In construction, an important point is insulation and protection from external factors any element, its quality will affect energy costs, optimal microclimate and service life of building parts. Since the basis of any building is the foundation, I will talk below about its decorative finishing and protecting the basement floor from moisture and other factors.
Finishing the foundation with facing stone
Which material to choose
Covering the foundation is a completely doable task with your own hands, the main thing is to choose best material, which will combine all the necessary properties. By the way, facing the foundation can also be done during the repair of the old foundation. First, you need to understand why foundation cladding is needed? Although the foundations of houses are built from durable materials, they also need to be protected from moisture, precipitation, wind, mechanical damage and other adverse factors. Therefore, facing the foundation is initially the protection of the foundation of the house and its preservation operational properties for a long time. Also, treating the base will help protect the basement from moisture and cold and decorate the house. Since the construction market is full of necessary materials– our task is to choose the best of them.
Finishing the base with stone
A common finishing is decorative plaster; its qualities and properties in modern construction fulfill all the necessary conditions for high-quality surface treatment. This finish is an inexpensive and unpretentious option for decorating and protecting the foundation.
But I would not use plaster for several reasons - firstly, it is a labor-intensive process, and secondly, there are many other materials that can provide high-quality protection for the house and create a noble appearance. Moreover, protecting the basement floor from cold and moisture requires thermal insulation qualities.
Of course, you can use various sidings and slabs, but nothing brings as much nobility to a home as facing stone. Therefore, I opt for sandstone, and you will find out what it is below.
Natural stone cladding
Noble finishes
The foundation cladding should not only fulfill its intended purpose, but also act as a decorative element of the basement floor. Natural stone has always been a noble and durable building material, so finishing the base with stone looks harmonious and rich.
Do-it-yourself plinth finishing
Choosing from all the options, I settled on sandstone, which has many properties:
- Facing stone is a natural building material, time-tested. Its lifespan is simply staggering, more likely to require a home renovation than an old sandstone. The brick foundation, lined with sandstone, looks noble and natural.
- The strength of the material allows it to withstand large physical exercise, therefore, elements protected by sandstone are not susceptible to mechanical damage.
- Repairing an old base using sandstone treatment will help create excellent protection against moisture.
- Due to the ease of installation, you can cover the brick foundation with your own hands.
- Due to its porous structure, sandstone has some thermal insulation properties, which allows to reduce heat loss through the basement floor.
- Facing stone is excellent for finishing various surfaces, be it the facade of a house, interior walls or a brick foundation.
- The facing stone looks equally harmonious on both brick house, which is on the wooden one. Not everyone will be able to imagine the look created by a cottage whose base is lined with sandstone.
- The natural texture and patterns of sandstone fit well into a variety of architectural styles.
Finishing the base with natural stone
Combining all of the above advantages, facing stone perfectly protects a brick foundation or any other type of foundation. It is worth noting that brick foundation is the optimal surface for finishing with natural materials. This base is easy to process, which allows you to cover the surface with sandstone with your own hands in a short time.
Covering foundation surfaces
Facing stone is a fairly undemanding element, so you can do the renovation of an old basement floor from the outside yourself.
The following tools were useful to me for the repair:
- A metal brush is necessary for preparing the surface and cleaning it.
- A chisel and hammer will be needed in case of repair, to remove the old coating (plaster).
- The ax was useful to me in making notches for better adhesion to the surface.
- I prepared a spray bottle or brush to apply the primer.
Finishing the foundation with stone
If the foundation is not uniform, which is rare, a construction mesh is used, I did without it.
Having cooked necessary tools, I started renovating the exterior of the basement. He did all the necessary work to prepare the surface, cleaned it well and coated it with a high-quality primer. Next, I took a specialized glue for stone laying and began laying out my future masterpiece step by step. The seams between the elements were filled with mortar and carefully processed. The end result was a great view of the basement.
We start doing the cladding from the corner
Finishing a screw foundation
Houses with a brick foundation have a huge advantage over their counterparts. The fact is that the construction of a pile foundation does not allow finishing with sandstone, so the question immediately arises - how to cover the pile foundation from the outside. For me, this question was quite interesting, because it is simply necessary to protect the basement from moisture and cold, and it is necessary to decorate the bottom of the building. But if a brick foundation can be finished with sandstone, then what kind of solution can be found here?
Why come up with such a complex base, which is then difficult to choose a finish for, you ask. But a screw foundation is the only optimal solution for unstable and heaving soils. It is the screw foundation that is able to penetrate to great depths and provide reliable support for the house. And the choice of finishing for the base is quite possible using a material such as corrugated sheet.
Covering the base with a metal profile
This material appeared back in 1820 and became very widespread in the construction industry. The corrugated sheet is made of galvanized steel using cold rolling, after which it is subjected to the creation of the required shape - trapezoidal, wavy. This is done more to add rigidity than for beauty. Corrugated sheet is a unique material used in the construction of new buildings and renovation of old ones. Steel sheets are used not only for finishing basement floors, but also for repairing roofs and walls. In the assortment you can find profiled sheets for facing stone or “wooden” elements. I was very pleased with this choice, because it makes it easy to create unique style with your own hands.
In the assortment you can find profiled sheets for facing stone or “wooden” element
Do-it-yourself cladding of a screw base
Typically, screw foundations are used in the construction of light houses, for example, wooden ones. That's why decorative finishing screw foundation must be in harmony with wooden elements. Fortunately, I have found a variety of profiled sheets with imitation stone that goes well with wooden houses. The result is an imitation of a completely natural, natural house.
Profiled sheet “under the stone”
Sheathing a screw foundation is not a difficult task, so I took it on myself and, adhering to the following scheme, did an excellent job:
- For the base of the sheets, I made a wooden sheathing, having previously soaked the parts with an antiseptic solution.
- To avoid deformation of the sheets under the influence of heaving soils, I left a gap between the ground and the element. To do this, I filled the junction of the earth and parts with sand to a depth of 500 mm.
- I used self-tapping screws to attach the sheets to the wooden sheathing. To avoid dents, I tried not to overtighten the fasteners.
- I covered the joints of the material and the corners with additional elements.
This is how, with a little effort, you can cover your foundation yourself.
The plinth is part of the foundation, which is located above ground level and prevents moisture and cold from entering the structure, protecting the facade from various damage and contamination. Also, the base is the load-bearing structure of the entire building, so there is a lot of pressure on it.
Why is it necessary to finish the basement of a house?
To protect the base from negative influences natural phenomena and various mechanical damages, it is necessary to pay attention to its finishing. Without finishing, it will not perform its main protective function. Since the base is integral with the facade of the building, it performs not only a protective, but also a decorative function.
The plinth cladding is an excellent decorative material. A building with an uncovered base looks unkempt and unfinished. The finishing will give the entire façade of the building a finished and attractive look. The entire appearance of the house will depend on how the base is finished.
Thanks to modern finishing materials and construction technologies, it is possible to ensure that the base of the house is protected and does not require overhaul, for a long time.
Cladding materials
There are a lot of design options for the base. They differ from each other in texture and in the properties of the materials used. Each material has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
Plastering and painting
This finish is one of the inexpensive and affordable options for most consumers. The main ingredients of the plaster mixture are cement and sand, thanks to which the plaster acquires strength and chemical inertness. The plaster may contain various dyes and additives, thanks to which the plaster acquires decorative colors and texture.
Therefore, there is a wide selection of colors of decorative plaster on sale to suit every taste. Various modern technologies for applying plaster make it possible to create various relief and textured surfaces.
The advantages of this type of plinth finishing include the affordable cost of the material, since the ingredients are not expensive materials. The reliability and strength of plaster is the advantage of this material. At the same time, any scratches or chips can be easily reconstructed.
Plaster is also good because it can hide all the unevenness of the base. In addition, the plastered plinth tolerates high moisture, drying out and other environmental influences well. All these factors will not affect the structure of the coating in any way. The disadvantages of plastering include an unattractive appearance and the need for additional coating.
Also, an obvious disadvantage of plaster is that it does not have any thermal insulation characteristics and does not insulate the surface in any way. In addition, plaster is not durable. Cracks need to be sealed and repainted.
A natural stone
One of the practical and durable finishing materials. The most commonly used stones are sandstone, small cobblestones, granite or marble. If the installation process was carried out in compliance with the technology, then this finish can last forever.
In addition, it is an environmentally friendly natural material. The unique structure of the stone, variety of colors and natural shades allows you to choose the finishing material to suit any color scheme Houses. For this type of cladding, specially prepared stone slabs are used, which can have different shapes.
The disadvantages of this material include the rather high cost and the rather difficult installation process.
A base of this type will look impressive and expensive.
Fake diamond
It is an alternative replacement for natural, but less durable type of material. He has the same beautiful view, strength and reliability. Resistant to negative phenomena environment and mechanical damage. However, it is much cheaper and facing work is easier. In addition, thanks to fillers and special additives, artificial material can be of any shade.
Porcelain tiles
This is an environmentally friendly material that consists of clay, sand and mineral components. The material is wear-resistant, high density and strength, and also has a pleasant appearance.
Using it as a plinth cladding will provide high level fire safety structures, since this material contains fireproof clay. In addition, porcelain stoneware has good thermal insulation properties.
Also important advantage Porcelain stoneware is highly resistant to moisture. The material is not afraid of continuous wetting and perfectly protects the building from exposure to water. This type of finishing will not only protect, but also decorate the entire structure.
Clinker tiles
The raw material for clinker tiles is slate clay.
A plinth lined with clinker tiles will look expensive and beautiful. The appearance will resemble a brick wall. However, clinker tiles are lighter and thinner than bricks. Finishing the base with tiles will not only give an attractive look to the whole house, but will help protect it from the influences of nature.
Laying tiles is quite simple. The tile material is attached to the facade using a special moisture-resistant adhesive mortar, cement glue.
Available in various color ranges, can be either smooth or textured. Fairly reasonable price. The disadvantages include a short service life. Particularly negatively affects winter period, defects on the tiles may appear as a result of severe frosts.
Siding
Siding is a fairly inexpensive material, and also a quick and easy option for exterior finishing work. It is durable and high quality. The advantages also include the moisture resistance of the material. Modern technologies make it possible to create facade siding panels of various shapes and colors. The disadvantage of this finish is flammability and deformation in size due to temperature changes.
What type of plinth finish should I choose?
All finishing materials for plinth cladding have their advantages and disadvantages. When choosing a facing material, remember that when interacting with precipitation, it must retain its durable and aesthetic qualities.
First of all, the material must be reliable in order to last a long time. In addition, it is frost-resistant - it can withstand freezing and thawing processes without cracking. Water absorption is also an important indicator.
Do not forget that the texture of the basement of the building must be combined with the walls and the entire structure as a whole. The choice depends, first of all, on the design features of the building, personal preferences and financial capabilities.
Since it is available big choice materials, this allows you to create exactly the home decor that meets the personal preferences and plans of the designer.
Base finishing technology
The technology for finishing the base will depend on the chosen finishing material. As a rule, the finishing technology takes place in three stages: installation of the frame, laying of insulation, fastening of the finishing material.
Certainly one of the most simple options finishing – plastering. It is required to apply a layer of durable plaster to the surface of the base. You can do this work yourself.
The most difficult one. For finishing work made of natural stone, you will have to invite specialists. You must have certain knowledge and skills. In addition, additional reinforcement of the frame will be required due to the large weight of the material, and the stone processing itself requires special equipment.
It is easier to cladding with artificial stone, since the material is light in weight and additional reinforcement of the base of the building is not required. Therefore, the cladding process is significantly simplified, and the time required to prepare and complete the work is reduced.
Properly executed plinth cladding using good materials will provide the necessary microclimate inside the house and extend the life of the building.
Main stages
The entire process of plinth cladding can be divided into: preparatory stage and directly laying the finish:
- Preparatory stage. Before installation, the surface of the plinth must be prepared for further finishing. To do this, the base must be cleaned of accumulated dust and dirt, any cracks and defects that have appeared must be filled with putty, and the surface must be leveled.
- A layer of waterproofing and installation of a thermal insulation layer are required.
- Then you need to prime the surface of the base.
- When all the preparatory work is completed, you can begin the procedure of finishing the base with facing materials. In most cases, it will be necessary to install an additional frame that will support the structure and give it strength.
- After finishing is completed, it should be coated with water-repellent protective impregnations to extend its service life.
- It is advisable to finish the basement of the house in the warm season, when the weather is dry and sunny.
Materials for finishing the base must have long term operation, have strength and resistance to moisture. The most popular materials are clinker tiles, natural and artificial stone, PVC panels and decorative plaster.
Regardless of what material you choose, it will be possible to cladding the basement of a house or foundation with high quality only if the surface is prepared for work. It should be smooth and durable. It is also important that the base is clean and has no visible defects. If defects are observed on the surface, they must be covered with coating building materials. A primer emulsion is very suitable for eliminating unevenness (it will also act as a waterproofing coating).
The foundation of the building is always made of high-strength concrete or metal. However, the basement of the house can be made of porous materials. One way or another, structures should be treated with water-repellent agents.
Surface cladding options are usually chosen by the owner of the house independently. These works are carried out only after the construction of a brick or wooden house will be completed.
Clinker tiles
Clinker tiles are considered one of the highest quality and most reliable materials for finishing a basement or foundation. It is quite possible to tile the base using such tiles with your own hands. Upon completion of the work, the base will look as if it were made of massive clinker bricks.
Installation of clinker tiles.
Clinker tiles have significantly less weight than bricks, so when used, the load on the foundation and other building structures will be minimal. The thickness of clinker tiles is also small (usually no more than two cm). The length and width of the tiles is similar to traditional brick. To simplify the implementation, you need to additionally purchase corner elements.
Before starting work, you need to determine the level from which the installation of the first row of clinker tiles will begin. The level should be determined by dividing the part of the building by the width of the tile. At the same time, the seam width is added to the resulting number. If the building has a basement height of 40 cm, and the tiles are 65 mm wide (with a joint width of 6-7 mm), then a space 5-6 mm wide will be formed above the last row, which is usually filled with a polyurethane compound or acrylic.
To stick the tiles yourself, use special solution, which is resistant to temperature changes, frost, moisture and other influences. It is very important to glue the tiles immediately after the mortar has been applied to the surface of the plinth. The solution will harden within 10 minutes after application, so you need to work quickly.
Basement finished with clinker tiles.
The seams that will be visible between the clinker tiles are filled with clinker jointing mortar. It is sold at any hardware store. The tile will not absorb moisture, so additional processing No moisture-proofing compounds are required. When installing such cladding, the base receives high-quality protection from moisture, and the creation of an additional waterproofing layer is not required.
When the foundation and base of a building are made of brick, stone tiles are often chosen for cladding the base part. Stone tiles will give any plinth an interesting and impressive appearance. The tiles are made from sandstone (less often from limestone). In addition, granite and marble varieties can be found on sale. The shape of the tiles can also vary greatly: traditional sizes, oversized elements, massive slabs, intricate shapes. If you cover it with stone tiles, the appearance of the building will take on a finished look that will fully meet all the requirements for the exterior style.
A natural stone.
Bonding principle stone tiles to the base is in many ways similar to the one described above. The tiles are glued to the surface of the base using special adhesive solutions designed for attaching stone tiles. If used standard glue, then after a while the tile will begin to peel off, so you will have to do everything again.
If you want to get the effect of a monolithic surface, then you should choose small-format tiles, and when installing between them, leave seams of minimal thickness. All seams that will be formed between the tiles must be filled with an elastic mortar that has a high level of resistance to low temperatures. If the tile is sandstone or limestone, then it must be treated with waterproofing compounds.
Fake diamond
When choosing materials for finishing the base and above-ground part of the foundation, homeowners often opt for artificial stone. This material has an attractive appearance, excellent performance and performance characteristics. Due to fillers, as well as special additives, artificial stone has a high level of resistance to frost, moisture, ultraviolet radiation and other natural influences. During operation, such material practically does not collapse, so it will last you exactly as long as the foundation of a wooden or brick house will last.
Cladding with artificial stone.
Artificial stone successfully imitates natural materials (river stones, rocks and rocks). Products usually have different sizes, so you won’t see a repeat of the pattern on your base. The options for decorating the basement of a building with your own hands using artificial stone are very diverse.
PVC panels as materials for finishing the base and foundation in last years are being used more and more often. This is a completely suitable facing material, which is designed for use in various climatic conditions. This type of panel is easy to work with and is well suited to the foundation of a building (the foundation, if visible, is completely covered). Such panels are easy to install yourself. The material is resistant to weather influences and mechanical stress.
PVC panels are mounted on the sheathing. Panel installation work is usually carried out using a starting strip, corner elements and dowels. The sheathing can be made of wood or metal. The preferable option is one with a metal sheathing, which, however, is not difficult to do with your own hands.
Usage basement siding.
Using PVC panels, you can cover all defects in the basement of the building, as well as cladding other areas of the building and outbuildings.
Decorative plaster
Despite its low prevalence on the market, this material is excellent for covering the base. Mosaic plaster has excellent performance characteristics, it does not allow moisture to pass through, and it contains resin as the main binder. In addition, this plaster is resistant to temperature changes and mechanical stress, so the material can be safely used to cover the basement of a country house.
Application of decorative plaster.
Mosaic plaster is applied to the surface using a special metal trowel.
Many owners use mosaic plaster, which is easy to apply and has an attractive appearance, to cover the protruding part of the foundation (if the foundation is visible from underground). The material can be applied without significant labor costs to any part of the base or foundation with your own hands.
Basement covered with plaster.
Material selection
You can veneer the base different ways. You can cover the lower part of the building with your own hands with a layer of plaster, cover it with stone or sheathe it with siding, that is, finish it in any way that you like. All this can be done without the involvement of professional builders.
The choice of one or another method of cladding the basement of a building will depend, first of all, on the owner’s budget, the possibility of installing a specific material, the need to mask unevenness and other defects of the basement, as well as many other specific factors.
The entire base can be covered with any finishing material. The main thing is that the selected material is resistant to various weather influences. In addition, if necessary, a drainage system should be provided on the site that will effectively remove excess moisture from the building.
For all questions related to the choice of finishing material for the base and foundation, you can contact specialists at a hardware store or employees of the company that built the house.
According to architectural canons, the plinth is the part of the building lying on the foundation, and is considered as a transition wall between the foundation base and the outer walls of the house. In the complex of works on exterior decoration The entire building includes activities for finishing the basement, while the finishing materials for the basement of the house are somewhat different from the materials chosen for finishing the walls of the house. This is due to the close location of the base to the ground, where it is more susceptible to the influence of moisture and cold air than the walls of the residential building themselves. Thanks to the development of modern technologies for finishing the external surfaces of residential buildings and the creation of new finishing materials, builders of private houses have received ample opportunities to equip original and practical plinths at affordable prices.
After finishing the basement, it is even visually different from the building Source domzzz.ru
Purpose and functions of the base
Builders and architects have different interpretations of the purpose of the plinth. Builders consider the basement as part of the foundation, while architects usually consider it the lower part of the wall.
This is interesting! From the point of view of ancient Italian architects, the base is independent structural element- the foot of a building, column or monument lying on a foundation (the Italian word “zoccolo” literally translates as a shoe with a wooden sole).
According to building codes the foundation walls must be raised above the ground to a height of 15 to 250 cm. This visible part of the foundation, called the foundation wall, is called the plinth. The plinth is an intermediate structure that combines the load-bearing walls of the building with the foundation. In Fig. shown below concrete foundation, whose base is brick.
Construction of a brick plinth on the foundation Source vi.decorexpro.com
The main functions of the basement wall of a building are:
perception of load from the upper part of a residential building (load-bearing function);
ensuring the stability of the building, creating a strong pedestal, perception of linear deformations during settlement of the house (support function);
protection of walls from exposure to atmospheric sedimentary moisture (waterproofing function);
providing thermal protection for basements(thermal insulating function);
fencing the space between the piles and the grillage in the case of a pile foundation (enclosing function);
creation of an appropriate architectural appearance of the erected building (architectural and decorative function).
Video description
More about the advantages of the basement floor in the video:
Differences between basement and basement
The ground floor, also called the ground floor, should not be confused with the basement and imagine it as a sort of dark, damp room.
It is important! The basement floor is located inside the perimeter of the foundation walls and can be installed in buildings with any type of foundation. The basement can only be built inside a strip foundation. In some variants of foundations (such as piles), the base is simply absent. In the case of a pile foundation, the pile heads are raised above the ground to a height of at least 20 cm, and a grillage is laid on them, which serves as support for the walls of the house.
In Fig. Below is a house on a pile foundation, in which the piles protrude a considerable distance from the ground. To close the resulting free gap, a false base is formed by laying walls made of facing bricks or sheathing piles decorative panels type of siding. Finishing of the foundation will be inexpensively provided by using materials used for the external cladding of the facade, taking into account the peculiarities of the location of the false base.
For such a house you need a false base Source tema.ru
Using the example of false plinths, the main differences between the basement and the ground floor become clear:
The walls of the basement of a house are always load-bearing; the load from the upper floors of the building is partially distributed on them. Basement walls are not always load-bearing, but can only perform enclosing and architectural and decorative functions without bearing weight loads from the building.
The ground floor can be recessed to a slight depth or even be above ground. A basement is a room buried in the ground. The basement can be classified as a basement floor, while the basement is not always buried in the ground and cannot be considered a basement in such cases.
Ground-based options for the ground floor are preferable in regions with deep soil freezing and when building in areas with close groundwater. Arrangement of basements in such cases is very difficult and is associated with significant financial costs.
Despite such a significant difference in purpose and design, Ground floor and basement allow identical in relation to each other practical use– on their premises you can set up a workshop, a garage, plan living room and even build a full-fledged sauna.
Types of basement structures
Practiced options for finishing the base of a house take into account its location relative to the plane of the outer wall (see figure below):
Types of location of the plinth relative to the wall Source domsireni.ru
a – protruding type;
b – in one plane (flush);
c – sinking.
The following positions are indicated in the figure:
pos. 1 – external wall;
pos. 2 – waterproofing;
pos. 3 – foundation.
The protruding type of foot (pos. a) gives the building the appearance of a powerful structure with increased stability. From an architectural and aesthetic point of view, the protruding type is more advantageous than foundation walls made flush or sunken.
Appearance of the protruding plinth Source remont.kz
However, they necessarily require the construction of a protective cornice with drainage functions to prevent water from flowing from the walls to the base. The construction of a protruding type foundation wall is advisable for houses with thin walls or when building a warm underground for its thermal protection, in order to compensate with its width for the small thickness of the outer wall.
Recessed type base (pos. c), when outer wall(item 1) hangs over the foundation (item 3), is considered more effective and reliable in terms of protecting the waterproofing layer (item 2) from mechanical influences and atmospheric moisture. It is more economical in terms of material consumption, since the thickness is smaller and the construction of a drain cornice is not required. But regarding its aesthetic qualities, the opinions of architects differ diametrically. Some are convinced of an aesthetic loss due to the impression created that the house has reduced stability compared to its actual value. Other designers consider the contours of the recessed plinth to be more compact and modern.
This is what a wall with a sunken plinth looks like Source domsireni.ru
Sometimes the base is built flush with the plane of the wall. It is believed that in such cases the waterproofing line is broken, and the location of the waterproofing layer itself appears random.
When constructing a flush base, it differs only in color Source 2gis.ru
Purpose of basement finishing, requirements for finishing materials
The base experiences a greater volume of loads than the underground part of the base of the building. Along with the weight load from the entire structure, it has to counteract the buoyancy forces from the soil during soil heaving, that is, the mechanical loads on the base are multidirectional.
It is clear that to finish the surface of the basement wall it is necessary to use materials with increased quality indicators compared to traditional cladding. In addition to mechanical loads, they must withstand environmental influences well:
temperature changes;
negative impact of sedimentary moisture - rain, snow, melt water, condensing fog;
exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation;
wind loads.
As a result, the finishing of the basement of the house is carried out for the following purposes:
minimizing the negative impact of environmental weather conditions on the foundation and lower layers of external walls;
preventing the penetration of dirt and chemical compounds into the materials of the walls of a residential building, provoking processes of destruction of the foundation;
protecting the foundation from possible formation of mold, mildew, and insects.
Video description
The video shows an example of how to veneer the base of a house inexpensively and beautifully on a pile foundation:
Rough base protection
In order for the base to fully perform its functions for a long time, it itself must be protected from wind loads, temperature changes, atmospheric and pervasive ground moisture. Before you begin finishing the basement wall, it is necessary to carry out a set of measures for the so-called rough protection of the basement. There are five main aspects of rough protection of the base from possible destruction and preventing distortion of the geometry of the building itself.
On our website you can find contacts of companies specializing in finishing materials for finishing country houses. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.
Laying drainage communications along the perimeter of the basement wall
For creating drainage system At the base, a trench is dug into which drainage pipes are laid with perforations over the entire surface. Through them, moisture that gets inside will be drained to the drainage well. Trench with specially laid drainage pipes sprinkled with sand and gravel, then filled with earth.
Video description
The video shows an example of drainage for the basement floor:
Applying waterproofing to the outside of a basement wall
The base is waterproofed after the initial waterproofing of the foundation base and reinforced belt. Sequence of work:
the foundation superstructure is coated with hot bitumen or bitumen mastic;
several layers of roofing material are applied on top;
coated with a penetrating waterproofing compound.
Production of blind areas
Blind areas are called concrete-filled inclined strips along the perimeter of the building, coming close to the basement wall. A slight slope “away from the wall” prevents water from accumulating near the foundation superstructure during rain or when snow melts. The width of the blind area should be at least 25 cm greater than the size of the roof extension. Sequence of work:
remove the top part of the soil;
lay a drainage cushion of sand and crushed stone;
a layer of concrete is poured on top of the cushion, ensuring a slope from the wall.
Blind area for the foundation Source subscribe.ru
Plastering the surface of the plinth
Performed to level and strengthen the surface. This reduces the likelihood of cracks forming, causing subsequent possible destruction. Typically, in preparation for plastering, a metal mesh is pre-stuffed and then plaster is applied. To impart water-repellent properties to the solution, a plasticizer is added to it.
Installation of ebb tides
These structural elements act as a protective canopy for the foundation wall. The ebbs can be ceramic, steel or aluminum, plastic or brick.
Upon completion of the complex of protective measures, the main finishing of the base begins.
Methods for finishing the base
Among the methods of finishing a basement wall practiced in private housing construction, the most popular are the following technologies:
applying decorative plaster, creating relief compositions imitating granite, marble or natural stones;
use of decorative siding panels;
finishing with corrugated sheets and corrugated sheets;
resin-based tile finishing;
cladding with natural or artificial stones, facing bricks, clinker tiles;
covering with thermal panels;
finishing with slate and cement particle boards.
Photo of finishing the base of the house - imitation of stone when finishing the base Source domsireni.ru
Finishing with decorative plaster
Finishing the base or facing the foundation can be done cheaply without loss of operational and aesthetic qualities using decorative plastering. The main advantages of this technique are:
fairly high vapor permeability;
resistance to temperature changes;
ease of application to the surface to be plastered;
a wide variety color palette;
good maintainability for repair and restoration work;
affordable price.
Additional Information. Experts believe that when comparing the entire set of indicators in terms of cost, quality, durability, maintainability and practicality of the coating, finishing the base with plaster turns out to be the most advantageous option.
Among the shortcomings, users note:
small operational resource;
the need for constant updating of the paint coating;
Difficulties in cleaning the surface from contamination.
Modern trends in the artistic and decorative design of the facades of residential buildings have not left the plastering of plinths unattended.
Decorative plaster can be used to give the surface any shape Source dom-steny.ru
In private homes, the most popular types of plaster are now those that create exclusive compositions:
textured compositions used to create paintings, drawings, color mosaics;
glazing compounds that help create interesting effects;
relief decoration “like stone”.
Siding finishing
When finishing the basement of a private house in Moscow with its climate and colder regions, siding panels are often used - the term “basement siding” has even entered construction practice. At its core, siding is in a universal way finishing any surface of the house, however, the panels for covering the base are somewhat different from the classic wall analogues.
If wall sidings are represented by panels with a thickness of 0.7-1.2 mm and a length of almost 4 meters, then for the plinth reinforced panels with a thickness of 2.5 to 3.0 mm are produced (almost 3 times thicker than wall cladding!) and a length of 1 ,0-1.13 m with a width of up to 47 cm. This ensures increased resistance to mechanical damage, including accidental impacts, and rigidity with respect to temperature deformation.
Standard siding panel "brick" Source sargorstroy.ru
On the Russian market of facing materials, basement siding is represented by plastic and metal panels that imitate the texture of natural stones, wood, and brick. Plastic panels for the plinth are made from PVC and polypropylene resins, modified with special components to improve strength, resistance to fire and sedimentary moisture. Metal - made of steel and aluminum.
The main advantages of basement siding include:
increased strength and rigidity of each panel individually and the assembled structure as a whole;
resistance to the negative effects of biological factors - fungus, mold, insects;
excellent moisture resistance;
increased mechanical strength in relation to impacts and chipping;
wear resistance to the abrasive effects of dust and debris particles;
small deformations due to temperature changes, building settlement or soil swelling;
wide temperature range of application – the panels do not lose their properties both in severe frost (down to minus 50 degrees C) and in heat exceeding + 50 degrees. C);
resistance to solar ultraviolet radiation - the material does not age quickly, and the color does not fade;
excellent maintainability – panels can be easily replaced if necessary;
Easy to maintain - the panels can be easily washed from dirt.
A significant disadvantage of basement siding is the need to install a special frame, which significantly increases the cost of finishing materials and the complexity of finishing work.
Siding panels cannot be installed without sheathing Source podvaldoma.ru
Installation of basement siding panels also has its pros and cons. The advantages of the panel installation process include the following aspects:
panels can be installed on any type of plinth;
no preliminary leveling of the wall surface is required;
high culture and cleanliness of installation work;
Fastening the panels to the frame sheathing using self-tapping screws and to each other using tenons and clamps ensures rigid fixation of the siding to the base.
Installation problems for plinth panels include:
the need to correctly align the frame under the panels;
painstaking installation, the likelihood of defects when connecting panels, which can subsequently affect the appearance of the base and its performance;
need for use special tool for cutting and fitting panels.
Finishing with corrugated sheets and corrugated sheets
Cladding the base with a profiled steel sheet is to some extent an analogue of siding technology, only the base panels are replaced with corrugated sheets or corrugated sheets with corresponding modifications to the frame. Except protective function, finishing can also be done for decorative purposes.
Video description
The video shows an example of finishing the basement of an old house:
The corrugated sheet has a more rigid wave profile than the corrugated sheet. According to their intended purpose, profiled sheets are used as roofing material, however, C13 corrugated sheeting, which has a wave height of 13 mm, is allowed for cladding the plinths of private residential buildings. The thickness of the corrugated sheet is 0.6-0.7 mm, which is quite enough to create a durable cladding for the foundation superstructure. Corrugated sheets are supplied with galvanized or polymer coating.
The advantages of profiled sheets include:
high strength qualities;
visual appeal, the ability to implement various types of design compositions;
resistance to corrosion and discoloration from environmental influences;
ease of installation, minimal labor required for installation on the base;
affordability.
It is important! Cladding the base with corrugated sheets is a budget option for finishing foundation and basement walls and is clearly superior to other technologies in terms of price/quality.
Among the disadvantages, two factors can be noted:
the monotony of the corrugated pattern, which some users perceive as an indicator of an unpresentable interior;
need to take geometry into account general design buildings, since the wave bends of the sheets may not correspond at all artistic style buildings (“does not fit” into the design).
The issue of combining the patterns of the wall and the plinth is one of the main ones when finishing the plinth of a private house with corrugated sheets Source sevparitet.ru
Resin based tiles
Plinth tiles produced using resin binders have a thickness of only 3-5 mm. The tiles are easily bent at any angle, they can even be rolled, which is why this facing material is commonly called flexible stone. The length of the tiles varies from 24 to 36 cm with a width from 5 to 7 cm. Resin-based tiles are produced with a smooth and textured surface, imitating the entire range of facing materials in color and texture. natural materials– stone, wood, facing brick.
Facing made of “flexible stone” Source moypodval.ru
Due to their high flexibility, tiles on resin bases can be easily laid on a plinth of any configuration, including arcuate geometry. The installation features of such tiles are as follows:
when laying, the tiles are glued with a special glue to the previously leveled and primed surface of the basement wall;
It is allowed to lay tiles directly on concrete surfaces and on upper layer thermal insulation;
tiles are easy to cut with a knife and large scissors;
The time for complete drying of the glue is 2-3 days.
Finishing with stone, brick, clinker tiles
Finishing the base “like stone” or “like brick” gives the residential building solidity and monumentality. It is not at all necessary for home owners to spend money on granite, marble, rubble stone or brick. The decorative functions of finishing from natural stone materials are successfully performed by various types of facing tiles with a texture that imitates natural stones or brick.
Natural stone tiles
It is a complete decorative alternative to classic stone foundation masonry. The back side of the tile is smooth, but on the front side the stone is not processed, preserving its natural identity.
Natural stone cladding - great option for finishing the foundation of a wooden house Source moypodval.ru
Stone-like facing tiles, imitating natural stones, are produced on a cement-sand base with the addition of paint, plasticizers and protective compounds. Artificial stones have high strength characteristics, do not absorb water, and are easy to clean with a water jet. Artificial stone is more plastic than natural stone, so it can better withstand accidental impacts and sudden temperature changes.
Stone-like cladding Source piatachok.ru
Clinker
Clinker tiles are a version of facing bricks made by annealing special refractory clay. Sintered clay is very hard and glossy surface has high hydrophobic properties. After laying, clinker tiles create an imitation brickwork.
It is important! Clinker tiles are highly chemically inert to negative environmental influences and are superior in durability to natural and artificial stones.
Cladding the base with clinker - as an option for finishing the foundation of a house from the outside Source tr.decorexpro.com
Facing brick is a natural ceramic product that fully imitates brickwork. It has high thermal insulation and strength qualities, which are so necessary to protect the base and the entire facade.
Basement finished with facing brick Source domsireni.ru
Finishing with base thermal panels
Base thermal panels are facing tiles equipped with inside insulation. The decorative facing material for thermal panels is clinker tiles that imitate natural stones, brick, shell rock, porcelain tiles or ordinary ceramic tiles with a “brick” imitation. Polyurethane foam or extruded polystyrene foam is used as insulation. The thickness of the insulation layer is 20-80 mm.
Note! Practice has shown that the use of thermal panels with foamed polystyrene for cladding a basement wall is unacceptable. This insulation option is short-lived and has weak heat-shielding properties.
Thermal panels are exterior finishing and insulation Source blogremonta.com
Finishing with slate and cement bonded particleboard
Finishing the base with flat slate is a good budget option for exterior home decoration. For the manufacture of flat slate Asbestos fiber, Portland cement and water are used. It is recommended that the cladding of the basement wall be made of pressed slate, which is much denser and stronger than its non-pressed counterpart. The main advantages of slate materials include:
resistance to aggression of sedimentary moisture;
low water absorption coefficient;
resistance to low temperatures and sudden temperature changes;
resistance to open flames, slate sheets do not burn;
slate can be painted using acrylic primer and acrylic or silicone paint;
long service life within 25-30 years.
Among the disadvantages, the following factors are necessarily mentioned:
increased fragility - slate is capable of collapsing from dynamic impacts, for example, from being hit by a stone;
asbestos dust generated when cutting sheets during the installation process is extremely harmful to humans. Processing of sheets is carried out only in respirators.
Budget options for finishing the plinth Source domsireni.ru
Cement-bonded particle boards (CPB) are made by pressing wood chips with cement. The basis of the CBPB is chips of a large fraction, the top layer is formed from chips of a smaller fraction. The building materials market offers DSP sheets with a thickness of 8-36 mm. To finish the basement wall, sheets with a thickness of 16 to 20 mm are used.
The advantages of DSP are as follows:
good moisture resistance;
resistance to low ambient temperatures;
high degree fire safety of DSP cladding;
resistance to rotting;
ease of machining.
The disadvantages include two factors:
heavy weight of each cladding element;
service life does not exceed 15 years.
Finishing the basement in a wooden house
When finishing the foundation of a wooden house and facing the basement, Special attention paid careful attention to waterproofing and thermal insulation of the entire basement belt around the building. The wood from which the walls of a home are built is susceptible to rotting and mold growth, and is vulnerable to excess sedimentary and ground moisture. Only reliable protection of the base will prevent liquid from penetrating into the wall part and preventing it from freezing in the cold season. After taking measures to waterproof and thermally protect the base, it can be finished using the technologies described above.
Finishing the base of a wooden house Source remlandia.ru
Conclusion
The long-term trouble-free operation of a residential building depends on the strength and reliability of the plinth around the building. When the base is destroyed, a destructive reaction of the building begins, leading to deterioration appearance building and a decrease in its strength qualities, up to local destruction of the walls and foundation. Any method of finishing the basement to a certain extent protects and improves the façade of the building. Developers are only required to achieve an optimal match between price, quality and decorative properties of the finishing material, so that the basement cladding does not stand out from the overall picture of the appearance of the building.
What material is best for cladding the basement of a house? This question worries many who are faced with the need to finish this structure. The base encircles the entire house and is an important element that protects the structure (especially its lower part) from the harmful influences of the environment. In addition, it plays an important decorative role.
There are several types of house basement, each with its own characteristics. Various forms are shown in the photo:
- Sunken. This type is a structure that is located offset inward relative to the main facade. The recess is most often at least 50 mm. This device allows you to work with low cost, and also make the drain less noticeable.
- In one plane. This option requires complex sealing, so the drainage system must be fixed at the general construction stage. This will avoid further problems.
- Speaker. To sheathe such a base at home with your own hands, it is necessary (as in the previous version) to carefully consider the drainage system. If it is not installed correctly, water accumulates in the area separating the foundation and the wall. To avoid such troubles, moisture removal is planned taking into account the finishing of the facade.
Drain device for a protruding plinth when finishing the facade with siding On a note! When choosing material for cladding, you should take into account the design features.
Necessity of finishing
If the finishing of the foundation of the house has not been completed earlier or the old cladding has become unusable, then it is necessary to external cladding. Its main functions:
- Protecting the foundation of the house from environmental influences (precipitation, sunlight, wind). This allows you to significantly increase the durability of the entire structure.
- Additional insulation. If required, a layer of thermal insulation is created, which can be associated with insulation of the blind area. This procedure not only improves the energy efficiency of the building, but also protects it from many problems. The top facing layer will hide the insulation and serve as an additional barrier against the penetration of cold.
- Decorative. An area finished correctly and with suitable material can emphasize the overall direction of the design.
Based on these parameters, the construction products necessary for the work are selected.
How to cover the foundation of a house outside?
The material for the base is purchased taking into account the following factors:
They also pay attention to the manufacturer of the product and the place of purchase. It is better to give preference to trusted brands and specialized retail outlets.
Types of finishing materials for the plinth and features of their installation
When choosing a material, you need to consider the method of its installation. There are options that are mounted directly on the walls, but there are also those that require the construction of a frame.
Materials for finishing the foundation installed on the sheathing are relatively new products. This list includes types that differ in technical characteristics.
Panels
This includes panels made from different materials, this group usually includes siding and corrugated sheeting. When choosing, it is better to give preference to options that are made specifically for finishing the base. They have more durable characteristics and may include an additional layer of thermal insulation.
Covering the base with decorative panels Among the advantages of the product are:
- Availability. Indeed, it is precisely this variety that makes it possible to perform work inexpensively. This option allows you to get a balance of price and quality. But you should refuse products with too low a cost. Most likely, they are made of low-quality plastic, which will quickly become unusable.
- Easy to install. Paneling is done using a tool that everyone has at their disposal. home handyman, so there is no need to involve specialists for the work.
- Opportunity additional thermal insulation. Installation on a frame solves two problems at once - ventilation and insulation. This will prevent the coating from freezing, reduce heat loss and the likelihood of mold and mildew.
- Decorative. The panels, especially the plinth ones, have a clear imitation of natural materials. That is, the tiled area fits perfectly into the design idea and the environment.
Attention! Choosing the wrong product can seriously spoil the result. For example, corrugated sheeting for such a process must have increased rigidity, that is, have a durable top coating.
Porcelain tiles and types of tiles
For cladding the base, mainly porcelain stoneware and clinker tiles in the form of large parts are used. The second option can also be laid using the wet method, in which case fragments of material are used. Porcelain tiles, due to their heavy weight, are installed only on the sheathing, and it must have increased reliability.
Advantages of porcelain stoneware and tiles:
- Light load on the structure. This effect is achieved due to the frame, which takes on the main pressure.
- Fast installation. It is possible to cover the foundation of a house in a short period of time, but doing this without some experience is extremely problematic. Porcelain tiles require the installation of special fasteners, which is not always possible without understanding the process. The tiles are fixed much easier; for this there are special metal ears.
- Durability. The service life of such foundation materials is calculated in decades.
- Moisture resistance. The parts do not absorb water well, so they are not subject to deformation.
Such foundation materials have a significant disadvantage - high cost. There is no need to purchase cheap tiles, as this often indicates low quality. For work, a variety for the street with the “Snowflake” icon is used.
An alternative to tiles can be artificial stone. The elements are installed on the sheathing through special holes or directly.
On a note! At the moment, thermal panels that combine the advantages of panels and tiles are becoming increasingly popular. They are a base with insulation, on which clinker tiles are applied.
How to sheathe a foundation using sheathing
All options for finishing the plinth, which involve installation on the sheathing, have a common technology for covering the structure:
- Work begins with preparing the base. It is cleaned of dust and dirt, all cracks are carefully covered with putty. If there is serious damage, then before finishing the basement of the house, it is advisable to strengthen the foundation.
- Due to the fact that this part of the building is exposed to greater moisture, it is treated with antiseptics. It is better to impregnate in several layers.
- After preparing the surface, the frame is erected. For this purpose it can be used wooden beam or metal profile. It is important to consider that wood needs to be treated against rot, and metal parts cannot be cut with a grinder, as this leads to corrosion.
- The racks are installed perpendicular to the direction of laying the material. If the products have identical sides, then the vertical method is considered preferable.
- Insulation is placed in the resulting cells. It is fixed with special anchors.
- Vertical connections are installed between the frame posts and space is left for installing the ebb.
- The material for finishing the base is laid in several ways: overlapping, using a tongue-and-groove connection, using special brackets or clamps. Fixation is done with self-tapping screws. If the products are subject to thermal expansion, then the fasteners are loose.
- The ebb is installed.
For foundations finished with panel elements, additional moldings are used. They are installed on corners for a better decorative look.
Frameless method
It is possible to veneer the base of a house without the help of a frame; for these purposes, they are used different variants products.
Brick
Features of the material:
- Excellent for pile or block foundations. But to install brickwork, it is necessary to create a reliable support.
- The resulting coating has good resistance to external influences.
- Products with low moisture absorption are used for work. If this parameter is not taken into account, the surface will become deformed.
- This type of plinth finishing is not affordable, and the work requires some experience.
Algorithm for creating masonry:
- The coating undergoes a preparation procedure.
- If there is no reliable support, then a foundation block will do. He burrows into the prepared pit. This is especially true for pile foundations.
- Waterproofing is laid on top of the base. Roofing felt can act in this capacity.
- The first row is installed after a thorough level check. In this case, the spoon masonry option is more suitable.
- To ensure reliability, a bundle is arranged. To do this, anchors are installed in the foundation. If this method is not possible, then wire fixed to the piles is used.
- The ebb is installed.
The difficulty lies in the need to reliably lay the bricks.
Artificial and natural stone
Facing the foundation with artificial or natural stone is not the easiest task, especially for the second option. Both varieties have excellent technical specifications in terms of durability and reliability, but natural products require more careful care and have a high cost.
Laying natural stone is carried out as follows:
- Regardless of what type of finishing is used, the surface must be carefully prepared.
- Due to the heavy load, the foundation should be covered with reinforcing mesh and covered with a layer of plaster.
- Laying of parts occurs after drawing up the markings. If the fragments are of irregular shape, then they are first laid out on a flat area.
- Fixation is carried out using a special glue, which is applied to the surface, the underside of the parts is slightly moistened.
- A small gap must be left between the fragments; it compensates for thermal expansion.
- If required, grouting of joints and installation of flashing is carried out.
Using a similar principle, the basement of a house is finished using artificial stone and tiles.
Plaster
Plaster is the most economical option, allowing you to complete the work without the involvement of specialists and complex equipment. For this process it is used special type mixtures for external use.
On a note! Finishing the foundation with your own hands using plaster is carried out using two methods: without additional thermal insulation and with insulation.
General technology of work:
- The surface is being prepared.
- A layer of glue is applied to which the heat-insulating material is fixed.
- After the composition dries, the insulation is additionally strengthened with special dowels.
- Next, a small layer of mortar or glue is applied to the surface, after which a thin reinforcing mesh is stretched. It should be completely covered with the mixture.
- The surface is left to dry.
- The final layer is plaster. A spatula is used to apply it, and a rule is used to level it.
- Upon completion of the work, the surface is covered with a protective layer of paint.
This method allows you to bind the insulation to the thermal insulation of the blind area.
Decorating the base
Decorative finishing of the foundation is considered an integral part of the process. The following options apply:
- Coloring. It is carried out even after the passage of time. You can choose the shade that best suits the cladding of the house and highlights the base.
- Use of decorative or textured plaster. Such material is tinted and may include a fraction natural stones or sand. This gives an unusual effect when applied correctly.
Decorative plaster in the design of the basement floor - Creating a relief surface. For this purpose, simple facade plaster is used, on which an imitation of stone or brick masonry is formed. Additionally, painting in different tones is carried out.
- The simplest is the use of materials with the desired imitation.
Working with a plinth is a rather complex undertaking, the basis of which is right choice products.
