7 tips for choosing a metal siding

What should be considered when choosing a material for facing a house? First of all, these are operational properties and appearance. Metal siding is perfectly balanced in these parameters, and in addition has many other advantages. It is a steel panel coated with a layer of polymer that can imitate timber, stone and other materials, and the color scheme is quite wide. On sale you can find material with different coatings and with different parameters. So how to choose a metal siding, and which manufacturers should you pay attention to?

No. 1. What are the main properties of metal siding?

Metal siding is very popular due to numerous benefits:

• strength and durability. For a very long time, the material retains its original appearance, so it does not need regular repairs. Depending on the type of coating, siding will last from 20 to 50 years;
• rainfall resistance, ultraviolet rays and temperature extremes;
• fire safety, because the material does not support combustion;
• moisture resistance and the appearance of corrosion, which is achieved due to the protective coating;
• possibility of installation on facadesmade of any materials;
• attractive appearance;
• relative ease of installation and ease of care.

Among the disadvantages a higher price can be allocated than, for example, vinyl sidingbut the buyer receives more durable and durable material. Moreover, the weight of sheets of metal siding is also worth considering, so it is important to perform calculations in advance and understand whether the building can support such additional weight. A similar calculation should be carried out for only newly built houses and for long-running.

No. 2. Where can I use metal siding?

The properties of the material made it popular in different directions. Today metal siding mainly used in the following areas:

• cladding of residential buildings, including country houses and cottages;
• cladding of public buildings, including offices, cafes, shops;
• facing of balconies;
• arrangement of building facades, where resistance to fire and the effects of aggressive substances comes first;
• the erection of walls during the rapid construction of garages and warehouses.

No. 3. What parameters should a metal siding have?

On sale at the moment you can find metal siding, very different in parameters. This is due to the presence on the market of materials from different manufacturers and attempts to make siding more universal and equally easy to use for different purposes.

Length the sheet ranges from 50 cm to 6 m. Naturally, if it is necessary to clad the balcony, then there is no point in acquiring 6-meter sheets - they are useful to those wishing to equip the facade of a country house. Width often 22.5 cm, but thickness fluctuates ranging from 0.35 to 0.65 mm, although some manufacturers produce sheets up to 4 mm thick. Profile height averages 14 mm.

Number 4. Which outer coating is better?

The steel layer is coated on top and bottom with several layers of protective materials, including zinc, primer and phosphate. The outer coating is different, gives the material different properties and affects the price.

Currently the most popular these types of coatings:

• polyurethane. Siding with such a coating is excellent for southern areas, as it has high strength and resistance to high temperatures;
• pural provides durability at the level of 30 years, tolerates high temperatures, mechanical damage and perfectly resists corrosion. Such excellent performance is ensured by the addition of polyamide to polyurethane;
• plastisol provides the material with a durability of more than 30 years, high resistance to mechanical damage and increased corrosion resistance;
• polyester. Siding with such a coating is cheaper than analogs, has the widest color gamut, pleases with excellent color fastness, can be used at high temperatures, but it can’t boast of record durability and resistance to mechanical damage. It will last about 20 years;
• matt polyester It has almost the same properties as its glossy counterpart, but still slightly surpasses it in durability, weather resistance and corrosion resistance. A matte surface is an additional advantage, since the facade will look more expensive and stylish;
• polyvinylidene fluoride provides siding durability for more than 50 years, resistance to high temperatures, mechanical damage, corrosion and precipitation.

No. 5. The appearance of metal siding

There are a lot of color options for metal siding, there are about a hundred of basic shades, and many manufacturers offer their own unique colors, thus expanding the decorative capabilities of the material. Choosing the right shade for the facade of your house will not be difficult. Moreover, during operation, the color almost does not fade, providing the house with an attractive look for many years.

Externally, sheets of metal siding can be flat, more often single or double herringbone siding is used, siding under a ship beam, a log, as well as siding completely simulating the surface of a tree or stone. In the collections of manufacturers you can find very high-quality imitations of different types of wood and different types of stone.

No. 6. What else to consider when choosing?

When buying metal siding, it is also important to pay attention to the following points:

• better to acquire material with a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, such a siding will last longer and be more durable;
• coverage must be holistic, because any crack will lead to the rapid spread of corrosion;
• geometry disturbances type of waves and distortions should not beotherwise, the installation of such a siding will become very complicated or impossible at all;
• locks, with which, the sheets are fastened together, must be securely connected. It is easy to check before buying;
• manufacturer name plays an important role, since a self-respecting company that values ​​its name and reputation, which has been developing for years, will not produce low-quality goods.

Number 7. The best manufacturers of metal siding

TOP 5 world manufacturers of metal siding

Ruukki

This is a Finnish company founded more than 50 years ago. First specialized in manufacturing metal tiles, and then became a real leader in the production of building materials from metal. The company's products are in great demand in dozens of countries, and the production of metal siding today occupies a key place. In the extensive collections you can find material of any color and relief. As a coating, pural, matte pural, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyester and matte polyester are used.

Alcoa

The American company, which produces aluminum-based siding, is a leader in its field. The material has a low weight and excellent performance. In the assortment there is a siding of a huge number of shades, it is widely represented in the domestic market, received a lot of positive reviews, so it will serve faithfully for many years, becoming a real decoration of your home.

Corus group

One of the largest manufacturers of metal siding. The company was founded in 1999 as a result of the merger of British company British Steel and Norwegian Royal Hoogovens NV. Production is carried out in Britain and the Netherlands, here they produce steel for shipbuilding, the automotive industry, and also manufacture metal tiles and metal siding. The latter is produced taking into account the most stringent international standards using modern equipment. As a result, more than 50 different shades of material are obtained, resistant to external influences and durable.

Flexospan

This American company has been present on the market since 1969, today it has grown from small production into a real leader who offers a huge range of metal products. The assortment of metal siding is huge and continues to expand every year as a reaction to consumer demand; it is not yet very extensively represented on the domestic market.

Gentek building products

Canadian company, which is well known to domestic consumers as a manufacturer of vinyl siding. The assortment also includes siding made on the basis of steel and aluminum. Products are sold in 140 countries and are in growing demand due to the fact that the production is subject to strict control taking into account the most stringent standards.

TOP 5 Russian manufacturers of metal siding

Grand line

Under the trademark Grand Line, metal siding is offered by the Metalist production association. The company has existed for over 40 years, it specializes in the production of metal structures, and recently it has established itself as a leader in the domestic metal siding market. The company offers the material in different sizes and in more than 50 shades. There is even a whole series with enhanced dirt-repellent properties. Prices are much lower than those of foreign manufacturers, and the quality is at a level that makes the company's products widely popular.

Lipetsk Roll Forming Equipment Plant

The company was founded in 2003, using modern equipment and high-quality domestic raw materials, which are supplied from the nearby Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant. This allows you to save on transportation costs, which affects the price of products. The metal siding of the company meets all international requirements.

SeverStal

The company was formed in 1993 on the site of the Cherepovets Metallurgical Plant. Today it has become a leader in the production of metal products, among other things, it also produces metal siding. It pleases with high quality and reasonable price, and a combination of these two qualities and provide the company's products with wide popularity and popular love.

Holding "INSI"

The company appeared in 1992 and specialized in the production of facade and roofing materials. Now the production consists of 12 different companies and production sites that produce various types of products. Moreover, the holding structure has a research laboratory where materials with improved properties are developed. The metal siding of the company is presented in a mass of different shades, perfectly imitates the structure of a tree and has excellent performance properties.

OMI

Products under the OMI trademark appeared on the domestic market in 2001. The manufacturer began its activity with the production of metal tiles, and today its range is very wide and includes metal siding.The company uses modern equipment, works according to international standards, produces several different types of siding in a wide palette of colors.