When starting the exterior decoration of the building, you need to know how the basement of the house is facing, what material is best for this, and what tools you may need during the work.

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

The socle is called the lower part of the outer wall and the upper, above-ground part of the foundation. It can be designed as an independent element, erected above the base, or be its continuation (for example, in a strip foundation).

During the operation of a private house, the basement performs the following number 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 finished look.

Requirements for materials for plinth cladding

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

• be reliable;
• durable;
• have increased moisture and frost resistance;
• have resistance to mechanical stress and ultraviolet rays;
• be durable;
• have an attractive appearance.

What is the lining of the basement of the house? What material is better? What to choose to make the appearance of the house more attractive? Let's consider several options.

Facing the basement of the house. What material is better?

The construction market is rich in a wide variety of materials that can be successfully used to finish the foundation. Among them, the following types of plinth cladding are most available:

• decorative and simple plaster;
• regular or basement siding;
• artificial or natural stone;
• ceramic or clinker tiles;
• facing the basement of the house with panels.

Does each type of finish imply a technology different from the others? We propose to analyze in more detail how the lining of the basement of a house can be made, which material will better cope with the tasks assigned to it.

Plinth plastering

Plaster is a fairly common and most budgetary finishing option, which will cost relatively inexpensively and help create strong foundation protection from various adverse effects. In addition, the undoubted advantage of such a finish is the ability to do the work yourself.

The disadvantage is the relatively low strength and service life. In addition, regular painting and editing of the surface is required. Washing off pollution also fails, because care often comes down to periodic repairs.

To apply the solution to the base 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 contaminants, a notch is made on the concrete surface, which has stood for more than a year. Exfoliating areas are removed to a durable layer. Protrusions and depressions align.

1. A plastic thin reinforcing mesh is attached to the surface of the base with dowels, which helps to create a good foundation and helps to retain the cement mortar, giving the structure additional strength and, accordingly, reliability.
2. A primer layer of a solution consisting of one part of M-400 cement, three parts of sand and water is applied to the prepared and moistened base with a spatula. The primer is applied with a thickness of 7-12 mm and aged for 8-10 days. At the same time, it must be constantly moistened with water and covered from the effects of the sun with burlap, matting or other or other covering material.
3. The final layer of plaster with a thickness of 4-5 mm is applied to the moistened surface of the mortar primer. It is carefully leveled with a trowel.

After the plastering work is completed, the plinth can be painted to give it a more aesthetic appearance. In addition, painting will improve protection against moisture. However, painting is not the only option for decorating the basement. For example, using a rasp will create the effect of brickwork. Next, the base can be painted, and after the paint is completely dry, highlight the resulting seams with a different shade. Also, later it will be possible to veneer the plastered plinth with any kind of stone or siding.

When decorating, any materials that are currently abundant in all construction markets can be used. You have to make your choice from a huge number of finishing options, 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 basement with natural stone is the most expensive option. The high cost of natural material, as well as the services of finishing specialists, will require a lot of money. Time costs must also be taken into account. However, after all the work is completed, the result will be a very stable and almost eternal base. Natural stone, which was used in the decoration, will undoubtedly give any home 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 in the future they will not require almost any additional care. Along with a long service life, this factor is one of the main advantages of using natural stone.

Facing the basement of the house with artificial stone

Artificial stone, as a rule, is a tile made from 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 excess moisture.

Also, as the positive aspects of using artificial stone when finishing the basement, it should be highlighted:

• its low cost, especially when compared with the price of natural stone;
• ease;
• ease of installation.

Facing the basement of the house with artificial stone involves the following steps:

• the choice of a stone that would harmonize in color with the tone of the facade finishing material;
• the choice of glue, which in this case depends on the severity of the stone.

The following materials and tools are required for work:

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

The solution or tile adhesive is applied with a layer of 3-5 mm on the moistened surface of the foundation and the tile. Artificial stone is pressed and leveled. Next, the surface is cleaned of excess grout.

Facing the basement of the house with siding

Facing the plinth with siding is the cheapest and fastest way to finish. It can be safely called one of the most economical and fastest options. The quality of the building material used in the manufacture of siding makes it possible to use it with great success in basement finishing.

The undoubted advantages of using siding include:

• protection from excessive moisture;
• possibility of application even at the most sharp temperature drops, irrespective of a climatic zone.

Siding will cost much less than artificial stone, which, in turn, costs half as much as natural stone. Accordingly, the use of siding implies a reduction in costs when finishing the basement.

It should also be noted the ease of installation and the speed with which the plastic lining of the plinth is mounted on the surface, which significantly saves not only valuable time, but also money.

At the same time, the external decoration of the panels creates an illusion that the basement is made of brick or natural stone.

Maintenance of such decor is the most minimal. The surface of the siding can be washed, and if necessary, it is quite easy to replace.

The disadvantage in use is the rather laborious installation process, which includes the fastening of guides and a special crate. In addition, tolerances for thermal deformations are required. It is rather problematic to install some types of siding on your own.

Finishing the basement of the house with tiles

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

• clinker facing tiles;
• polymer sand tiles;
• porcelain tile.

The most optimal materials at the moment include thermal panels with clinker tiles, with the help of which not only the appearance of the basement can be ennobled, but this part of the building will also be significantly insulated.

Clinker refers to a facing tile that is similar in size to a real clinker brick, however, unlike it, you will have to pay about half the price for a tile. The process of its manufacture is also similar to the process of brick production, that is, the firing method is used. The use of clinker tiles creates the illusion of brickwork.

The practical mounting system contributes to the creation of excellent protection against moisture and better retains heat. The positive aspects of this method include the speed of installation, which allows for the shortest possible time to give the facade of the house a finished look.

Finishing the basement of the house with panels

Plinth panels are a modern, inexpensive and practical material for finishing the outer part of the foundation. They differ in design, performance, weight and size. They are made from different materials. In addition, they differ in the way they are attached.

The main advantages that such a cladding of the basement of a house has are: price (from 450-600 rubles per sq. M.), Decorative combination with other types of materials and finishes. In addition, the panels are resistant to atmospheric precipitation, durable and have a huge product range.

Among the various facing materials, artificial stone and clinker tiles have long won the reputation of the most reliable. They have been perfectly operated for many decades - there is no need to update them. In addition to their durability, these materials create a comfortable indoor climate and look great.

However, in modern realities, many homeowners and developers have a hard time: the exchange rate against the ruble has grown, resulting in a “financial impasse”. Goods that were absolutely affordable a couple of years ago may turn out to be too expensive today.

Of course, the cost of imported products increased first of all. Prices for them have almost doubled, because importers have converted them into conventional units. At this stage, the prospects remain unclear, but I want to believe in the best and think that over time, circumstances will change for the better. One way or another, the current situation, in which thousands of developers with ruble savings find themselves, can hardly be called favorable.

As for Russian manufacturers, they spend their own budget mainly in the ruble zone. Of course, this does not mean at all that they do not depend on the exchange rate, but the increase in the cost of goods in this case should not be so sharp. A 100% rise in prices will hardly affect them.

Currently, the market for facing materials is developing at a rapid pace, more and more attractive offers are appearing. Clinker tiles are rightfully considered one of the best facing materials and are in demand in the construction industry.

Of course, one of the most important factors for its success is an attractive appearance. But the advantages of the material do not end there. Technical and operational characteristics also deserve the highest praise. In particular, it is worth considering the naturalness of all components - this kind of material is absolutely safe for human health and the environment. Moreover, clinker tiles are characterized by minimal water absorption, and therefore are resistant to very low temperatures. In addition, it must be said about the stability of the color, as well as its durability and high strength.

All these are the properties of a real high-quality clinker tile. The same excellent characteristics are characteristic of paving stones, paving road and facing clinker bricks. These are products that have received the unspoken title of “indestructible”.

All this sounds great, but this barrel of honey is not without a fly in the ointment. Thus, the production of real clinker bricks with a minimum absorption level of 3% is concentrated in Europe. For example, the well-known clinker plants Roben and Feldhaus Klinker are located in Germany. As you know, the cost of a German product is measured in euros. Given today's exchange rate, we can say that 1 m2 will cost 3000 - 4500 rubles. And if this option turns out to be too expensive, you have to look for an alternative: a material with the same characteristics, but more budgetary. An excellent option in this case can be an artificial stone in brick and stone models. Its range today is very wide, so even the most demanding developer will be able to choose his own option.

In the production of artificial stone, modern technologies and materials are used that allow creating a product of the same high quality as clinker. The concrete mixture is taken as the basis, which includes stabilizers and fillers. Artificial pigments perform the function of coloring.

From the point of view of economic benefits, artificial stone has a serious competitive advantage - this is its democratic cost. This can be seen especially clearly if we draw a parallel with clinker tiles. To prove this idea, it is enough to bring one obvious fact: the price for 1 m2 of artificial stone is 800-1200 rubles. As you can see, it is several times cheaper than clinker.

Above, we talked about the numerous advantages of clinker tiles, but at the same time, artificial stone is not inferior to it in almost all respects. And if we talk about the construction estimate, then artificial stone is the best option.

By the way, if we compare artificial stone with plastic facade panels, it becomes obvious that the first option is still preferable. Artificial stone looks much more natural than any plastic counterpart. This means that houses lined with this material look more advantageous.

Rich color palette?) See my avatar? Do you have such a stone?
In your photos you compare the incomparable. Take the tiles Vandersanden, Nelissen, Robin in the end or Feldhaus. Your claim. the stone will merge once and for all.
Show the test reports where the strength, frost resistance and moisture absorption of your "stone" are indicated.

We are talking about tiles in general, and for color and texture, see the previous post.

Such as on your avatar, one White Hills has several options, an unfortunate remark on your part. Conclusions take from the manufacturer.

By the way, Stroeher has an amazing and unique Zeitlos series, the photos do not fully convey that beauty. The suede surface of the tile looks very nice.

Manufacturers of artificial stone will make both suede and mossy ... just give them a task, the choice is many times greater.

And maybe all the same you will show at least something beautiful, otherwise it’s somehow strange to judge the taste of condensed milk in words

Clinker tiles or artificial stone for brick?

Today, in the current difficult situation, many developers and homeowners are put in a "financial impasse" due to a sharp increase in exchange rates against the ruble. Those goods, the purchase of which we planned a year ago, have greatly changed their value and in some cases have become inaccessible to buyers.

Most of all, the rise in prices affected imported goods, as importers converted their price lists into conventional units in one day, which almost doubled their cost. For our part, we sincerely believe that in six months it will not matter to us by which exchange rate coefficient we multiply and divide, but today this is a problem. The savings of many citizens are in rubles, and imported goods have become unreasonably expensive.

Russian manufacturers, on the other hand, are also tied to exchange rates to one degree or another, but nevertheless, most of the expenditure components of their budget are the ruble zone. This means that the price of Russian materials may change upwards, but this process will be carried out gradually and is unlikely to reach a 100% rise in price.

By the way, we (Roof-n-Roll Company) have been dealing with exclusively high-quality goods for quite a long time, and in the future it is difficult for us to switch to similar products manufactured only in Russia in one day. Not all Russian manufacturers provide stable high quality, typical for Western standards. We hope that the current situation will encourage Russian entrepreneurs to focus on growing their “honest name”, high quality and expanding the range.

The import substitution program in the construction industry includes the offer of alternative Russian-made products at a ruble price.

In recent years, clinker tiles have gained a fairly large market share not only due to their solid and natural appearance, but also due to their excellent technical and operational characteristics: this is the naturalness of all components, and color stability and really high frost resistance due to minimal water absorption, and high strength and durability. Perhaps no other facade material has yet surpassed the unique properties of clinker tiles. The same applies to facing clinker bricks, and to paving road clinker bricks and paving stones. These are "indestructible" products.

But the problem is that the production of real clinker (and brick is called clinker, which has a water absorption by volume of less than 3%) is concentrated in Europe, mainly in Germany (clinker plants Feldhaus Klinker, Roben and manufacturer of clinker steps Stroeher) and the price of the German product measured in euro. At today's rate of 70-80 rubles. this is about 3000 - 4500 rubles per 1 m2.

Such a cost does not always fit into the estimates of developers, and alternative options have to be considered. Such an alternative to clinker tiles is a wide range of artificial stone in brick-like models of two leading Russian manufacturers White Hills and Kamrock.

The artificial brick is made on the basis of a concrete mixture enriched with stabilizers and fillers and is colored with the use of artificial pigments. Due to the versatility of production, this material can have a wide variety of shapes, so it opens up a wide range of choices.

The most important advantage of artificial stone today can be considered its low price, especially in comparison with clinker tiles. So, the price of 900-1000 rubles per 1 m2 is lower than 40 euros (3000-3500 rubles per m2) by about 3-4 times.

Of course, clinker facing bricks and tiles have a number of undeniable advantages over artificial stone, but in terms of budgeting and construction estimates, artificial brick is one of the most preferred alternatives today.

If we compare artificial stone and brick-like plastic facade panels (the so-called basement siding), then in terms of the aesthetics of the facade, the stone will have more advantages, since it looks really more natural and more natural than any plastic counterparts.

Also, today the position of thermal panels with artificial brick-like stone is becoming available, and this also expands the boundaries of the budget choice for homeowners.

Being in the eternal search for strong and durable building materials, at the beginning of the 19th century, Dutch scientists finally found the ideal material, suitable both for finishing buildings and for paving roads and sidewalks. This building material was called "clinker" and by the middle of this century, its mass production was launched both in Holland and in Hungary, Germany, England and America. Clinker bricks have earned wide recognition due to their unique properties: high strength, frost resistance, low moisture absorption and durability. Taken together, these characteristics make clinker, in fact, a unique building material, which in the hands of a true master acquires a completely new meaning - any structure in the construction of which clinker bricks were used will be both functional and valuable from the point of view of centuries-old architecture.

Main differences

Today, clinker is especially popular in our country. This is facilitated by several factors: unique performance properties and relatively low cost of the material. However, many are lost in his choice, imagining clinker bricks in the form of facing bricks. Although both groups of these products are similar to each other, there are still several differences that may affect both the workflow for their installation and their further use in various industries. So let's try to figure out what is differences between clinker and facing bricks.

Clinker brick - justified investment

Despite the fact that the laying of clinker bricks implies not only additional financial costs, but also a more labor-intensive work process, this material still remains the most popular in our country. If the work technology is followed, the clinker facade masonry will be laid down for many decades without requiring additional repair work, which cannot be said about a simple facing brick, on which the first cracks can be seen after the first 8-10 years of operation. In addition, the clinker brick does not fade in the sun and resists the appearance of efflorescence. Therefore, having once invested in high-quality and reliable building material, you provide yourself and your loved ones with constant comfort in your own home.

So what to choose anyway?

To date, those textures, formats and shapes that are produced in brick cannot be produced in tiles and vice versa, for this reason, when choosing a finishing material for the facade, you need to take into account the architecture of the building and the color scheme that you want to get upon completion of the facade work.

Depending on the architecture of the building, it is more appropriate to choose a brick than a tile and vice versa. I'll explain why. If we start to calculate the required amount of bricks or tiles for the facade, we will see the following: if your facade assumes the presence of decors on the corners of the facade and window framing, then in this situation the tile will be more profitable due to the fact that it costs less compared to brick, but if the facade does not imply the presence of decors on the corners and around the windows, then it is more profitable to take a brick for the reason that it will be necessary to use a corner element that is several times higher than the cost of one brick.

It is necessary to take into account the following: you need to determine what size your brick will be in order to correctly make a preliminary layout and indent on the foundation.

Choice between clinker bricks or clinker tiles

This is necessary in order to make an air gap between the rough masonry and the front masonry necessary to remove condensate between the masonry and calculate the required length of flexible ties. Flexible connections are necessary in order to connect the front masonry with the draft. For multi-storey construction, the BAUT hinged system has been developed.

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Proper finishing of the facade with clinker bricks

The stability of the clinker lining is ensured by the correct laying of bricks. Clinker bricks can be produced by different technologies: manual molding or machine. The second option is the most popular, since such material has a high water absorption. In addition, there is a hollow or full-bodied building material, of course, perforation reduces the strength parameters of the brick and, accordingly, facilitates the ingress of destructive moisture.

For this reason perforated brick is not recommended for protruding structural elements. For example, for the installation of an external window sill, a chimney, it is better to use a solid, glazed brick, which practically does not absorb moisture.

Clinker tiles and brick for the facade. What's better?

Hand-formed clinker bricks have a high water absorption rate, so they are less durable than machine-made clinker bricks. As a rule, for a material that is manually formed for masonry, a special mortar is required and at the same time it has a natural texture: a rough surface and uneven edges.

It must be taken into account that erroneous cladding can ruin any quality material. Working with clinker bricks requires strict adherence to basic principles. Of course, one of the conditions for high-quality masonry is relatively good weather. In the process of masonry work and at the time of setting the mortar, it is desirable that the weather be dry and at a certain temperature outside. Accordingly, it is better to start work when there is no threat of frost. Elevated temperature also harms the solution, since it dries it significantly and too little sealing water may remain in the structure of the concrete mixture and the process of setting the solution will be completely broken. In hot and sunny weather, most likely the solution will not acquire the required properties, and excessive precipitation can be washed out of the connecting joints, finally breaking the structure of the solution. Thus, the absence of rain, wind and high temperatures will ensure high-quality masonry.

The second no less important condition for quality work is the observance of all proportions, because if the solution is not prepared correctly, then most likely the integrity of the masonry will be violated from the inside. Cement should not have any impurities and additives. The main components of the mortar for clinker masonry are cement, sand and water. The main thing is that the solution does not turn out to be too liquid, it is best to purchase ready-made mixtures intended for clinker. It is more advisable to use universal solutions, which are characterized by improved strength and elasticity, for this reason they will never crack under the pressure that occurs during compression. Accordingly, this solution is more expensive than specialized mixtures, so they are most often used for grouting, and masonry is mainly made from a cheaper solution. If several types of mortar are used for facing with clinker bricks, then the work takes place in two stages. First, laying is carried out until the mortar is completely dry, and only after that the joints are sealed with another mortar.

Masonry means supports from anchor rods. The clinker facade is erected simultaneously with the supporting frame and connected with anchors.

You can first build a supporting frame, carry out thermal insulation and then clad the facade with clinker bricks. If mineral fiber insulation is used, then a ventilation gap must be made between the load-bearing wall and the clinker facade, which will help to ideally cope with an excess of moisture and condensate and provide natural ventilation inside the thermal insulation system. The ventilation gap must be made above the window and door openings, above the base.

Today, clinker is a sought-after material for finishing facades, due to its characteristics. Both clinker bricks and clinker tiles are used for facade finishing.

What to choose: clinker tiles or bricks?

In order to determine what we need a brick or tile, let's figure out why they are needed. Clinker brick or tile is a finishing material, a kind of clothing and protection for your facade. Someone will say that a brick is stronger because it is thicker, yes it is, but when finishing the facade, it does not carry any load on itself, so this indicator is not decisive in favor of the brick.

So what to choose anyway?

To date, those textures, formats and shapes that are produced in brick cannot be produced in tiles and vice versa, for this reason, when choosing a finishing material for the facade, you need to take into account the architecture of the building and the color scheme that you want to get upon completion of the facade work. Depending on the architecture of the building, it is more appropriate to choose a brick than a tile and vice versa. I'll explain why. If we start to calculate the required amount of bricks or tiles for the facade, we will see the following: if your facade assumes the presence of decors on the corners of the facade and window framing, then in this situation the tile will be more profitable due to the fact that it costs less compared to brick, but if the facade does not imply the presence of decors on the corners and around the windows, then it is more profitable to take a brick for the reason that it will be necessary to use a corner element that is several times higher than the cost of one brick.

Consider the situation that you have chosen the color and format of the tile, which is not made in brick and the decor is not supposed to be used on the facade, but you want to save money, you can cut the tiles at the corners at an angle of 45 degrees.

Another not unimportant factor when choosing in favor of brick or tile is the weight, the technology that we want to apply on the facade of the building and the purpose of the building.

But what if you liked the brick, and you decide to use it for finishing the facade?

It is necessary to take into account the following: you need to determine what size your brick will be in order to correctly make a preliminary layout and indent on the foundation. This is necessary in order to make an air gap between the rough masonry and the front masonry necessary to remove condensate between the masonry and calculate the required length of flexible ties.

What is better clinker tiles or artificial stone?

Flexible connections are necessary in order to connect the front masonry with the draft. For multi-storey construction, the BAUT hinged system has been developed.

Also an integral part of the choice of clinker bricks or tiles is the choice of the color of the masonry mortar or grout. This needs special attention. The color perception of the clinker depends on the color of the mixture. The color of the mixture can both lighten your facade and make it dark. The mixtures must be specialized, frost-resistant, resistant to external influences, today the leader in our market are the mixtures of the German plant QUICK MIX. The mixtures of this plant have proven themselves at the highest level, they meet all Russian and European quality standards.

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One of the few finishing materials that can be used both indoors and outdoors is clinker tiles. The combination of beautiful appearance and high resistance to any mechanical and atmospheric influences makes it the best material for finishing. Facade decoration with clinker tiles can be used for any buildings, regardless of the material from which the walls are built.

Benefits of using clinker tiles for facades

The technology for manufacturing clinker bricks, which is distinguished by durability, resistance to ultraviolet radiation and precipitation, has long been known. Some disadvantage of such a brick can be called a significant weight of the material. The next stage in the development of technology was the manufacture of clinker tiles, which allowed not only to reduce weight decoration design, but also allowed it to be used for interior decoration.

The use of such tiles makes it possible to achieve an accurate imitation of brickwork, which has long been considered one of the most prestigious ways of finishing the facade.

What is better for facade decoration: clinker tiles or facing bricks?

Clinker tiles, having a thickness of only a few millimeters (depending on the manufacturer and model), are lightweight, which can significantly reduce the load on the foundation and wall structures. In addition, this material is an environmentally friendly product, which is important for modern trends in construction and decoration. Facing the facade with clinker tiles will cost much less than brickwork, and only a specialist will be able to distinguish them, with proper installation quality.

Facade insulation

We recommend starting work on finishing the facade with insulation, especially since insulation from the outside of the building is more effective than internal insulation. As a heat-insulating material, it is advisable to use extruded foam boards. It has good thermal performance and mechanical strength is an excellent base for clinker tiles.

• Styrofoam is fastened to the wall surface using a wet method using special adhesive mixtures.
• Additionally, it is necessary to fix each sheet of material with the help of "umbrella" type fasteners.
• A reinforcing fiberglass mesh is applied over the coating, which is coated with a special mixture.

The use of this method of insulation will significantly reduce the heat loss of the building and will simplify such a technological process as finishing the facade of the house with clinker tiles.

Installation of clinker tiles

There are several fundamental requirements, the implementation of which will allow you to get a high-quality facade.

It is worth noting the fact that the finishing of facades with clinker tiles should be carried out with a material that has undergone single firing. The double-fired tile is of course lighter, but it has the ability to intensively absorb atmospheric moisture, which significantly reduces the life of the cladding.

Yes, and such a tile costs much more, and it’s not worth overpaying just for the sake of boasting that you have a more perfect tile. In addition to the described method, the installation of clinker tiles using frame technology is also used, we will consider the features of this process in the following material.

Many building technologies involve additional finishing of external walls to protect against moisture, wind, excessive cooling and ultraviolet radiation. And also to improve the appearance. One of the ways of final finishing is cladding. Made of brick or stone, it gives the building a more solid appearance: after finishing the facade, no one will guess that in front of him, for example, is a frame structure.

Cladding gives the house a more solid appearance. Facing bricks, tiles (stone, clinker), artificial stone panels, panels based on thermal insulation (thermal panels) and similar materials are used as materials. For cladding, you will need to prepare the base, because the technology involves gluing individual elements to the wall. If the house is made of brick or foam concrete, the masonry of the walls should be even, without large deviations.

Natural stone cladding

In a frame structure, it is necessary to sheathe the walls with a suitable sheet material, for example, cement-bonded particle boards (DSP). It is possible that additional insulation of the facade will be required - foam glass blocks are well suited for this purpose. When planning the cladding, you need to take into account that this type of finish is quite heavy, so both the wall structure and the foundation of the building must be designed for the appropriate load. Large finishing elements should, in addition to applying the adhesive layer, be additionally fixed mechanically to the wall.

Wall insulation with foam glass blocks

face brick

One of the options for facing material for facade walls is the front (decorative) brick. Its main difference from ordinary building bricks is a higher quality and decorative finish of the outer surface and increased resistance to moisture and low temperatures. Decorative brick has a good geometry - clear edges and even planes. Its front sides (“poke” and “spoon”), depending on the type, can have a smooth, textured or embossed surface with additionally processed chamfers and corners.

Facing brick with chipped front surface

In addition to the usual "brick" color, facing bricks are produced in a rich color palette - from white to black. A variety of colors is achieved by different methods.

Engobed brick

A liquid clay mixture with mineral dyes and additional additives is applied to the surface of the dried brick. After that, the brick is fired - a smooth, matte colored surface is obtained.

Clinker brick

Moisture-resistant and especially durable brick, obtained from a special mixture of refractory clays. Fired at temperatures up to +1200°C. The shade of the finished product depends on the degree of heating and other firing conditions: peat-fired clinker has a greenish surface, greppiner clinker has a yellow surface, coal-fired münsterländer has traces of soot and coal burns.

Clinker brick. Photo from fortstroi.com.ua Due to its increased moisture resistance and special strength, in addition to cladding, clinker bricks are used for paving and making floors in rooms with a heavy load.

shotcrete brick

On the front surfaces of bricks made of low-melting clays, a coating of crumbs (mineral or glass), tuff, mica, porcelain, sand, fireclay and other fine materials is applied using sandblasting. During firing, this "topping" is sintered with the brick mass.

Shotcrete facing brick. Photo from the site beton-house.com Glazed brick

Glass chips with pigment are applied to the front surfaces of the finished brick, and the product is re-fired. From exposure to high temperatures, the glass melts and sinters into a durable glossy crust.

Glazed facing brick. Photo from the site fi-dom.ru Glazed coating can be of any shades, also very bright. In addition to products of standard size (250x120x61 mm) and shapes, decorative facing bricks are also available in other size ranges, as well as shaped ones. When cladding is installed, a kind of ornament can be created by combining a shift of bricks, spoon and bonded masonry. The following techniques are used: Brandenburg, Gothic, Lipetsk, path, block and others. Decorativeness is enhanced by the use of bricks of different colors, as well as by the device of relief masonry, emphasizing architectural elements or creating a convex pattern on the surface of the wall.

Relief brickwork emphasizes the architectural elements of the facade

Depending on the design features of the walls and other conditions, decorative brick cladding can be carried out in two ways: simultaneously with ordinary masonry or after the walls have been erected. With the simultaneous laying of walls and cladding, they are a single whole - decorative stones are involved in the dressing of the laying of ordinary bricks.

Simultaneous laying of walls and cladding. Photo from the site ostroykevse.com This is the most reliable method, however, it has certain limitations: it is applicable only if the sizes of facing stones and ordinary blocks or bricks of the wall are identical or multiple. In addition, simultaneous masonry requires a highly skilled mason.

Wall cladding with decorative bricks

With a separate method, such a finish can be considered a kind of ventilated facade: there is a ventilation gap between the wall and the cladding, and ventilation holes are arranged in its lower and upper parts. Brick cladding with separate laying is evenly fixed to the wall using a variety of metal fasteners.

Facade tiles

If the front brick has a decent thickness and can participate in the laying of the wall on a par with ordinary building bricks, then the facade facing tiles are only a decorative material. Its thickness in most cases is comparable to the thickness of the interior tiles. Terracotta, porcelain stoneware, clinker, fiber-reinforced concrete, natural stone products are used for cladding the walls of buildings from the outside.

Laying facade tiles. Photo from the site stroisovety.org Natural and artificial stone

To finish the facade, they use: limestone, shell rock, marble, sandstone, granite, slate. And also tuff with a polished, polished, bush-hammered, chipped surface, in tiles, unedged, tumbled.

Facade decoration with natural stone tiles

In addition to flat handicap stone, L-shaped stone products are used for wall cladding. The embedded tile shelf is used for embedding the wall into the masonry - in order to increase the reliability of fastening heavy elements. Facing with such plates goes simultaneously with the main masonry of the wall. You can read more about different options for finishing facades with natural stone in the publication of our website Natural stone in design: facades, fences, paving. In addition to natural, the construction market also offers a wide range of artificial stone.

Clinker tiles are produced in the same way as clinker bricks and have the same strength characteristics and a similar appearance.

Terracotta

Terracotta tiles are another type of fired clay products. Usually has a traditional warm, ocher (terracotta) color, but can be covered with colored glaze. For facade cladding, terracotta tiles also come with a mortgage shelf - to be embedded in the wall masonry.

Terracotta tiles. Photo from sannini.it Majolica

For our country, finishing facades with ceramic tiles with a pattern is an unusual way. But for the streets, for example, of Lisbon, majolica (glazed ceramic tiles with paintings) on the outer walls of houses is quite a common sight.

Majolica on the facade of the house

Another not very common option for using tiles as a facade decor is a mosaic. You can decorate your home with a mosaic panel or an ornamental cornice.

architectural concrete

Reinforcing fiber concrete products are a fairly new word in exterior design. Although the imitation of natural stone and painted concrete brick has long been known to those who closely monitor the building materials market.

Facade decorated with fiber-reinforced concrete panels. Photo from the site m.pikabu.ru The plasticity of the material makes it possible to cast durable slabs with any pattern: concrete lace and tree trunks, various textures and 3D elements. The possibilities are almost limited by the imagination alone. Manufacturers offer standard solutions and the embodiment of your individual ideas.

Facade 3D panels made of fiber-reinforced concrete. Photo from the site stroi-baza.ru In addition to tiles and panels for walls made of concrete with fiberglass or fiberglass, architectural elements are also made to complement the facade decoration: moldings, cornices, sandriks, rustications, mascarons and keystones, pilasters and capitals. You can find all the details of classic and modern design to create a complete façade composition in any style.

In the decorative finishing of the facade, in addition to the cladding elements, the appearance is also affected by the seams between the individual cladding details. Therefore, it is worth paying special attention to the accuracy of the masonry, the uniformity of the seams. To facilitate the process, various devices are used, for example, special templates or a bar. Also important is the operation for jointing (removing excess mortar) and the correct filling of the seams with decorative compounds.

Contrasting seams visually make the surface of the wall more embossed

Grouting, matched to the tone, makes the facing masonry more monotonous. Contrasting seams, on the contrary, create a relief effect, emphasizing individual elements. Properly made and filled with mortar, the seams not only add decorativeness to the finish, but also keep the lining from getting into the adhesive seam of water and its subsequent destruction during freezing.

Thermal panels

Facing materials for facades include the “two in one” solution - thermal panels. These are panels consisting of two layers: heat-insulating (expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene foam) and decorative, for example, from clinker tiles.

Installation of thermal panels. Photo from the site stenamaster.ru Such thermal panels usually have decorative coatings imitating brick or stone, facade mosaic plaster with stone chips. Ease of installation and low weight of parts with significant dimensions add more and more fans to this facade decor.

Combination - a source of new ideas

All of the above methods of finishing facades can be used independently or combined with each other in any combination. Facade plaster often becomes a very advantageous background for decorative facing materials, for example, as in the photo below.

The combination of artificial stone, decorative brick and plaster in the decoration of facades

It is important to understand that facade decoration is the protection, insulation and decoration of the building, as well as an important accent in its perception. Showing imagination, you will have a beautiful and practical home with a bright personality.

Among the various facing materials, artificial stone and clinker tiles have long won the reputation of the most reliable. They have been perfectly operated for many decades - there is no need to update them. In addition to their durability, these materials create a comfortable indoor climate and look great.

However, in modern realities, many homeowners and developers have a hard time: the exchange rate against the ruble has grown, resulting in a “financial impasse”. Goods that were absolutely affordable a couple of years ago may turn out to be too expensive today.

Of course, the cost of imported products increased first of all. Prices for them have almost doubled, because importers have converted them into conventional units. At this stage, the prospects remain unclear, but I want to believe in the best and think that over time, circumstances will change for the better. One way or another, the current situation, in which thousands of developers with ruble savings find themselves, can hardly be called favorable.

As for Russian manufacturers, they spend their own budget mainly in the ruble zone. Of course, this does not mean at all that they do not depend on the exchange rate, but the increase in the cost of goods in this case should not be so sharp. A 100% rise in prices will hardly affect them.

Currently, the market for facing materials is developing at a rapid pace, more and more attractive offers are appearing. Clinker tiles are rightfully considered one of the best facing materials and are in demand in the construction industry.

Of course, one of the most important factors for its success is an attractive appearance. But the advantages of the material do not end there. Technical and operational characteristics also deserve the highest praise. In particular, it is worth considering the naturalness of all components - this kind of material is absolutely safe for human health and the environment. Moreover, clinker tiles are characterized by minimal water absorption, and therefore are resistant to very low temperatures. In addition, it must be said about the stability of the color, as well as its durability and high strength.

All these are the properties of a real high-quality clinker tile. The same excellent characteristics are characteristic of paving stones, paving road and facing clinker bricks. These are products that have received the unspoken title of “indestructible”.

All this sounds great, but this barrel of honey is not without a fly in the ointment. Thus, the production of real clinker bricks with a minimum absorption level of 3% is concentrated in Europe. For example, the well-known clinker plants Roben and Feldhaus Klinker are located in Germany. As you know, the cost of a German product is measured in euros. Given today's exchange rate, we can say that 1 m2 will cost 3000 - 4500 rubles. And if this option turns out to be too expensive, you have to look for an alternative: a material with the same characteristics, but more budgetary. An excellent option in this case can be an artificial stone in brick and stone models. Its range today is very wide, so even the most demanding developer will be able to choose his own option.

In the production of artificial stone, modern technologies and materials are used that allow creating a product of the same high quality as clinker. The concrete mixture is taken as the basis, which includes stabilizers and fillers. Artificial pigments perform the function of coloring.

From the point of view of economic benefits, artificial stone has a serious competitive advantage - this is its democratic cost. This can be seen especially clearly if we draw a parallel with clinker tiles. To prove this idea, it is enough to bring one obvious fact: the price for 1 m2 of artificial stone is 800-1200 rubles. As you can see, it is several times cheaper than clinker.

Above, we talked about the numerous advantages of clinker tiles, but at the same time, artificial stone is not inferior to it in almost all respects. And if we talk about the construction estimate, then artificial stone is the best option.

By the way, if we compare artificial stone with plastic facade panels, it becomes obvious that the first option is still preferable. Artificial stone looks much more natural than any plastic counterpart. This means that houses lined with this material look more advantageous.