For the exterior decoration of the house, consumers are increasingly using material such as siding. It is able to protect the building from the negative effects of the environment, in addition, it gives it a spectacular and neat appearance.
Such type of siding as "ship board" has gained immense popularity among a wide range of panels.


What it is?
The walls of the house, sheathed with this type of siding, visually look like wooden panels covered with paints and varnishes. At the same time, the properties and characteristics of such a cladding are more attractive than those of natural wood. Siding "ship board" can be used for finishing small buildings, and for more serious buildings.
There are two types of panels, such as:
- metal;
- vinyl.
It is worth dwelling on their consideration in more detail.

Metal
For the manufacture of metal panels, galvanized steel is used. The outer surface has a polymer film that has a protective function. With its help, materials do not come into contact with moisture, which helps to minimize the possibility of corrosive processes.
Metal siding has such undeniable advantages as:
- it is able to withstand serious temperature changes without compromising its own properties, which makes it an excellent finishing material for use in various climates;
- the panels are highly durable and tolerate mechanical stress well, do not burn, do not rot;
- rodents and insects are not able to harm such a coating;
- the finish turns out to be airtight, regardless of what time of the year the installation work was carried out;
- siding "ship board" can sheath new buildings that have not yet given final shrinkage;
- a variety of colors allows you to choose materials to your taste, even for discerning consumers;
- resistance to UV rays helps the panels retain their original appearance for a long time and do not fade in the sun.


As for the disadvantages, the following points should be noted:
- due to their composition, the materials have a significant weight, which can cause inconvenience during their transportation and direct installation;
- with this cladding, it is imperative to carry out work on the thermal and sound insulation of the room;
- if the protective layer is damaged, corrosion will appear on the panels over time, and the replacement of damaged elements creates serious difficulties;
- the siding is absolutely inelastic, therefore, under significant load, dents and kinks can remain on it.


Vinyl
Materials are made on the basis of polyvinyl chloride with the addition of special impurities. Their advantages are that the panels have a long service life, which can be up to 50 years, do not conduct electricity, and withstand exposure to ultraviolet rays without compromising color. The panels are resistant to mold and mildew and do not suffer from contact with rodents and insects. Vinyl siding "ship board" is not a toxic material, it does not burn, but can only melt at temperatures reaching about +400 degrees. At the same time, the panels do not have significant weight, which is very convenient when carrying out installation work. They can be used in the temperature range from -50 to +50 degrees.
When decorating a home with vinyl siding, it is possible to arrange a ventilated gap that will help correct air circulation. As a result, the risk of condensation under the finish will be reduced. The color spectrum offered to consumers is very wide. Due to special fasteners, the panels are installed firmly and tightly. The surface can be easily cleaned with a damp sponge.
Vinyl siding does not have sufficient resistance to mechanical stress. If handled carelessly, it can be damaged, which will entail complex work on replacing the required element, up to dismantling the structure.
And also under the covering, it is imperative to lay a heat-insulating material. The panels can deform under the influence of temperatures. Melts easily on contact with open fire.


Features of the
The main feature of siding is, without a doubt, its appearance. It resembles the ship tile that was previously in great demand in the United States. Modern siding has improved decorative and protective characteristics. It is manufactured in accordance with the requirements of GOST and has special fasteners to achieve the strength and tightness of the surface. Siding "ship board" gives buildings an unusual and stylish appearance, while a wide palette of colors and various configuration options allow the material to be used in a wide variety of finishes.


Diversity
The basis of the siding is steel. However, a special polymer coating must be provided to protect the surface.
It can be presented in several types
- Pural-based coating is made from polyurethane resin. It protects the material from high and low temperatures.
- The most commonly used polymer layer is glossy polyester. It has a low price, while it has a lot of positive properties. The material is elastic, due to which it withstands possible deformations of the material without damage. It is UV resistant and can be used in various climatic zones.
- Matte polyester is thicker than glossy. Due to this, its protective qualities are more pronounced. Such a coating is different in appearance, since it does not have a gloss, but is matte.
- PVDF contains acrylic and polyvinyl dfluoride. It resists negative environmental influences and is resistant to ultraviolet rays.
- Plastoisol is a vinyl based coating. It has a great thickness, due to which it is quite massive, while it can be made in a variety of colors. This layer is distinguished by various embossing options. It has excellent consumer reviews for its performance.



Sizes and colors
The maximum length of metal siding can be up to 6 meters. However, according to reviews, more compact options, 4 meters long, are most convenient to use. The width is 26 centimeters, the thickness is from 0.8 mm to 0.5 cm. Vinyl siding has a length of 3 to 3.66 meters and a width of 23.8 centimeters. It differs with a thickness of 1.1 millimeters. Metal products have a wider range of colors than vinyl panels, and reach 50 shades.
And also metal siding can mimic natural materials such as wood and stone.



Selection features
In order to choose the right siding, you need to carefully study its appearance and technical characteristics. And also it is necessary to decide on the type of protective layer, which has its own characteristics and requires various care during operation. When choosing the color of the panels, experts advise focusing on eye-pleasing, soft and pastel shades. Bright materials are more easily soiled, the dirt on them is much more noticeable, respectively, the surface requires more careful maintenance, which is not always convenient due to its large area. However, if you have enough free time to keep the walls in order, you can stop at such options. We must not forget that a material with a low price can disappoint the consumer with its quality, so you should not give preference to cheap panels and accessories. And you also need to check when buying the presence of all the elements that are required to install the skin.


Installation
To install siding, you must first perform the crate. It is made from wooden blocks, and you can also use a metal profile. The insulation is laid at the same stage. Siding "ship board" is installed after the wall is prepared and thermal insulation materials are installed. After fixing the starter strip horizontally, it is necessary to fix window frames and corner profiles.
Then panels are superimposed. The distance between them should be about 5 millimeters in order to exclude surface deformation during possible temperature fluctuations. Together with the last row, a finishing bar is installed. With its help, the sheathing is protected from rain and moisture penetration.
It is recommended to tighten the self-tapping screws not very tightly.



Subtleties of care
Both vinyl and metal siding do not require special care. However, the surface must be periodically cleaned from dirt and dust. To do this, you can use a regular hose, from which water is supplied under pressure. And also the elements can be wiped with a brush in cases where they are especially dirty. The application of varnishes, paints or protective compounds is not required throughout the entire operation process. All functions are performed by the factory coating. Due to the combination of properties and qualities, "ship board" siding is widely used in all regions of Russia, consumers highly appreciate its quality and excellent appearance. The material is becoming more and more popular for cladding houses and cottages and pleases owners with its functionality for many years.



Siding tips are in the next video.