Metal siding under a log: material features

Metal siding under a log is very popular among consumers, they leave a lot of positive reviews about such materials. Today, many people choose such coatings because they look very similar to natural wood, while siding panels have their own important advantages. This article discusses the features, nuances of using such material, useful recommendations of experts:

Siding panels are created from sheets of metal. Products of the required format are produced by hot rolling. Then a primer is applied to each panel, which protects the surface from corrosion and makes it more durable.

These products are made of galvanized steel. The material is quite thin (usually its thickness is no more than 0.7 millimeters). Products differ from each other in size: there are options from 0.5 to 6 m in length. Special polymer coatings are applied to metal siding panels, which provide reliable surface protection.

Metal siding materials are especially often used in the construction of public and industrial buildings. For private houses, consumers have always rarely chosen metal coatings, because they do not provide a favorable climate in the premises and are not associated with comfort, home warmth (unlike, for example, natural wood). But production technologies are now being actively improved, and modern companies offer metal materials that are quite suitable for finishing private residential buildings.

Metal siding for a log is a material that is quite durable. It is resistant to chemicals, sunlight, wear and tear. There are others the qualities of such coatings that are important for consumers:

• Resistant to fire. That is why such siding panels are often purchased for buildings where the risk of fire is quite high. It should be borne in mind that when exposed to a flame, paint or polymer coating may peel off and deform.
• Resistance to significant temperature changes. Such materials are suitable for a wide variety of weather conditions, for different climatic zones.

• Corrosion resistant. This positive quality is ensured by a special polymer coating, as well as a primer. It should not be forgotten that when carrying out installation work, some products are cut, shortened. In this case, the protective coating is damaged and corrosion occurs there. You should also not combine aluminum alloys and metal products.
• When heated, the metal does not expand as much as vinyl siding. For this reason, there is no need to provide for a gap when carrying out finishing work and worry about the fact that products can significantly deform over time.

• Metal has a long service life. It is necessary to be more careful with aluminum panels: such products are less resistant to mechanical stress than other metal coatings. Do not subject them to shock.
• Decorativeness. The color of such coatings differs in saturation, they very well imitate rounded logs.

Metal siding under a log also has some disadvantages:

• Inability to restore deformed panels. It will not be possible to return the exact geometric shape of the products.
• Inability to provide thermal insulation. To minimize losses, you will need to take care of additional insulation.
• Quite significant weight. Metal siding heavily loads the foundation, base. It is possible that they will have to be strengthened.

In order for all the properties and characteristics of metal siding panels to remain the same, it is necessary to create optimal storage conditions for such materials. It should be noted that this recommendation is not as important as in the case of wooden products: in this regard, metal siding is much more convenient.

Make sure that the temperature in the room where the coatings will be stored is relatively low. Pay attention to humidity: it should not be too high. If conditions in the storage area are unfavorable, the life of the products may be reduced.

Delivery terms for metal siding panels are more important:

• Don't put anything else on the panel. Although they are distinguished by increased strength, they may well be damaged under the influence of significant weight.
• If you are going to transport siding in the back of a car, carefully secure the material.
• To avoid mechanical damage, coverings should be properly packaged.

Remember that the panels can deform under strong impact. Protect them during transportation. If the additional protective layer on the material is damaged, it is very likely that in the future you will have to face a problem such as corrosion.

Since the block house - as siding panels under the log are also called - are semicircular, the risk of damage increases significantly. Defects occur more frequently on such surfaces. In order for such materials to remain intact and durable during transportation, it is better to put them in several layers (they should not move freely in the package during the trip).

Installation of metal siding panels is a work that is not very difficult, but when it is carried out, various important nuances must be taken into account. Finishing is carried out in several stages.

If you want the finish to be of the highest quality, you will first need to carefully prepare the surface. This way you can avoid serious problems in the future. There are some guidelines to consider:

• Examine the foundation, walls and assess in what condition they are. In the event that you are not sure that the base will cope with a significant load (or there are serious defects), you will have to strengthen it. To do this, fill in additional supports for the foundation and reinforce the base with mesh.

• If necessary, clean off the old paintwork, its loose pieces. Remove any excess from the surface.
• Cracks and crevices will need to be covered.
• Apply an antiseptic coating to the base. If you have used flammable materials to create the wall, also use fire retardants.
• Think about how you can bypass the communication areas that interfere with finishing work. Remove them if possible.

Since metal siding panels must be installed on the most even base, you will have to take care of creating the lathing. You need to build it using the recommendations of specialists.

• Apply fire retardants and antiseptics to the timber, attach it to the base.Lay the underlay to keep the structure flat. Using a level, set the racks in increments of 0.5-0.6 m. Fix them with dowels and self-tapping screws. If the facade is ventilated, it will be necessary to pre-install the counter-lattice. Fix the insulation on it and extend the main struts from above.

• You can make a crate on suspensions. For this, U-shaped galvanized profiles are used. On the basis, you will need to outline the lines: along them you will fix the brackets using screws and dowels for this. Cut the uprights to the desired size and attach them to the hangers using a level. Jumpers are used for additional rigidity.

Regardless of how you carry out the crate, you will also need to additionally coat the door and window openings. From the outside around the entire perimeter, frame them with the help of racks. These elements should be connected to a common frame. If a timber bar was used, it is necessary to put insulation in the cells.

Components are installed in a specific order.

• Install a starter bar. Attach a profile to the corners, then you will need to mark its borders. For panels, a reference point should be defined (bottom). It is located at a distance of 0.4-0.5 cm from the ground.
• Focusing on the starting strip, carry out the installation of the corner elements. The corners should be set 1 cm lower. These elements should be fixed with self-tapping screws. Use a level to control the process.

• Carry out the installation of the H-profile, connecting strips. If you plan on finishing a wide wall or combining shades, install connecting strips between the corners. Use a level to align these elements. You need to fix them with self-tapping screws.

In the event that the siding panels are made to order, and you have little experience in the implementation of such finishing work, you should install all the necessary elements before making accurate measurements. This will help you avoid inconsistencies.

You will need to start installing siding from the corners of the building. Use self-tapping screws to secure the panels. Special lock connections are also provided: with their help, all the upper elements are attached to the lower ones.

Standard panels sometimes have to be sawed because they are not always large enough to cover the entire surface. To do this, you can use a hacksaw for metal products. A hot grinder disc can ruin the protective coating.

Install all elements until you reach the top. Then install the finishing planks. From above, they will need to be attached using self-tapping screws, because they have locking connections only from below.

Make sure there are no deviations. With each new element, it will only increase. Do not forget about using the building level: it should be applied after installing each pair of elements.

Such coatings must be carefully looked after: in this case, they will retain their aesthetic appearance for a long time. Walls clad with metal siding panels will need to be cleaned from time to time. To do this, you can use a window cleaner and a brush with not very hard bristles. Inspect the facade periodically: it should not be chipped or scratched. If you notice defects, eliminate them with a primer: the protective polymer coating must be complete.

For other features of metal siding under a log, see the next video.