Plastic siding: selection and installation

Finishing the facade is an important issue that worries all owners of private houses. I want to use inexpensive, but at the same time, reliable material that will provide protection from negative environmental factors and give the house an original appearance. One of the best solutions will be the use of plastic siding.

Material Features

Siding was designed as a substitute for classic wooden lining, so in many ways similar to this building material. Panels from various polymeric bases are made. The cost and characteristics of the material depend on their quality and physico-chemical properties.

In general it is worth noting:

• high resistance to ultraviolet, the color does not burn even under direct exposure to sunlight;
• wide temperature range, from -50 to +60 degrees Celsius;
• service life is not less than 60 years;
• environmentally friendly, no evaporating benzene compounds in the composition;
• is relatively inexpensive.

The correct name for the material is vinyl siding. For the first time it went on sale in 1959 and since then passed several significant upgrades.

Of the circumstances that speak in favor of buying a plastic siding, it is worth highlighting:

• is not susceptible to acids and alkalis;
• is not susceptible to temperature fluctuations;
• does not crack, does not peel off, does not separate;
• withstands mechanical damage of moderate severity, such as a soccer ball;
• does not rot and does not corrode;
• does not absorb moisture;
• does not conduct electricity;
• is easy to install and does not require an update.

To drawbacks is customary to include:

• no noise and thermal insulation;
• susceptibility to burning;
• not too presentable appearance.

But the last remark is true only for the plastic siding, the price of which does not exceed the usual ceiling panels.

In fact, the similarity of wine and ceiling panels and generated most of the myths about unreliability and poor quality of the material.

Types of plastic siding

Vinyl panels on the principle of manufacturing are divided into:

• monoextrusive;
• polyextruded.

The first option is used extremely rarely, because the finished products do not have high technical characteristics. The polyextrusion method of production presupposes the presence of a special apparatus - an extruder that delivers a heated polymer base to two boxes.

In one of them the polymer is mixed with protective components and additives, in the other, it is strengthened by heat-resistant additives. From the boxes, both blanks are fed to the conveyor belt, where they are combined at the molecular level. The result is a two-layer high-strength panel.

By mounting method is divided into:

• Christmas latch;
• latch on the type of shipboard.

In practice, both variants differ only in localization, the herringbone is typical for the USA and Canada, the shipboard is for Europe. Neither by strength, nor by any other characteristics, there are no differences.

Another possible classification, according to the faceplate:

• flat;
• embossed.

The relief panels, as a rule, mimic unprocessed wood or stone.

Siding plastic color

Given that any polymer can be beautifully tinted, the color palette is almost unlimited. For convenience, we use the following classification:

• monocel;
• of polish;
• vinyl colors;
• imitation.

Monocleans are more common than others because their production is considered the cheapest. In addition to the standard palette, it is possible to choose options for marble chips, and other expensive types of finishing materials. Plastic siding, the photo of which is presented below, shows a variety of design options.

Tip: when choosing such panels, it should be borne in mind that if in one store there is no color that you like, it will necessarily be in the other.

Poly-colors are achieved by combining plastic siding of one series. Specialists use this technique to create unique mosaic compositions.

The distinctive feature of vinyl is the reflection of sunlight in such a way that the paint begins to pour. In the free sale of such panels is almost impossible to find, nevertheless there are special films that allow you to achieve the desired effect.

Simulations, despite the fact that it transmits the texture of natural materials, stands at the level with other types of plastic siding. Happens:

• under the log;
• under the stone;
• for brick.

Plastic siding for a log, in turn, is divided into two subspecies:

• natural log;
• glued beams.

The natural log has a rounded shape, the glued bar is square. When choosing such panels, it is necessary to pay attention to the filling. Very often manufacturers save and leave emptiness, this should not be. Any space between the supporting wall and the siding can be used by insects and small rodents to arrange the nest.

Tip: Some solution to the problem will be the use of mounting foam. The properties of the material make it unsuitable for pests.

Plastic siding for stone repeats the outline of a natural stone laid on a cement slurry or by a monolith method. Variation of performance is quite a lot, from flat slate or granite to ornate basalt with original veins and interspersions of other rocks.

Tip: it's better to choose this kind of siding in online stores, because there is an opportunity to watch several variations from different manufacturers.

Plastic siding for bricks is also a fairly common form of decoration vinyl panels. The main model line is red brick and clinker. But there are other options. A subset of this design is the imitation of tile decorative tiles.

Siding plastic manufacturers

Since the technology was developed in Canada, this country is an unconditional leader in product quality. This circumstance affects the price, but the investments will be justified. Since there are no complaints from users. Among the most popular firms are:

• Mitten;
• Vytec;
• Gentek;
• Novik;
• Kaycan.

The average cost is $ 30-40 per panel.

Slightly worse vinyl siding from manufacturers in the United States. The differences are so insignificant that they can only appear after 20-30 years of use. During this time, most likely, you will need to do at least a cosmetic repair. The best companies:

• Variform;
• Georgia Pacific;
• Foundry;
• Nailite.

The average cost is $ 30-35 per panel.

Americans, in contrast to the Canadian factories, produce and economics series. This product can not boast of high quality and only slightly exceeds domestic counterparts. Among such manufacturers:

• Elixir;
• Heartland.

The average cost of $ 25-30 per panel.

Domestic manufacturers have also recently been engaged in the manufacture of vinyl siding. All factories can be divided into two large groups:

• those who work with foreign raw materials on imported equipment;
• those who work on domestic equipment using polymers produced in the CIS countries.

The quality of the products of the second option is out of question, so let's present a list of firms that should be trusted:

• Alpha profile;
• Dec;
• Holzplast;
• Nordside;
• Wall;
• Fine Ber.

The main production facilities of most enterprises are in Tver and the region. Against this background, the company Northside, located in St. Petersburg, is profitable. It offers customers a truly high-quality product, according to their characteristics, as much as possible in accordance with the standards established in the West.

Plastic siding and its installation

From the technological point of view, the use of siding is the simplest kind of facade decoration. The kit consists of:

• panel profile;
• of the outer corner;
• of the inner corner;
• start profile;
• of the finish profile;
• additional mounting profile.

Installation of plastic siding with your own hands begins with the preparation of the base of the walls. Since the hinged panels will interfere with the normal gas exchange process, and in the absence of vapor barrier, also cause condensation, it is necessary to treat the surface with a protective, antibacterial primer.

Next, consider the instructions on how to mount a plastic siding:

1. Set the level of additional fasteners.

2. Lock the panel in them.

3. Screw the panel to the wall with screws and dowels, if the material of the wall is a tree, there will be enough structural stapler.

4. Do the same and fix the next panel.

5. Installation is carried out from the roof to the plinth, in order not to trim the panels.

As a rule, the base has a different design.

Tip: If additional fasteners are not provided, then the panel is set to the level. To do this, one of the edges is screwed, and the second is adjusted to a right angle. Two people are needed for this work.

Advice: plastic siding, whose sizes rarely exceed 4 m, must necessarily be joined by a special seam, without it moisture and parasites will fall under the vinyl.

After one of the walls is sheathed, an outer or inner corner is set. From it goes siding to the next wall. Since no mortars, adhesives or plasters are used, the structure is fully ready for use immediately after the installation. According to the reviews, the speed of installation of panels is quite high and is about 8 linear meters per hour.

Possible problems

Regardless of the visual appearance of the plastic siding, the fastening mechanism is always the same. Nevertheless, there are differences in how to carry out installation work. This leads to the fact that the technology is violated. As a result, there is a risk that the panel will fall off, burst or pop out of the groove.

Since liquid nails are faster and less dirty than dowels, many are used to fasten the panels to them. What is the result of this? Adhesive mixture is knit with a stone or plaster and panel. Fastening is carried out point-by-point, and in places not provided for this. Since the formation of condensate is inevitable, the stone or plaster will begin to crumble. This process will cause the panel to peel off.

The vinyl can burst only if it has insufficient attachment points. It is very important that the panel does not sag, otherwise an excessive load will be created, which, with the slightest impact, will lead to the formation of cracks. Local repairs are not subject to such damage and require replacement of the entire panel.