During the construction of any type of building, special attention is paid to the decoration of the facade, because it is its uniqueness that emphasizes the appearance of the building. The modern market is filled with a wide range of various finishing materials, which have many colors, shades, and various textures. An excellent option for facing facades of buildings, cottages, private houses can be a fiber cement panel.
What is this facing material
Fiber cement panel is a modern artificial material that has a multilayer structure. Consists of cement-sand mortar, fiber fibers and special additives. The initial density of fiber cement depends on the volume of components such as water and air. Medium Density Panels are designed for small construction projects. High-density products are used in large-scale projects.
The panels have a different texture (like stone, wood, brick) and are covered with a protective film. Each look looks aesthetically pleasing and natural. Finished products undergo heat treatment, which is performed under high pressure in special chambers. This makes it possible to completely dehydrate them, which eliminates various kinds of deformation in further operation.
Fiber cement panel is used for facing facades of brick, wooden, frame buildings. The average weight of 1 m 2 is 16-38 kg. The panels can be mounted on a metal-profile or wooden frame.
Specifications
All fiber cement facade panels have the following properties:
Panel Sizes
Dimensions of facade fiber cement panels depend on the manufacturer. The thickness of the product varies from 8 to 35 mm. The width and length of the panels can be 455 x 3030, 455 x 1818, 910 x 3030 mm.
Most popular brands
In the domestic market, Japanese fiber cement panels have gained the most popularity. Customer reviews on the technical specifications of Nichiha brand products are only positive. These are full-bodied panels that are of high quality and a huge selection of textures. Filler for their production are natural fibers from hardwood.
No less popular is the fiber cement panel of the Kmew brand. Products from this manufacturer have a hollow structure. Its advanced features make the panels durable and durable. Chopped paper or cellulose is used as filler.
Russian facade fiber cement panels of the Rospan and Latonit brands are also in good demand. Performance indicators allow them to be used in various climatic conditions.
Domestic fiber cement panels, customer reviews of which are very diverse, have strength, durability, and resistance to atmospheric precipitation. In addition, they have an affordable price.
Installation of front panels
The installation of facade panels is carried out similarly to the installation of siding and provides for three successive stages of work:
Before proceeding with the installation, first of all, you should measure and prepare the walls of the house. In order to identify irregularities, it is necessary to make a geodetic survey of the facade. Next, drainpipes, platbands, window sills and other finishing elements are removed. Check for mold or mildew on the walls and repair any possible damage. After the preparatory work, they begin to install the frame.
Like all ventilated facades, fiber cement panels are mounted on vertical rails, which can be wooden or metal profiles. The distance between the slats should correspond to 40-60 cm. It is best to use a metal frame structure. For its fastening, special brackets are provided. They are mounted vertically with a step distance of 1 m from each other, horizontally - 60 cm. At the end of the installation of the frame, a layer of vapor barrier and insulation is laid.
The final step is the installation of panels. To do this, first set the starting bar, which will be based on the first row. Its width should correspond to the thickness of the panel. Installation of plates is carried out from the bottom up. The method of fastening the panels depends on their thickness. Thin products of 14 mm can be fastened with self-tapping screws, and 18 mm thick - with special clasp-locks. The joints between the plates are sealed with sealant. Panel cutting is done by a specialized power tool.
A well-made facade finish with fiber cement panels imitating stone, brick or wood will give the house a beautiful appearance that will delight you for many years.