The basement floor gives the owner of a private house many advantages: a garage, a sauna, a workshop and even a living room can be placed here. Structurally, the basement is a semi-basement floor, partially located above ground level. Therefore, the decoration of the basement of the house is part of the exterior decoration of the entire building.
However, due to its architectural features, the materials for finishing the basement of the foundation differ from the finishing materials for the walls of the house. Therefore, facing the basement of the house has a number of technological features.
Features of the basement
Basement floors are gaining popularity in recent years. Unlike the ground floors of private houses, the basement floor is partially buried in the ground. The base of the foundation in this case acts as walls for the basement. According to building codes, it can be considered an underground room, the upper floor of which is located at a height of less than two meters from the ground level.
The great popularity of this design in recent years is due to a significant increase in usable area to the total size of the interior: even for a relatively small building measuring 8 x 10 m, it will be 80 square meters. m.
By and large, the sheathing of a concrete basement can be made of the same materials with which the walls of the house are finished. You can veneer the basement of the house with ceramic tiles, plastic panels, siding, natural stone and porcelain stoneware.
Also, the cladding of the basement of buildings can be done by plastering the outer surface. However, the proximity of the floor to the ground makes its own adjustments to the technology of work and the choice of finishing material.
In this article we will try to take a closer look at all the options for finishing the basement and what material is best for facing the basement of the house.
Preparatory work
Before finishing the basement of the house, a number of preparatory work should be done.
Drainage device
Drainage keeps basement dry Both the basement of a wooden house and the basement of a brick house need to be waterproofed. First of all, a drainage system should be created along the entire perimeter of the foundation.
Good and properly executed drainage allows you to remove excess moisture from the foundation, which is especially important when the site is located low or at a high level of groundwater.
Excessive moisture, penetrating through the pores and the smallest cracks into the thickness of the concrete, leads to its gradual destruction.
Drainage scheme around the building In addition, dampness creates a favorable environment inside the basement for the reproduction of mold and fungus. A trench is laid around the foundation at least half a meter wide and about 20–30 cm deep. A drainage cushion of gravel, crushed stone or expanded clay is poured at the bottom of the trench, with the help of which melt and rain water will be drained from the foundation.
Foundation wall preparation
The wall needs to be cleared It is cleaned of dirt, all seams and cracks are carefully sealed with putty.
If there is such a need, then finishing the basement at the preliminary stage should include leveling the walls with plaster solutions.
For plastering exterior walls, cement-based plaster mortars intended for exterior decoration should be used. You can find the technical conditions of use on the packaging.
Stone cladding will require you to pre-plaster However, the time-consuming option with plastering will be necessary only if you are going to use stone, porcelain stoneware, clinker for facing the basement of the house - that is, those materials that are attached with adhesives directly to the foundation wall.
If you finish the outer surface with materials mounted on the inner frame (siding, PVC panels, etc.), then it will be much more expedient to align directly with the frame elements.
Further, before sheathing the basement with decorative finishing materials, the wall surface will need to be treated with water-repellent compounds. Finishing the basement of a wooden house, if its above-ground part is made of timber or logs, should also include treatment with antiseptic and antifungal drugs. This helpful video will help you avoid mistakes when facing:
Clinker
Clinker brick is strong and durable This material for lining the plinth has a number of positive qualities:
- High quality and durability. Clinker tiles are made from special grades of clay, pressed into molds and fired at high temperatures.
- Excellent decorative quality. Clinker is able to imitate high-quality facing bricks, stone tiles and other more expensive finishing materials.
- Small mass. Clinker tiles have a much smaller mass than real brick or granite. Therefore, the plinth lined with it will not exert excessive pressure on the base of the building.
Usually, clinker tiling starts from the bottom of the foundation. Initially, this lowest level should be determined, from which work will begin. To do this, measure the height of the base and divide it by the width of the tile (plus the width of the seam).
Using these calculations, we determine the bottom line along which the first row of tiles will go so that the top row is flush with the upper edge of the foundation wall, or slightly higher than it.
After the bottom point is found, we draw a line from it along the entire perimeter of the basement wall. In this case, it is better to use a water or laser level.
Before gluing the tiles, the wall must be treated with primers. This will significantly increase the adhesion of the adhesive to the concrete or brick surface of the basement. For more information about the clinker plinth, see this video:
For sticking clinker tiles, specialized building adhesives on a polymer or cement basis should be used. When choosing an adhesive, you should pay attention to the area of \u200b\u200bits application - it must withstand changes in humidity, temperature and other natural influences well.
Dry adhesive mixtures are diluted with water in accordance with the recommendations on the package, ready-made mixtures can be used immediately. The clinker is glued row by row either along the entire perimeter, or only along one wall with the obligatory approach to adjacent walls with corner elements.
After completion of the work, the seams between the tiles are sealed with special aggregates based on acrylic or cement.
Plastering
Plaster is easy to apply and repair With the help of plaster, you can finish the basement of a brick or wooden house if the walls of the basement are made of concrete or brick. Wall decoration with plaster has the following positive aspects:
- weather resistance. Plaster mortars designed for outdoor use have excellent resistance to temperature extremes and changes in air humidity;
- breathability. Plaster coating due to the presence of the smallest pores allows the interior to "breathe";
- high decorative qualities. A wide range of colors and textures of plaster solutions opens up wide possibilities for decorating foundation walls in any style;
- ease of application. Plaster solutions are quite easy to use - it is quite possible to plaster the surface of the wall with your own hands without involving a team of professional finishers.
The choice of plaster
The most budget option is to use a traditional cement-based plaster mortar. It is characterized by high strength and durability in operation. You can buy it in the form of a dry mix in a hardware store or cook it yourself. To do this, you need to mix 1 part of cement with 3 to 5 parts of fine sifted sand. Next, the mixture is diluted with lime water to the state of thick sour cream and applied to the wall.
Special shapes allow you to create a masonry effect on the plaster A more expensive, but also more aesthetic option would be to finish the basement with decorative acrylic or silicone-based plaster mixtures with the addition of synthetic resins and mineral additives. Such compositions can differ in a wide variety of colors and textures.
The high plasticity of the solution allows you to create all kinds of volumetric patterns on its surface, as well as imitate the finish of a marble or granite slab.
On the market, decorative plaster is presented both in the form of a dry mix and in the form of ready-to-use formulations. The table shows the ratio of the components of various types of plaster solutions.
Surface plastering
For better adhesion to the surface, the solution is best applied to the metal mesh Before starting work, the wall surface should be cleaned of old finishing materials, dirt and dust.
Then we cover the wall with primer solutions for better adhesion (adhesion) of the plaster to the wall.
When plastering the wooden wall of the plinth, in order to improve the coupling, it will be necessary to cover it with a metal or fiberglass chain-link mesh.
A similar mesh is also used when plastering basement floors, glued on the outside with heat-insulating materials: foam plastic, foam plastic, etc.
Plastering work should be carried out in the temperature range of +5 ... +25, preferably in calm weather. The fact is that low / high temperatures prevent the natural “setting” of the solution. In the same way, the wind contributes to the rapid dehydration of the mixture and, as a result, its cracking and flaking from the wall surface.
After applying decorative plaster, the surface is treated with a texture roller or grout. As a result, the plastered surface is covered with a three-dimensional decorative pattern. Surfaces plastered with a simple cement-based compound can be painted with exterior paints or whitewashed with lime mortars.
Stone cladding
Modern artificial stone is almost as good as natural The stone is a magnificent decorative material that can serve for decades, if not hundreds of years. On the modern construction market, there are options for facing slabs made of artificial stone.
Such material (porcelain stoneware) is practically in no way inferior to natural stone: neither in terms of aesthetic qualities, nor in terms of long-term operation. The foundation lined with ceramic granite tiles is practically indistinguishable from a wall lined with natural stone.
Stone laying starts from the bottom of the basement wall. As in the case of clinker tiles, we determine the lower level from which the cladding will begin. The stone is attached to a concrete or brick surface using cement mortar or special adhesive building mixtures.
In order to qualitatively impose a basement with a stone, a number of technological nuances should be observed.
In particular, after laying each row of stones or tiles, you will have to wait for the mortar to completely harden before proceeding with the installation of the next row.
The seams between individual stones are also filled with grout or acrylic sealant.
The stone for finishing the basement of the house must comply with building codes, be hard enough, not delaminate and not have cracks. Its quality largely determines the longevity of its service, resistance to changes in temperature and humidity.
Siding
Recently, building siding has become increasingly popular. This is due to the high decorative properties of this material, affordability, as well as the relative simplicity of its installation. Also, siding is a fairly durable material - its service life, according to the statements of manufacturing companies, is 50 years or more. As a material for the manufacture of siding, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic or galvanized sheet steel is used. For more information on installing siding, see this video:
Siding is mounted quite simply - it is quite possible for any owner to install it on their own. First of all, a frame made of wooden bars or a metal profile should be mounted around the entire perimeter of the basement wall. Siding panels are located in a horizontal direction, so the crate must be installed vertically.
Siding mounted on a metal or wooden profile Its installation begins with the installation of frame bars at the corners of the building; a twine or fishing line is stretched between them, along which the rest of the vertical bars of the frame are mounted in increments of 0.5 - 0.8 m.
After the crate is ready, we attach sheets of siding to it, starting from the lowest.
The design of the panels provides for their joining into grooves and attaching to the frame using self-tapping screws.
Panel joints at the corners are covered with decorative corners, and slopes and platbands are installed around the basement windows.
Being engaged in facing the house, special attention must be paid to the finishing of the basement. Depending on the construction technology, it can act as a separate element or be a separate part of the foundation that rises above the ground. Unlike the main wall, it has direct contact with the ground, which is why a lot of attention must be paid to finishing this area. It may well be possible to finish the basement with your own hands, but at the same time, experts recommend taking into account some points and nuances.
Before studying the materials and technologies for finishing the basement, it is worth deciding on its type. So, depending on the location of the foundation to the outer plane of the wall, the following main types are distinguished:
- Speaker. Such a foundation is poured for thin walls, so you should first worry about arranging the drain. Otherwise, water will accumulate on the ledge. As a result, it will lead to destruction.
- One level. In modern construction, this technology is rarely used, since it will be too difficult to achieve the desired level of waterproofing in the process of exterior decoration.
- sinking. A common option that will be easy to protect from the effects of natural factors, since it does not need a drain. Facing in this case will be less deformed from snow and rain.
Decorative plaster
A fairly common method of finishing the foundation, moreover, it does not require special knowledge or abilities. Work is performed in the following order:
- Cleaning the surface of the foundation from dust and dirt.
- Applying a deep penetration primer.
- In the presence of clearly defined irregularities, it is recommended to fix the reinforcing mesh. Suitable welded, woven or made of fiberglass.
- Applying a layer of decorative plaster.
- After complete drying, you can start painting.
Giving preference to decorative plaster, it should be remembered that this option is not suitable for finishing the protruding basement. High loads on the material will soon deform the applied layer, and it will lose its attractiveness.
On a still wet layer of plaster, imprints of a pattern or pattern are applied, and structuring is also performed.
It is possible to veneer the plinth with both natural and artificial stone. Let's take a closer look at the natural version. It should be borne in mind that it has a lot of weight, so the finishing process will be quite laborious. Despite the complexity of the process, many decide to do it on their own. The order of work is as follows:
- Surface cleaning and priming.
- Selection of suitable elements in shape and size.
- Application of adhesive solution in a thick layer.
- Laying stone, starting from the bottom row. This will prevent the heavy stone from sliding down.
- Coating with frost-resistant and water-repellent composition.
It is also worth considering that the stone will add load to the foundation. Additional calculations will be required to ensure that this finish can be applied.
This artificial material in modern construction and decoration is very common. The list of its benefits includes:
- wear resistance;
- strength;
- resistance to temperature extremes;
- low rate of water absorption.
Due to the presence of the latter indicator, porcelain stoneware is insensitive to frost. To date, the hardware store has a large assortment of porcelain tiles:
- matte;
- satin;
- polished;
- glazed;
- aged;
- imitating leather, stone and fabric.
Considering the process of finishing the basement with the selected material, it should be said that it is fixed either on the frame or with special adhesive solutions. The frame method is provided for additional insulation. This method is more laborious, but you can also do it yourself:
- Foundation preparation: cleaning and priming.
- Metal slats with already existing special fasteners act as a frame. It is with their help that the slats are fixed to the base. As a result, a small gap is formed between the wall and the grate for ventilation.
- There should be a distance of 20 cm from the ground to the beginning of the frame. This will be enough to raise the ground in winter.
- A heater of your choice is inserted into the resulting gap. It is best to give preference to foam or mineral wool.
- With the help of kleimers, the frame is sheathed with porcelain stoneware slabs.
If we talk about adhesive solutions, then everything is much simpler here: glue is applied to the prepared foundation and the stone is fixed on top.
The use of cement mortar is prohibited, since in this case the stone will simply peel off in the cold.
Vinyl panels
Among the budget ways to finish the basement, this one is the best. The whole secret lies in a simple installation method: the elements are joined together in a tongue-and-groove way. The result is a durable surface. Thanks to siding, the foundation of the house will be reliably protected, as the innovative material has significant advantages:
- resistance to high and sudden changes in temperature;
- durability;
- low sensitivity to moisture;
- there is a wide range of colors and shapes of plates.
In most cases, vinyl panels are used when it is necessary to carry out external insulation. The algorithm of actions is quite simple and implies the presence of such processes:
- Waterproofing: the film is laid with an overlap of 10–15 cm and fixed with nails or construction tape.
- Installation of a horizontal crate. Metal rails are used. The step is calculated individually according to the following scheme: 1/3 of the panel length. In this case, the lowest bar should rise above the ground at a distance of 15 cm. The resulting gap should correspond to the size of the insulation plus 3 cm for ventilation.
- Laying a heat insulator and a vapor barrier.
- From the bottom of the crate, at the corners, the first plank (corner profile) is fixed.
- Subsequent panels are fixed to the starting bar and screwed loosely with self-tapping screws. A 3 mm gap should remain from the cap to the panel, since the material can change in volume under the influence of atmospheric phenomena.
- For a protruding base, a special ebb is installed on top.
The unique technology of siding production allows you to convey the texture of expensive wood, natural stone and other materials.
Ceramic tile
Clinker tiles can also be used as a facing material. In the modern building materials market, clinker tiles are very popular. The surface may be different:
- smooth;
- raw;
- imitate brick;
- imitate paving stones.
When finishing the basement of a house with ceramic tiles, the following work is assumed:
- Surface cleaning and leveling with special mixtures.
- Padding.
- Preparation of the adhesive composition according to the instructions on the package. Applying a 4 mm thick layer to the foundation.
- Start laying from the outer corner. Particular attention is paid to vertical seams, which should not coincide. For the convenience of creating even seams, it is recommended to use special crosses, which are then removed.
- The final step is grouting the joints with special frost-resistant compounds.
To emphasize the unity of the created design of the whole house, clinker tiles are used not only for decorating the basement, but also for the corners of the walls.
When applying the solution, care must be taken not to form voids. Otherwise, in winter, they will expand, and the tiles will fall off.
Other materials
In fact, the list of possible materials for decorating the foundation is several times larger. So it is possible to finish the basement of the house with glass, flagstone or ceramic fragments. For these cases, it is recommended to perform the process in this way:
- Surface cleaning and leveling.
- Carrying out calculations of the required amount of material, according to the allotted area for cladding.
- Priming of the base with concrete carbonate. Removal of excess cement on the foundation.
- Application of tile adhesive or cement (depending on the chosen cladding material). Apply it in stages.
- Fixing flagstone or colored glass to the prepared base. Secure with light taps to release air.
- Filling voids between large pieces with small broken elements.
- Seam cleaning.
- Coating the dried surface with varnish and installing a protective visor over the protruding part of the foundation.
Thanks to the finishing of the plinth, several problems can be solved at the same time: immediate protection, additional thermal insulation, as well as giving a complete look. Only the owner himself will be able to choose the best option, since the choice will depend on personal preferences and desires. It is not so difficult to do the cladding on your own, as can be seen from the above article.
Video
How to make a plinth tile finish, see below:
A photo
An important element of the house is the plinth, which protects the lower part of the outer walls of the building. It must be made in an appropriate way, while it must have strength and resistance to various adverse factors. You should think carefully about how to finish the plinth so that it is stable and at the same time architecturally attractive. The outer walls from below are most often finished with ceramic tiles or clinker, but sometimes decorative stone and other materials are also found.
How to properly and how to veneer the basement of the house?
The basement is the upper part of the foundation wall, which is usually located above the ground at a height of 30-50 cm. This height depends on the place where the house is built, the level of groundwater and the design of the foundation. Higher plinths can be made in the construction of a foundation partially buried in the ground, in the case of a basement.
The main function of the plinth is to protect the lower part of the outer walls of the building from mechanical damage (to avoid damage to the waterproofing layer) and to preserve the walls from high humidity. Wetness can be caused by heavy rain and melting snow, which is thrown directly under the walls of the building. If properly built and properly lined with a plinth, it will protect the walls from water and will be an attractive architectural accent of the house. However, in any case, it is worth avoiding the accumulation of large snow drifts near the building.
Plinth recessed or protruding?
In most cases, typical private houses are made with a sunken plinth, which is hidden under the facade of the building. In this solution, water flowing from the façade will run off the wall, which will provide a higher degree of protection of the walls from moisture.
The decision on the type of plinth must be made already at the stage of foundation construction, in order to correctly complete the foundation and select the individual layers of the outer walls.
In the case of a sunken basement, a special profile is used that is resistant to rainwater and protects the lower part of the house from mechanical damage and moisture.
In the case of thermal insulation of external walls with mineral wool or polystyrene boards, special starter strips can also be used, located in the lower protruding part of the facade.
The protruding base is less common. However, sometimes it can be an interesting architectural element of a building. In the case of a plinth protruding from the facade of a building, its upper part must be reinforced with appropriately selected steel profiles or ceramic tiles.
It is important that a height difference of approximately 6-10% be made, which ensures a smooth outflow of rainwater without settling it on the wall (facade). In no case should the upper surface of the plinth be horizontal, without a slope, as this will quickly lead to dampness of the walls and damage to the facade at the point of its connection with the plinth.
If we want to line the entire plinth with decorative stone, we must choose its thickness correctly so that an appropriate water drain can be carried out.
The protection of the upper surface of the base should protrude by about 2-5 cm, which will ensure that rainwater runs off the surface without causing dampness in the wall.
The least rare are plinths that are made flush with the wall, that is, in the same plane with it or a flat facade to the ground. Such solutions have to be designed individually and require a very precise selection of all materials. It is important in this case, the proper execution of all connections of the facade cladding and the choice of durable and frost-resistant materials.
Ceramic tiles or clinker tiles are a fairly common basement material. In this case, the parameters of frost resistance of the finishing material are very important.
Make sure the tiles have sufficient resistance to low temperatures in winter and have a water absorption of no more than 8% (for ceramic tiles). Materials that do not meet these requirements may be too fragile for finishing.
Ceramic and clinker tiles can be especially useful in the case of finishing the plinth, which protrudes in relation to the plane of the facade of the building. Available in various thicknesses, shapes and designs.
For the strength of the plinth, the right choice of adhesive is even more important. In this case, it is imperative to use a high-quality elastic and frost-resistant adhesive so that individual tiles or even entire arrays do not peel off. The tiles must be glued to the plastered surface. Before gluing, it is recommended to lay a special mesh, which will increase the elasticity of the entire structure.
It is also imperative that the grout used is resistant to water and frost. In the case of clinker tiles, it is necessary to use glue and grout specially designed for clinker, which protect against the so-called fading (white spots on the surface of the clinker). Adhesives and grouts are also available on the market, available in a variety of colors, allowing you to choose the color of your tile grout.
If you want to tile the plinth of your house, you have a very wide range of colors and patterns, which allows you to match the finish in relation to the facade of the building.
An important advantage of a tile or clinker finish is that such a surface is easy to keep clean, clean and wash without damage. Tiles are also resistant to mechanical damage, although to a lesser extent than surfaces finished with natural stone (which are more durable than ceramic or clinker).
If you want to clad the plinth with stone, keep in mind that this is a very labor intensive and therefore more expensive method than finishing with ceramic tiles or base plaster. This is due to the fact that the correct choice of stone is necessary in order to be able to maintain an approximately equal joint thickness over the entire surface.
To perform this type of finish is usually used:
- large pebbles, although in this case there are difficulties in selecting flat stones close to each other in size;
- chipped stone;
- stone tiles.
Natural stone tiles are characterized by a very spectacular outer surface.
Stone tiles and stone are characterized by good rainwater drainage properties and the ability to easily keep the surface clean. The stone is also very resistant to mechanical damage, which will provide good protection of the thermal insulation and the lower part of the outer walls from moisture.
Due to the high labor intensity, finishing the plinth with natural stone is a relatively expensive solution. In addition, it is worth making sure that this type of finish will look harmonious with the architecture of the rest of the house (stone is not always suitable for modern-style houses). In order to save money, the plinth is often finished with stone-like panels that imitate the pattern and pattern of natural stone.
There is also the possibility of finishing the surface of the plinth with plaster. For this purpose, acrylic and mineral plasters are used. Despite the fact that both types of plaster masses can be used for external walls, it is still not recommended to use acrylic plaster.
Acrylic and mineral plasters differ significantly in price (not in favor of mineral ones), but when choosing, you should not take into account only the price criterion.
Acrylic plasters come in a much wider range of colors and can also be painted without any major problems in any chosen color. In the case of mineral plasters available on the market, the choice of color is more limited.
A few years ago, mineral plasters were sold as a dry mixture, which had to be diluted with the required amount of water. In the absence of experience, it is not always possible to make the right solution. Now, however, they are available on the market in ready-made masses, which allows them to be applied directly from the container to the walls, as is the case with acrylic plasters. These masses are more expensive than dry mixes, but after adding the cost of labor, it often turns out that the cost will be the same. Finished masses do not require as long drying and water protection as dry plasters, which often require protection for about 3-5 days.
Mineral plasters are more durable than acrylic ones. However, it should be noted that no plaster will be as resistant to impacts and dents as ceramic or stone.
The advantages of acrylic plasters are that they are more flexible and thus better suited for finishing surfaces subjected to varying temperatures. However, they are less resistant to moisture, which can accumulate in some places and destroy the surface.
Being engaged in facing the facades of a country house, it is worth thinking about the above-ground part of the foundation, which initially looks like a simple concrete wall. The gap under the building erected on newfangled screw piles looks just as ugly. Hence the task of our article is to consider what materials are used to finish the basement of a private house and how it is better to sheathe it in certain conditions.
The role of the basement lining of a private house
We have already mentioned improving the external design with the help of an external finishing layer. But in addition to decorative, it also performs other important functions:
- extending the service life of the concrete base by protecting it from moisture, direct sunlight and sudden changes in temperature;
- the skin takes on pollution and a variety of mechanical damage;
- protects reinforced concrete from damage by microorganisms - fungi and mold;
- in the case of a pile foundation, it closes the gap between the house and the ground so that the wind does not walk along it.
Before finishing the basement from the outside, it must be insulated, these are the requirements of building codes. Thermal insulation is carried out with polymeric water-repellent materials - polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam spraying. After that, the insulation layer is decorated on the outside with a facing material.
Note. There are special thermal panels for finishing the basement, which have a heat-insulating layer, which will be discussed later.
- The entire foundation is subject to insulation - both above-ground and underground parts to the depth of soil freezing.
- If the construction of the house is completed, then you need to make thermal insulation of the basement with a blind area, this is a cheaper option.
- It makes no sense to insulate only the basement, since the cold will penetrate the building through the ground.
- External insulation can be omitted if the floors in the entire cottage are well insulated, although additional protection will be useful.
Finishing materials
There are quite a few options for how to finish the basement of a private house:
- smooth or embossed plaster;
- natural or artificial stone, tiles;
- clinker and other decorative bricks;
- plastic or metal siding;
- a variety of panels with and without a heat-insulating layer.
Now let's look at each option in more detail.
Application of plaster
This is one of the inexpensive ways to finish the foundation, which is used in houses without special requirements for external design. In addition to low cost, plastering provides such advantages:
- The mortar layer is characterized by good vapor permeability, and therefore it is successfully applied both to the concrete surface and to the polymer insulation.
- The ease of doing plaster work allows you to save more money if you do everything yourself.
- Such cladding can be quickly and inexpensively decorated with any color and given a different texture - from a small “fur coat” to imitation of a wild stone, as shown in the photo.
- Modern plasters are easily tinted in the required color, which saves you from painting work once every 3-5 years.
Reference. The technology of applying plaster is quite simple. For example, a "fur coat" from a liquid solution is thrown in a thin layer on a moistened base, and the bark beetle is superimposed and leveled with a rule. Imitation of natural stone is done by hand with a mixture of thick consistency.
The negative side of plaster coatings is a limited service life. From the effects of weather conditions and temperature differences, it gradually crumbles, cracks and even breaks off. High-quality plastering will last without problems for about 5 years, and after that it needs periodic repairs. Moment two: for obvious reasons, this method is not applicable to buildings on pile foundations.
Stone cladding - pros and cons
To improve the basement of the house, the following types of natural stone are used:
- shell rock;
- limestone;
- sandstone;
- gray and black granite, marble;
- labradorite
This is what granite veneer looks like.
Flagstone with polished or chipped edges, cut from rocks, is able to serve throughout the entire life of the building. This finish does not lose its excellent appearance for many years, and also does not require maintenance and repair. These are positive aspects, but there are also negative ones:
- The high cost of processed natural stone.
- Facing the base with your own hands will not work, you will have to involve specialists, and these are additional costs.
- Due to the decent weight, the material noticeably loads the foundation.
Imitation sandstone
You can give the cottage an elite appearance at a lower price if you finish the basement walls with artificial stone products - fiber cement or porcelain stoneware tiles. They are produced on the basis of cement mixtures with various additives by casting in silicone molds and successfully imitate any rocks. Artificial stone is not inferior to natural stone in terms of durability, and it weighs less. But for laying tiles on the mortar, experience and qualifications are still required, plus labor costs for leveling the surface. All the nuances are described in the video:
Reference. Some manufacturers (for example, the Canyon brand) offer products with metal brackets, fixed on self-tapping screws to a wooden frame or directly to the wall. So, if you wish, you can mount the plinth trim yourself.
About brickwork
The benefits of traditional brick cladding are well known to homeowners who have used this method. In terms of durability and respectable appearance, masonry is practically not inferior to stone walls, but has the following features:
- To overlay the base with a full-sized brick, you need to arrange a reliable foundation for it. This will not be a problem if such a finish was foreseen in advance and the width of the foundation tape allows you to build a half-brick wall on it. Another option is the device of a full-fledged blind area associated with the base of the house with reinforcement.
- The brick lining of the basement makes it possible to organize an air gap or lay a heater in the wall.
- If you do not use cheap silicate varieties, then the masonry itself will serve as good insulation.
- For the construction of a facing wall from decorative stamps laid out “in a wasteland”, you will have to attract a master bricklayer or train for a long time yourself.
Note. To reduce the cost of finishing the basement, clinker tiles can be used instead of bricks. The technology of laying on the adhesive mixture is similar to porcelain stoneware sheathing.
At the cost of construction, this method outperforms stone cladding, but it will cost more than installing artificial tiles. In addition, for the protruding front wall, you will need a wide ebb around the perimeter of the building.
siding sheathing
Metal and plastic socle sidings can please every homeowner both in price and in a variety of colors and textures. They are offered as strips and panels of various shapes, mounted on a frame made of wood or steel profiles. In addition to an affordable price, the material has the following advantages:
- Quick and easy installation, thanks to which the owner is able to sheathe the base with siding himself.
- Remarkable appearance of a private house.
- Since the cladding is mounted on a subsystem, a heater of the required thickness is calmly laid under it.
- In case of mechanical damage, damaged elements are easy to replace.
Reference. Sometimes a budget material is used as a siding - a wall profiled sheet. It is equally well suited for decorating small country houses, building fences and light gates.
Inexpensive types of cladding are not ideal. But siding has not so many disadvantages:
- vinyl sheathing is prone to burning, and the highest quality - melting from heating;
- polymer painting of metal panels and corrugated board quickly fades in the sun;
- after 5-10 years (depending on the quality of the products), the appearance of the material deteriorates;
- siding must be periodically washed from dust and dirt;
- accidental mechanical damage leaves scratches on painted metal, and plastic can break from shock loading.
Despite these disadvantages, wall and basement siding does not lose popularity. In addition, it is excellent for sewing up the cavities of pile-screw foundations. Read on how to properly install, and the following video will introduce you to the sheathing process:
Advantages of finishing panels
Since the characteristics and installation method of plastic panels differ little from vinyl siding, we suggest paying attention to other types of products:
- two-layer thermal panels, where polystyrene insulation is glued to an artificial stone base;
- fiber cement products similar to Japanese cladding from the Kmew brand.
The presented finishing materials for the plinth combine the positive aspects of stone and PVC panels, plus they have an acceptable cost. This is a long service life, a wonderful appearance and simplified with or without a frame.
Thermal panels imitating stone and brickwork are equipped with a heat-insulating layer made of polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam. Fasteners are carried out through special hidden holes, and almost seamless docking is ensured by a perfect locking system. In the same way, fiber cement panels that do not have insulation are installed. For more information on installation, see the video:
Note. Both types of cladding can be used in houses installed on a pile foundation.
From the above, the following conclusions can be drawn:
- In most cases, the choice of material depends on the size of the budget allocated for construction. An exception is pile foundations, where it is impossible to use the entire range of facing products.
- Even with the availability of funds, it is not advisable to finish the basement with marble, granite and other varieties of expensive flagstone. There are substitutes - panels and clinker tiles that are not inferior in appearance and service life, which are cheaper and do not load the foundation.
- The use of decorative bricks is justified when the width of the foundation tape is designed for masonry. In other cases, it is easier and cheaper to sheathe the basement wall with any imitation of brick.
Of the cheap options for the plinth, panels and siding made from non-combustible materials are most suitable. The experience of modern construction shows that the burnout of the facades of buildings occurs due to an incorrectly selected finish of the basement, which ignites from a cigarette butt thrown nearby.
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