Metal siding for timber: characteristics and examples of cladding

Despite the variety of cladding materials, wood remains one of the most popular coatings for outdoor decoration. This is due to its noble appearance, as well as the special atmosphere of warmth and comfort that the material gives. However, its installation requires considerable financial expenses, and then regular maintenance. In the absence of the latter, wooden surfaces get wet, rot, are exposed to the formation of mold, and inside - insect pests.

Metal siding on its surface has a longitudinal profile relief, which, when assembled, repeats the shape of a log. Also, on the front side of the profile, using photo offset printing, a drawing is applied that imitates the natural texture of wood. The result is the most accurate imitation of the timber (the difference is noticeable only upon closer inspection). The profile is based on an aluminum or steel strip, the thickness of which is 0.4-0.7 mm.

To obtain the characteristic round shape of the log, it is stamped. Next, the strip goes through the pressing stage, and therefore has the necessary strength. After that, the surface of the strip is covered with a protective zinc layer, which is additionally passivated and primed, thereby providing protection against corrosion, as well as improved adhesion of materials. Finally, a special anti-corrosion polymer coating is applied to the outer surface of the material, which protects the material from moisture. Typically, polymers such as polyester, pural, polyurethane are used. More expensive models may have additional protection - a layer of varnish. It has heat resistant and antistatic properties.

The material is very popular among consumers due to its advantages:

• resistance to changes in air temperature, which is due to the low coefficient of expansion of the material;
• wide operating temperature range (-50 ... +60 С);
• resistance to environmental influences due to the presence of a protective coating, as well as resistance to squally wind, due to the presence of a hurricane lock;
• fire safety;

• the use of the material allows you to achieve a dry and warm microclimate in the house, due to the fact that the dew point shifts outside the cladding;
• originality of appearance: imitation under a bar;
• corrosion resistance;
• long service life (reviews suggest that the material does not have serious breakdowns and malfunctions, if, of course, the installation technology is followed);

• ease of installation (thanks to the locks, the material is assembled like a children's designer, and therefore independent installation is possible);
• strength, resistance to mechanical damage (with a significant impact, the vinyl profile will break, while only dents remain on the metal);
• the ability of the material to self-cleaning due to the streamlined shape of the profiles;
• variety of models (you can choose panels for profiled or rounded beams, imitating different types of wood);

• the ability to use panels over insulation;
• cost-effectiveness (during the installation process, there are practically no scraps left, since the material can be bent);
• high speed of installation, since no preliminary leveling of the walls is required;
• the ability to create a ventilated facade;

• low weight of the material, which means that there is no excessive load on the supporting structures of the building;
• wide scope of application;
• the ability to mount profiles in the horizontal and vertical direction;
• environmental safety of the material.

Like any material, a metal-based profile has disadvantages:

• high cost (compared to metal, vinyl siding will be cheaper);
• the ability of profiles to heat up under the influence of sunlight;
• if the polymer coating is damaged, the destruction of the profile cannot be avoided;
• if one panel is damaged, all subsequent ones will have to be changed.

From a design point of view, there are 2 types of metal siding for a bar:

• profiled (straight panels);
• rounded (curly profiles).

The dimensions and thickness of the profiles may vary: length in different models can be 0.8-8 m, width - from 22.6 to 36 cm, thickness - from 0.8 to 1.1 mm. As you can see, the band can be wide or narrow. Practice shows that panels 120 mm wide with a material thickness of 0.4-0.7 mm are the most convenient for installation. Profiles of European manufacturers cannot have a thickness of less than 0.6 mm (this is a state standard), while strips of domestic and Chinese manufacturers have a thickness of 0.4 mm. It is clear that its strength characteristics and price depend on the thickness of the material.

There are the following types of metal siding for timber.

• Eurobrus. Allows you to achieve similarity with the cladding of a wooden profiled beam. Available in one- and two-break versions. The double-break profile is wider, so it is easier to install. It has a width of 36 cm (useful of which is 34 cm), a height of 6 to 8 m, a profile thickness of up to 1.1 mm. The advantage of Eurobar is that it does not fade in the sun.
• L-bar. "Elbrus" is often called a type of Eurobeam, since it also imitates profiled timber, but has a smaller size (up to 12 cm). Dimensions, excluding width, are the same as Eurobeam. The width of Elbrus is 24-22.8 cm. In the middle of the profile there is a groove reminiscent of the letter L, for which the material got its name.

• Ecobrus. Simulates a large width maple board. Material dimensions: width - 34.5 cm, length - from 50 to 600 cm, thickness - up to 0.8 mm.
• Block house. Imitation of a rounded bar. The width of the material is up to 150 mm for narrow profiles and up to 190 mm for wide ones. Length - 1-6 m.

The following types of materials can be used as the outer cover of the profile.

• Polyester. It is characterized by plasticity, richness of colors. The service life is 15-20 years. It is marked with PE.
• Matt polyester. It has the same characteristics as the regular one, but the service life is only 15 years. It is usually labeled as REMA, less often - PE.
• Plastisol. It has improved performance characteristics, and therefore serves up to 30 years. Marked with PVC-200.

In terms of color, there are 2 types of panels: profiles that repeat the color and texture of natural timber (improved eurobeam), as well as material, the shade of which can be any shade in accordance with the RAL table (standard eurobeam). The variety of color solutions also depends on the manufacturer. For example, the metal siding of the Grand Line brand includes about 50 shades. If we talk about foreign manufacturers, then the products of the company "ALCOA", "CORUS GROUP" can boast of a rich color gamut.

Imitation of siding under a bar can be performed under the following types of wood:

• bog oak, as well as a textured golden counterpart;
• pine with a well-defined texture (glossy and matte versions are possible);
• cedar (characterized by a pronounced texture);
• maple (usually with a glossy surface);
• walnut (in various color variations);
• cherry (a distinctive feature is a rich noble shade).

When choosing a profile shade, remember that dark colors look good on large facades. Small buildings clad with bog oak or wenge siding will look gloomy. It is important that batches of different manufacturers for the same wood may differ, therefore profiles and additional elements should be purchased from the same brand, otherwise there is a risk of getting different shades of the log.

The main area of ​​use of metal siding under the timber is the external cladding of the facade, since its operational characteristics do not change under the influence of environmental conditions. The panels are also suitable for the exterior cladding of the basement of a building. The material used for finishing this section of the facade should be characterized by increased strength, resistance to mechanical shock, moisture, snow, and reagents. Metal siding meets the specified requirements, and therefore is successfully used as a basement analogue. The material's uses are also dictated by the brand that makes it. For example, siding of the "L-beam" company can be used both horizontally and vertically, as well as used for filing roof overhangs. Profiles of the CORUS GROUP brand are also characterized by their versatility.

Metal profiles for timber are used for finishing one- and multi-storey private houses, garages and utility rooms, public buildings and shopping centers, industrial facilities. They are widely used to decorate gazebos, verandas, wells and gates. The material is suitable for use in regions with aggressive environmental conditions. The installation of the profiles is carried out on the lathing, which can be wood or metal profiles treated with a special composition. The use of a metal profile for a bar allows the installation of heat-insulating materials: mineral wool roll materials or foam.

• Metal siding under a bar is a self-sufficient material, the use of which allows you to get noble buildings made in the traditional Russian style (photo 1).
• However, siding based on metal for timber is successfully combined with other finishing materials (photo 2). A combination of wood and stone surfaces is a win-win. The latter can be used, for example, for finishing the basement of a building or protruding elements.
• When using panels, the rest of the building elements can be made in the same color scheme as the metal siding (photo 3), or have a contrasting shade.

• For small buildings, it is better to choose siding for light or golden shades of wood. And so that the building does not look flat and monotonous, you can use contrasting elements, for example, window and door frames, the roof (photo 4).
• For more massive buildings, you can use warmer siding colors that emphasize the nobility and luxury of the house (photo 5).
• If you need to recreate the authentic atmosphere of a village house, then siding that imitates a rounded beam is suitable (photo 6).

• To achieve the architectural unity of the house and the enclosing structures, sheathing the fence with siding with imitation of a log surface will allow. It can completely resemble a wooden surface (photo 7) or be combined with stone, brick (photo 8). In addition to the horizontal arrangement of the siding, vertical installation is also possible (photo 9).

See the following video for features of installation with metal siding.