Facing of socle the panels imitating stone improves exterior of the building, warms the house and protects it from destruction. This technology has arisen in the USA and Canada, and has so far extended worldwide. Such front material not only possesses the whole list of advantages, but also allows to execute finishing of socle independently in two stages.
What is socle?
The socle is the elevated part of the base which is more important than component of any building. The socle carries out several tasks. First, bears on itself all loading, keeping the structure of tselik. Secondly, protects the house from hit of moisture in it. Thirdly, provides thermal control, keeping heat in the underground room and blocking street cold. To provide protection of socle and to give to the house attractive look the modern panels imitating stone will help.
Advantages and shortcomings of socle panels under stone
Pluses
- Small weight. The socle siding does not create additional load of foundation of the building.
- Long life cycle. As a rule, manufacturers of artificial front panels guarantee up to 30 years of operation of the material.
- Panels under stone do not lose the protective properties from impact on them of any given weather phenomena. They are not deformed, do not react to temperature drops. When choosing such material it is necessary to pay attention to panel thickness: the she is more fat, the will longer serve.
- Simplicity in cleaning. It is easy to wash away pollution from artificial stone panels water. If necessary – with addition of cleaning agents.
- Simplicity of installation. Dressing of socle by artificial front material in the form of "stone" panels does not require special equipment at all thanks to what the covering can independently be made.
- Decorative effect. Exterior of plastic panels allows to imitate different layings and stone breeds.
- Reasonable prices. This front material will be on pocket to the normal average citizen of the country.
Minuses
- The front panels imitating stone are manufactured of plastic therefore have no resistance to fire. High temperatures cause their melting.
- Fragility of some types. Here everything depends on the firm producing this front material. Some types of panels manufactured, for example, in China do not maintain mechanical influence and from blows can crack.
Criteria of selection and types of socle panels under stone
As a rule, the socle siding is selected taking into account the invoice, form, quality, way of fastening and color. If there is no experience in it, it is possible to run into low-quality goods which shortcomings will be exposed during mounting. Therefore it is necessary to buy front panels from the checked sellers, and as required – to make sure available the corresponding documentation.
Upon purchase of socle panels under stone it is possible to save without harm for material. The fact is that domestic manufacturers release the front material which is almost not differing in quality from the foreign analogs. Anyway upon purchase of their artificial panels it is necessary to examine and check carefully by described below criteria.
- First, it is necessary to consider joints attentively. On them there should not be no defects. At connection of two panels the joints have to coincide ideally, without forming gaps and distortions.
- Secondly, it is necessary to pay attention to locks. High-quality locks are easily latched.
- Thirdly, material has density. If it is about PVC panels, then and rigidity. On it it is necessary to pay special attention.
- Fourthly, it is necessary to examine front material in general: the quality goods have neither chips, nor scratches, nor cracks, and the surface – is painted evenly over.
- Fifthly, it is necessary to choose panels from one party of release that they did not differ in color, whenever possible.
To get socle siding of the necessary quantity, it is necessary to make measurements of each party of socle part of the building. You should not forget about 10% for undercutting, waste, adjustment, correction. As a rule, in the choice of socle panels of problems does not arise as in the market of materials for exterior finish their choice abounds with variety.
All available range of front material is separated on composition of raw materials of which panels are manufactured, and on technology of their production. Popular artificial panels for socle facing of the building is the following:
- vinyl panels;
- acrylic panels;
- fibrotsementny panels;
Finishing of socle panels under stone the hands
Step No. 1. Preparation of socle
For a start the surface on which it is necessary to mount socle siding needs to be prepared well. If socle wall equal, and differences of the plane do not deviate more, than on 1 cm, it is possible to do without furring. In this case it is necessary to bring down all available roughnesses, to clean surface from dirt and to start mounting of panels which will sit down on tiled glue.
Unfortunately, ideally equal walls are exceptional case therefore for front material the furring is created. It is done both of bar, and from metal (or aluminum) profile. Furring can be mounted both vertically, and it is horizontal – depending on type of siding and specific goals.
The vertical option of furring will be suitable for simultaneous veneering of walls and socle. It is necessary to consider the fact that furring for high socle facade has to be combined from horizontal and vertical guides. If furring is made of tree, when fastening the panels on it should not be any distortions.
Before mounting wooden bars are processed by the protective equipment keeping wood structure. The step distance between wooden or metal guides is defined by the sizes of wainscots. It is necessary to consider that if the base goes beyond wall projection, over it the outflow is established.
Step No. 2. Mounting of socle panels
At first the starting level is established. It is horizontal guide which is exposed on level and fastens to furring on self-tapping screws. The lower number of panels will keep within on it, creating at the same time the flat line. It is necessary to pay attention: if socle uneven, starting level it is not necessary to establish. In this case panels are mounted on the tense cord.
Mounting of front material on socle should be begun with the left corner. Angle units are for this purpose used. On starting level the first element is put, then it moves in the left groove of corner then it is checked for ideally equal horizontal arrangement and is fixed. Other panels are mounted by the same principle, and the finishing level is put on furring at the end of row, fixing the extreme panel.