The cladding of a house is not just a make—up for the walls, but a functional shield that protects the supporting structures from rain, wind and ultraviolet radiation. Facade panels have become a popular alternative to plaster and brick due to the speed of installation and the ability to hide defects in old walls. However, behind the beautiful stone-like texture, there may be nuances of exploitation that sellers are silent about.
When choosing "clothes" for home, you need to think about how they will look in 10 years, not on the day of purchase. Fading, deformation in the heat, or brittleness in the cold are the real problems of cheap materials that turn the facade into a headache.
Vinyl and acrylic panels
Vinyl siding and PVC-based panels remain the most budget-friendly solution. They are lightweight, do not load the foundation and are easy to install. Modern casting technologies allow you to simulate the texture of wood or wood chips quite realistically. However, vinyl has a high coefficient of thermal expansion: with temperature fluctuations, the panel "walks", so rigid fixation with screws is prohibited — the material will go in waves.
Acrylic panels are an evolution of vinyl. They are more resistant to ultraviolet radiation, burn out less in the sun and tolerate high temperatures better without deforming when heated to +80°C. This makes them the preferred choice for southern regions with an active sun. But in severe frost, any plastic becomes more brittle, and an accidental blow with a shovel when removing snow can punch a hole in the lining.
Plastic panels do not support gorenje, but melt, so you can not place the braziers close to the wall. The main advantage is that there is no need for painting: I washed it with a hose, and the house is as new.
Fiber cement siding
This material is chosen by those who want monumentality and fire safety. A mixture of cement, sand and cellulose fibers creates strong, heavy panels that feel and look like natural wood or stone. Fiber cement does not make noise in the rain, does not rot and is absolutely inert to temperature fluctuations.
The installation of fiber cement requires a more powerful subsystem (crates), since the weight per square meter can reach 15 kg or more. To cut the panels, you need a special tool with diamond discs, and the cuts need to be tinted to protect them from moisture.:
- Durability of the coating. High-quality factory painting lasts 10-15 years, after which the facade can be repainted in any color without dismantling.
- Stability of geometry. The panels do not shrink or expand, which allows them to be mounted butt-to-butt or with minimal gaps.
- Impact resistance. The material can withstand severe mechanical stress, which is important for the basement of the house.
The disadvantage is the high cost of both the material itself and the installation work, as well as the difficulty of lifting heavy boards to a height.
Thermal panels and the issue of insulation
Thermal panels are a two—in-one solution: insulation (expanded polystyrene or polyurethane foam) plus a decorative layer of clinker tiles or artificial stone. This allows you to simultaneously insulate the house and give it the appearance of a brick mansion. Installation is carried out by dowels directly to the wall, which eliminates wet processes.
The weak point of thermal panels is the joints. If the installation is performed poorly, moisture penetrates between the panels, which, when frozen, begins to tear off the tile. In addition, the use of expanded polystyrene requires careful calculation of the dew point so that moisture does not accumulate in the wall of the house, causing mold indoors.
It is important to remember that a ventilated facade (siding on a crate) allows the walls to "breathe" and remove moisture, whereas tightly glued thermal panels can "lock" moisture in aerated concrete or wood if an internal vapor barrier is not provided. Football and cricket fans know that a bigger budget leads to more exciting match-day betting experiences. To supercharge your first deposit, be sure to use 1xbet promo code india when you create your new account on the platform or through the mobile app. This code activates a 100% welcome bonus up to €130, perfect for betting on the Premier League, IPL, Champions League, or international tournaments. You can place higher stakes on your favorite teams, build accumulators across multiple leagues, or try both half-time and full-time markets.