Plinth thermal panels: pros and cons

Most of the owners of country houses want to make additional cladding for the basement of the facade. Such a finish is required not only for decorative purposes, but also for insulation and giving greater strength to the outer walls. The modern construction market offers a huge number of materials for strengthening the basement, made using the latest technologies, thanks to which the materials have optimal characteristics and simplify the installation process.

One of these are basement thermal panels with clinker tiles. In the article, we will consider the pros and cons of products, the way they are installed and customer reviews.

The products are insulated panels with clinker tiles, which, in addition to the thermal function, also have a decorative one. The basis of the material is a heat insulator made of polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam or expanded polystyrene. Each of the above types is intended for a specific surface. The cladding part is a clinker, which is known for its strength and long service life. Similar characteristics are inherent in this tile, since the clay from which it is produced undergoes a special heat treatment.

Many experts put clinker on a par with materials such as granite or marble due to its increased strength, but unlike them, the tiles do not have a radiation background.

For finishing the basement of the house, panels with a thickness of 6-10 centimeters are used; the level of insulation of the foundation will also depend on the chosen model. The choice of the width of the product should be made based on the type of base on which the installation will be carried out. Manufacturing brands promise customers that their panels will last 50-100 years depending on external conditions. And the companies that produce clinker tiles give a forty-year guarantee of the color preservation of the facing material.

Thermal panels for cladding the basement floor have a large number of advantages that distinguish them from other facade finishing materials with insulation. The products are highly reliable due to a special manufacturing technology, which provides a tight connection of the tile with the expanded polystyrene base at a certain temperature in a locking manner.

This means that there is no adhesive between the two materials, which could disintegrate within a certain time and thereby reduce the service life of the panels. Due to the location of the dew point inside the material itself, moisture does not condense on the wall, which guarantees even greater safety of the products.

The advantage of such thermal panels is the special manufacture of each part, which ensures the perfect connection of the tongue-and-groove parts. Upon completion of the installation process, they merge into one whole and contribute to the creation of not only a uniform coating, but also a high-quality thermal insulation system. This plus is the guarantor of complete waterproofing of the cladding even in case of slanting rain.

The moisture resistance of the material is an advantage, because thanks to this, the installation of the panels is much easier. And since the products do not absorb water, the walls of the building themselves are protected from moisture.Thermally insulated panels are mounted using plastic profiles, which prevents the occurrence of internal stresses that adversely affect the inner layer. The fire safety of thermal panels is due to the fact that the raw material for the manufacture of the insulation base belongs to the "G1" category, which indicates that the product is non-flammable. The low thermal conductivity of panels with a width of 6-10 centimeters contributes to heat-saving properties, similar to concrete, whose thickness is at least 1 m.

Panels with clinker tiles do not require any special maintenance, they are easy to wash and clean, they will retain their original appearance for many years. The products are bio-resistant, prevent the appearance of mold and mildew. Among other things, the slabs also waterproof the pile foundation, thereby strengthening it. A wide range of color palettes and a large selection of textures will allow each buyer to find a product for their home.

However, such products also have some features that should also be considered when buying. One of the main disadvantages is the lack of rubbed seams on the finished panels. This process is long and complicated, so it will cost a lot to the owner of the house.

Another disadvantage is a certain unevenness of the surface of the plates, which is provided by the production technology.

Installation of thermal panels is quick and easy. For self-facing of the basement of the house with clinker plates with insulation, you should take care of purchasing the necessary tools in advance. For work, you will need a grinder, a perforator, a building level, a screwdriver and a special spatula for grouting. In addition, you will have to buy polyurethane foam, dowels and self-tapping screws.

The installation of the plates should be carried out strictly according to the instructions to ensure the increased strength of the products and their durability.... First of all, the level of the basement height along the perimeter of the outer walls of the house is noted. If protrusions are found, they will have to be eliminated, and if the geometry is violated, it will be necessary to upholster the base with wooden planks or a metal profile for alignment. Next, you should mark the line of the beginning of the finish and install the starting rail made of aluminum.

It is recommended to start the installation of insulated clinker slabs from the left corner of the building. The panels are fixed with self-tapping screws through plastic guides. When the first product is laid, the space between the slab and the wall is filled with polyurethane foam to prevent air circulation under the material. Then the following slabs are sorted in turn, which are connected to each other in a tongue-and-groove manner. Thermal panels can be cut with a grinder.

The last step will be grouting with a special mixture with a frost-resistant composition. This process can be performed both immediately after the installation of thermal panels with clinker, and after some time. A prerequisite for grouting is a positive temperature, which will not fall below five degrees for several more days until the mixture is completely dry.

Masters for laying clinker thermal panels recommend adhering to certain actions while working with products. For example, before starting the cladding process, it is advisable to treat the base with an antibacterial primer to prevent mold and mildew.Panels can be used to decorate the whole house, not just its lower part, while the basement, as a rule, is distinguished with plates of a different color to give a more interesting look.

The wide assortment allows you to play interestingly with the color and texture of the clinker in order to give the house originality and bring a little zest to the external facade. Certain types of thermal panels have special requirements for the laying process. In order not to be mistaken, you should carefully read the instructions and follow them.

Basically, the owners of country houses are satisfied with the choice of basement thermal panels with clinker tiles. The material looks expensive and gives the building an interesting look. Ease of installation and ease of maintenance are also noted among the main advantages of the products. Many people also write about the increased technical characteristics of the tiles, which ensure the durability, reliability and strength of the cladding. The tight adhesion of the base and the clinker slab to each other allows you not to worry about the detachment of the upper part, so the integrity of the cladding will not be compromised.

The only drawback, which is indicated in the Internet user reviews, is the high cost of materials and the work of finishing masters.

For information on how to install and insulate with thermal panels, see the video below.