WPC siding: choice and characteristics

In modern construction recently can be found siding of wood-polymer composite - WPC. This material looks very similar to natural wood and is most often used as a covering for a house. It is unpretentious and easy to use. The article will discuss the characteristics of this polymer siding, the features of choice.

WPC consists mostly of wood flour and wood waste. And also the material contains various dyes and impurities that increase its stability.

WPC is a very resistant material:

• It is not affected by moisture, has a low degree of flammability, which increases the level of fire safety. The material is able to withstand a high temperature range, from about -50 to +80 degrees.
• The surface of the material is flat and smooth, which is not deformed by the effects of the external environment.
• Thanks to special impurities, the material is extremely resistant to mold and mildew.
• And you can also note the good thermal insulation and noise absorbing properties of the WPC.
• In addition, it is a very strong facade material, which is not so easy to damage.

• A huge advantage of this siding is the fact that it is environmentally friendly, and this is an important aspect for human health.
• The life of the material WPC also pleased - not less than 10 years.
• And care for siding does not cause difficulties, because it is picky, and you can clean it with ordinary water or detergents.
• But it is also worth noting the good ventilation of WPC siding panels.
• In appearance it is similar to natural wood.

Among the negative aspects can be noted a few nuances.

• The high cost of this material. Prices for high-quality types of WPC siding are quite high.
• The possibility of minor damage. Despite the good resistance of the material to physical damage, there is the possibility of small scratches on it. In fact, such defects will not affect the siding properties, but will spoil its appearance. Therefore, the installation of panels should be carried out carefully.
• Burnout The color of cheap siding options may dim over time. In such models, the low content of substances that give the material resistance to ultraviolet rays. Therefore you should not choose the cheapest model.
• And also over time, some types of models tend to expand. For this reason, during installation it is recommended to make small gaps from 3 to 5 mm. In this case, everything depends on the climate, which is different in many regions.

To date, there is a wide range of different colors for siding from the WPC. There is a model resembling walnut wood. Such panels have a corrugation. And also this model is presented by a wide range of color shades.

Consider the most popular siding models:

• "Folk". A distinctive feature of this model are increased noise insulation and heat-insulating indicators. The material is similar to wood and also has different colors.
• "Soul" It is distinguished by its high environmental friendliness and is most often represented by dark shades of colors.
• "LWN". This type of siding is one of the most resistant both to physical impacts and to the influence of severe weather conditions. A wide range of color choices.

Siding panels can be from three to four meters long. The standard thickness of the panel is 1.2 cm, width - from 9.5 cm to 16.5 cm, the load per square meter reaches 500 kg, and the weight of the linear meter is about 1.5 kg.

For self-installation of siding from the WPC requires first of all to prepare the necessary tools.

For the work will need:

• a circular saw;
• jigsaw;
• level;

• roulette;
• drill;
• screwdriver.

For the very fastening of the panels on the wall, special cleats are used, which must be purchased immediately along with the siding.

Before starting work, you must carefully inspect the siding panel for damage and defects. Then you can start preparing the base for chipboard.

The surface on which the composite siding will be located should be flat, so it must be thoroughly cleaned.

Then a crate is mounted on the wall for fixing the panels. But it is also recommended to fill the wall with a crate with insulation and waterproofing. You can use glass wool, mineral wool, foam plastic or expanded polystyrene for this.

Then you can proceed to the fastening of the panels on the batten. To do this, you must pre-drill holes in the siding panels in accordance with the measurements. It is recommended to fix chipboard panels, starting from the bottom. It is necessary to ensure that all screws are included in the panel exactly, and not at an angle. Otherwise it may distort the panel, or make the surface wavy.

If you follow the instructions exactly, the walls will look smooth and beautiful. In principle, installation of siding from chipboard is considered simple, so you can cope with it yourself without much effort.

In addition to the siding of the WPC, there are several other options. In particular, vinyl siding. These models are completely made of plastic, but their appearance is decorated under wood. In addition, fiber cement siding can be noted.The basis of such a material is cement, cellulose fibers and mineral fibers. This material is very durable, and in its characteristics surpasses chipboard. Such a material is resistant to even severe physical damage, but is a heavier coating.

When choosing a material, you should pay extreme attention to the manufacturer. It is better and more reliable to choose the siding of those firms that have long established themselves in the building materials market and have a good reputation. Among the manufacturers of the WPC is worth noting Eco Decking, Plywood or Dortmax. These companies produce a good and high-quality material with a wide choice of colors.

Analyzing the reviews of the owners of siding from the WPC, we can conclude that this material is very good as an external coating for the house. Many buyers have noted the ease and simplicity of installation. Separate reviews received a pleasant appearance of most models, some buyers noted that the buildings after getting the siding had acquired a fresh look and personality.

But also users of WPC siding have noted a tendency to expand with time some models. This can be avoided by leaving gaps at the plate joints. The overwhelming majority of buyers marked the durability of the material. Pleasant design is combined with unpretentious care, which was also appreciated by many KDP siding owners.

Speaking about the positive properties of the siding of the WPC and a huge number of positive reviews, we can conclude that the siding of the WPC is one of the best building materials to date. This kind of plating can also give a pleasant appearance to a building and reliably last for a very long time without requiring much care.

Video instruction on the installation of siding from the WPC, see below.