Vinyl siding is a common material that is often used precisely for finishing the external walls of private houses. Surely no one is surprised that most of the houses and country facilities are covered with this product. The success of vinyl siding is simple - the material is quite inexpensive, so it can afford to be affordable.
A few years ago, vinyl siding was an indicator of consistency, and now it is an inexpensive solution for any private house. Expensive products of this type can still be found, but the range is actually huge, so there is always the opportunity to find budget decisions.
Surely the most positive side of vinyl siding is an attractive appearance of the material. On its basis, it is possible to refine even the old rotten shed.
In this case, this product also has all common advantages that are characteristic of finishing materials. It is that under the siding layer you can hide thermal insulation, or other material, significantly improving the characteristics of the housing.
In this article, we will consider the main advantages and disadvantages of vinyl siding, as well as try to analyze in detail the process of arranging the walls of these products.
The main features of vinyl siding
Surely, many have noticed that on the basis of vinyl material, not only small frequent houses are discharged, but also large industrial buildings, supermarkets, shopping centers. This suggests that the material is actually universal and practical. Vinyl material has a pleasant texture, a huge range of color solutions, as well as original forms.
The material itself is produced in the form of facing panels, the thickness of which is only 1 mm. As it has already become clear, it means that vinyl siding can be very easy to damage.
However, the positive sides of this product are significantly more. Next, we will consider the main advantages of vinyl material:
- Low price. As already mentioned, many people vinyl siding attracts a low price. Moreover, a fairly simple material installation technology allows you to completely abandon assistance. This is a huge plus, given what money experts often request. Also a low material price allows you to purchase some vinyl siding with a margin. This is necessary so that in case of problems it is easy to replace the damaged parts of the finishing material. Practice shows that replacement products are never excess.
- Durability. Many vinyl finish manufacturers argue that their products are capable of listening to half a century without any problems. Of course, few people believe such statements, but the material really demonstrates record durability. After some time after installation, vinyl siding can fade a little, but the overall state of the construction resource remains the same. It can be said for sure that the owners of the housing, decorated with siding, faster themselves will damage the trim, than it will be unusable naturally.
- A variety of external design. As already mentioned, you can find a huge number of options for this product. Vinyl siding can have an original shape and bright color. This is exactly what is needed by the usual buyer. Accordingly, using original solutions, we can without any particular problems to make an inexperial home really a pleasant object. It is best to make orders of vinyl siding directly from the manufacturer. Then you can choose the main characteristics of products based on the represented catalog. At the same time, you can make an order to the desired material volume, as well as get a full-fledged warranty.
- Easy installation. At the beginning of this article, it was indicated that there is nothing difficult in installing vinyl siding. And indeed it is. Such works are engaged in people who did not even have anything to do with the construction work. Moreover, the material can be mounted at the heat, and when cold. No negative effects on siding and the house will not happen. Some manufacturers clarify that their products can be mounted at -50 degrees Celsius. Returning to the issue of the elementality of the work carried out, it should be noted that for this process it is necessary to have at its disposal the minimum of tools and devices.
- Simple care for the material. Usually, many finishing materials must be additionally handled, periodically cleaning and washed. With vinyl siding, everything is much easier. The bottom line is that the material does not require much care. Once a year you can pour the surface from the hose to clean from dust and other contaminants. However, with this situation, it should be especially attentive, since water can get into the gaps located between the strips of the material.
If we talk about disadvantages, then the vinyl siding is too little of them in order to relate seriously to them. And the negative sides of the material are as follows:
- Fragility. The material is actually too sensitive to mechanical damage. First of all, people whose homes are close to stadiums and playgrounds should be thought of it. One fist blow can crush a considerable part of the finishing coating. It is impossible to exclude completely random damage, which occurs from time to time. It is for this reason that the spare panels should be stockpore, which can be easily changed in case of damage.
- Gaps between panels. In the advantages of siding, we pointed out that you can wash the water jet panels from the hose. But it should be borne in mind that water can get into the gaps that are guaranteed to be present between the panels. In such a situation, there is a special waterproofing layer under siding, which is able to save this problem.
Preparation for the installation of vinyl siding
First of all, a specific plan should be drawn up, allowing to fully assess the scale of work, as well as the features of the installation of siding. It will also not hurt to create a small sketch, according to which it would be possible to navigate.
Next occurs a thorough markup of the contours on all walls. At the same time, it is necessary to have a construction level and plumb, they will help us not to be mistaken with slopes and horizontality.
Now there is installation of the crate. This is exactly the part of the work on which the strength and durability of the design being created. As a crate, you can use wooden strips of small thickness, or metal profiles. Obviously, the second option is more practical, since wood with time can lose its initial properties.
If we talk about the step of placing the elements of the crate, then for wood planks it is 60 cm, and when using metal guides, the step should be from 40 to 50 cm.
It should be borne in mind that the distance between the planks or profiles should be the same, otherwise the design of the weight under the influence can shift slightly.
After that, it is necessary to install layers that will significantly improve some important parameters:
- Vaporizolation. It is obvious that this layer, which is based on the crate, will avoid the negative effect of steam. It is worth saying that this is actually a serious problem, since pairs, penetrating under the finishing layers, gradually reduces the effectiveness of all materials used, especially if we are talking about wood and putty. A layer of vaporizolation can be an ordinary polyethylene, which copes perfectly with its tasks. It should be borne in mind that any flaws that appear on the film can become critical. After detecting damage to vapor barrier, you can close them with scotch. Often the strips of the material are located in the mustache, therefore these places should be sealing scotch.
- Heavy insulation. Of course, this layer is simply necessary to equip if it is about installing vinyl siding. The thing is that under the lining of thermal insulation the place. Moreover, it is possible to choose the thickness of the insulating material without much restrictions. Obviously, in such conditions, it is possible to create a really effective thermal insulation. Most often under vinyl siding, there are as many two layers of mineral wool. This is an effective solution, despite the fact that the weight of such a design may be very tangible. You should also not forget about the bottom plank that will hold the created layers.
- Wind insulation. This defense is located immediately before vinyl siding. It is no secret that such layers serve in order to reduce the negative effect of cold wind. In addition, such a solution will allow several improvement of thermal insulation. It is also necessary to ensure that the material be holistic and did not even have the slightest flaws.
Installation of vinyl siding
Immediately after we took care of creating a variety of layers on the walls, you need to start fastening vinyl siding.
At the very beginning, you need to attach the starting bands from which we will be repelled. Accordingly, they are located from below, from where we will begin the facing process. If siding is located vertically, the laying starts from the corner. It is also worth taking care of the attachment of remote slats, they must correspond to the length of the vinyl material. Of course, when attaching slats, you should do everything possible so as not to damage the insulating layers.
Mounting vinyl siding in the wall is needed using self-tapping screws. You can use nails, but this option is far from the most practical. It is also worth saying that during the attachment of the panels to the starting line, you do not need to push the screw strongly. Next, it is necessary to provide a small gap, which will allow the material to freely expand and narrow - this is a natural process for vinyl siding.
After completing the fastening of the first row of panels, you should proceed to the following. It is necessary to have a vinyl material of the Vanity (by 20-25 mm). Accordingly, the mounting between the panels should not be.
Approximately the installation of all other panels. However, it is worth saying in advance about fixing vinyl siding at the level of windows and doors. Of course, it should be paid to the fact that we have to create peculiar borders around the openings. To do this, use J-shaped profile, as well as platbands that will allow you to hide, perhaps a bit damaged from cutting edges of the panels. In the event that there are pipes or other communications on the walls of the dwelling, you can proceed approximately as in the past case. It is necessary to create a small cutout and apply special accessories that resemble classic platbands.
Well, at the very end there is a finish plank. In this case, the Planck hides under him a panel, which is most likely cut a bit, as it is almost impossible to provide a complete coincidence of the sizes of panels and walls.
Care of vinyl panels
Immediately after the installation of vinyl siding occurred, you can use the created cladding without any restrictions. As for the cleaning of the panels, here you can use a hose with a strong water pressure. At the same time, as already mentioned, you need to ensure that the water does not fall under the panel. If you wash vinyl siding occasionally, the panels will always look presentable and modern. It will also not hurt to use cleaning products, but it is necessary to ensure that there is no chlorine. This ingredient may cause facing. Accordingly, when buying such funds should be paid to the composition.
And, of course, you need to take care of the panels carefully, as they are easy to damage.