We tell how to choose and mount an external architectural decor so that it will resist atmospheric exposure and not cracking when the temperature drops.
What is the facade architectural decor and why he need
The term "facade architectural decor" most often combines the non-constructive elements of the building. It is they who together create an external design and form the appearance of the house, make it memorable, dissimilar to others. Especially if you are a fan of classical directions in architecture, and minimalism does not cause special emotions.
The range of elements is Moldings and eaves; lateral framing in the form of a semi-column, pilaster, rust, castle stones; Decorations for doors and windows: platbands, sheds, windows finish; Columns and balustrades for the input zone, etc.
Moreover, the facade decor is able to change the perception of the building as a whole, visually increasing its height or width, as well as hide and isolate the interface of the walls and roofs, inter-storey belts, door and window boxes.
On average, the creation of a project for the design of the architectural decor of the facade of the house with an area of up to 500 m² takes from 15 to 30 working days depending on the complexity.
Materials for decor and features of production
The modern facade decor is made from different materials: polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam, glassfibobreton and fiberglass, traditional plaster and concrete. However, elements from polyurethane foam are becoming increasingly popular - due to a small mass and a simple installation process. In our market, this technological product is represented by the companies "Europlast", NMC, ORAC Decor.
Light polyurethane foam stucco has many advantages, thanks to which it is actively used as an external finish. These properties determine the structure of the material.
According to the accuracy of the detail, the facade architectural decor from polyurethane foam is comparable to the classic gypsum stucco.
To get the most visual idea of the new look at the design of the facade by architectural elements will help the service on 3D modeling and visualization of the project.
Elements are made by mixing in the form of certain components. In the interaction, they expand (foam), forming a mass of small closed cells filled with air, after which they are frozen. Thanks to them, the finished decor is obtained resistant to temperature fluctuations and does not absorb moisture. According to the last parameter, it is 4 times the concrete for underwater facilities.
Those who wish can conduct an experiment: put a polyurethane foam cornice in the bath, to water it with water for several minutes, and then pull out, wipe dry and use together with others. No difference will be discovered.
When the material density is about 300 kg / m³ per day, the product absorb not more than 0.01%. As a result, they have high frost resistance and sufficient for use on the facade of the operating temperature range: from -80 to +90 ° C. On the density of polyurethane foam mass looks like wood. And the elements, if necessary, handle the same tools as the tree. Many manufacturers, including the EuroPlast company, produce a decor with increased strength of the upper layer (up to 1500 kg / m³). Therefore, it is not cracking at daily and seasonal temperature drops and carry climatic influences without any special problems.
Even at the production of architectural products from polyurethane foam, as a rule, are covered with special soil. It is needed to protect the surface from the effects of UV rays during transportation and storage (from 2 to 4 weeks). At the same time, the primed surface has better adhesion to most of the colorful compositions.
Modern guide cornice does not fulfill the support function, it only masks and decorates the area of the roofing sweep of the bearing walls, emphasizing and decorating the top border of the facade.
The advantages of the facade decor from polyurethane foam
- High degree of detail of architectural decor.
- Sufficient density of products (300 kg / m³) with a significant increase in the upper layer.
- Practically zero water absorption (no more than 0.01% per day).
- High resistance to the exposure to the external environment.
- Frost resistance of at least 150 cycles.
- Affordable price.
- Products have a small mass and do not waste the facade.
- Uncomplicated installation Even for masters with minimal construction skills.
- Can be painted.
- Repair or partial replacement of elements are possible.
Decorative slopes from polyurethane foam can be not only decorated with windows, but also solve common problems of thermal insulation of window structures.
FEATURES OF MONTAGE
The strength of fastening and durability of the facade decor from polyurethane foam depend on the quality of surface preparation and compliance with installation technology. Please note that many manufacturers of decorative elements of this type produce special mounting and docking adhesives. The first ensure their reliable fixation to any base, including from plastic, wood, metal, etc. The second firmly combine products from polyurethane foam with each other.
When installing the architectural decoration, only the adopted adopted producer is used: installation for outdoor and docking.
Despite this, unreasonable savings on the acquisition of glue-recommended producers and replacing them with other compositions is the most common error. It often leads to sad consequences, including the appearance of cracks at the joints of individual elements, and in the worst case to delay the decor from the base. After all, one of the important qualities of branded mounting glue - elasticity. Strong, but insufficiently elastic adhesives are not able to keep the facade decor when changing the temperature-humidarity or seasonal laboration of the building.
After fixing the elements, especially the inter-storey eaves and moldings, it is important that the upper and lower joints of the product with the base be filled with glue. Of course, it is necessary to attach elements to the pre-prepared clean, smooth and dry base. But small irregularities are still found. And if after the element is pressed, the glue in some places did not leave outward, it is necessary to walk around the entire perimeter and fill all the empties with glue. Savings are inappropriate here. Otherwise, it is not to ensure waterproofing the place of fastening, which will not be better affected by the deadline for the decor.
Remember that when installing facade parts, mechanical fasteners are used together with glue. Mechanical fastener fixes the facade decor to the supporting structures and to each other, prevents product slipping to a complete set of adhesion. It increases the reliability of fixing products to the carrier surface, minimizes the possible movements of elements relative to each other, prevents the discrepancy between the joints and prevents the sliding of the elements to the final set of adhesive with adhesive composition.
The temperature during the installation of the decor from polyurethane foam and in the next 24 hours should be no lower than -10 ° C, the relative humidity of air from 40 to 80%.
Manufacturers of decorative elements recommend painting walls after editing the architectural decor.
To ensure that the adolescence of the joints of individual elements can be guaranteed during the hardening of glue, they can be temporarily secured by a construction stapler. Subsequently, the bracket is removed. The seams are wiped with a fine-grained grinding skin, put off and cover paint for outdoor work with a brush or sprayer.
Consider that 2-4 weeks after installing the decor of polyurethane foam in the open air, it begins to change the color, so the work on staining is unwanted for a long time.
The cost of installing the facade decor from polyurethane foam is usually less than on the installation of similar elements from other materials. On average, it ranges from 40 to 70% of the cost of products and depends on the size, floors and structural complexity of the structure, as well as the degree of preparation of the surface of the facade.
Alexander Checans, Head of Decor Service
The facade decor from polyurethane foam differs from interior size and, accordingly, greater mass. The necessary strength of the fastening of products is provided with glue and mechanically using self-tapping screws. One element is three pieces. When installing the architectural decor on the facade with outdoor insulation, we recommend using light, non-corrosive aluminum corners, to which the decorative elements are fixed by self-draws. Pay attention to the length of the self-press. It must pass through the metal, a layer of insulation and reliably attach a corner to the supporting structure. When installing the cornice or molding, they are not necessarily used along the entire length of the facade. You can take a segment of 20-25 cm and install separate elements in the center of the joints and in the center.