obvious advantages of this finishing material include the following qualities:

— long service life, about 30 years;

- operating temperature from -50 to +50 degrees;

— excellent water resistance;

— ease of processing and installation;

— low weight of the material – about 5 kg/m²;

— complete inertness to corrosion and biological processes;

— relatively low thermal conductivity – about 0.16 W/m׺С;

— high resistance of the material and coloring pigments to ultraviolet rays.

The disadvantages of such cladding include the fragility that polyvinyl chloride acquires at low temperatures, therefore there is a risk of chipping and cracking under intense mechanical stress.

Facade two-layer thermal panels

Equipped with a layer of polyurethane foam, they have high thermal insulation qualities, since this insulating material has a closed cellular structure consisting of 96% air. The thickness of the thermal insulation layer can be from 40 to 100 mm, on top of which a decorative cladding made of polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride or metal is fixed.

The “advantages” of this facing material include the following qualities:

- fairly long service life - from 30 to 50 years;

— high frost resistance;

— low thermal conductivity of 0.028 W/m׺С, which helps to minimize heat loss through the walls of the house;

- low moisture absorption;

— resistance to external influences and the emergence of microflora colonies;

— operating temperatures from -48 to +100 degrees;

— small mass of panels, amounting to only about 5 kg/m²;

— the cladding requires virtually no maintenance;

— simplicity of installation work is noted. This is even more important because performing one installation operation immediately provides a solution to the problems of both finishing and insulating the walls.

The disadvantage of the cladding is that the material melts when exposed to an open flame or high temperatures. But, at the same time, it does not contribute to the spread of fire, since it is self-extinguishing.

Facade sandwich panels

Sandwich panels consist of three layers - two rigid outer sheets, which are made of metal, magnesite board, fiberboard or PVC, and a layer of insulating material laid between them - mineral wool or polyurethane foam is most often used as it.

Such a panel is not only a reliable protective and decorative finish for walls, but also insulation and sound insulation for the walls of the house. The main performance characteristics of this facing material largely depend on the type of insulation material and its thickness:

Some characteristics of wall sandwich panels are shown in the table:

Panel thickness (mm)	Specific gravity (kg/m²)		Thermal conductivity kW/ (m²×ºС)		Fire resistance index GOST 30247-94 (EI)
	MV	PPU	MV	PPU	MV	PPU
50	14.1	9.5	0.84	0.78	EI15	EI15
60	15.2	9.7	0.71	0.65	EI30	EI15
80	16.3	10.1	0.57	0.49	EI45	EI15
100	18.5	10.4	0.47	0.4	EI60	EI15
120	20.6	10.9	0.38	0.32	EI60	EI15
140	22	11.3	0.35	0.287	EI70	EI15
150	24	11.5	0.32	0.27	EI90	EI15
180	27.8	12.1	0.26	0.23	EI90	EI15
200	30.5	12.5	0.2	0.2	EI90	EI15
250	37.2	12.9	0.16	0.19	EI90	EI15

In this table, some materials and indicators are designated by letters that have the following meanings:

— MV – mineral wool (usually basalt);

— PPU – polyurethane foam.

The fire resistance index EI is the loss of thermal insulation properties and damage to the integrity of the panel. The value shows duration of the period(in minutes), during which the surface of the panel not facing the fire maintains a temperature that meets the safety criteria.

Other technical characteristics of sandwich panels are as follows:

- declared operational period - 30 years or more;

— resistance of the cladding to corrosion and fungal infections;

- environmentally friendly material;

Fiber cement facade panels

Fiber cement panels are made from cement with the addition of mineral fillers and cellulose fibers, which make up 10% of the total volume. This finishing material is used for cladding both new and old houses. The panels are mounted on a wooden or metal sheathing fixed to the wall, and they are usually fastened to each other using tongue-and-groove locks.

The panels can have various reliefs that imitate natural materials - stone, wood or brickwork. An acrylic or polyurethane coating is applied to the surface of the slabs, and sometimes a layer of stone chips is also used in addition to it. The panels are produced in different thicknesses, which range from 8 to 15 mm. The mass of a slab with a thickness of 8 mm is 16 kg/m², and a slab with a thickness of 15 mm is about 30 kg/m².

The positive qualities of this material are as follows:

— service life of the cladding is at least 20 years;

— high frost resistance of the material;

— inertness of slabs to corrosion and biological damage;

- resistance to ultraviolet radiation, since the coloring compositions contain substances that absorb sunlight;

- absolute non-flammability of the material;

— resistance to temperature changes;

— environmental friendliness of the cladding;

- sound absorption - about 29 dB.

The disadvantages include the following:

— some models of slabs require additional finishing with acrylic paint after installation;

— the hygroscopicity of the material is 7%, which can lead to deformation processes;

- not very high impact resistance of the panels - about 0.25 kg/cm².

Video: example of using special cement panels for finishing a facade

Finishing the facade with clapboard and siding

Lining for finishing facades is made from different materials and can have different shapes, as well as names. Thus, such cladding is made from traditional wood, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and metal.

Wooden facade lining

This type of material is a well-processed board that has a groove and a tenon along its entire length on different sides, which work like a lock when installing the lining on the wall.

Wooden facade lining is made in different forms, so when choosing it you need to immediately decide what effect you would like to get after installation is completed.

Lining is made from different types of wood - it can be oak, larch, ash, pine, spruce, aspen, linden and other materials. The price of finishing directly depends on what wood it is made from. In addition, the cost also depends on the class of finishing material, of which there are four, and each of them has its own quality parameters:

— Extra class is a high-quality lining with a perfectly flat and smooth surface that does not have any flaws.

— Class “A” lining is also of high quality, but its lamellas may have minor irregularities and the presence of one knot per 1500 mm of length.

— Class “B” is a material of average quality, which may have more flaws, such as dark spots, as well as up to four knots for every 1500 mm.

— Class “C” is a low-grade lining, which allows a large number of knots with a diameter of up to 25 mm, as well as dark spots and blind cracks.

When choosing lining, you must remember that this classification applies to all types of wood from which the finishing material is made.

Siding

In essence, it is the same lining, but unlike it, it is fixed to the surface of the walls with an overlap and does not have tongue-and-groove joints. This material is made from wood, vinyl and metal, can have a polymer coating in various colors, and also imitate the textured pattern of wood or stone.

It should be noted that the shape and method of fastening this material even more reliably protects the wall than traditional lining. This feature is ensured by the fact that each of the lamellas in its upper part, along its entire length, has a slope along which moisture falling on the surface has the opportunity to flow down the cladding without getting on the main wall or the insulation attached to it.

Produced in the form of single or double lamellas. In addition, for finishing the facade, especially its basement part, panels are used that have various reliefs that imitate smaller tiles or brickwork. Distinctive feature siding panels is also an overlapping method of fastening, that is, the upper mounted row is superimposed on the mating locking part of the lower one.

If you plan to install this cladding on a concrete or brick wall, as well as on top of insulating material, then to secure it, you need to equip the wall with wooden or metal sheathing. If you need to sheathe a flat wooden wall, then the slats or slabs are fixed to it using self-tapping screws.

Since wooden lining can also take the form of siding, the table below shows the comparative characteristics of cladding made of vinyl, metal and wood:

Index	Vinyl (acrylic) siding	Metal (steel) siding	Wood siding
Raw materials for the manufacture of cladding	Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)	Galvanized steel with polyurethane coating	Natural wood of various species
Temperature for installation work	From 0 to +35 degrees - this is explained by the ability of the material to expand at elevated temperatures and become brittle at low temperatures.	Not limited	Not limited, but before installation it is recommended to adapt the wood to the ambient temperature.
Operating temperatures during operation	From -50 to +50 degrees	From -50 to +80 degrees	From -80 to +80 degrees
Ignition temperature	Non-flammable, melting point + 450 degrees	Not flammable, when exposed to high temperatures, deformation of the material occurs	+ 300 degrees. For comparison, the burning temperature of a match: + 600 degrees
Fire safety	Does not support combustion	Does not support combustion	Highly flammable material
Hygroscopicity	Non-hygroscopic	Non-hygroscopic	High, so special wood treatment is required
Sensitivity to temperature changes	Medium - panels can "play" due to linear expansion.	Low	Average
Surface treatment (optional)	Not required	Not required	Impregnation with antiseptics and fire retardants is required.
Coloring	Not required	Not required	Requires paint, stain or varnish.
Color range	About 20 pastel monochromatic colors, as well as imitation of the texture of natural materials	More than a hundred colors and imitation of textured patterns, as well as several types of decorative coatings	The color range is limited by the colors of wood; it can be expanded by using coloring compounds.
Color restoration	Impossible	It is possible by using special coloring compounds, but the price for them is quite high	Perhaps using special coatings.
Types of surface textures	Smooth, embossed, imitating brickwork, natural wood, chipped stone.	Smooth, embossed and embossed.	Smooth
Use of panels and slats of different sizes		Not possible for the main finishing material, but possible for fittings.	Maybe
Installation	Lightweight, thanks to special mounting areas on the panels designed for fastening elements.	Easy to install and secure.	A more complex process when installing horizontal slats.
Resistance to mechanical stress	High at normal and low at negative temperatures, as the material becomes brittle.	Low, deformation (dents) is possible after even minor impacts.	High
Scratch resistance	High. Such damage is invisible, since the material is colored in the mass.	Average. If a scratch is made, corrosion can damage the metal over time.	High
Sound and thermal insulation	Average	Low	High
Cladding care	Needs cleaning	Does not require complex cleaning, just wash it with water.	Requires periodic maintenance - cleaning and replacement of the protective paint coating.
Weight	1.8÷2.25 kg/m²	3.9÷5.8 kg/m²	Depends on the species and quality of the wood.
Cladding thickness	0.7 – 1.2 mm	0.48 – 0.61 mm	20 – 40 mm
Maximum lamella length	up to 3,660 mm	up to 6,000 mm	up to 6,000 mm
Environmental friendliness		The quality is confirmed by certificates.	Natural material that creates a favorable microclimate.
Low	Low	High
Service life guaranteed by the manufacturer		Up to 50 years with proper installation.	Up to 50 years with proper care.

Another option is a block house, which is made from the same materials as traditional cladding, but differs in its shape, imitating a semicircular cut of a log. Thus, a house sheathed with this type of material looks like a log house. All the characteristic features of siding presented in the table correspond to the qualities of a block house made of vinyl, metal or wood.

Based on all the data on various façade finishes presented in the publication, it will be possible to draw a conclusion about which one is most suitable for a particular building built from a particular material. Probably, at the same time, it makes sense to evaluate not only the quality and decorative features of the cladding, but also the possibility of carrying out independent installation, since inviting craftsmen always costs a considerable amount.

A wooden house is the highest priority for many individual developers: it is environmentally friendly, it creates the most favorable atmosphere for human health, it heats up quickly and retains heat well. But wooden walls often require plating.
When choosing wall material for external façade cladding For your home, you need to know the pros and cons of each of the options on the market today. It is important that the chosen material is not only beautiful, but also practical and can protect your home from all adversity for a long time.
There are a lot of options for how to sheathe the outside of a wooden house - from lining to brickwork, and the possible outcome can only be limited by money and your imagination.
External cladding will give a new house a finished appearance, while an old structure will improve protection from the negative effects of the environment and remove visible defects.
For outdoor wall cladding A wide range of materials are used, including machined steel, aluminum, wood, stone, vinyl and PVC coating. External cladding of windows, doors, roofs - any areas at risk of moisture penetration is carried out.

Lining- today is the simplest, most convenient, easily accessible and cheapest type of material for the exterior decoration of a wooden house. Anyone who has ever held a hammer or saw in their hands and accurately measures the distance with a ruler can sheathe the outside of a house with clapboards.
Lining was originally the name given to the wooden slats that were used to cover transport cars. So this name stuck to it.
Today, it is customary to call selected, specially treated wood clapboard. Simply put, lining is a cladding board.

The lining is produced in "tongue" and "quarter" and is divided into one and a half meter, six meter and three meter lengths. On opposite sides of the lining there is a groove and a ridge of equal size.
The humidity of such a board should not be more than 10-15%. If the moisture content of the boards is higher, then after finishing the walls, in the process of further drying, the density of the connections between the boards will change and cracks will form, which will negatively affect the appearance of the house.

The house is clad with clapboard from bottom to top. The board is nailed with small nails to the wall with the ridge up, after which the next one is put on the ridge of the bottom board from above with a groove. Using small wooden wedges, the top board is pressed against the bottom board along the edges; if the board is long, in the middle. Then the top board is nailed down and the wedges are removed. And so on all the way to the roof.
The wooden clapboard finish looks somewhat old-fashioned, but is environmentally friendly and vapor-permeable. Installing wooden lining is not difficult. After installation, impregnation or painting is required.
Wood is a material familiar to us all, environmentally friendly and relatively inexpensive for cladding a house ($4-7 per sq.m.). However, the initially neat appearance gradually ceases to be so.
Wood does not withstand weather conditions and the appetite of insects as well and, like any wooden covering, is not able to withstand fire. Moreover, wooden cladding requires annual maintenance, which requires a certain amount of time and money. Some types of finishing work cannot be carried out year-round, for example, at temperatures below zero.

In contrast to the lining can be imitation timber, which is a spruce or pine board laid out horizontally without visible intermediate grooves.
When laying such a board, the surface turns out smooth and beautiful. It is not without reason that imitation timber is used not only for the exterior decoration of a wooden house, but also for cladding bricks, blocks, logs and other materials.
It is worth noting that the spruce board used for exterior cladding of the house goes well with metal and stone. This combination gives the house a sophisticated sophistication and makes it stand out from the rest.
Recently it has become frequently used wood-polymer lining, which combines the best qualities of wooden lining and polymer materials.
It is moisture resistant, does not rot, does not require frequent maintenance, and can last for decades.

Block house, as it is commonly called today, is a board made of coniferous trees; this material has a semicircular pattern on the front side.
Most of all, the block house is used when covering the outer part of a frame-type house. But even today it is not uncommon to see the use of rounded boards when finishing the facade of a wooden house.

The combination of wooden beams with a block house creates an elegant appearance that will delight not only its owners, but also guests, as well as all temporary visitors.
It must be emphasized that the block house is not afraid of sudden changes in temperature and can withstand frosts and hot summer days.
Therefore, regardless of what region you live in, if the question arises of how to cover the outside of a wooden house, you can safely choose a block house as one of the ways to decorate the facade of your own home.

Siding– these are separate panels that are very conveniently fastened together.
Externally, siding is similar to plank cladding. Each panel has a snap lock and perforated nail edge. Siding strips come in different sizes. The length, as a rule, varies from 2 to 6 meters, width 10-30 cm, thickness up to 10 mm.
Manufacturers offer various types of siding - basement, ceramic, steel, wood, cement, aluminum, copper.
Siding has gained enormous popularity today. It is used for cladding private houses, office buildings, commercial premises, etc. The material has won such recognition due to its qualities - durability, strength, attractive and neat appearance.
The siding profile is made in two versions: “herringbone” (single fracture) or “ship plank” (double). This does not affect the quality of the material in any way, and the profile is selected only based on personal preferences.
The texture of siding most often imitates natural wood. To protect against impacts, scratches and corrosion, a special polymer coating or paint is used.

Siding retains its quality and original appearance for several decades. It perfectly protects the building from atmospheric agents.
This is a very lightweight, easy-to-use material that looks great in any landscape. In addition, siding is environmentally friendly and easy to maintain. It is easy to clean and does not require periodic painting, unlike wood materials.
All types of siding for cladding a house are very easy to install and you can cladding the building yourself. Installation of siding does not require special skills, including careful preparation of the wall surface. On the contrary, it helps to hide many unevenness and other flaws.

Vinyl siding made from polyvinyl chloride. It consists of solid strips, which are also called panels. Each panel is a monolithic sheet, which is given the desired shape.
Vinyl siding does not crack, dry out, rot, and is not of any interest to insects, unlike wood materials. Another advantage of siding is that it does not support the combustion process, but simply melts under the influence of high temperatures.
PVC panels are used both for the construction of new buildings and for finishing old houses. Often, simultaneously with the installation of siding, the building is insulated, since it is very convenient to install insulation into the sheathing space.
Vinyl siding is available in standard sizes:
- length – 3000 mm, 3660 mm, 3730 mm, 3850 mm;
- width – 205 mm and 255 mm;
- thickness – 1.1 mm and 1.2 mm.

Advantages of PVC panels:
- low level of flammability;
- environmental Safety;

- resistance to atmospheric agents and chemicals. It has proven itself well in conditions of high humidity and moderate acidic or alkaline environments. Does not crack, does not warp in the sun and does not rot;
- operating temperature range 0t -50 to +50 degrees. Under such conditions, it does not burst and does not change the original shade;
- ease of operation: easy to clean with a hose and does not require additional painting during the entire service life; - huge selection of colors and shades;
- does not interfere with the ventilation of the house, as it does not seal the walls tightly;

- holes in the lower edges of the panels prevent condensation from accumulating. This protects the insulation material and wooden structural elements from rotting;
- thanks to the possibility of insulation, it saves money on heating the house;
- low price compared to other types of facing materials;
- high reliability, which allows you to avoid expensive and energy-consuming repair work;
- the texture of the outer surface of the panels can be smooth or rough, imitating natural wood.

Today there are about 15-20 options on the market siding colors. All of them can be divided into three main groups:
- white;
- pastel;
- colored.
Most often you can find siding in pastel shades. This type is optimal in terms of price, visual and operational qualities.
Siding in bright colors also has a very attractive appearance. But at the same time it costs twice as much as the usual material.
This increase in price is due to the need to add expensive substances that prevent sunburn.
In fact, lining is also siding, but still, returning to the origins of the emergence of this particular trend in the decoration of house facades, siding is a finishing material made of plastic that imitates a plank covering. Therefore, today the most popular type is considered to be covering a wooden house with “wood” siding.

There are two ways to install PVC panels: horizontal and vertical.
Vertical siding used relatively recently. In another way it is called soffit.

Soffit used for external decoration.
Soffits in the construction industry are called panels that are designed for covering various horizontal surfaces facing down (eaves, overhangs, ceilings in open spaces, etc.).
One of their main functions, oddly enough, is not external beauty or giving the building a finished look, but providing ventilation of the under-roof space, which can significantly increase the service life of the roof.
If you need not only to beautifully arrange the roof surface, but also to ensure excellent ventilation of the under-roof space to prevent the appearance of dampness and mold, then you should hem the eaves and gable overhangs with siding - soffit.
This is a panel, it is attached to the box along the edge of the roof, which gives it a complete aesthetic look. The panels are joined together with a locking connection, this allows you to hide their fastenings.

In fact, it is the same siding or lining, but it is intended for decorating the ceiling and is called a beautiful Italian word, which means ceiling.
A significant difference between soffits used outdoors and other types of decorative panels is the presence of perforation. It ensures free passage of air through them, which protects materials from mold, dampness and fungal attack.
There are both without perforation - for interior decoration, and with perforation - for outdoor use.

Wood siding.
In another way, wooden siding is called laminated veneer.

The panels are made from wood fibers compressed under high pressure and high temperature. To better connect the fibers to each other, special resins are added.
For reliable protection from external influences, wooden siding must be coated with several layers of varnish or paint. Recently, wooden siding has been used less and less. And with the advent of new materials, it completely fades into the background.
This is due to the following disadvantages of this material:
- high price;
- short service life;
- tendency to ignite;
- high moisture absorption;
- the need for tinting and impregnation throughout the entire service life in order to avoid major repairs for as long as possible.

Basement siding- a type of vinyl panels that are used specifically for finishing the base. This siding has higher strength characteristics.

The basement is exposed to destructive factors much more than the rest of the house. In summer it gets very hot from the sun's rays and the asphalt surface. And in winter it is in conditions of high humidity due to sticking snowdrifts.
There is much more variety in basement siding designs than with simple vinyl panels. From a variety of colors and textures, you can always choose the most optimal option. Most often, basement siding models imitate alternative natural facing materials: wood, stone, brick, etc.

Stone-look facade panels do not require maintenance, repairs, etc.
Basement siding is resistant to any chemicals, mechanical damage, and is easy to clean. Cladding with stone-look facade panels, like siding, is done on a frame attached to the walls. With the help of basement siding imitated with stone or granite, it is possible to create a full-fledged ventilated facade - using a layer of insulation and a ventilated gap.
The panels are used for finishing both external and internal surfaces. Basement siding is used for:

- covering the walls of the house and the foundation;
- creating a building facade with a ventilation system and a layer of insulation;
- creating original designs for garages, bathhouses, fences, gazebos, etc.;
- decorating walls inside premises for various purposes.
Among the many advantages of basement siding, the most important are:
- moisture resistance (makes it possible to use in saunas and swimming pools);
- lightness (perfect for covering ceilings);
- speed and ease of installation (allows it to be used for the assembly and reconstruction of temporary exhibition stands).

Metal siding.
It is a lightweight long panel of various widths: 120, 300 and 550 mm. Each panel has locks with which they are fastened together.
The most common material is galvanized steel. A coating is applied to the surface. One of the coating options is a polymer material - polyester, plastisol, pural. In this case, the color choice is limited to only six to eight shades.
Another type is painting using a special powder. With this method, the color range is much more diverse.
Metal siding has advantages over vinyl:
- increased strength characteristics;

- durability;
- resistance to sudden temperature changes;
- color fastness;
- non-flammability.
In addition, metal siding has hidden fastenings, which significantly improves the appearance of the structure. This is especially important when it comes to facade cladding.
The undeniable advantages of metal siding are its fire resistance and durability.
The color range of metal siding is varied, although too bright colors focus attention on the “artificiality” of the material, but, as they say, it depends on taste and color.
Metal siding has increased strength (galvanized steel at the core, then a passivated layer and a primer layer), and is absolutely not attractive to insects. It does not fade in the sun, so it retains its color throughout its entire service life (from 50 years). But with a strong impact, the surface may be deformed and dents will remain on it.

In addition to periodic washing, metal siding requires additional care, for example, the application of special protective coatings due to the threat of corrosion. And it costs much more than wood or vinyl cladding ($12-25 per sq.m.).
A significant disadvantage of this type of cladding is that metal transmits heat more than other types of cladding materials, so when installing metal siding, the house needs additional insulating material to prevent cold in winter or excessive heat in summer.
It is also important to remember that metal siding panels are quite heavy and require a certain amount of support for the building’s supporting structure, so they may not be suitable for every home.

Aluminum siding. This material is suitable for finishing residential premises, offices, and industrial buildings. Due to the lightness of the panels (only 1.7 kg per sq.m.), safe use in multi-story buildings is possible.
This type of siding is ideal in situations where you need to quickly bring the building into decent shape. In a short time, you can update the walls and ceilings of a building, while avoiding complex, expensive repairs.

Corrugated sheet. The corrugated sheet is made from galvanized or steel profiled sheet, which is covered with a protective layer. It is used as wall decoration, for roofing, for the manufacture of fences and ceilings. In appearance, the corrugated sheet resembles a slate sheet.

The advantages of corrugated sheeting are: strength, durability, cost-effectiveness, a wide range of colors and ease of installation.
Corrugated wall or fence sheeting does not withstand excessive loads and is mainly used as temporary fencing.
Corrugated roofing has much higher strength. It is used for cladding rooms, roofing and making fences.
Load-bearing corrugated sheeting is the strongest of all types of corrugated sheeting. This type of corrugated sheeting can withstand fairly high loads.
To prevent corrosion and resist chemical attack, the corrugated sheet is coated with polymer-based compounds. This significantly extends the service life of the corrugated sheet.

When using a finishing material such as corrugated sheets, it can be modified for specific functions. It is possible to add roundings, grooves and various specific devices.
In terms of speed of installation, corrugated sheeting differs from siding in much shorter times, due to the fact that the corrugated sheet has a much greater length compared to siding panels.
The advantage of siding is its longer service life, which can be about 50 years. It is not susceptible to corrosion and insect pests. But with bright rich colors, the panels fade very quickly in the sun.

Corrugated sheeting retains its color much longer; the disadvantage is that the metal is susceptible to corrosion. Even if it is treated with an anti-corrosion coating, its service life is about 15 years.
In addition to lower cost, the advantages of corrugated sheeting include the preservation of its inherent properties under all weather and climatic conditions.
Corrugated sheeting is practically non-flammable, and due to its low weight it does not exert excessive pressure on floors and supports. Covering a building with siding allows you to save much more heat, whereas when using corrugated sheets, it is advisable to use an additional layer of insulation.
Corrugated metal sheet has a smooth surface, low cost and durability, but does not allow air to pass through. In this regard, it is not suitable for cladding buildings with a frame-panel construction. Can only be used as a material for cladding ventilated facades.

Ceramic siding- a fairly new invention for cladding and decorating the facade of a building. This is the best finishing material in the mid-price category.
Developments regarding ceramic siding belong to practical Japanese specialists. They try to use everything that nature provides with benefit and a rational approach.
Ceramics for siding is a mixture of clay interspersed with other natural materials. The panels are environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic and fireproof.
The quality of ceramic cladding can easily be compared with high-strength ceramic tiles.

Cement siding
Cement siding contains cellulose fiber and cement itself. At the final stage of manufacturing such panels, a texture imitating wood is applied to the surface using a special method.
Among the many advantages of cement siding are the following:
- good resistance to temperature changes, precipitation, wind, ultraviolet rays, mold, mildew;
- cement siding is not exposed to insects;
- allows you to quickly update an existing building, give it a fresh look, decorate the facade, align the walls;

- possibility of use in buildings with increased fire safety requirements due to high fire resistance qualities;
- long service life;
- good color fastness;
- ease of installation and ease of maintenance.

Compared to other types, the following disadvantages can be mentioned:
- heavy weight, for which the sheathing must be more durable;
- high price;
- inconvenience and difficulty during cutting: it is necessary to use protective equipment (masks or respirators) to avoid getting silica dust in the face and lungs.

Facade thermal panels with stone-like clinker tiles (outer side) based on polyurethane (inner side) allows for simultaneous cladding and insulation of the facade.

The use of panels with stone-like tiles allows you to avoid the difficulties of joint installation. Installation of thermal panels with stone-look tiles using a seamless method along guides ensures that there are no joints in the external cladding.
The natural ceramic coating of the finish - clinker tiles - is distinguished by its excellent design and special impact resistance.
Tile cladding is not destroyed by fungus, mold, etc., tiles are not subject to abrasion or weathering. Finally, the stone-look tile exterior is simply beautiful and modern.
The variety of design types for cladding thermal panels with tiles (stone, brick) allows you to create facades of a wide variety of decor.
Cladding with facade tiles on a cement-sand base is another opportunity to change the design and appearance of the building, cladding and protecting the walls. The design of the tiles can externally imitate finishing with the most expensive materials - natural stone, marble.
When facing, façade tiles are attached using adhesives. The use of lathing when installing facade tiles on wooden walls is a necessary condition for cladding. The tile then withstands large static and dynamic loads after cladding.

The general rule when installing all types of panels and tiles when finishing a wall is to install them on the sheathing. The tight fit of the tiles and the entire structure during cladding prevents precipitation from penetrating through the tiles onto the wall, contributing to its preservation.
A system of profiles, guides, and special fasteners facilitates the installation of tiles, and the use of additional elements of tiling gives a stylish, complete design and an original look to the entire building.
Let us emphasize once again that installing a layer of insulation when installing suspended facade materials provides an additional opportunity to improve the heat-saving characteristics of the building.
The presence of ventilation gaps is especially important for external insulation of wooden houses - moisture will not accumulate in the thickness of the log wall, and the insulation will not get wet.

Facade brick

External cladding of the facades of wooden houses with bricks, layered masonry, leads to a combination of the advantages and design of a building made of wood and a building made of brick - the main thing is the improvement of heat-saving qualities, in addition, the external cladding of facade bricks reduces the fire hazard.
External cladding with facade bricks has increased moisture resistance and frost resistance. Facade bricks when sheathed will increase the overall strength of the structure. Brick cladding will protect the facade from any type of destruction.

Facade bricks for cladding compare favorably with ordinary bricks in the absence of efflorescence on the material. Many forms of facade bricks for cladding allow you to create a facade of individual design.
Facing a house with facade bricks can be done only after complete shrinkage of the log structure. Connecting elements made of galvanized metal (clamps) or flexible plastic connections provide reliable fastening of the façade cladding material to the surface of the load-bearing walls of the house.

Please note that the total weight of the building after facing the facade with brick increases, as does the load on the foundation of the house and soil, therefore, the foundation should not be too weak.
A ventilation gap is left between the brick façade cladding and the load-bearing wall of the house to ensure natural ventilation, removal of condensate and water vapor from the insulating material. Its size is at least 4-5 cm.
Exterior decoration of the facade of a house with facing bricks allows you to qualitatively transform the design of your building, because among building materials brick is a symbol of respectability and strength.
Facing any type of building with artificial stone significantly wins the debate with plaster, which constantly requires attention and care. Brick is a very durable building material that does not require any additional maintenance.
During production, modifying additives are added to the source material - clay - which provide the brick with high strength, reliability, and durability.
Being an excellent insulation material, facing bricks are highly durable, have low water absorption and high frost resistance.

Styrofoam

Covering the facade of a house with foam plastic is an effective way to insulate a building. This material has a number of significant advantages:
- Resistant to frost;
- Does not deteriorate due to changes in humidity;
- Resists exposure to sunlight;
- Various types of facade paint and plaster can be applied to the surface of the foam;
- polystyrene foam is affordable in comparison with other finishing materials;
- the technology for mounting on walls is quite simple; foam can be used to insulate walls both outside and inside the building;
- energy consumption for space heating in the house will be significantly reduced.

Question how to sheathe a wooden house outside is a purely individual matter.

For example, a house built from rounded logs, as a rule, is not sheathed with anything - it is enough only to impregnate the wood with protective reagents that prevent deterioration in appearance, rot, and insect damage, which also increases the performance qualities of the material.
Another thing is a cottage made of timber, or even more often, a frame-panel house.
External wall cladding insulates the building from weather conditions; You can install such a system on the walls or roof of a building.
Sheathing materials are resistant to moisture, insects, and fire. However, exterior wall cladding requires regular inspection for insect infestation to protect the interior structure of the home.
Some cladding systems are designed specifically for fire protection.

Installation of the cladding system is possible on brick, wood, and cement surfaces.
As a rule, external wall cladding does not require additional maintenance after installation; The lifespan of the cladding is up to fifty years, depending on the type of material used for the cladding.
Before starting any work, you first need to think through the visual design of the house, decide on the type of materials, calculate volumes, install windows and doors.
In general, when cladding the facade of a wooden house, it is possible to advantageously emphasize in the design precisely the advantages of wood - a traditional building material for Russia.
The wooden elements used in finishing the facade will give a unique appearance to the building, and the use of various design styles in the cladding during their manufacture will allow you to organically combine carved wooden elements with any facade finishing - plastic, brick, decorative plaster.
Wooden finishing of platbands, attics, and roof overhangs looks especially advantageous.