Exterior decoration of houses from foam blocks. Interior decoration of walls from foam blocks How to decorate a house from foam blocks outside

October 4, 2016
Specialization: Capital construction works (laying the foundation, erecting walls, constructing the roof, etc.). Internal construction works (laying of internal communications, rough and fine finishing). Hobbies: mobile communication, high technologies, computer equipment, programming.

One of the most important stages in the construction of a dwelling made of cellular wall materials is the exterior and interior decoration of a house made of foam blocks. It should not only decorate, but also protect the walls from destructive factors of influence, but at the same time not interfere with air infiltration.

Today we will just talk about how it is better to finish the facade of the house from foam blocks, and how to arrange the walls inside.

Features of walls made of foam blocks and finishes for them

The foam block, as the name implies, belongs to the category of porous building materials. In its manufacture, a gas-forming substance is used, due to which more bubbles appear inside the solidifying mixture.

Thanks to this, the walls have a high degree of vapor permeability. Natural air infiltration passing through the building envelope contributes to the establishment of a comfortable microclimate inside the dwelling.

This applies to both humidity levels and temperature. After all, foam concrete has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity, that is, in some cases, walls made of it do not require insulation.

However, there is also a downside to the issue. Foam blocks themselves do not have high mechanical strength and can be damaged as a result of mechanical stress. In addition, they absorb water well, which freezes at negative temperatures and destroys blocks.

Therefore, dwellings made of foam blocks should be finished without fail from the inside and outside. But the material used for this must have certain properties, which are detailed in the table below.

Characteristic	Description
Vapor permeability	Decorative trim should not prevent air infiltration through the cellular enclosing surfaces. This contributes to the regulation of the microclimate in the room and the removal of moisture from the bearing walls.
Frost resistance	Exterior finishes must withstand many freeze and thaw cycles without destroying the internal structure and changing the appearance. This also applies to interior decoration, if the dwelling is not supposed to be heated in winter.
Waterproof	The finishing material, both internal and external, must reliably protect the foam blocks from moisture ingress to them. Outside, it can be affected by rain or snow, inside - by water vapor and jets of water (for example, if the interior of the bath is being finished).
Strength	The selected finish must withstand significant mechanical stress, including impact.

I will not talk about decorative properties, strength, UV resistance, and so on, since these characteristics should be inherent in all finishing materials, especially facade ones.

However, I want to note, especially for beginners, that the foam block house outside, in addition to separating, must also be equipped with:

rain and melt water removal system;
visors;
plums under window openings;
a system for protecting the basement and foundation from moisture penetration;
properly designed roof.

And now I’ll tell you about the specific materials that are used for the interior and exterior decoration of the foam block.

Materials for outdoor decoration

First, let's figure out how to finish the facade of the house from foam blocks. I made a small diagram, which depicted all the possible options.

Let's consider each of the methods in more detail.

External facing materials

One of the frequently used methods of finishing a foam block dwelling is facing surfaces with ceramic (clinker) bricks, natural stone or facade tiles.

I'll start in order:

Brick. One of the most common materials.

The brick is laid out at a distance of 5 cm from the main foam concrete wall to form a ventilation gap. In order for the decorative masonry to be even, experts advise using a technological sheet, which at the same time prevents the installation mortar from entering the gap between the main and decorative walls. As you move up, the sheet rises along the masonry.

Ventilation holes must be left under the eaves in the rows of brickwork. Their total area should be approximately 2% of the wall area. If the house is not supposed to be used in the cold season, you can not do the ventilation. But be prepared for increased levels of humidity inside living rooms.

External decorative brick cladding must be connected to the main walls. I advise making at least four ties per square meter of surface. For this you can use:

bandage stainless tape 19.1 wide and 1.1 mm thick;
nails for cellular concrete;
galvanized perforated strip;
flexible connections made of basalt plastic.

To make it more convenient for you to choose, I will give a table that describes in detail the pros and cons of this type of finish:

Advantages	disadvantages
Facing brick reliably protects foam block walls from atmospheric precipitation.	In some cases, whitish spots (efflorescence) may appear on the finish, which worsen the appearance of the building.
External finishing gives additional strength and stability to the constructed building.	Brick finishing is quite expensive. You can choose and use budget options.
Clinker brick trim can be used with strong temperature fluctuations. At the same time, it does not lose its original appearance and strength.
The material significantly increases the service life of the bearing walls of the building.
During operation, the described finish does not require additional care, constant tinting or plastering.

A natural stone.

The weight of the finish will be very large, so for its installation you need to have a very reliable and fairly wide foundation. It is necessary to take care of its design even before the construction of the house begins.

As in the previous case, I briefly summarize the advantages and disadvantages of this type of facade finish:

pros	Minuses
Attractive appearance. There are a huge number of finishes on the market - from wild stone to polished tiles made from it. The design options for your home are only limited by your imagination.	Partial destruction of the facade. Due to poor-quality installation, natural stone can peel off from foam concrete. However, there is nothing to worry about, since spot repairs will not be difficult even for a non-professional.
Practicality. The stone reliably resists destructive external influences: water, sun, frost, etc. Such finishing of the foam block house will last as long as possible.	Possible radioactivity. Some types of minerals emit radiation, but the dose of radiation received is very small and is completely within the established norms.

Tile. Finishing the house from the outside of foam blocks does not require a foundation, since the cladding is glued to the walls and does not rest on the base. At the same time, it reliably protects the porous material from external influences, and its appearance can imitate many materials, including natural stone or ceramic brick.

For exterior decoration of foam block facades, you can use the following types of tiles:

Facade ceramic.

For outdoor work it is necessary to use frost-resistant tiles.

Porcelain tile.

Clinker tiles.

To make it easier for you to make a choice, I have compiled a small table where I described the pros and cons of tiles in terms of its use as a facade finish:

Advantages	disadvantages
The tile does not pass moisture to the foam blocks. There are no microcracks in it, which are inherent, for example, in natural stone.	The main disadvantage of the tile is its low vapor permeability. Finishing almost completely stops air infiltration.
The facing tile retains its technical characteristics regardless of the ambient temperature. It tolerates high temperatures in summer and low temperatures in winter.	The cost of the described finish cannot be attributed to the budget, but it is not the most expensive either. However, here you also need to take into account the costs of surface preparation, the purchase of glue and other nuances.
The tile well transfers external mechanical influence.	The total weight of the tiles can be quite large, which must be taken into account when calculating the strength characteristics of the foundation of the house.
Using different colors and textures, it is very easy to give a boring foam block structure a unique touch.

Plaster

For cellular material, it is necessary to use plaster, which prevents atmospheric moisture from being absorbed into the building envelope. From above, it should be painted with vapor-permeable facade paint or covered with decorative facade plaster (for example, “bark beetle” or the like).

This option should be recognized as one of the inexpensive and easy to implement, but not very durable. In addition, you still need to have some skills in leveling surfaces with plaster.

The surface must be properly prepared before plastering. Usually foam blocks are cleaned of dirt, dust-free, primed. Only after that two layers of plaster are applied - starting and finishing. Naturally, compositions that form a vapor-permeable layer should be used.

Fiberglass mesh is used to strengthen the plaster. It reinforces the solution, preventing it from crumbling and collapsing during operation.

Personally, I advise resorting to plastering in cases where you are going to insulate the house at the same time with foam or mineral mats. Then the plaster simultaneously acts as a protective layer and decorative finish for.

To make it easier for you to form your own opinion about plaster, I have compiled a table where I described its pros and cons.

Advantages	disadvantages
The finish has hydrophobic properties. This allows foam concrete blocks to maintain integrity for a long time.	To apply plaster on the walls, you need to have certain skills and have the appropriate tools.
The hardened plaster is notable for its good strength and keeps the blocks from damage as a result of external mechanical impact.	The service life of the plaster before the next repair or restoration does not exceed 10 years.
The material does not prevent the diffusion of air through the foam blocks. The water vapor accumulated inside is expelled to the outside.	The material is sensitive to vibration and may crumble when the base vibrates.
With the help of decorative plaster, you can effectively decorate the facade of the building, using materials of different colors and textures. The possibility of tinting the composition or its coloring with paint further diversifies the exterior.	The preparation of the composition and its application requires strict adherence to the proposed technology.
The cost of the material and the application of plaster is quite affordable for all our compatriots.

Ventilated facade

If you built a house from foam blocks, then I advise you to use just this method of finishing. In this case, a ventilation gap remains between the decorative material and the main bearing wall, due to which the vapor permeability of the surfaces is not disturbed, which positively affects the life of the house and the microclimate in it.

For the manufacture of a ventilated facade, you can use the following materials:

Mounted cassettes. Prefabricated aluminum structure, which is often seen on high-rise urban buildings, commercial and industrial premises.

When buying a hinged cassette facade system, you get everything you need for its installation in the kit, and the installation process itself is described in detail in the instructions and usually does not cause difficulties.

However, it should be said that the price of such a solution will be quite high.

Decking. It is a metal sheet of a certain shape (with ridges and recesses), which is installed on a pre-designed crate.

From the destructive effects of the environment, metal profiled sheets are protected by an external decorative layer, which usually comes in two types:

zinc coating - a budget option for corrugated board, which does not have outstanding decorative properties, but is able to reliably protect foam blocks from mechanical stress and moisture;
polymer coating - is highly resistant to external influences and attractive in appearance, it can have a different color and texture, which makes it possible to diversify the exterior of the building.

I advise you to use the last option of the two listed. And, of course, I bring to your attention a table that facilitates the decision on the choice.

Advantages	disadvantages
Ease and simplicity of installation of a profile. To install the cladding, you need a simple frame that is attached to the walls of the foam block.	The high level of noise that the profiled sheet emits during rain.
Resistance to external atmospheric influences, corrosion and biocorrosion. The material does not require additional finishing (for example, staining or antiseptic treatment), which is usually used when facing with a block house or clapboard.
Durability and ease of maintenance of the facade, finished with this material. The profiled sheet does not require additional care during the entire period of operation. In case of severe damage to the protective and decorative layer, it is better to completely replace the part.
Fire resistance. The material is non-flammable and does not contribute to the spread of flames.
Wide range of colors. The polymer coating of profiled sheets can have different colors.
The profiled sheet is completely sealed and does not allow moisture to penetrate to the load-bearing (enclosing) walls of foam blocks.

Vinyl siding. Another popular finish option, which can be safely attributed to a fairly budget. These are panels made of plastic. Thanks to special additives, the polymer acquires various colors and shades, increased strength and excellent performance properties.

To make it easier for you to make a choice, I will list the main advantages and disadvantages of vinyl siding:

Advantages	disadvantages
Vinyl siding does not absorb moisture during rain and snowmelt.	Poor-quality finishing material can crack from strong temperature changes.
It features a wide variety of colors that do not fade in direct sunlight during the entire period of operation.	If the installation order is violated, vinyl sheets can be destroyed by strong winds.
The material perfectly tolerates exposure to low air temperatures and many successive freeze and thaw cycles.
Vinyl siding does not rust over time and is not subject to biocorrosion, regardless of operating conditions.
Installation of the finishing material can be done independently by fixing the siding sheets on a pre-designed frame.

Fiber cement boards. Another modern type of exterior finish of foam concrete walls, which provides both ventilation of enclosing surfaces, protection from rain and melt water, and insulation.

In addition, the appearance of fiber cement panels makes it possible to decorate the facades of the cottage in a stylish and original way.

Materials for interior decoration

Now let's turn to the materials that are used to finish the foam block from the inside. There are many options, but the most common include the following:

Plaster. To work on foam blocks, I advise you to use compositions that have high vapor permeability and good hydrophobic properties. It is allowed to use dry building mixtures based on cement or gypsum.

To make the plaster durable, I advise you to use a reinforcing fiberglass mesh for interior work (with small cells). Experts advise to plaster the walls so that the thickness of the layer inside is twice the thickness of the outer plaster.

One pack of dry mortar for plastering weighing 30 kg is used to cover three square meters of walls with a layer of 1 cm thick. Based on this, you can calculate the cost of purchasing building materials. I must say right away that if you laid out the walls correctly and applied glue for foam concrete, then the surfaces will already be quite even and you will not need to apply a thick layer of plaster.

From above, the plastered surface can be painted with interior paint or wallpapered. In both cases, it is necessary to use a finishing plaster on top of the starting one, which is very carefully smoothed with floats and then sanded. Otherwise, flaws may appear on the surface.

Drywall. In my practical activities, I very often finished foam concrete walls with drywall. This is a universal material with which you can easily level surfaces of any curvature and build very complex multi-level architectural elements.

For fastening drywall to foam blocks, you can use glue or a frame made of galvanized profiles. I resort to the second option, since in this way it is possible to insulate the walls and lay engineering communications behind the false wall without resorting to gating.

In addition, when using a frame, a ventilation gap is formed between the decorative finish and the enclosing wall, which facilitates the diffusion of air through the walls, and, therefore, contributes to the self-regulation of the humidity level inside the rooms.

When mounting the frame, you need to use special dowels that can be screwed into foam concrete walls. If you are finishing rooms with a high level of humidity (for example, a shower bath inside), you must choose moisture-resistant drywall (it is painted green).

Wooden lining. Used to decorate baths or dwellings in a natural style. To install it, I also recommend using a galvanized frame (although you can install lining on wooden slats).

The advantage of this finishing method is that the wood perfectly passes air and allows the foam block walls to “breathe”. Minus - the need for subsequent processing of wood with varnish or paint. Although, the same drywall also needs to be finished with wallpaper, paint or something similar.

During installation, I advise you to use vapor-permeable barriers that protect the foam blocks from moisture from air vapor generated as a result of human activity. Do not replace them with ordinary polyethylene film, as it completely stops air infiltration, that is, you will reduce all the advantages of lining and foam blocks to zero.

In addition to those listed, there are also other ways of finishing - MDF boards, plywood and so on. However, in essence, they are similar to those already listed and their detailed description does not make practical sense.

Summary

Now you know how to finish the foam block inside and out. For those interested in the video, this article provides instructions on how to do the exterior decoration of a foam concrete house with your own hands using siding.

And I wanted to ask the readers, what finish do you like? You can leave your opinion on this issue in the comments.

October 4, 2016

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thanks!

Foam concrete has a lot of advantages, but one of its significant drawbacks is the unattractive appearance of the facade. Additional wall cladding, which becomes a necessity, increases the cost of work in labor costs. In order to give the facade an attractive appearance and at the same time choose the most optimal option in relation to the three components (price, quality, labor intensity), you need to figure out how to sheathe the house from the foam block from the outside.

Finishing Features

Exterior decoration of the house from foam blocks performs not only a decorative function. Its important tasks include:

Additional thermal insulation. Many materials for wall cladding are mounted on a frame, between the uprights of which insulation is placed. This layer allows you to reliably protect the house from the cold in winter. To maintain the ability of the house to “breathe”, it is worth choosing mineral wool as a heat insulator. When using it, measures for additional ventilation are not required.
Soundproofing. Exterior cladding allows you to reduce the level of noise in the room, which comes from the street and provide comfortable conditions for residents to relax.
It is important to protect the facade from the outside from various negative environmental influences. The outer wall cladding also performs a protective function, preventing moisture from entering the foam blocks, which is especially important for aerated concrete, which has the greatest ability to absorb moisture.

Ventilated facade

This production technology allows the use of several options for finishing. Given the strength of lightweight concrete, it is not necessary to use too heavy products, such as, for example, porcelain stoneware and natural stone. To give the house an attractive appearance, perfect:

wooden lining;
block house;
siding;
sandwich panels.

The scheme of finishing the wall of a foam concrete house with siding

The most common option is vinyl siding. This material is not as expensive as lining or block house and is more resistant to adverse effects. The first two options from the list can be attributed to natural materials. The raw material for the manufacture is coniferous wood. The first option allows you to sheathe the house "under the beam", the second wall cladding creates the illusion of a log building.

Scheme of finishing the house outside with a block house

To protect the facade from the outside, the following tools and materials will be required:

hacksaw;
building level (bubble will do) and a square (with a right angle);
roulette;
screwdriver and hammer;
fasteners (nails, self-tapping screws, dish-shaped dowels for fixing the insulation);
a bar with a section of 80x80 mm for the manufacture of a frame;
insulation (thickness is selected depending on the climatic features of the area);
starting profile;
material with which the facade will be closed from the outside (siding, lining, block house).

Here you will need to install the frame and fix the wall cladding material on it. It is important to choose a heater. To protect against the cold use:

Styrofoam;
extruded polystyrene foam;
mineral wool.

The first two do not allow air to pass through, therefore they create problems with ventilation during operation.

Most often, builders choose mineral wool which is available in two types:

rigid boards;
mats in rolls.

There is no fundamental difference in wall insulation between these two options. When using such a heat insulator, it must be reliably protected from moisture. On the side of warm air, a vapor barrier must be laid, and on the side of cold air - waterproofing.

Between the waterproofing film and the cladding elements, there must be a ventilated gap approximately 5 cm wide. This is necessary to remove moisture from the surface of the mineral wool. It is thanks to this gap that the technology has received the name "ventilated facade".

To close the facade from the outside, the work is performed in the following order:

cleaning the walls from pollution;
installation of vapor barrier;
frame assembly;
installation of insulation and its fixation;
installation of waterproofing;
fixing the starting profile along the perimeter of the building at a distance of 15 cm from the ground;
installation of the first wall cladding panel, its alignment;
installation of other elements that will close the facade of the house from the outside, up to the roof.

Plastering

This option allows you to create a facade without serious labor and special skills. Only the ability to hold a spatula is required. Wall plastering can be done in two ways:

without reinforcing mesh with a layer thickness of 20 mm;
with the use of reinforcing mesh with a layer thickness of 40 mm or more.

Plaster with reinforcing mesh

Reinforcement allows the solution to stay on a vertical surface. Currently, the use of special "warm" plasters is widespread, which, in addition to protecting the facade, perform a decorative function, and also serve as insulation.

For the production of work, the following materials will be required:

primer;
plaster (facade);
reinforcing mesh;
spatula, paint brush (roller);
cement mortar and silicone-based paint.

brick protection

Sheathing of a foam block house with a brick

Brick wall decoration is a reliable option, but here it is worth considering some features. It is important that the foundations, even at the design stage, be designed for an additional load and have extensions to support the outer verst made of bricks.

To ensure the joint work of the inner verst of foam concrete and the brick outer, metal or plastic ties are provided. If this is not done, then the brick finish at some point in time may simply collapse. Ties must be positioned so that they fall into the horizontal joints of the masonry. The best option would be elements of basalt-plastic material.

Brick laying is a rather laborious process. It is necessary to prepare for the fact that construction costs, both financial and temporary, will increase. In addition, the surface will still require a fine finish, such as plaster. A layer of insulation is provided between the outer and inner mile. Here it is better to choose extruded polystyrene foam or mineral wool.

For brick cladding, the following materials and tools will be required:

facing (decorative) brick;
masonry mortar;
bubble level and plumb;
trowel and pickaxe hammer;
drill for mixing cement mortar;
metal or plastic ties and a perforator.

Buildings made of foam concrete have their own specifics of finishing work, due to the low moisture resistance of the material. In this regard, the interior decoration of the house from foam blocks should include high-quality vapor barrier of enclosing structures. It is desirable to perform external thermal insulation of the building, but in some cases it is necessary to arrange it inside the house or you should start with wall insulation.

Cork

This material is produced in the form of plates or rolls. Cork is also a finish, so high demands are placed on the preparation of wall surfaces. The base must be dry and clean, without defects, of high quality plaster. Before you start warming the house, the cork must be kept unpacked for a day at room temperature. The walls are treated with a deep penetration primer, after which, with the help of special glue, insulation is glued to them. The average cost of 1 square meter of cork is about 1,200 rubles.

Penofol

Represents the made foam polyethylene covered with aluminum foil on both sides. Penofol is attached to special bars mounted on the walls. To eliminate gaps, the plates are laid tightly end-to-end, the seams are sealed with aluminum tape. Then, internal cosmetic finishing with clapboard or drywall is performed. Insulation of foam block walls from the inside with penofol makes it possible to ensure the preservation of up to 97% of heat in the premises. Such thermal insulation costs 25-35 rubles. per 1 sq.m.

Variety of interior design solutions

For walls from the inside in foam concrete buildings, the most popular design options are plastering followed by painting or wallpapering, plasterboard cladding, clapboard cladding and various decorative panels. Each of these methods has its own implementation specifics.

Plaster for finishing works

For foam concrete walls, it is recommended to choose gypsum-based breathable waterproofing compounds. Plastering interior walls will be more reliable when using mesh. The thickness of the finishing layer from the inside of the house should be twice as large as from the outside. On top of the plaster, you can use acrylic paints or moisture-permeable wallpaper. A package (30 kg) of dry mix will cost about 200 rubles. This amount of material is enough to level 3 sq.m. layer 1 cm thick.

Before applying the mortar, the walls must be moistened abundantly.
The first layer is made from a water-cement mixture, the consistency of sour cream.
The plaster is applied until the first mortar has dried.
Work is carried out in small areas.
When preparing the surface for wallpaper, the hardening solution is carefully processed with a trowel and a sponge grater.
If it is planned to paint the walls, a day after plastering, they are smoothed down with a trowel abundantly moistened with water.
It is possible to give structure to the surface before painting - the dry solution is treated with a hard brush, comb spatula or embossed roller, creating a variety of stains and patterns.

Plasterboard constructions

The use of drywall on the frame ensures ventilation of the wall surface. The interior decoration of a foam concrete house in this way has its own specifics:

A vapor barrier device is required using membranes that are mounted in the air gap between the drywall and the wall. For unhindered air circulation, it must be at least 5 cm.
Additional insulation from the inside somewhat reduces the area of \u200b\u200bthe premises.
For mounting the frame to the blocks, you need to use it for foam concrete.
Moisture-resistant plasterboard is provided for the bathroom.

The price of 1 sq.m of drywall is 100 rubles, and 1 linear meter of the frame profile is 30.

Sheathing of foam blocks with wooden clapboard

The technology of such an eco-style finish consists in mounting a lining pre-treated with an antiseptic on a crate of bars. Today, lining fasteners are made with special clamps, which imperceptibly and firmly fix the lining on the frame. A heater is laid between the lining and the wall and a vapor barrier is arranged. In the process of finishing, it is necessary to provide for the laying of electrical wiring.

To improve the safety and decorative qualities of the skin, it can be treated with varnish or impregnation after installation. Wall decoration from foam blocks inside is possible with similar modern materials - block house and eurolining. The price of the material varies, depending on the type of wood and the class of the product, from 140 to 800 rubles per 1 m 2.

Decorative MDF panels
When choosing how to sheathe the foam block from the inside, attention should be paid to such characteristics of the material as attractive appearance, durability, ease of installation. Often, cottage owners prefer MDF panels, which also have excellent sound and heat insulation performance. They are easy to care for, do not fade and do not absorb dirt. If you want to change the design of the room or damage part of the finish, MDF panels are easy to dismantle and replace. For work, you will need a locksmith square, a plumb line, a level, a tape measure, a drill with nozzles and a jigsaw. The cost of m 2 MDF panels is about 200 rubles.
The porous structure of the material causes its low density, which makes the use of conventional fasteners for finishing work useless. For the same reason, it is practically impossible to use ordinary plasters without reinforcement. Such features that the foam block finish has from the inside require special technologies, which significantly increases the cost of finishing.

The interior decoration of the house from foam blocks is not just a decorative design of the interior of the room, but an urgent need, taking into account the specifics of this building material. The use of foam concrete elements in the laying of walls of structures for various purposes has quite reasonably gained wide popularity, which is facilitated by their numerous advantages. However, walls made of foam blocks need mandatory two-sided protection, which must be taken into account during construction. In general, interior decoration has its own specifics, but in many respects it is similar to working with other materials. It is quite possible to do it yourself.

Features of finishing foam concrete blocks in rooms

The wide distribution of the construction of houses from foam blocks is due to their advantages over other building materials:

significant block sizes, which facilitates and speeds up laying;
low specific gravity, which makes it possible to increase the dimensions of such elements;
sufficiently high mechanical strength;
high thermal insulation and noise protection properties;
resistance to temperatures in a wide range;
incombustibility;
harmlessness to the human body;
ease of processing with hand tools.

Foam block houses have such an important advantage as the ability of the walls to "breathe", that is, air can penetrate through the foamed concrete.

Why is the interior decoration of walls made of foam blocks so necessary? The fact is that most of the positive qualities are caused by the presence of a porous structure. With the accumulation of moisture in internal inclusions, the material loses its thermal insulation properties. There is a risk of the beginning of the cracking process. At the same time, foam concrete is quite hygroscopic, and moisture easily penetrates into the material. In addition, one should take into account such a circumstance as the appearance of condensate. Steam easily passes through the foam blocks, and when it meets the colder outer surface of the wall, it condenses. The resulting moisture gradually accumulates inside the material, destroying it. Thus, the walls of foam blocks require waterproofing both from the outside of the house and inside the premises.

Required Tools

When carrying out interior decoration of walls from foam blocks, the following tool should be prepared in advance:

electric drill;
screwdriver;
paint brush;
paint roller;
putty knife;
Master OK;
construction mixer for mortar preparation;
a hammer;
mallet;
scissors;
hacksaw for metal;
building level;
roulette;
metal ruler.

Finishing principles

Do-it-yourself wall decoration from foam blocks has its own specifics. First of all, it should be taken into account that the smooth surface of the elements and the composition of foam concrete do not allow the use of conventional cement-sand mortars, which do not have reliable adhesion to the material in question. To ensure good adhesion, special primers designed specifically for this purpose are applied. Such products are able to penetrate deep into foam concrete by 3-4 mm, which improves adhesion and reduces hygroscopicity.

The quality of finishing work largely depends on the correct implementation of the laying of blocks during the construction of walls. If a special glue was used during the construction of the walls, then the block joints have a width of no more than 2-3 mm, which provides a fairly smooth wall surface, which facilitates the application of a protective coating. In addition, when laying, the walls must be reinforced with reinforcing belts every 4-5 rows of foam blocks, which is necessary for the strength of the structure and the elimination of shrinkage phenomena. If the reinforcement is not made, then during operation, the shrinkage of the blocks will lead to cracking of the outer and inner protective layers.

When carrying out measures to protect the walls, the interior decoration of the foam blocks is first carried out, and only then work is carried out from the outside. All finishing work must be carried out in warm, dry weather during the summer months. This is important so that the wall can dry well after the interior finish, that is, before it is completely insulated with external waterproofing. In winter, the moisture in the pores can freeze, which means it can be preserved inside the material.

What is the interior of foam blocks? It is possible to properly finish the walls of foam blocks only by providing reliable protection against moisture penetration. To do this, before starting to decorate the room by finishing, it is necessary to carry out some mandatory work to level the surface, ensure adhesion and protect the foamed concrete.

Protective and leveling coatings are provided in several layers. First, the surface is primed with a special compound designed specifically for foam concrete. A mandatory element of interior decoration is the imposition of a vapor barrier to prevent condensation. It should be borne in mind that steam occurs in any living space and not only in the bathroom or in the kitchen. With his breath, a person ensures its presence in the room. Of the modern vapor barriers, it is especially necessary to note penofol, which is a rolled material made of polyethylene foam, which is covered with aluminum foil on both sides.

Further finishing design depends on the chosen option. The most common methods are the following:

installation of drywall or chipboard, followed by decorative cladding;
wall plastering for painting or whitewashing;
wallpaper;
lining with clapboard or other wood finishing materials.

Leveling walls with plaster

Any version of wall cladding indoors first of all needs to provide a flat surface, which is especially important in block construction. Surface leveling is carried out by plastering. Such work is carried out in the following order:

Surface preparation. This preliminary procedure includes a thorough cleaning of the wall from dirt, grout, grease and oil stains. If there are large defects, they must be repaired.
Primer. A special composition is applied with a paint brush or roller in a thin layer over the entire surface of the wall. It is important that it penetrates into the foam blocks to a depth of about 3-5 mm. Wide seams between blocks are treated with adhesive.
Mesh installation. After the primer has completely solidified, the entire wall surface of the foam blocks is covered with a mounting grid. The most commonly used mesh is fiberglass. This element strengthens the finishing coat and, most importantly, ensures the adhesion of the plaster.
Plastering. The task of this operation is to perfectly level the surface. For plaster, it is recommended to use ready-made dry mixes for interior work based on gypsum or cement. Often, craftsmen use a sand-cement mortar of their own preparation. In this case, they usually adhere to a 3:1 ratio. The technology of plastering depends on the subsequent cladding. So, when preparing a wall for tiling, one layer of plaster is considered sufficient. If painting or wallpapering is planned, then a two-layer plaster with an outer, finishing layer that provides a perfect surface is recommended. In this case, the first layer (main) has a thickness of 2-3 cm, and the leveling, top layer is 10-12 mm.

Surface painting

After careful alignment of the foam block wall, the room can be decorated by painting it. This operation is performed on plaster, and therefore differs little from similar finishing works with other building materials used. True, one nuance should be noted: acrylic-type paints are undesirable for foamed concrete, since they exclude the presence of a "breathing" effect. When painting foam concrete, the use of silicate or silicone-based paints is considered optimal.

Recently, the loft style has been in vogue in interior design. In this original interior, the visibility of the wall masonry is needed. In order to achieve this effect, the preparatory work is limited to only a primer, which is applied without concealing the masonry structure. The accuracy of the design is ensured by preliminary grinding of the foam blocks. To enhance the security of the wall, it must be coated with an impregnating composition with hydrophobic properties.

Drywall finishing

Finishing the interior with drywall is one of the most common options. With this finish, you can use any heat-insulating and vapor barrier materials, as well as additional waterproofing. The technology is based on the sheathing of walls with sheets of drywall on a crate of wooden beams or a metal profile. As a rule, the frame is made by fixing vertical elements in increments of 45-55 cm. If necessary, they are reinforced with horizontal jumpers.

Drywall installation works are carried out in the following order:

The preparatory stage, including a primer and a single-layer plaster.
Installation of vertical elements of the crate. For this, a U-shaped aluminum profile or a wooden bar measuring 20x40 or 40x40 mm is used. Fastening is provided with self-tapping screws.
The imposition of hydro, heat and vapor barrier. First, waterproofing made of polyethylene thick film or roofing felt is attached between the racks of the crate. Then, if necessary, a layer of thermal insulation made of mineral wool, polystyrene foam or other materials is applied. At the end, the protective layers are covered with a vapor barrier, and the foil layer must remain outside. The fastening of protective materials is provided with dowels, self-tapping screws or with the help of an adhesive composition. It should be borne in mind that the gap between these layers and the elements of the crate is unacceptable.
Sheets of drywall are fixed to the crate with screws or self-tapping screws for metal. Holes are pre-drilled at the attachment points to prevent damage to the material. Self-tapping screws must be recessed. When fixing the sheets, it is necessary to provide a ventilation gap between the vapor barrier and drywall.
The final decoration of the walls on drywall is carried out according to standard technology.

Foam blocks are widely used in the construction of houses, due to their many positive properties. However, this material requires reliable protection against moisture, which is provided by wall decoration both outside and inside the room. With proper work, the foam blocks will serve for many years without requiring major repairs.

The interior decoration of the house from foam blocks has certain features, and some nuances should be taken into account when implementing it. How the interior decoration of the house from foam blocks is carried out, the photo clearly shows, and there are a lot of options for such an operation. In general, foam blocks are currently competing with bricks and other building materials, causing increased popularity. A phased interior decoration of a foam block house illustrates a video that will help you do all the work yourself.

Foam blocks have properties that distinguish them from other building materials. First of all, they have a porous structure, which provides increased heat resistance and low specific gravity. At the same time, moisture or steam, penetrating into the air pores, accumulates in them and significantly worsens the basic characteristics of the material.

With this in mind, foam blocks, unlike bricks, require double-sided moisture and vapor protection. In other words, regardless of the external wall cladding, foam blocks require waterproofing and vapor barrier for interior decoration as well.

The blocks are quite large in size, which gives great advantages in construction. At the same time, this feature very strongly manifests any masonry defects: the slightest distortion when laying the block creates significant irregularities on the wall surface, which must be smoothed out during interior arrangement. In addition, special adhesive compositions are used during masonry, as a result of which not every finishing solution has good adhesion with it, which must be taken into account when interior decoration.

Finally, when ov it is necessary to take into account technological nuances. Wet finishing processes cause moisture to penetrate inside the blocks, which then remains there. This raises an important requirement for the work: when applying the coating, it is necessary to minimize the ingress of water into the material.

This is achieved by the following conditions: work associated with wet solutions is carried out in the warm season and with complete drying of surface moisture; requires the use of special primer mixtures for foamed concrete, creating a barrier layer to a depth of 3-4 mm.

How to plaster

Do-it-yourself interior decoration of a house made of foam blocks almost always includes such an operation as leveling a wall with plaster. Such an event has its own characteristics, which must be taken into account when carrying out work.

Primer application. For this purpose, a special primer is used, which creates a protective barrier against moisture; improves the adhesion of the plaster to the wall surface; closes the suture adhesive. The most important task: the primary leveling of surface irregularities - defects and cracks in the masonry are eliminated.

Mounting grid installation. It is applied after the primer has completely dried and fixed with dowels. As a rule, fiberglass mesh is used. It should be taken into account the fact that plaster applied without a mesh will not adhere strongly enough to the surface of the blocks, and may peel off over time.

Wall plaster. The thickness and technology of this operation depends on further finishing. If various tiled coatings are mounted on top of the plaster, then it is enough to apply 1 layer of mortar without finishing. When planning painting work or applying soft roll materials (wallpaper), the plaster is carried out in 2-3 layers with a final careful leveling of the wall surface. For plaster, a ready-made mixture based on cement or gypsum for interior work is used, but home-made sand-cement mortar (proportion 3: 1) can also be used. The main layer is made 20-25 mm thick, and the surface layer is about 10 mm thick.

Finishing with paint

Interior wall decoration in a foam block house can be done by decorative surface painting. To do this, first carefully leveling the wall.

When choosing a paint, it should be borne in mind that acrylic paints are not entirely suitable for porous concrete, as they eliminate an important advantage - the breathing effect. When finishing foam blocks, silicate or silicone paints are more suitable. Modern options include the use of polyurethane paint.

The original is provided in the loft style. This style involves emphasizing block masonry. This effect is achieved by the absence of plaster. Only a thin primer is carried out, which does not violate the texture of the masonry. Previously, the surface of the foam blocks is carefully polished, and the seams are aligned and formed to give decorativeness. Next, impregnation with a hydrophobic composition and varnishing is carried out.

The loft decoration style requires the appropriate design of the entire room, incl. selection of furniture.

How to finish drywall

One of the most common ways is the interior decoration of the house from foam blocks with drywall.

The main advantage of this method is the possibility of applying any heat, hydro and vapor barrier, as well as the formation of a ventilating gap between the foam block wall and the outer coating. The most commonly used technology is plasterboard wall cladding with the installation of battens. In this case, a wooden beam (rail) or an aluminum profile is attached to the surface of the plastered wall. The crate is made in the form of vertical racks with an installation step of 50-60 cm.

The stages of interior decoration of the house from foam blocks using drywall are as follows:

The imposition of a primer and plaster in one layer without finishing alignment.
Fastening the vertical racks of the crate from a wooden lath or timber 2x4 or 4x4 cm. The best option is an aluminum U-shaped profile.
Laying in the cells of the crate waterproofing from a layer of roofing material or polyethylene film.

Applying a heat-insulating layer over the waterproofing. As a rule, mineral wool is used, which has a breathable effect. In order not to install an additional vapor barrier, it is recommended to use rolled or sheet mineral wool with a layer of aluminum foil. When laying, this layer faces outward. Protective films are fastened with dowels or by gluing. Particular attention should be paid to the tightness of their fit to the beams of the crate - gaps are not allowed.

Sheets of drywall are attached to the crate with screws. Holes are pre-drilled at the attachment points to prevent damage to the material. Screw heads should be sunk.
External finishing of drywall is carried out in accordance with the chosen interior (painting, wallpaper, etc.).

Other interior finishes

Interior decoration of walls from foam blocks can also be done in other ways in 2 main directions: rolled soft lining and hard coatings. A common method is wallpapering. They can be used on top of finishing plaster or drywall.

Usually, for foam blocks, it is not recommended to use polymer-based wallpaper (vinyl), which removes the breathing effect. Paper, non-woven and fabric wallpapers are considered the most suitable. For overlay, the usual adhesive composition for the corresponding type of wallpaper is used.

Looks good interior decoration with wooden elements. You can use lining, wood panels or panels with imitation of natural wood. Wooden is made using crates - similar to the installation of drywall.

The interior decoration of the house from foam blocks has some features that should be considered when carrying out work. In general, such an event differs little from wall cladding made of other materials and can be successfully carried out with your own hands.

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