Finishing the basement of a private house: materials, options, methods, which is better. The better and cheaper to finish the basement Options for facing the foundation of the house

An important element of the house is the plinth, which protects the lower part of the outer walls of the building. It must be made in an appropriate way, while it must have strength and resistance to various adverse factors. You should think carefully about how to finish the plinth so that it is stable and at the same time architecturally attractive. The outer walls from below are most often finished with ceramic tiles or clinker, but sometimes decorative stone and other materials are also found.

How to properly and how to veneer the basement of the house?

The basement is the upper part of the foundation wall, which is usually located above the ground at a height of 30-50 cm. This height depends on the place where the house is built, the level of groundwater and the design of the foundation. Higher plinths can be made in the construction of a foundation partially buried in the ground, in the case of a basement.

The main function of the plinth is to protect the lower part of the outer walls of the building from mechanical damage (to avoid damage to the waterproofing layer) and to preserve the walls from high humidity. Wetness can be caused by heavy rain and melting snow, which is thrown directly under the walls of the building. If properly built and properly lined with a plinth, it will protect the walls from water and will be an attractive architectural accent of the house. However, in any case, it is worth avoiding the accumulation of large snow drifts near the building.

Plinth recessed or protruding?

In most cases, typical private houses are made with a sunken plinth, which is hidden under the facade of the building. In this solution, water flowing from the façade will run off the wall, which will provide a higher degree of protection of the walls from moisture.

The decision on the type of plinth must be made already at the stage of foundation construction, in order to correctly complete the foundation and select the individual layers of the outer walls.

In the case of a sunken basement, a special profile is used that is resistant to rainwater and protects the lower part of the house from mechanical damage and moisture.

In the case of thermal insulation of external walls with mineral wool or polystyrene boards, special starter strips can also be used, located in the lower protruding part of the facade.

The protruding base is less common. However, sometimes it can be an interesting architectural element of a building. In the case of a plinth protruding from the façade of a building, its upper part must be reinforced with appropriately selected steel profiles or ceramic tiles.

It is important that a height difference of approximately 6-10% be made, which ensures a smooth outflow of rainwater without settling it on the wall (facade). In no case should the upper surface of the plinth be horizontal, without a slope, as this will quickly lead to dampness of the walls and damage to the facade at the point of its connection with the plinth.

If we want to line the entire plinth with decorative stone, we must choose its thickness correctly so that an appropriate water drain can be carried out.

The protection of the upper surface of the base should protrude by about 2-5 cm, which will ensure that rainwater runs off the surface without causing dampness in the wall.

The least rare are plinths that are made flush with the wall, that is, in the same plane with it or a flat facade to the ground. Such solutions have to be designed individually and require a very precise selection of all materials. It is important in this case, the proper execution of all connections of the facade cladding and the choice of durable and frost-resistant materials.

Ceramic tiles or clinker tiles are a fairly common basement material. In this case, the parameters of frost resistance of the finishing material are very important.

Make sure the tiles have sufficient resistance to low temperatures in winter and have a water absorption of no more than 8% (for ceramic tiles). Materials that do not meet these requirements may be too fragile for finishing.

Ceramic and clinker tiles can be especially useful in the case of finishing the plinth, which protrudes in relation to the plane of the facade of the building. Available in various thicknesses, shapes and designs.

For the strength of the plinth, the right choice of adhesive is even more important. In this case, it is imperative to use a high-quality elastic and frost-resistant adhesive so that individual tiles or even entire arrays do not peel off. The tiles must be glued to the plastered surface. Before gluing, it is recommended to lay a special mesh, which will increase the elasticity of the entire structure.

It is also imperative that the grout used is resistant to water and frost. In the case of clinker tiles, it is necessary to use glue and grout specially designed for clinker, which protect against the so-called fading (white spots on the surface of the clinker). Adhesives and grouts are also available on the market, available in a variety of colors, allowing you to choose the color of your tile grout.

If you want to tile the plinth of your house, you have a very wide range of colors and patterns, which allows you to harmoniously match the finish in relation to the facade of the building.

An important advantage of a tile or clinker finish is that such a surface is easy to keep clean, clean and wash without damage. Tiles are also resistant to mechanical damage, although to a lesser extent than surfaces finished with natural stone (which are more durable than ceramic or clinker).

If you want to clad the plinth with stone, keep in mind that this is a very labor intensive and therefore more expensive method than finishing with ceramic tiles or base plaster. This is due to the fact that the correct choice of stone is necessary in order to be able to maintain an approximately equal joint thickness over the entire surface.

To perform this type of finish is usually used:

• large pebbles, although in this case there are difficulties in selecting flat stones close to each other in size;
• chipped stone;
• stone tiles.

Natural stone tiles are characterized by a very spectacular outer surface.

Stone tiles and stone are characterized by good rainwater drainage properties and the ability to easily keep the surface clean. The stone is also very resistant to mechanical damage, which will provide good protection of the thermal insulation and the lower part of the outer walls from moisture.

Due to the high labor intensity, finishing the plinth with natural stone is a relatively expensive solution. In addition, it is worth making sure that this type of finish will look harmonious with the architecture of the rest of the house (stone is not always suitable for modern-style houses). In order to save money, the plinth is often finished with stone-like panels that imitate the pattern and pattern of natural stone.

There is also the possibility of finishing the surface of the plinth with plaster. For this purpose, acrylic and mineral plasters are used. Despite the fact that both types of plaster masses can be used for external walls, it is still not recommended to use acrylic plaster.

Acrylic and mineral plasters differ significantly in price (not in favor of mineral ones), but when choosing, you should not take into account only the price criterion.

Acrylic plasters come in a much wider range of colors and can also be painted without any major problems in any chosen color. In the case of mineral plasters available on the market, the choice of color is more limited.

A few years ago, mineral plasters were sold as a dry mixture, which had to be diluted with the required amount of water. In the absence of experience, it is not always possible to make the right solution. Now, however, they are available on the market in ready-made masses, which allows them to be applied directly from the container to the walls, as is the case with acrylic plasters. These masses are more expensive than dry mixes, but after adding the cost of labor, it often turns out that the cost will be the same. Finished masses do not require as long drying and water protection as dry plasters, which often require protection for about 3-5 days.

Mineral plasters are more durable than acrylic ones. However, it should be noted that no plaster will be as resistant to impacts and dents as ceramic or stone.

The advantages of acrylic plasters are that they are more flexible and thus better suited for finishing surfaces subjected to varying temperatures. However, they are less resistant to moisture, which can accumulate in some places and destroy the surface.

Good day. Not so long ago I bought a summer cottage of 20 acres with two buildings - a brick house and a small wooden building for guests. In general, both houses are in decent condition, without serious damage to building and finishing materials. The only problem - . In both cases, it was partially missing or damaged. At the moment, I'm interested in how to inexpensively finish the basement of a brick and wooden house? I would not particularly like to spend money, since the buildings are quite large and enough material will be required. If it’s not difficult, they could not tell us the nuances of mounting these materials.

Hello. As far as I understand from your description, both buildings have a tape type foundation.

For a brick house, it would be necessary to remove the rebounded sections of the plaster or beat off the entire old finish completely. In the case of a wooden structure, it is better to completely dismantle the cladding, since, according to your criteria, it is cheapest to perform cladding or imitation of a natural coating.

How this was done is not clear to you, but I think that the quality of the surface has become much better. Additionally, before describing the cladding technology, I will talk in more detail about preparing the surface for further finishing work.

Although in your case an important criterion is the availability and cheapness of the material, I strongly recommend not to make a choice of coating only on the basis of these factors.

The protruding type of construction is most exposed to precipitation and the environment

Finishing the plinth is not just a decorative cladding of the outer surface. In this case, the material plays the role of not just lining and performs a number of tasks:

1. Protection of the structure - ensuring the protection of the basement of the building from external influences in the form of precipitation, humidity, temperature differences and direct sunlight;
2. Protection against various substances and microorganisms - the use of modern materials allows to reduce the impact of harmful and aggressive substances that can cause the destruction of the concrete base. Finishing treatment with an antiseptic and protective compounds eliminates the formation of mold foci and the development of fungus;
3. Protection from cold - the use of combined finishing materials and insulation allows you to level the risk of complete freezing of the carrier base, and the development of erosion processes in concrete. If necessary, complete insulation can be carried out using a sufficient layer of polystyrene foam materials.

Taking into account and taking into account this information, it is possible to significantly extend the life of the bearing base, avoid the formation of "cold bridges", reduce the cost of seasonal surface repair and heating of the building.

Finishing and cladding materials

The most popular materials for finishing the basement of buildings

The materials used for cladding and sheathing the basement of the house can be conditionally classified into two groups. The first is facing coatings, which are installed on a liquid base in the form of plaster, cement-sand mixture, etc. The second is facing coverings that are installed on a pre-mounted frame or crate.

This is a conditional division, since the use of various materials primarily depends on the cost and requirements that apply to it.

In your case, given that the lining of the basement of the house should be inexpensive and affordable, you can use the following materials:

• plaster is the most affordable and easiest way to finish and refine the basement. The plaster is distinguished by good vapor permeability, the possibility of application over the insulation, a wide choice of colors and a decorative layer;
• stone imitation - performed using plaster or cement-sand mortar. Differs in simplicity of implementation with a possibility of creation of absolutely exclusive surface. It is possible to apply both on “bare” concrete and on thermal insulation;
• basement siding - PVC panels with the ability to imitate almost any finishing coating. Mounted on a supporting frame. At the installation stage, it is possible to perform heat and waterproofing works;
• brick - allows you to create high-quality and reliable protection with the possibility of building a full-fledged heat-insulating layer and a ventilated gap. It requires a high-quality support device and adherence to masonry technology. Can be replaced with facing plates that imitate natural bricks and are mounted on a special adhesive;
• plinth thermal panel - visually resembles plinth siding, fixed on a polystyrene foam plate. It is advisable to use when a device is required, both a heat-insulating layer and finishing work.

These are far from all the coatings that can be used in the work, but they are quite enough for lining the basement, both brick and wooden structures. If you still take into account the time costs, then it makes sense to collect and prepare a sufficient amount of natural stone.

This approach is not simple, but can be used in areas where you can get yourself a stone such as limestone, shell rock or sandstone.

Below is a table that takes into account the average cost of cladding material. For the calculation, 1 sq / m2 was taken, as a more convenient value for evaluation.

Preparation and sequence of work with plaster

The technology for performing work using starting and decorative plaster is the easiest to implement. As a plaster composition, you can use ordinary plaster for outdoor work, bark beetle plaster, plaster with marble chips, etc.

With due diligence, you can imitate natural stone, clinker or masonry bricks.

For finishing work, you will need to prepare the necessary plaster composition. For normal leveling, you will need to purchase a cement-sand mixture M300-500, a dry composition for starting plastering, facade paint for outdoor work, an antiseptic composition, a reinforcing mesh with 10 × 10 mm cells and a wire thickness of up to 1 mm.

When creating a decorative layer, you will need special decorative mixtures, which are sold ready-made. It can be "bark beetle" from various manufacturers, finishing putty, etc.

The solution is applied with any convenient spatula. A rule is used for alignment. The texture is created using a wooden trowel.

Cleaning and treatment of the working surface with a solution of penetrating primer

Consistently, the work on facing the basement with a plaster composition will be carried out in several stages:

1. The work site and work surface are being prepared. For an old basement, where the damage area is large enough, it will be necessary to dismantle all the old finishes. For a surface with small flaws, only exfoliated and falling off places can be eliminated;
2. Small cracks and flaws on the surface are being eliminated. For this, a cement-sand mortar or plaster composition is used. Before grouting, the place of damage and the flaw itself are treated with a deep penetration primer;



The mixing of the plaster mortar is carried out in two approaches, after which it is completely ready for application.

3. If necessary, insulation, after the grout has dried, the expanded polystyrene is fixed to the surface of the basement. For this, building dowels with a plastic wide cap are used. Expanded polystyrene is mounted using the "butt-to-butt" method. After installation, the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe base is treated with a primer;
4. A reinforcing mesh is installed on the repaired plinth or heat-insulating layer. For this, steel strips of the required length are used. To reinforce the corners, you can use a steel corner. After installing the reinforcement, the base is once again treated with a primer;
5. Plaster beacons are being installed. For installation, the main plaster composition is used. When mounted on a heater, beacons can be installed at the locations of steel strips;



Alignment of linear guides and application of plaster mixture

6. The preparation of the plaster composition is in progress. To do this, use a power tool with a mixer nozzle. The application of the solution is carried out with slap-like movements up to a certain mass on the plane. Next, a metal rule is taken and the plaster mixture is leveled with light zigzag movements. After the excess mixture is removed and the process is repeated over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe base;
7. After 4-6 hours, provided that the application of a decorative layer is not planned, the plaster is grouted using a wooden trowel. When applying a decorative layer over a leveled surface, you should wait until the starting base is completely dry. At 18-20°C, this is approximately 5-7 days;



Finishing stage - moistening and grouting the plastered surface

8. The application of the decorative layer is carried out using a conventional spatula. The layer thickness varies depending on the composition and is indicated on the packaging. After stretching the mixture over the surface, you should wait for it to set. Further, with the help of a trowel, the composition is mashed;
9. At the final stage of finishing, the plaster layer is painted and primed. These actions can be carried out already after 24-48 hours after applying the composition. The full set of strength of the plastered surface is 25-28 days.

Finishing and imitation of a brick or natural stone is carried out at the stage of leveling the composition. So, on a still fresh surface, the rule is passed. Next, the seams are stitched with a small object 1-1.5 cm wide.

After the formation of the required number of seams, a coarse brush is passed over the surface. This will give the required invoice. The process is repeated over the entire area of ​​the basement. Facade paint is used as a finish.

The formation and imitation of masonry is carried out at a similar stage. To do this, the plaster mixture is applied in excess. Further, an arbitrary semicircular or flat shape of the stone is formed from it and the joints are jointed. As a top coat, to give certain shades, you can use paint for outdoor use.

In some residential buildings, the plinth is part of the foundation, while in others it rises above it. It distributes the load from the walls to the foundation and performs the functions of an external subfloor fence. And the decorative finish of the basement of a private house protects it and the entire lower part of the building from moisture, dirt and various mechanical influences. The choice of lining material should be approached as thoughtfully as possible.

The main purpose of finishing the basement is to protect the foundation and the lower part of the wall of the house from above from moisture. But the aesthetics of the appearance of the facade should not be forgotten either. When choosing a finishing material and cladding, it is often necessary to take care of only the first of these factors. But you want to get the decor not only durable and reliable, but also beautiful.

The basement of a private house can be:

• Speakers;

  flush with the wall;

  sinking.

Types of plinth: 1-Protruding, 2-Level, 3-Western

The most inconvenient option for cladding is flush with the wall. It is problematic to mount thermal insulation material and finish on such a foundation.

The most reliable and practical is the sinking base. It is best to design a house with him. It will last the longest. Above such a base, you don’t even have to equip an ebb to protect against rain, spending materials and money.

Types of materials for lining the plinth

There are a lot of materials for the exterior lining of the basement, which have different characteristics and appearance, in stores now.

According to the latter indicator, when choosing a finish, designers recommend focusing on the contrast between the basement and wall cladding. If the wall is smooth, then the texture base should be made embossed. And vice versa.

Natural stone finish

The first among all the options for facing the foundation and basement of a private house in terms of sophistication and environmental friendliness is natural stone. But it is also the most expensive finishing material. They sell it in the form of tiles from:

Sandstone;

Limestone;

The surface of the stone can be rough, matte or polished. For the installation of such a cladding, cement mortar is used. If a porous material is chosen for finishing, then before sticking to the plinth, the stone is coated on the inside with water-repellent compounds for waterproofing. Otherwise, moisture will penetrate into the pores and destroy the tile.

Among the minuses of this plinth cladding can be noted:

Increased labor intensity of work;

The high cost of consumables.

However, the facade trimmed with natural stone looks chic. It emphasizes the high status of the owner of a private house and reflects his impeccable taste.

The stone goes well with facade plaster

Wild stone calmly endures the effects of bad weather. After cladding, the foundation material has reliable protection against precipitation and frost. This finish is very durable. However, if any of the stones collapses, then for repair it will be necessary to tear off several glued side by side from the base at once.

It will be impossible to replace only one tile. And when choosing this finishing material in a store, you should be careful not to take stones from different batches. Even mined in the same quarry, they can vary slightly in shade. It is unlikely that anyone will like the facade of the house, at the base of which there is a patchwork cladding.

Moss on the stone of finishing the basement of the house should not be afraid and shy. Facing materials will definitely not be destroyed by them. It will only give the appearance of the building some chic and antiquity. The only trouble that can happen with such a basement finish is efflorescence. But it's really hard to fight them.

Clinker tiles

In second place in terms of price among the materials of the basement finish is clinker tiles. It is decorative, practical and quite expensive. She often performs not only the lining of the basement, but also the decoration of the walls or corners of the house.

Finishing the facade and foundation with clinker tiles of various colors

Externally, facade tiles for the foundation resemble clinker. But this brick is a rather expensive material. It will be cheaper for the plinth to take clinker tiles instead, which have a wide range of shades. No wonder architects love to use it for street decoration of cottages. Under its natural shades, there are no problems with tiles, cladding made of wood and other materials.

Installation of clinker tiles is carried out by means of a frame system along the base or directly on the surface of the foundation of the house by gluing with frost-resistant glue. The first option is more expensive, but allows you to lay heat-insulating material under the frame. If the basement is made warm, then you should definitely take a closer look at such a cladding with insulation for the basement of the house.

Decorative plaster

Finishing the basement, the underlying foundation and the walls of the cottage with decorative plaster is carried out only after preliminary preparation of the surfaces to be decorated. They are subject to thorough cleaning, leveling and coating with primers. And for internal reinforcement of this finish, a reinforcing fiberglass mesh is attached under it. If fiberglass is not used, then the plaster decor of the basement will quickly crack.

When properly mixed and applied, plaster on the street will last for several years. This material will be inexpensive, but facing the basement will take a lot of time. The solution often has to be laid in several layers. And paint or whitewash is still applied on top.

In terms of practicality, street decoration in the form of decorative plaster loses before other materials. But it allows you to paint the base with any color at least several times a year, thus updating the appearance of the house. Modern facade plaster is not afraid of precipitation and low temperatures. But without a water-repellent layer, such a finish will slowly begin to collapse.

Finishing with plastic panels

The easiest way to cover the plinth is with PVC panels. Externally, they can imitate a variety of materials. It is possible for any style in the exterior to find a plastic finish for the plinth under stone, wood or brickwork. It will not look so natural and beautiful, but it will cost many times cheaper than other analogues.

However, when choosing this material, one nuance must be taken into account. There are different types of plastic siding.

Those that are intended for facades on the house are not recommended for finishing the basement. They are thinner and less impact resistant. For the basement cladding, it is necessary to choose a more wear-resistant version of the PVC material.

Installation of siding panels on the plinth is carried out using guides. For docking among themselves, these trim elements have grooves and ridges along the edges. Installation is extremely simple. And if the panel gets damaged over time, then it will not be difficult to replace it. The maintainability of this type of cladding is excellent. Finishing material for partial replacement of the basement decor can be found quickly.

In many regions, such a finish is cheaper than plaster. Plus, the installation of siding is the simplest, in comparison with all other options for decorating the basement. Of the tools for cladding, you only need a screwdriver and scissors for cutting material. And in case of contamination, the plastic used to finish the plinth is easy to clean.

In the photo, the house is sheathed with siding, and the basement is covered with tile panels

What to choose for finishing the basement

Any material presented can be fixed to the foundation as a skin. Each has its own advantages. Finishing the basement with some is cheaper, while others are more beautiful and durable. Much when choosing depends on the financial capabilities of the owner of the cottage and his preferences. For frame buildings, siding is more suitable, and for brick or concrete, it is better to take clinker or natural stone tiles.

The main thing is that the decoration is in harmony with the decor of the rest of the facade. On the one hand, it should look different from what the wall is finished with. And on the other hand, to be an integral part of the overall appearance of the building.

See also the video about the lining of the basement with natural stone:

The plinth is a part of the foundation, which is located above ground level and prevents moisture and cold from entering the structure, protects the facade from various damage and pollution. Also, the basement is the supporting structure of the building of the entire structure, so it is under strong pressure.

Why is it necessary to finish the basement of the house

To protect the plinth from the negative influence of natural phenomena and various mechanical damage, it is necessary to pay attention to its decoration. Without finishing, it will not fulfill its main protective function. Since the plinth is integral with the facade of the building, it performs not only a protective, but also a decorative function.

Plinth cladding is an excellent decorative material. A building with an open basement looks unkempt and unfinished. Finishing will give the entire facade of the building a finished and attractive look. The whole appearance of the house will depend on how the basement is finished.

Thanks to modern finishing materials and building technologies, it is possible to ensure that the basement of the house will be protected and will not require major repairs for a long time.

Cladding materials

There are a lot of design options for the basement. 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 option 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 composition of the plaster may contain various dyes and additives, thanks to which the plaster acquires a decorative color and texture.

Therefore, a wide selection of colors of decorative plaster is on sale for 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 finish include the affordable cost of the material, since the ingredients are not expensive materials. The reliability and strength of the 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 irregularities of the basement. In addition, the plastered plinth is well tolerated by increased moisture, overdrying and other environmental influences. All these factors will not affect the structure of the coating. The disadvantages of plastering include an unattractive appearance and the need for additional coverage.

Also, a clear disadvantage of plaster is that it does not have any thermal insulation characteristics and does not insulate the surface in any way. In addition, the plaster is short-lived. Crack patching and painting required.

A natural stone

One of the practical and durable finishing materials. The most commonly used sandstone, small cobblestone, granite or marble. If the laying 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, the variety of colors and natural shades allows you to choose a finishing material for any color scheme at home. For cladding of this type, specially prepared stone slabs are used, which can have a different shape.

The disadvantages of such material include a rather high cost and a rather difficult installation process.

A plinth of this type will look impressive and expensive.

Fake diamond

It is an alternative replacement for natural, but less durable type of material. It has the same beautiful appearance, strength and reliability. Resistant to negative environmental phenomena and mechanical damage. However, it is much cheaper and facing works are carried out easier. In addition, thanks to fillers and special additives, artificial material can be of any shade.

Porcelain stoneware

This is an environmentally friendly material, which consists of clay, sand and mineral components. The material has wear resistance, high density and strength, and also has a pleasant appearance.

Using it as a plinth cladding will ensure a high level of fire safety of the building, since refractory clay is included in this material. In addition, porcelain stoneware has good thermal insulation properties.

Another important advantage of porcelain stoneware is its high resistance to moisture. The material is not afraid of continuous wetting and perfectly protects the building from the effects of water. This type of finish will not only protect, but also decorate the entire structure.

Clinker tiles

The raw material for clinker tiles is slate clay.

The plinth lined with clinker tiles will look expensive and beautiful. It will look like a brick wall. However, clinker tiles are lighter and thinner than bricks. Finishing the plinth with tiles will not only give an attractive look to the whole house, but will help protect against the effects of nature.

Laying tiles is quite simple. Tiled material is attached to the facade with a special moisture-resistant adhesive mortar, cement glue.

Available in various colors, it can be both smooth and textured. Fairly reasonable price. The disadvantages include a short service life. The winter period is especially negative, defects on the tiles can appear as a result of severe frosts.

Siding

Siding is a fairly inexpensive material, besides a quick and easy option for finishing exterior work. It has durability and high quality. The moisture resistance of the material also belongs to the advantages. 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 with temperature changes.

What type of plinth finish to choose?

All finishing materials for lining the basement have their advantages and disadvantages. When choosing a facing material, remember that when interacting with atmospheric precipitation, it must retain its durable and aesthetic qualities.

First of all, the material must be reliable in order to serve a long service life. In addition, frost-resistant - withstand the processes of freezing and thawing and at the same time not be covered with cracks. Water absorption is also an important indicator.

Do not forget that the texture of the basement of the building should 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, on personal preferences and financial capabilities.

Since a large selection of materials is available, this allows you to create exactly the right home decor that meets the personal preferences and intentions of the designer.

Plinth finishing technology

The technology for finishing the base will depend on the chosen finishing material. As a rule, finishing technology takes place in three stages: installation of the frame, laying insulation, fixing the finishing material.

Of course, one of the simplest finishing options is plastering. It is required to apply a layer of durable plaster to the surface of the plinth. You can do this work yourself.

The most difficult. For finishing works made of natural stone, you will have to invite specialists. You need to 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.

Facing with artificial stone is easier, since the material is light in weight and additional reinforcement of the base of the structure is not required. Therefore, the cladding process is greatly simplified, and the time for preparation and execution of work is reduced.

Properly executed basement cladding using good materials will provide the right microclimate inside the house and extend the life of the building.

Main stages

The whole process of lining the basement can be divided into the preparatory stage and the actual laying of the finish:

• Preparatory stage. Before installation, the plinth surface must be prepared for further finishing. To do this, the base must be cleaned of accumulated dust and dirt, the cracks and flaws that have appeared must be puttied, and the surface must be leveled.
• A waterproofing layer and the installation of a heat-insulating layer are required.
• Then you need to prime the surface of the base.
• When all the preparatory work is completed, you can proceed to the procedure for finishing the basement with facing materials. In most cases, an additional frame will be required to support the structure and give it strength.

• After completion of the finish, it should be coated with water-repellent protective impregnations to extend the service life.
• Finishing the basement of the house is desirable to carry out in the warm season, when the weather is dry and sunny.

usually protrudes above the ground. This part needs to be finished not only for aesthetic purposes, but also for practical purposes. We will look at six of the most popular options with detailed installation instructions.

The strip foundation is a concrete mix with metal or crushed stone and gravel filler. Firstly, such a surface looks unattractive, even if its edges are perfectly even. And they are rarely even - depending on what kind of formwork was used when pouring. Usually there are traces of shields and.

Based on this, we designate the tasks of finishing the basement:

• it must protect the surface of the fill from and, the scorching rays of the sun and winds;
• cladding hides not only all the flaws of the foundation, but also a layer;
• and finally, decorative cladding should match the general and decorate the building.

The basics of self-finishing the basement of a private house

Before talking about how to sheathe the basement of a house from the outside, let's dwell on the basics. First, the installation of the cladding can be dry and wet. In the first case, the material is attached to or directly to the concrete surface using fasteners. The second option requires the installation of battens and the use of building mixtures.

The second essential point is to take into account the climate of your region.

It is important that the plinth sheathing does not absorb water and does not let it through to the surface. Another nuance - the cladding should not lose its qualities under the influence of reagents that are used in winter.

Advice! Considering the operating conditions of the facing material, its choice must be approached with all responsibility, trusting trusted manufacturers who guarantee the quality and durability of the product.

Features of the choice and use of natural stone for lining the basement

The most respectable and expensive in decoration is natural stone. Construction professionals recommend not using loose rocks, such as shell rock and limestone, to decorate the basement. They will soon lose their presentable appearance.

For this purpose, dense frost-resistant material, preferably dark in color, is suitable.

Magmatic gabbro and granite are best suited in this regard.

Important! In finishing with natural stone, an important condition is reliable sealing of joints and seams. If marriage is allowed, moisture will seep behind the cladding and destroy the base.

Features of choosing natural stone for outdoor decoration

Natural stone must match in color and texture. But besides this, there are other requirements. If the stones themselves are very heavy, they need additional fasteners for a strong fixation. It is also important to know that silicate rocks (quartzite and sandstone) are incompatible with carbonate rocks (marble, limestone). Their chemical components react with each other. The result is gradual mutual destruction.

Master class on facing the basement with natural stone

Now let's see how the whole process looks in practice.

Illustration	Action Description
	A metal mesh must be fixed on the surface of the base. It will firmly fix the solution.
	Lay the broken plinth stones on the ground first in the order you will place them on the vertical surface. Natural stone does not have two identical parts, so you need to assemble the cladding, as you assemble a puzzle.
	The details that will be below and above need to be cut off so that there is a straight line. Use for this with a special stone-cutting wheel.
	To clad the basement with natural stone, prepare a solution of sand and. The consistency should be fairly thick. It is better to wet the stones before installation.
	To form gaps between stones, insert wooden or stone chopsticks. Start laying from the bottom up.
	After the stones are firmly fixed on the plinth, remove the chopsticks and fill the gaps with mortar.

The nuances of facing the plinth with artificial stone

Artificial stone will cost you much cheaper than natural. This feature attracts a lot of developers. In addition, the artificial material has the correct geometric shapes, and this greatly simplifies the laying. All you need to do is cut the tiles a little in the corners with a grinder.

Attractive variety of shades, shapes and textures:

Such a stone has less weight compared to natural, so less mortar is required. Modern artificial materials are not inferior to natural ones in moisture resistance and durability. Their only drawback is a slightly unnatural look. But now you can find collections that can only be distinguished by closer inspection.

How to choose an artificial stone for the plinth

Don't try to buy the cheapest stuff. As a rule, its quality leaves much to be desired. It is best to use stones cast in silicone molds, they most accurately imitate the natural texture. Before paying for the lot, study the colors of the stones: the paint should not overlap with other shades. The stones should not have holes or cracks, interspersed with foreign particles.

On the inside of the stones there should be grooves for adhesion to the mortar, and the edges should have clear contours for quality joints on the wall.

Advice! Take cladding collections that have corner stones. This will greatly simplify installation.

Video instruction for finishing the basement with artificial stone

The technology for decorating the facade with artificial stone is not much different from working with natural stone. But there are some nuances, and you can learn about them in this video - how to finish the basement of a house with your own hands:

What is the finish of the basement with plastic panels under the stone

Plastic is now quite able to compete with natural materials. Modern components make it strong and durable. This material quite successfully imitates natural stone, and the ease of installation allows even a beginner to decorate the facade.

Advice! When choosing plastic panels for outdoor use, give preference to well-known brands. Cheap goods quickly fade and crumble from temperature changes.

How to make a plinth lining around the house with your own hands from plastic plinth panels - in detail in this video:

Finishing the plinth with siding and its nuances

Siding can be made from vinyl, polyvinyl chloride or propylene. All three of these varieties are suitable for plinth decoration, as they are resistant to external influences and temperature changes. There is also metal siding on sale, but it is the least suitable, as it is not resistant to prolonged exposure to moisture.

How to finish the basement of the house with siding - in detail in this video tutorial:

The use of facing tiles for the basement of the house

If you have not yet decided how to decorate the basement of the house inexpensively and beautifully, pay attention to the facing tiles. Not all tiles are suitable for outdoor use. It should have a non-porous structure that does not absorb moisture. You can choose the color and shape of the material that best matches the design of the facade.

An interesting point: it is not necessary to decorate the plinth with thick tiles. A standard thickness is enough, and you do not have to additionally strengthen the base.

The only drawback of this design is that it is not possible to additionally insulate the foundation with mineral wool. But there are other options, which we will discuss below.

Note! For outdoor tile laying, the temperature during work is important, it should not be lower than minus five degrees. Do not be fooled by the advice to use winter mortars for masonry - the tile will quickly fall off.

In the photo, options for finishing the basement of a private house with tiles:

Finishing the basement of a private house with do-it-yourself tiles

If there is a need to additionally insulate the foundation, use this master class:

Illustration	Action Description
	Fix a solid insulation on the outside of the foundation, for example, penoplex.
	Install a metal mesh on the surface of the insulation. Fasten it firmly with special fasteners.
	Start laying with corner elements. Position them with the desired gap of at least 1 cm.
	After the corners, start fixing the rest of the elements. Make light vibrating movements when pressing the tile so that the solution penetrates through the cells of the grid.
	After the masonry has become, fill the seams with mortar and decorate with a jointing tool.

Cheap and cheerful: finishing the basement of a private house with a profiled sheet

Is there an answer to the question of how inexpensively to finish the basement of the house from the outside? For budget construction, profiled sheet is an indispensable material. It will reliably protect the foundation from moisture and temperature, and also hide