Which siding to choose: metal or vinyl. Siding and its application The main advantages of vinyl siding construction and repair

Repair is the main headache all owners of apartments and houses. And if in question internal arrangement there are a lot of options, then for cladding, with all the variety of materials, there are only a few repair methods. Siding is one of alternative solutions this topical issue.

A little about the history of the creation of the material

Literally, the word "siding" means sheathing a house. It was invented to replace the unstable and impractical tree.

For the first time, this versatile material was produced in the middle of the past century in North America. This was caused by the need for a durable and comfortable facing material. In addition, at the same time began to rapidly develop chemical industry. Special PVC panels have come into fashion. They have become an excellent replacement for conventional wooden boards in house cladding. Crane has pioneered practical and innovative home renovations.

The production of new material was very laborious and costly. The molten raw material, with the help of a special press, was squeezed out through a hole of a certain thickness and width. Then, the blanks were given the necessary shape and texture. In the end, it was necessary to process everything and make numerous mounting holes. Subsequently, the production was updated, improved and improved. In addition, siding has become much more resistant to various adverse manifestations of the external environment.

Types of facing siding

Modern manufacturers and distributors of building materials provide their customers with several varieties of this universal wear-resistant material:

Basement siding. It is a type of vinyl siding. It is somewhat denser and thicker than the original material, resistant to any mechanical damage and shock. Also, he is not afraid of mold and fungus, chemical reagents and pollution. Besides, this species siding completely imitates the most common facing materials: stone, wood, brick, etc. Such a facade does not lose its original appearance for a long time.

Metal siding. It is clear that the main component of this type of siding is metal. Mainly, galvanized steel and aluminum are used. Such panels are covered with a special polymeric material to give a nice look. This is one of the most popular types of home cladding. It is light, practical, does not burn, is not susceptible to temperature changes and external influence and also quite durable.

Vinyl siding. This is the most budgetary and common version of this material. Therefore, it can be found on the facades of many buildings throughout the country. Its main advantages are ease of maintenance and environmental friendliness. In addition, it does not lose its shape and properties even with prolonged use and various negative factors. environment. It is also often used as the main insulation for a residential building.

Ceramic siding. This is one of the latest developments of building materials manufacturers. The composition includes clay and some inclusions natural materials. Equal in quality to modern ceramic tiles. It is mainly used for finishing and decorating the facade.

Wooden siding. Ideal for lovers of natural materials. It is a special glued lining, with the addition of special natural resins. Wood fibers are pressed under enormous pressure and temperature. The main disadvantage is the high cost and impracticality. To protect the material, it must be covered with several layers of paint or varnish.

Cement siding. Another facing material simulating a tree. The composition, as the main element, includes cement and special cellulose fiber. Inconvenient to handle and weighs quite a lot. However, at the same time, it is absolutely not affected by various insects, temperature extremes and other atmospheric phenomena.

The main advantages of siding as a facing material for the house

Siding is specialized material for cladding and decoration of various buildings. Therefore, it has a number of undeniable advantages over other modern materials:

This is practically the only building material that has the most diverse texture and color scheme. In addition, it retains its shape and color for a long time, even under the influence of many negative factors.

Resistant to various mechanical damage, not afraid of chemicals, fungi and any insects. This allows it to be used for cladding buildings for various purposes: from residential buildings to offices.

Long service life. The simplest and most common siding, when properly installed and maintained, has been used for over 50 years.

Ease of maintenance. The siding washes perfectly and is practically not scratched. In addition, the paint is added to the material during the production process, so it does not need to be touched up and updated.

Profitability. Thanks to modern technologies mass production, low cost of the product. In addition, no additional construction equipment is required for its installation.

Environmental friendliness. In production, only non-toxic elements are used, which allows not to spoil the environment.

Excellent as a heater. Due to its own properties, it replaces brick, which makes it a universal facing material.

Under the influence of open fire given material only melts, not flashes. Therefore, it is provided additional protection housing from fire.

Siding Disadvantages

Of course, like any building material, siding has its own weak sides. For example, when installing such panels, the properties and features of a particular type of siding should be taken into account. This will significantly extend its service life.

When installing siding, there are many aspects to consider that only professionals can handle. Therefore, when buying siding, you need to consider the cost of installing it.

If we talk about the most common vinyl siding, then experts note a significant percentage of thermal expansion during its operation. But here there is a way out - take this into account during installation, or use another type of similar material.

When insulating a house, one siding is not enough. Walls, firstly, must be treated with a special anti-corrosion and moisture-resistant compound. Secondly, it is imperative to use some kind of insulating insulation material.

In addition, some types of siding have a fairly decent weight and fragile structure. Therefore, these panels must be installed with extreme care.

Tools needed to work with siding

Having the right tools makes working with siding panels much more comfortable and faster. Therefore, each master should have the following tools in his arsenal:

Roulette for various measurements, level, as well as a folding metal ruler.

Circular saw, crosscut saw and hacksaw. In this case, it is better to choose a hacksaw with fine teeth in order to deform the material less.

The hammer is ordinary and carpentry, as well as a nail puller.

Screwdriver, awl, perforator pliers and crimp pliers, as well as pliers.

Metal shears and cutter.

Chalk and rope for marking and measurements.

Protective goggles and gloves.

Siding installation

One of the most economical and fastest ways to improve and update appearance at home is the sheathing of the building with siding. For its correct and efficient installation, there are a few tips:

Each panel should move freely horizontally. Therefore, nails should be hammered at a distance of about 30-40 cm. In this case, a small gap should be left between the material and the nail head.

When snapping the panel, you do not need to stretch it too much. The panels should hang freely enough.

When installing electrical wiring, the degree of expansion of the siding must be taken into account, so the holes should be 5 mm wider than the diameter of the bolt.

The step by step installation process is as follows:

1. Training. This includes material and component calculations, as well as wall preparation and alignment. First of all, all external shutters, window sills, downspouts, etc. are removed. The surrounding area should also be cleared of shrubs and trees. In an old house, rotten wall elements are being replaced, the boards are tightly nailed together, and the plaster must also be removed.

2. Sheathing and insulation. It is designed to align the structure, because. many houses, especially old ones, have uneven walls. Due to this, the "wave" effect is excluded. The design consists of metal profile and thin wooden slats. Reiki are installed at a standard distance of 30-40 cm between each other. At the same time, they are evenly distributed around all windows, doors and openings. After the structure is firmly and stably nailed to the walls, you can proceed to the insulation. For this, various insulating materials are used: mineral wool, polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam, as well as other similar heaters.

3. Direct installation of the siding itself. To begin with, with the help of chalk and a rope, the lower level is drawn and the first starting strip is mounted. The panel is nailed exactly along the outlined line. The following sections are then added to this starting strip. Particular attention should also be paid to internal and outside corners designs. The angle is set 6mm below the start bar. On top of the eaves, a small distance is left for the installation of various illuminators.

Vinyl siding appeared about 6 decades ago in North America. And despite this, to this day it is rightfully one of the most popular types of cladding in the construction market. He is able not only to give a sophisticated look to any building, but also to become reliable protection from adverse environmental factors. It can have various patterns that make the surface slightly convex, thereby making the siding even more elegant in appearance. For example, it perfectly imitates the texture of wood, brick finish or a natural stone. Due to the huge variety in the choice of pattern, it is possible to choose a lining for every taste and color, which will decorate not only the house, but also create the necessary flavor for the entire local area.

The siding is easy to install and does not require special tools. Today, in almost every hardware store There is a huge variety in the choice of color and size.

Features and types of siding

Plastic siding is panels that are approximately 80% polyvinyl chloride and various additional additives. Such as: - calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, butadiene, all kinds of paint pigments and lubricants.

There are several types of siding:

  1. basement siding. The panels are short, 3 times thicker than usual, and have high strength. Great for building plinth cladding. Due to their thickness, they are able to withstand mechanical damage and higher loads. Despite this, the weight remains just as low and there is no need to reinforce the foundation of the building.
  2. Wall siding. Ideal for facing surfaces with a vertical plane. The surface of the plastic can be a relief of wood or be smooth.
  3. Soffit. Used in decoration horizontal surfaces and is great for roofing. With the help of this type of plastic, you can cover roof fragments with ledges, roof overhangs or attic.

The main properties of plastic siding:

  1. Properly selected coating is able to withstand any weather inclement weather. Will not tarnish or fade under direct sunbeams, at temperature extremes it does not crackle and is completely protected from corrosion and rotting.
  2. Easily expands and contracts, depending on the temperature, which ensures high mobility of the entire structure.
  3. The material is resistant to open fire, when heated, does not ignite, but melts.
  4. In the frame, under the panels, you can easily hide the necessary layers of insulation, which will not only save on additional material to create the structure (brick laying), but also help to additionally save heat.

Variety of choice

Any manufacturer has a great abundance in the choice of textures and colors. Blue, yellow, green and pink are considered standard. They are in demand. But lately, those who want to stand out can easily choose any color to their taste. It could be:

  1. Red.
  2. Red-brown.
  3. Pear.
  4. Strawberry.
  5. Golden.
  6. Peach.

Depending on the manufacturer, shades may vary, and color lists will be supplemented.

Key Benefits of Vinyl Siding

  • Elementary installation. Installation is made with ease and on any construction. Due to its size, you can do the installation yourself, without resorting to the help of professionals, which will save money.
  • Ease. The material is made of light substances, which makes it not only convenient to install, because one person can install the siding on their own, but also saves a certain amount of money on delivery.
  • An abundance of choice. Available great amount different colors and textures.
  • Waterproof. Allows the use of the material in damp areas, suitable for finishing saunas, showers or baths. The coating withstands any contact with liquids, which is why it can be easily washed even with small pressures of water. Of course, no rain can harm.
  • Ease of maintenance. As it gets dirty, there is no need to bother with the choice additional funds To clean, simply wipe the siding with a damp cloth.
  • Dielectricity. The material does not conduct electricity.
  • Durability. Fairly high service life. Most manufacturers give a guarantee of up to 50 years.
  • Availability. Low price compared to natural cladding options.
  • Unpretentiousness. Can be installed in different climatic zones. Operation is allowed at temperatures from -50 to +50 degrees.
  • Persistence. High resistance to natural disasters.

disadvantages

  • Clearance calculation. The need for accurate calculations during installation. Must be respected required dimensions gaps that will allow you to save the structure in the event of a strong temperature difference.
  • Fragility. The material does not tolerate mechanical damage. But in the event of a dent or crack, you can easily replace the damaged panel.
  • Gets dirty quickly. Siding accumulates static electricity. This attracts dust and dirt that can accumulate on the surface.
  • temperature during installation. Must comply certain temperature air during installation.

You can talk about the pros and cons for a long time, but you can make sure that you choose this cladding option correctly only by purchasing and trying it personally. Most people who have installed vinyl siding for themselves recommend it to friends and acquaintances.

There are many inexpensive solutions to make your home look pretty, and cladding is one of them. vinyl siding. The material is very controversial, as it has a balanced combination of advantages and disadvantages - in general, you need to deal with it, and you need to do it thoroughly.

Debriefing is also necessary because it is a very common material that attracts people with its cheapness. Involuntarily, the common expression is recalled that free cheese is only in a mousetrap, and only this makes one think about whether it is worth messing with such material at all. In general, we will not upset anyone in advance, and even more so we will not make a choice for you - you will have to decide everything yourself. We will only state the dry facts - together with the Dream House website, we will talk about the advantages and disadvantages that house cladding with vinyl siding has.

Which vinyl siding is better than a photo

Vinyl siding: material advantages

Speaking between us, vinyl siding has more disadvantages than advantages - at least its characteristics and the experience of people who have already been lucky enough to encounter this material speak in favor of this. Judge for yourself, the following points can be attributed to its merits.


These are all the benefits that vinyl siding can boast of. Then there are some shortcomings, and according to many people, they are much more significant than its positive aspects.

Best Vinyl Siding: The Cons Say It Doesn't Exist

As mentioned above, vinyl siding has a lot of disadvantages, and the most important of them is its ability to burn with a clear flame. In a fire, it catches fire very quickly. Moreover, in the process of combustion (like any other modern polymer), it exudes a lot of toxins into the air, which are very harmful to humans. In addition, there are a number of significant shortcomings.


In general, the service life of siding is very short - in this respect it can also be called a champion, since no other finishing material for the facade serves less than siding. In general, with an eye on all this, the people prescribed a special area of ​​\u200b\u200bapplication for vinyl siding - more and more often it began to be used exclusively for sheathing gables or overhangs. Here (in its relatively small number) its shortcomings are not particularly striking. In general, now draw conclusions and decide, but for now we will tell you about alternative options that are not much more expensive than vinyl siding in terms of cost, but are many times better in terms of their characteristics.

Which vinyl siding is better: the alternative rocks

As you already understood, in the situation with this material, when asked which vinyl siding is better, you can answer that an alternative would be better - it is she who is devoid of almost all the disadvantages inherent in vinyl. Which alternative to choose?


In addition, technologies such as facade finishing should not be written off - in most cases they are combined with building technology with foam plastic or dense basalt slab. Generally, alternative options there is more than enough here - especially when you consider that each material itself can be quite diverse.

And in conclusion of the article on how vinyl siding is made, I would like to add only one thing - do not think that this material is completely bad. In its price category, it can be called normal. In addition, its quality largely depends on the manufacturer - there are quite worthy options that can last a long time. It's all about the price - cheap siding, which is flooded with the shelves of our stores, does not last long, but if we talk about expensive material of this type, then he will be able to serve at least fifteen years, or even more. Also, the service life of siding largely depends on the quality of production. installation work- it is not so easy to install this material on your own in compliance with all the subtleties and nuances, and hiring specialists - this, again, means increasing the cost of finishing a house.

Vinyl siding, the pros and cons of the material you need to know before choosing it for cladding your home. In the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC) is used, which gives the panels high strength.

It differs from steel and aluminum:

  • Not subject to corrosion.
  • Not electrically conductive.
  • On it there are dents from mechanical influences.

The material is artificial, so its price is lower than natural - wood, aluminum. The cons of vinyl siding are covered in this article.

Features of vinyl siding

Simple enough, you can install it on any building. The main feature of vinyl boards is a long service life and low weight, and when caring for it, it is enough to wipe it periodically with a damp cloth.

Panel dimensions:

  • Length - 6 meters.
  • Width - 30 centimeters.

With such dimensions, the panels are easy and quick to mount with your own hands, and at the same time, the result will be a minimum number of joints. The thickness of the siding panels is approximately 1.2 millimeters, which gives the elements elasticity while maintaining sufficient strength. The manufacturer guarantees the service life of the material over 30 years, if used properly.

Vinyl siding has a wide variety of colors (see), allowing you to perform different variants building cladding. The special lock available on the panels gives the structure not only strength, but also water resistance.


The benefits of vinyl panels include:

  • Does not rot, does not give in to corrosion.
  • Long period of operation.
  • Negative effect of temperature fluctuations, which can range from -50°С to +50°С.
  • High resistance to action ultraviolet rays, even fading in the sun.
  • The siding does not actively burn, it lights up when the temperature reaches +391°C.
  • Does not support combustion.
  • Has an optimal ratio of cost and quality.
  • Not toxic.
  • Good aesthetic properties.
  • Corrosion resistance.
  • Wide range of shades.
  • resistant to small mechanical influences. This does not create scratches.
  • There is no electrical conductivity.
  • The condensate can be drained inside panels.
  • Light weight, which allows the reconstruction of dilapidated buildings.
  • Simple to care for and easy to operate.

In addition, the material has disadvantages, vinyl siding:

  • Low strength and rigidity. With a strong mechanical shock, its integrity may be violated.
  • One sheet, if it has deteriorated, is difficult to replace with a new one. The cladding has to be removed from the entire wall.
  • With fluctuations in air temperature, it can change its dimensions, which should be taken into account during installation, making gaps for thermal expansion, protecting the panels from swelling.
  • Doesn't retain heat. An insulation device is required.
  • The material may melt.
  • Installation of elements can only be carried out when normal temperatures air, in a very hot or frosty time this can not be done.
  • It has a static voltage, which allows it to accumulate dust on the surface.

What are the criteria for choosing siding?

The available technologies for the manufacture of siding panels make it possible to imitate almost any material.

Profiles such as:

  • Wave.
  • In the form of a Christmas tree.
  • Block houses (see).
  • Bars are ship.

The house in which they are used will look individually combined colors panels, not just plain ones. In this case, the fastening of all materials is the same.

Comparison table of vinyl siding with metal

Vinyl Metal
Better protection from the cold Have great cold hardness
If the gaps are not observed, it can be severely deformed, go in waves From high temperature metal can get very hot
Structures weigh less Due to the large weight, it is necessary to carry out a crate of high strength
Not afraid of water Corrosion may appear at the joints over time, which requires periodic treatment.
More dust builds up Need to wash less often
Great plasticity allows you not to see small dents Often there are dents from mechanical influences
Good at dampening noise Not able to absorb noise

Tip: When choosing any siding, you should be guided by your preferences and financial capabilities.

The instructions for choosing siding are as follows:

  • The geometric dimensions of the strips and the quality of their cuts are checked.
  • The color uniformity of the panels on both sides is controlled.
  • The thickness of the sheet should be the same along the entire length.
  • Mounting holes are evenly spaced.
  • The quality of the outer layer is checked for cracks, uniformity of decorative embossing.
  • Manufacturer's warranties.

Vinyl siding, the pros and cons of the material you need to know before choosing it for cladding your home. In the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC) is used, which gives the panels high strength.

It differs from steel and aluminum:

  • Not subject to corrosion.
  • Not electrically conductive.
  • On it there are dents from mechanical influences.

The material is artificial, so its price is lower than natural - wood, aluminum. The cons of vinyl siding are covered in this article.

Features of vinyl siding

Simple enough, you can install it on any building. The main feature of vinyl boards is a long service life and low weight, and when caring for it, it is enough to wipe it periodically with a damp cloth.

Panel dimensions:

  • Length - 6 meters.
  • Width - 30 centimeters.

With such dimensions, the panels are easy and quick to mount with your own hands, and at the same time, the result will be a minimum number of joints. The thickness of the siding panels is approximately 1.2 millimeters, which gives the elements elasticity while maintaining sufficient strength. The manufacturer guarantees the service life of the material over 30 years, if used properly.

Vinyl siding has a wide variety of colors (see), allowing you to perform different options for building cladding. The special lock available on the panels gives the structure not only strength, but also water resistance.


The benefits of vinyl panels include:

  • Does not rot, does not give in to corrosion.
  • Long period of operation.
  • Negative effect of temperature fluctuations, which can range from -50°С to +50°С.
  • High resistance to ultraviolet rays, even fading in the sun.
  • The siding does not actively burn, it lights up when the temperature reaches +391°C.
  • Does not support combustion.
  • Has an optimal ratio of cost and quality.
  • Not toxic.
  • Good aesthetic properties.
  • Corrosion resistance.
  • Wide range of shades.
  • Resistant to small mechanical stress. This does not create scratches.
  • There is no electrical conductivity.
  • The condensate can be drained off the inside of the panel.
  • Light weight, which allows the reconstruction of dilapidated buildings.
  • Simple to care for and easy to operate.

In addition, the material has disadvantages, vinyl siding:

  • Low strength and rigidity. With a strong mechanical shock, its integrity may be violated.
  • One sheet, if it has deteriorated, is difficult to replace with a new one. The cladding has to be removed from the entire wall.
  • With fluctuations in air temperature, it can change its dimensions, which should be taken into account during installation, making gaps for thermal expansion, protecting the panels from swelling.
  • Doesn't retain heat. An insulation device is required.
  • The material may melt.
  • Installation of elements can be carried out only at normal air temperatures; this cannot be done in very hot or frosty times.
  • It has a static voltage, which allows it to accumulate dust on the surface.

What are the criteria for choosing siding?

The available technologies for the manufacture of siding panels make it possible to imitate almost any material.

Profiles such as:

  • Wave.
  • In the form of a Christmas tree.
  • Block houses (see).
  • Bars are ship.

A house that uses combined colors of panels, and not just one color, will look individual. In this case, the fastening of all materials is the same.

Comparison table of vinyl siding with metal

Vinyl Metal
Better protection from the cold Have great cold hardness
If the gaps are not observed, it can be severely deformed, go in waves From high temperature, the metal is able to heat up very much
Structures weigh less Due to the large weight, it is necessary to carry out a crate of high strength
Not afraid of water Corrosion may appear at the joints over time, which requires periodic treatment.
More dust builds up Need to wash less often
Great plasticity allows you not to see small dents Often there are dents from mechanical influences
Good at dampening noise Not able to absorb noise

Tip: When choosing any siding, you should be guided by your preferences and financial capabilities.

The instructions for choosing siding are as follows:

  • The geometric dimensions of the strips and the quality of their cuts are checked.
  • The color uniformity of the panels on both sides is controlled.
  • The thickness of the sheet should be the same along the entire length.
  • Mounting holes are evenly spaced.
  • The quality of the outer layer is checked for cracks, uniformity of decorative embossing.
  • Manufacturer's warranties.