Plinth finishing with stone panels - process features + instructions

The technology of finishing the basement with panels that look like stone originated in Canada and the USA, but now it is spreading more and more due to the mass of advantages. The panels we are talking about in this article are a type of siding and it is easy to guess that outwardly they look like stone. They are produced using high pressure casting.

Despite the fact that it is beneficial to sheathe the plinth with this material from many sides, installation should be carried out very accurately and carefully, however, the same applies to other finishing materials. So, let's look at how the basement should be finished with stone panels.

What is a plinth

A plinth is part of the foundation that is above the ground. One of the functions that the plinth performs is to protect the building from moisture penetration, including due to rain. The plinth is both functional and architectural, so this part of the house must be treated very responsibly. The plinth also provides thermal insulation between the main building space and the basement.

Interesting! Architects believe that the basement should be attributed to the wall, its lower part, but the builders, on the contrary, are sure that this is still an element of the foundation.

Advantages and relevance of plinth cladding with stone panels

First, modern materials have excellent design and significantly improve the exterior of the building. Secondly, the technique allows you to increase resistance to moisture, which allows you to forget about the problems with cracking of the foundation for a long time. If the liquid gets into the voids of the material from which the base of the building is made, it will freeze in cold weather, and, as you know, ice has a larger volume than water, and as a result, cracks will appear. To better understand the principle, you can put a PET bottle filled to the top with water in the freezer overnight - in the morning the container will be severely deformed. The same happens with building materials if moisture gets into them.

The base / plinth has a much higher load than the facade, so this part of the structure must be treated with great attention. Temperature changes that cannot be avoided, groundwater currents, the pressure of the house itself, precipitation in the form of rain or snow, can adversely affect the condition of the basement.

One of the methods that have proven themselves to be excellent in protecting the basement, are special panels, stylized as a stone structure. Among the important positive points are the following.

1. Light weight of the product , due to which the load on the base is not exceeded and reliable fastening becomes possible.

   

   Stone-look Nailite Panel

2. Durability . Panels can last over 30 years if made with quality material and properly installed.
3. High durability . This finishing option does not deform and does not lose its properties due to negative natural influences - for example, even a strong wind is not afraid of it.

   

   Finishing the foundation of a wooden house with basement panels

4. Maintenance of the panels is very simple , you just need to wash them water, you can add detergent for better efficiency, but there is no need to plaster or paint at all.

5. Installation technology . Despite the fact that it must be done very accurately and meticulously, you can easily carry out the installation yourself, without the need for complex special tools or equipment. You do not have to wait for the mortar to dry, as the installation method is dry.
6. Seams are not clogged with dirt thanks to sophisticated production technology, and this is a very important point for those who care about the exterior.
7. The price is quite democratic and affordable , even for high-quality products.

Price for decorative stone

Decorative stone

Disadvantages

It is difficult to find really serious negative sides of the panels for finishing the basement, but you can point out a couple of points.

1. Limitations in color . It will not work to pick up a shade to taste, since the panel is externally stylized as a stone, which has specific dull colors. But, if you were unable to choose the desired design in the store catalogs, you can always contact the manufacturer directly and place an order according to your taste. Whether it is worth paying extra for such a service is up to you.

2. Despite the fact that the panels withstand very well the stress and the influence of many destructive factors, one should not expect fire resistance . Since the main material of manufacture is still plastic, the panel will quickly melt at elevated temperatures, and therefore you should not fry a barbecue or burn garbage near the house.

Materials from which panels are made under a stone for a basement finish

The production of such products is carried out only using new, innovative technologies, which appeared thanks to the hard work of highly qualified specialists. Only materials are used that have high resistance to low temperatures and are endowed with water-repellent properties. Also, they (materials) should not crack in winter and with strong wind.

Most often, polypropylene is taken as a basis, which is formed by casting, the characteristics of such panels are always at a high level.

In general, it is possible to use different polymers if they contain chemicals that increase product use period. The choice of the base material directly affects the cost.

Note! It is recommended to buy panels of the upper price category, as there will be fewer problems with them and you will not have to deal with buying / installing new ones after a while.

Existing types of panels

Before how to choose and purchase the required number of panels, you need to deal with the existing types of these products, with all their features, strengths and weaknesses.

Each variety has some differences that need to be considered. Today, 4 types are widely used, which are presented in the table.

Table. Popular types of basement panels for stone.

What determines the cost?

The price will depend on several factors at once. Firstly, this is the country that produces the siding, and the specific company - the more reputable the company, the higher the cost.The material used also affects what kind of polymers, modifiers, and so on. If you are looking for products that are easy to install and have large dimensions, then the price for them will be higher than for small options. If you want to save money, then you should not choose fanciful panels, since the intricate texture and color significantly increase the cost.

The better the characteristics of the product, that is, resistance to temperature extremes, strength, resistance to wind, the more expensive it will cost.

Important! It is worth paying attention to the domestic manufacturer, among the goods they represent on the market now you can find very good copies not only in appearance, but also in characteristics, while the price is an order of magnitude lower than that of foreign counterparts.

Prices for popular finishing wall panels like stone

Wall panels like stone

Panel Selection

When you start choosing stone-style panels for your base / plinth finish, there are a few things to focus on. If the product is of high quality, then the characteristics specified by the manufacturer will be high, while the appearance should be appropriate, without defects. The material greatly affects the rate of burnout under the sun, if the base is not in the shade and you want to maintain a beautiful exterior for a long time - ask the seller for more details.

It is better to buy panels in those places where there is a large selection of different goods, so that there is plenty to choose from ... The period of successful work is also very important: if the company has existed for several years and has managed to accumulate many customers with positive reviews, it means that it is selling a quality product. Decide which is more important - ease of installation or savings.

If the former, then you should pay attention to the large panels, if the latter, then to the small ones. A good product must be accompanied by a license and a certificate that guarantee quality.

Facing with Dagestan stone

The facade faced with Dagestan stone looks prestigious and creates an impression of the homeowner's wealth. However, the cost of such finishing is relatively small and comparable to the cost of a "wet façade". Therefore, with relative cheapness, you can get an impressive result.

Read more in this article.

Installation of panels

Installing panels under a stone is easy. You need to be very careful and pedantic in the process, carefully carry out all measurements and calculations.

We will tell you how to properly install the finishing panel on a concrete base.

Cordless drill / driver prices

Cordless drill-driver

We need:

• tape measure;
• circular saw with diamond disc;
• hammer drill;
• fasteners.

Step 1. Calculate the required number of panels in one row. To do this, divide the total length of the wall (minus the space for the corner elements) by the effective length of one panel.

Step 2. If there is not enough part to cover the wall in the entire length, or you need to install the panels along the contour of a window or other element without closing it, use a tape measure and measure exactly how the panel should be cut.

Using a hand-held circular saw with a diamond disc or a hacksaw, we cut out the part we need from one panel.

Important! Do not cut more than 1 piece from each piece, otherwise the result will not look so natural.

Prices for angle grinders (grinders)

Angle grinders (grinders)

Step 3. We proceed to installing the panels. We lean the product against the base exactly in the place where it will be located.

We need to drill a fastening hole using a punch, then we use special fasteners for reliable fixation.

Step 4. Move the next panel, fasten it in 6 places so that it is resistant to the wind - 5 fasteners on top and 1 on the side. The top attachment line should start from the center.

Step 5.

Make sure the mount is not too rigid to ensure proper reaction to temperature changes (expansion compensation).

Important! Also between the panels you need gaps for the same purpose. If you carry out the installation in winter, then the joint width should be about 15 cm, and if in summer, then no more than 10 cm.

Video - Installation of basement panels

As you can see, the installation process is not at all complicated and does not take much time, while your house will be insulated, and the base will be reinforced and protected from moisture. The technology allows you to simply and cheaply give elegance to the exterior and increase the duration of the building's operation.