WPC siding: advantages and disadvantages

Wood-polymer composite, also called “liquid wood”, is a new product on the building materials market. Its properties are a unique combination of the best qualities of natural wood and polymer plastic. This material has positive reviews and is perfect for house cladding.

The main components in the process of creating WPC siding are sawdust and various wastes from the woodworking industry, carefully ground to a dusty fraction. They make up about 60-80 percent of the total weight of the wood-polymer composite.

The polymer component is represented by natural and synthetic thermoplastic materials and their derivatives. The percentage of polymers varies depending on the specific type of WPC siding. Pigmenting components are responsible for uniform coloring of products and their resistance to UV rays.

Reinforcing modifiers are added when creating a specific type of product in order to improve performance in a specific environment, for example, with increased water or frost resistance.

According to the form of release, finishing building materials from WPC are presented in various versions: lamellas, boards, panels, terrace boards, etc.

The most popular are panels made in the color of natural wood species. It is possible to distinguish between the texture of such siding and natural wood only with a careful and detailed examination. Waste-free production of wood-polymer composite panels will delight all supporters of environmental protection.

WPC siding combines all the best properties of wood and polymeric materials. At the same time, the standard disadvantages of materials are compensated for both by the composite use of two components, and by additional synthetic substances that make up the panels.

The main advantages of wood-polymer composite are.

• Ease of processing. From the wood component, the material has inherited the ability to easily be processed, for example, by sawing, planing or grinding, it can be mounted using nails or self-tapping screws.
• Good thermal conductivity. This indicator is somewhat inferior to natural wood, but exceeds the corresponding parameter of other facade finishing materials.
• High noise insulation. The panels made of wood-polymer composite, thanks to the dense structure of the WPC, significantly reduce the sound coming from the street.

• Excellent moisture resistance. Unlike natural wood, WPC is not afraid of water, does not swell, it does not "lead". A high rate of waterproofing is provided by polymer compounds that are part of the siding.
• Fire safety. Despite the flammability of wood material and plastic polymers, special substances make WPC non-flammable. The panels may smolder, but they will not burn with fire.
• Temperature resistance. The siding structure, even at extremely low (up to -60 ° C) and very high (up to + 90 ° C) temperatures, does not deform and does not lose its positive qualities.
• Biological inertness.The material of WPC panels is not suitable for food for insects and rodents, aggressive microorganisms such as mold do not multiply on its surface, it does not deteriorate from oxidation.
• Resistant to sunlight. UV rays do not destroy the structure of the material, and infrared radiation does not lead to rapid fading of the siding color. In cheap versions of WPC panels based on polyethylene, this quality is absent, as a result, the coating quickly loses its pleasant appearance. Qualitative

• Products begin to fade over time and evenly over the entire cladding area.
• Environmental friendliness of the composition. Does not contain toxic compounds, composite microparticles do not cause allergic reactions.
• Aesthetic qualities. Wood-polymer products look great, completely imitating the texture of natural wood. The minimum dimensions of the joints are practically invisible and create a sense of solidity of the finish. The surface is very smooth due to the flame retardant treatment.
• Strong structure. WPC tolerates mechanical stress and shock well, as well as vibration.
• Ease of handling. The panels do not need any special maintenance, they do not need to be painted, polished or polished.
• Durability. Under optimal operating conditions, the wood-polymer coating will last from 10 to 25 years.

The disadvantages of the KDP include:

• Price. High-quality panels will not be cheap, and cheap ones will not please with a long service life.
• Small selection of product shapes. This minus can be called conditional. Although WPC siding is produced in approximately the same format, due to its peculiarity, it is easy to process it can be partially compensated.
• Exposure to scratching. Despite the high strength of the wood-polymer composite, withstanding pressure up to 500 kg / m2, under mechanical stress, its surface easily acquires scratches and abrasions.
• Complex installation. Cladding technology for wood-polymer panels is similar to cladding for other types of finishing materials, but it also requires knowledge and skills. Self-assembly will most likely lead to damage to the material.

There are several options for wood-polymer panels for facade wall decoration on the market.

The main difference is the shape, the composition of the material, as well as the appearance.

• "Nut".Panel dimensions: 2 × 16.5 × 400 cm with a facet thickness of 0.6 cm. The siding is distinguished by the relief execution of the texture, in the color plan it is represented by brown and its shades.
• LWN.Overall dimensions of the product: 1.4 cm × 13 × 300 cm. An expensive high-quality option on the market is presented in various textured designs, including imitating wood, and in colors from dark to light tones.
• "Embossed WPC lining." The size of the siding panels: 1.6cm × 14.2cm × 400cm, the thickness of the edges is 0.4 cm. The texture of the panels is made in the form of wood embossing, a wide range of colors.

• Folk. The dimensions of the siding are 1.6 cm × 4.2 cm × 400 cm with a facet thickness of 0.4 cm. This type stands out for its increased thermal insulation properties and enhanced sound insulation, and the certificate confirms the absolute environmental friendliness of the composition. In the color range, the products are presented in black, brown and terracotta with a textured smooth surface.
• "Block house". The standard dimensions of the panels are 6.2 × 15 × 300 cm, the dimensions may vary depending on the specific manufacturer. It is used for finishing ventilated facade walls. The texture of the products imitates wooden beams, color performance in a wide range from light sandy to dark shades of brown. Manufactured in compliance with European quality standards.
• WPC board with embossed. The surface texture imitates a woody texture, visually resembles a standard lining of a somewhat large size. It is mounted on the wall vertically or horizontally by means of mounting clips.

To find the right product, there are several factors to consider, in order of importance:

• Manufacturer. The reputed manufacturers of quality panels include the following brands: DeckMayer, Legro, Tardex.
• Polymer component. Despite the fact that its percentage is much less than that of wood chips, it is he who determines the main qualities of WPC panels. If polyethylene is used, then the price of such a product will be much less, however, the performance properties are worse. If PVC is used, then a guaranteed high price is accompanied by excellent characteristics.

• Individual specificity of the product. Wood-polymer siding is very similar to each other, however, for example, the presence of an air pocket in the panel structure significantly enhances heat and sound insulation. When choosing a finishing material, pay attention to the details.
• Price. Cheap options are outwardly indistinguishable from high-quality ones, however, their term of use is much shorter, and over time, deterioration of the operational and aesthetic qualities of siding panels is likely.

The question of choosing WPC panels with a large number of positive qualities rests on understanding the main source of their advantages.

See below for tips for installing siding.