Facing the base of the house. Which material is better: tile, siding, natural or artificial stone?

When proceeding to exterior decoration of a building, it is necessary to know how the lining of the base of the house is made, what material is best for it to choose, and what tools in the process of work may be needed.

The socle part of the buildings is subject to the negative influence of external factors (high humidity, pollution, mechanical stress, etc.). Therefore, the material chosen for decoration should not only have an attractive appearance, but also have certain performance characteristics.

Basic functions of the plinth

The socle is called the lower part of the outer wall and the upper, aboveground part of the foundation. It can be constructed as an independent element erected over the base, or it can be its continuation (for example, in the ribbon foundation).

In the process of operating a private house, the plinth carries out the following series of functions:

• Distributes loads on the foundation from the roof and walls of buildings;
• Protects the base from precipitation (rain, snow and floods);
• Creates a thermal barrier that reduces heat loss through the floor;
• Gives the building a complete look.

Requirements for materials for the lining of the plinth

In order for the socle to successfully cope with all the above tasks, the selected material for its lining should have the following performance characteristics:

• Be reliable;
• Strong;
• Have increased moisture and frost resistance;
• To be resistant to mechanical influences and ultraviolet rays;
• Be durable;
• To have an externally attractive view.

What is the facing of the basement of the house? Which material is better? What to choose to make the appearance of the house more attractive? Let's consider some variants.

Facing the base of the house. Which material is better?

The construction market is rich in a wide variety of materials that can be successfully used for finishing the foundation. Among them, the following types of plinth lining are most accessible:

• Decorative and simple plaster;
• Ordinary or socle siding;
• Artificial or natural stone;
• Ceramic or clinker tiles;
• Facing the base of the house with panels.

Each type of finishing involves a technology different from the others? We propose to take a closer look at how the cladding of the house can be made, what material will better cope with the tasks that are put before it.

Plastering plinth

Stucco is a fairly common and most budgetary option for finishing, which will cost relatively inexpensively and will help create a strong foundation protection against various adverse effects. In addition, the undoubted advantage of such finishing is the possibility of doing the work yourself.

The disadvantage is the relatively low strength and durability. In addition, regular coloring and surface correction is required. Wash pollution also does not work, so care often reduces to periodic repairs.

To apply the mortar to the plinth, you will need:

• cement;
• sand;
• Reinforcing mesh;
• Dowels for fasteners.

Implementation of the task

The surface must be prepared for plastering. It is thoroughly cleaned of contamination, on a concrete surface that has stood for more than a year, make a notch. Peeling patches are removed to a strong layer. The protrusions and valleys align.

1. On the surface of the socle is attached with dowels plastic thin reinforcing mesh, which contributes to the creation of a good base and promotes the retention of cement mortar, giving the structure additional strength and, accordingly, reliability.
2. On the prepared and moistened base plaster put a primer layer of mortar, consisting of one part of cement M-400, three parts of sand and water. The primer is applied in a thickness of 7-12 mm and is aged for 8-10 days. At the same time, it must be constantly moistened with water and covered with sacking, matting or other covering material from sun exposure.
3. The finishing layer of plaster 4-5 mm thick is applied to the moistened surface of the primer of the mortar. It is carefully leveled with a half-hook.

After the completion of the work related to plastering, the plinth can be painted to give it a more aesthetic appearance. In addition, the painting will improve the protection against moisture. However, painting is not the only option for decorating the socle. For example, using a rasp will create a brickwork effect. Then the base can be painted, and after the paint has completely dried, isolate the resulting seams with another shade. Also later it will be possible to coat the plastered plinth with any kind of stone or siding.

When decorating, any materials can be applied, which are now abundantly filled with all construction markets. You have to make your choice from a huge number of finishes, taking into account the cost of consumables and the price for the services of specialists: installers, masons, finishers, etc.

Finishing the plinth with natural stone

Facing the socle with natural stone is the most expensive option. The high cost of natural materials, as well as the services of specialists in finishing, will require considerable money. It is also necessary to take into account time costs. However, after the end of all the works, a very stable and practically eternal base will be obtained. The natural stone that was used in the decoration, of course, will give any house an expensive and presentable look. There is a wide range of natural minerals (marble, granite, sandstone, onyx, dolomite and many other types) that are suitable for finishing, and furthermore, virtually no additional maintenance will be required. Along with a long period of operation, this factor is one of the main advantages of using natural stone.

Facing the base of the house with an artificial stone

Artificial stone, as a rule, is a tile made of cement mortar with stone inclusions, gypsum or cement-sand mortar. The choice of artificial stone is quite large.

Advantages and disadvantages of artificial stone

The advantages of this material are:

• strength;
• durability;
• Resistance to temperature fluctuations;
• Resistance to excessive moisture.

Also, as positive aspects of the use of artificial stone when decorating the socle, it should be noted:

• Its low cost, especially if you compare it to the price of natural stone;
• ease;
• Convenience in packing.

Facing the base of the house with artificial stone implies the following actions:

• Choice of stone, which in color would harmonize with the tone of the facade material;
• Choice of glue, which in this case depends on the weight of the stone.

The following materials and tools are required for work:

• putty knife;
• Solution or a ready-made mixture for the preparation of glue.

A mortar or tile glue is applied by a layer of 3-5 mm on the wetted foundation surface and tiles. The artificial stone is pressed and leveled. Further, the surface is cleaned of excess grouting.

Facing the base of the house with siding

Facing the socle siding is the cheapest and quickest way to finish. It can be safely called one of the most economical and fastest options. The quality of the building material, which is used in the manufacture of siding, can be used with great success in the plinth decoration.

The undoubted advantages of using siding include:

• Protection from excessive moisture;
• The possibility of application even at the most extreme temperature changes, regardless of the climatic zone.

Siding will cost much less than artificial stone, which, in turn, costs half the natural stone. Accordingly, the use of siding involves reducing costs when finishing the socle.

It is also necessary to note the simplicity of installation and the speed with which the plastic lining of the socle is mounted on the surface, which saves not only valuable time, but also money.

In this case, the exterior finish of the panels creates some illusion that the base is made of brick or natural stone.

Care of such a decor is the least. Surface siding can be washed, and if necessary it is easy enough to replace.

To the lack of use can be attributed a fairly laborious installation process, which includes fixing the guides and a special crate. In addition, tolerances for temperature deformations are necessary. Own forces some types of siding to establish a problematic enough.

Finishing the basement of the house with tiles

For the lining of the plinth, different types of tiles are used:

• Clinker facing tiles;
• Polymer sand tiles;
• Porcelain stoneware.

The most optimal materials at the moment include thermo panels with clinker tiles, with which not only can the appearance of the basement be improved, but this part of the building is also significantly warmed.

Under the clinker is meant a facing tile, similar in dimensions to a real clinker brick, however, unlike it, for a tile it is necessary to pay approximately twice cheaper. The process of its manufacturing is also similar to the process of producing bricks, that is, the burning method is used. The use of clinker tiles creates the illusion of brickwork.

A practical installation system contributes to creating an excellent protection against moisture and better preserves heat. The positive aspects of this method include fast installation, which allows for a short time to give the facade of the house a complete look.

Finishing the basement of the house with panels

The plinth panels are a modern, inexpensive and practical material for finishing the outer part of the basement. They differ in design, performance, weight and size. They are made from different in composition materials. In addition, they differ in the manner of attachment.

The main advantages of this lining of the basement of the house are: the price (from 450-600 rubles per square meter), a decorative combination with other types of materials and finishes. In addition, the panels are resistant to rainfall, durable and have a huge product range.