A bit about the variety of siding
The siding is due to the inhabitants of North America. As early as the 19th century, wooden boards were painted there on the walls of buildings in such a way that the horizontal layers hung over one another, and water slid over them, without harming the walls. Today, there are many kinds of such finishing material, this makes the choice more difficult, but we will try to structure our knowledge.
Steel siding is used for facing industrial buildings, workshops, etc. A special anti-corrosion coating protects the metal from weathering. This species is presented in the market with the widest range of color solutions. A serious disadvantage is the weight of the siding, which significantly increases the load on the foundation of the building.
In addition, after accidental damage, the steel coating is not restored, and dents remain on the facade permanently. Another drawback of this material is the high cost of panels. The length of the siding can reach 6 m.
Wood siding , another name - glued lining, is made of wood fibers. Fibers are pressed under high pressure and temperature with the addition of special resins. To protect from the aggressiveness of the external environment, the material is covered with several layers of varnish or paint.
Since only natural materials are used in production, it looks like a real tree.
It is usually used in interior decoration of a premise, and for an external facing make a siding from wood-polymer composites. The service life is estimated at 20 years, for the entire period of operation the material does not need to be impregnated and tinted. In addition, it does not absorb moisture and is not combustible. The length of the panel varies from 3 m to 6 m, the width of the siding is 95 mm.
Cement siding is made of cellulose fiber and cement. The merits include its absolute non-flammability and, as a consequence, the possibility of using it at sites with increased requirements for fire safety. The disadvantages of cement siding include heavy weight, high cost, inconvenience and complexity of processing.
Wooden and vinyl siding - the two extremes of consumer interest
Wooden siding , whose properties leave much to be desired when used in the exterior of the building, is quite successfully used in interior decoration of premises. In the manufacture of this type of siding, the wood is pre-treated, and on the basis of this there are various classifications of the material:
- Dried wood. The moisture content of such wood is 16-18%, and for the production of siding panels, wood of resistant varieties( larch, tic, Iroko, etc.) is used.
- Heat treated wood. The wood is processed at a temperature of about 200 ° C and high humidity. After the wood acquires strength, moisture resistance and does not lend itself to mold and termites. Heat treatment is applied to unstable wood species( ash, pine, etc.).
- Impregnated wood, i.e.soaked in antiseptics.
The disadvantages of siding are the characteristics of wood: regardless of all treatments, this material needs preventative measures against insects and is rotting. A significant disadvantage is the high price for this type of material.
Vinyl siding is the most popular form to date. Used for finishing any facade. It is made of polyvinyl chloride in the form of panels with a locking system and a perforated edge, the standard thickness of the siding is about 1.3 mm. As you know, the larger the thickness, the more reliable and durable it is.
Considering vinyl siding, the advantages and disadvantages of its use can be assembled in such a scheme:
- Pros : it has an enviable longevity, the ability to maintain an ideal appearance even after years of operation, excellent washing, unpretentious servicing. Advantages of vinyl siding are moisture resistance, resistance to corrosion, rotting, temperature fluctuations, sunlight, etc. Also, this type of siding is easy to install and operate.
- Cons : has a weak air permeability, PVC panels can not be repaired, this kind is a combustible material, so it is not advisable to plant near a bonfire and arrange welding.
Which siding is best - we draw conclusions
When choosing the material for facing buildings, the question often arises: which siding is better than ?It is definitely impossible to answer this question. If we consider all types to select the material for the facing of a residential building, then proceeding from the advantages and disadvantages of various siding panels, we can conclude:
- woody - expensive and not spread;
- wooden - expensive and impractical;
- cement - heavy, difficult to install and expensive;
- steel - relatively expensive, heavy;
- Vinyl - combustible.
Based on the above data it can be seen that two last types of siding are suitable for facing a residential low-rise building. Each of them has its own merits and demerits, and when selecting the finishing material, you need to carefully consider all the pros and cons. Then, after siding with siding, your house will be beautiful and elegant for more than a dozen years.