Siding: what is it, types, use

Siding is a material for cladding the facades of buildings. This is a special panel, they are lightweight, easy to deliver and easy to install. Siding cladding facades of buildings, fences, balconies, retail space, and so on. First of all panels are differentiated by the type of material from which they are made. It depends on the strength of the surface and what you need to care: to paint, varnish or repair.

Basement Siding

This panel is used to cover the underside of facades and places where there is a risk of damage. They are composed of cement and other materials that increase durability. Basement siding is also made of vinyl and metal. The panels are often made as an imitation of stone or brick.

Metal siding cladding industrial structures, warehouses, public transport stops, stores and shopping malls. Residential buildings are clad with vinyl, wood or fiber cement panels. They look natural, not only insulate the walls, but also decorate the house. Whatever the siding material, many color and imitation natural materials options are available.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl panels are made as an imitation of stone, wood or brick. The material is light in weight, resistant to changes in temperature and humidity. When installing the panels between them leave technological gaps, because in the summer when heated vinyl expands slightly. Disadvantages:

• The material can crack from mechanical damage. Suitable for cladding balconies and buildings in places where vinyl panels will not suffer from impact.
• Vinyl fades quite quickly, even if it has special additives.
• Thick panels are easily damaged by impact. It is better to use vinyl of medium thickness.

Wooden siding.

This is a beautiful panel of natural material. They are impregnated with a special composition under pressure. Water-repellent impregnation with components against fungus and mold penetrates deep into the structure of the siding. Wood has good thermal insulation. The cost of wooden panels depends on the type of raw materials: the cheapest - from pine, the most expensive - from oak, ash or beech. Disadvantage: periodically for such siding to care - to cover the varnish or paint, if the surface is often wet.

Metal siding

Cladding panels made of aluminum or galvanized steel are the most common. Surface without design, painted or with an imitation of stone, wood. However, the decorative finish looks less natural than vinyl siding.

Advantages:

• Panels are not subject to temperature deformation.
• Decorative coating holds firmly - no need to repaint. Especially if the surface is protected by eaves or awnings from direct ingress of rain, hail or snow drops.
• Does not deteriorate from precipitation and temperature fluctuations.
• Durable, does not crack.
• Metal does not breed mold.

Disadvantages:

• Aluminum siding can have dents from impact, which are difficult to straighten. Steel panels are easier to repair.
• There is no protective coating on the cut lines, so corrosion can occur along the edges. 

Fiber Cement Siding

The material consists of cellulose fibers, cement, and sand. Fibrocement panels well imitate natural stone.

Advantages:

• Fire resistance.
• High durability.
• No need for maintenance.

Disadvantage - the panel is difficult to cut. You will need a grinder with a diamond nozzle. Dust is generated when cutting.