Features of facade thermal panels for exterior decoration of a house, types and installation process on the facade. Is it worth using facade thermal panels to decorate a house? Types and sizes of facade thermal panels

Article outline

Thermal panel is a layer of polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam with clinker tiles embedded in the structure of the material. Due to the rise in foreign exchange rates, we made a review of such Russian-made facade panels.

There are several options, which are divided according to three main parameters:

1. Material: expanded polystyrene, polyurethane foam, their combinations, extruded polystyrene foam.
2. Joint method: “tenon and groove”, joining of rectangular elements with smooth edges.
3. Cladding material: porcelain stoneware, concrete, ceramics, clinker tiles, etc.

Main manufacturers in Russia:

• "Facade Materials Workshop" (MFM), Moscow;
• FTP-Europa, Moscow;
• Termosit, Zheleznodorozhny;
• "Fride", Dedovsk;
• "Forska", St. Petersburg;
• UMB, Moscow;
• “Regent”, Pereslavl-Zalessky;
• "Ermak", Novosibirsk;
• "Plitprom", Skhodnya;
• "Foreland", Moscow.

Let's look at the characteristics of the most common products from the leaders of this market.

“Facade Materials Workshop” offers options with clinker tiles and artificial stone (the texture on the models is presented in the form of brick or stone). The thickness of the insulation is from 30 to 100 mm.

The company's assortment includes:

• “Classic” tiles, imitating the shape of brickwork;
• “German Collection” panels – a replica of clinker, popular in Germany;
• “Spanish Collection” panels – replicas of Spanish texture;
• “Stone Collection” tiles imitating natural stone masonry.

The manufacturing company, along with producing its own products, sells products from other factories. It positions itself as a manufacturer of high-quality panels, but models with clinker tiles are of German origin, and porcelain stoneware coatings are supplied from Europe. In fact, only the creation of an insulating layer on materials produced by third-party companies can be classified as domestic production.

The company's assortment includes panels with clinker tiles, with the use of porcelain tiles, plinth options and with an imitation of an aged surface. Expanded polystyrene and polyurethane foam are used as the inner layer.

Patents have been issued for the company's main products. The production carries out a full technological cycle, which is implemented on automatic lines. We have organized our own control service, which checks products according to a number of parameters - this guarantees that the consumer characteristics of the product will not be worse than those of the products of most European companies.

The company uses only natural materials (clinker tiles, stone, porcelain tiles, facade ceramics) for decorative finishing of panels. Product connections are “tongue and groove”. Insulation materials – polyurethane foam and polystyrene foam.

Like almost all Russian manufacturers, the company uses material purchased from enterprises in other countries as decorative finishing. In particular, clinker tiles are purchased from companies ABC, Stroher, Feldhaus, Interbau, Exagres. Insulation – polystyrene foam, neopor or polyurethane foam. The manufacturer offers budget panel options starting from 990 rubles. for 1 sq. m. Brick panels are currently available in six colors.

The Unique Multi Block company compares favorably with others with its own production of clinker tiles. The experience of producing material is more than 14 years, which indicates the systematic development of the enterprise. Insulation materials – polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene foam and their combinations. Panels are available in thicknesses of 60, 80 and 100 mm at prices starting from RUB 2,100. for 1 sq. m.

The company operates according to the following scheme: purchasing clinker tiles from leading European enterprises and creating panels based on polyurethane foam. The advantage of the manufacturer can be considered the developed in-house production and technologies that allow maintaining high quality of products throughout the entire service life.

8. "Ermak"

In the production of Ermak panels, laser cutting of materials is used, which makes it possible to achieve precise dimensions and good joints of the tongue-and-groove type. The company offers panels in individual sizes and in standard versions. Clinker tiles are supplied from manufacturers A. D. W., Stroher, Foshan Red Lion Ceramic Co. Insulation – extruded polystyrene foam.

9. "Plitprom"

The manufacturer Plitprom was one of the first to produce thermal panels on the Russian market. Uses high-precision European equipment, which guarantees a good connection of products during installation. Supplies facade panels with German brick-like clinker tiles in various colors and sizes (cost per square meter - from 1,200 rubles).

10. "Foreland"

The Florland company specializes in the production of panels and artificial stone. The panels are a composite system based on polyurethane foam with a decorative coating (artificial stone), which is manufactured at the enterprise. Currently, panels of four models are produced: “XVII century”, “Eurok”, “Utes”, “Elbrus”. The cost of products is from 2,500 rubles. for 1 sq. m.

Expanded polystyrene or polyurethane foam?

The assessment of a particular material is based on its technical characteristics, operating conditions and consumer opinions. The use of expanded polystyrene and polyurethane foam in panels under the same conditions gives us the opportunity to compare and obtain data for an objective conclusion.

Environmental Safety

Properties

Performance characteristics

Conclusion: all things being equal, polyurethane foam is the most acceptable option.

Decorative coating. Which one is better?

Manufacturers offer several options for finishing panels: porcelain stoneware, concrete, ceramics, clinker tiles, etc.

Today, many different construction technologies are appearing - some disappear almost immediately, not meeting the hopes of developers, and some take root and serve for quite a long time. And the point here is not at all about their effectiveness (although this is also important) - for a finishing or building material to be recognized among the people, it must have many advantages and surpass its analogues in many respects.

Unfortunately, this does not happen often, and in the modern market many innovations remain unclaimed or at least in little demand. Thermal panels for facades are no exception here, which, although they have shown themselves on the positive side, still do not have universal recognition - the reason for this is their exorbitant price, which forces the majority of people to turn their attention to more inexpensive and familiar technologies. We will talk about facade thermal panels in this article, analyze the material and compare it with other technologies for insulating and finishing the facade of a house.

Characteristics of facade thermal panels for exterior finishing

In fact, considering the technical characteristics of facade thermal panels for a home, we can clearly conclude that this material is useful and worthwhile in terms of finishing and insulating the facade. In many respects, it is, if not superior, then in no way inferior to other similar materials. For some reason it is surprising that it is not so widely recognized. See for yourself.

As you can see, everything is very serious, and technical indicators simply open the way for this material to people. But that’s not the case - the qualities described above are not enough for people. Required ease of installation, so that all the work can be done with your own hands, or, at a minimum, an inexpensive price for their installation. You also need an affordable price for the material itself, which is what thermal panels lack - in this regard, panels for the facade of a house have not managed to bypass foam plastic and other simple finishing and insulation technologies.

Facade thermal panels with tiles

The main advantages of insulating facades with thermal panels

In principle, we have already dealt with the main part of the advantages of this material above, and those who understood the properties of the material long ago realized what they would need to deal with. There's just not much left to add.

And, of course, a rather attractive appearance - these panels have a polymer-sand coating on the outside; it can be given almost any texture, including making it look like brick or natural stone. It is this polymer-sand layer of slabs that distinguishes them from other similar building materials, making it almost not subject to external influences.

Globally, all facade panels manufactured today can be divided into two large classes of materials made on the basis of polyurethane, and those materials where polystyrene is used as insulation. The differences between them are quite significant, and you need to be aware of them.

The only positive thing about this material is its price; unlike its counterpart made from polyurethane, it is 50 percent less.

If we consider other types of facade thermal panels, then we can also distinguish differences in the type of external decorative layer - there are polymer-sand and metal thermal panels. The latter appeared later, and their appearance was due to an attempt by manufacturers to reduce the price of the material. In fact, nothing good came of this, since an analogue of this material already exists, and it is called a sandwich panel.

Also, a sign by which thermal panels for the facade of a house are classified is their appearance - for example, there are clinker panels for the facade (or, in other words, brick-like), thermal panels for wood, stone and many other artificial and natural materials. We think you can sort out the problem of the appearance of the house yourself.

Thermal panels for facades: price issue

Today, thermal panels are offered by almost all companies that deal with facade finishing. They can be seen in almost any hardware store. Prices vary greatly depending on the manufacturer. Finnish, Dutch and German panels are the most expensive in price, costing up to 3000 rubles/sq.m. This can be partly explained by the fact that many of them are made with clinker coating.

Polish panels with prices in the range 1500-1800 rub./sq.m. And domestic ones, even with clinker cladding, cost around 900-1200 rubles/sq.m.

Features of installing thermal panels with your own hands

Like most other modern building materials, thermal panels can be installed in several ways - using a frame and directly on the wall. The best way to install this material is to install it on the wall surface, but this is not always possible - for example, if the walls have a significant deviation from the level, then it is advisable to install a frame. Let's take a closer look at these two options for installing thermal panels.

• Frameless installation option– as mentioned above, it is only possible with smooth wall surfaces. The point of this installation option is that the panel is simply nailed to the brick wall with dowels through the holes made by the manufacturer.
• Frame method it looks almost exactly the same, but the panels are screwed or nailed not to the brick, but to the supporting beams of the frame - the difference is small; apart from the ability to level the surfaces of the walls, the frame does not provide anything. You can even say so - with this installation option it will even do harm. Air will circulate in the space between the thermal panel and the wall, taking heat from the house - that is why, after attaching the first row of thermal panels, the space between the wall and the panel is sealed with construction foam.

In all other respects, finishing a brick house with facade panels is done in the same way as with any other building materials.

First, the base is installed - in this case, the panels go deep into the ground no less than 10-20 cm– the upper part of the base thermal panel must be sealed with construction foam. Then the ebbs are attached to the base, and only after this the first row of slabs is laid - everything must be done level and clearly, without any deviations.

As mentioned above, the first row of slabs is sealed with construction foam to prevent air circulation in the space between them and the brick - sealing is required both for frame installation and in the case of frameless installation. And then follow the pattern - the second row is laid behind the first row, after the third, and so on until the end.

Much attention must be paid to the slopes - they are installed as standard using a corner element, thanks to which all corners are mounted. There are internal and external corner parts. But that’s not the point - before attaching thermal panels to slopes, they must first be insulated. Otherwise, there are no difficulties during installation - sometimes you even wonder why builders charge so much money if we are talking about, so to speak, assembling an ordinary construction set.

By and large, that’s all, and there is almost nothing to add about facade thermal panels for the exterior decoration of a house - just mention once again that the panels are assembled according to the principle of children’s puzzles. One plate is inserted from the side under the other, then fixed to the sheathing or wall.

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Insulated panels for facades are a convenient and attractive option for finishing buildings. Such materials have a lot of advantages, but in order for the result of their installation to meet expectations, it is necessary to take into account the existing disadvantages.

The main function of clinker thermal panels is to insulate walls, but they also act as an effective decoration for the facade

Characteristics of facade panels for exterior finishing

Among the important technical characteristics of thermal panels for facades, it is worth noting the following:

• Low hygroscopicity;
• Low thermal conductivity;
• Additional sound insulation - this type of cladding is sealed;
• Good adhesion;
• Does not emit toxic substances;
• Frost resistance;
• Non-flammable;
• Resistance to biological influences - resists the appearance of microorganisms, rodents and mold;
• Chemical resistance;

Due to their size, thermal panels form fewer joint seams than conventional insulation boards, therefore minimizing cold bridges

Advantages and disadvantages

Pros:

• Among the options for thermal insulation of buildings, thermal panels are the most environmentally friendly.
• There are no restrictions on the use of such material for facade work. It can be mounted on any surface in several ways - the facade can be made of blocks, gas blocks, brick, panels, wood, both with and without plaster. Their low weight does not put a load on the wall, so they can be used to insulate old buildings.
• The geometry of the facade can also be any; in extreme cases, you can use lathing to level the surface.
• Installation work can be carried out regardless of the time of year and weather conditions, including winter.
• Multilayer plates provide thermal insulation, decoration, and are therefore multinational.
• A wide range of texture and color choices for a wide variety of exterior design options.
• Reducing the thermal conductivity of walls allows you to save on heating the building - savings reach 40%.
• Prompt installation allows you to minimize costs for workers’ salaries, scaffolding rental and other related costs.
• The service life of such finishing reaches 50 years, some manufacturers provide a guarantee of 100 years.
• High-quality plates retain their decorative and thermal insulation properties throughout their entire service life.
• Thermal panels resist the formation of mold, mildew, and various microorganisms.
• High-precision connection of the edges of the panels eliminates the occurrence of cold bridges and at the same time the dew point goes beyond the volume of the insulation.

Minuses:

• Thermal panels do not impose any special requirements on the walls, but the façade must be fairly smooth.
• The costs for such finishing are quite high, corner elements are especially expensive.
• The use of low-quality material eliminates most of the positive aspects of this material.

Composition of wall panels: do they need additional insulation?

This facing material consists of several layers

• Insulation;
• Adhesive based;
• A decorative coating that simultaneously performs a protective function.

The actual result of installing such plates is similar to insulation using foam plastic, which will require both insulation and a mesh for plaster and decorative finishing. In general, ready-made plates are even more economical, so they are ideal for finishing the facades of private houses.

Thermal panels consist of insulation and an external protective and decorative layer

Panel production

The production process of thermal plates directly depends on the insulation used. Polyurethane foam plates are prepared as follows:

• The aluminum mold is treated with a special compound to increase adhesion.
• Clinker tiles are laid in special grooves.
• Next, a thin layer of quartz sand is laid, you can use fine marble chips, which will protect the polyurethane foam from ultraviolet radiation.
• Foamed polyurethane foam is fed into a closed mold under pressure - the mass hardens within 1 minute.
• The finished panel is sent to the finishing area for adjustment of geometric parameters.

Ready-made insulated facade panels

Types of panels for cladding

Thermal panels for the facade of a house vary in the number of layers and materials used.

Kinds

The following can be used as a decorative coating:

Clinker tiles - this option has good decorative properties and is very convenient in terms of creating various facade design options. In such tiles, the supporting layer is made of OSB, so that the material has the necessary rigidity. It is not suitable for finishing the base; it is better to use finishing material with reinforcement - these can be bushings made of various materials, for example, plastic or metal.

1. Decorative finishing on expanded polystyrene - in this case, quartz or marble chips are added to the mass, which allows you to achieve high decorativeness and a large coverage area without seams.
2. Metal coating - this option is the most reliable and durable, since the insulation on both sides is protected by a profiled or aluminum sheet. At the same time, the decor allows you to imitate any material, be it stone or wood. This option, among its advantages, has a significant drawback inherent in any metal products - it is heavy. Therefore, it is not recommended to install such slabs on a wall with low load-bearing capacity, for example, in old buildings without additional reinforcement.



Textured concrete is another option that allows you to imitate various surfaces. Coupled with an insulating layer of foam, minimum costs are ensured. Additional painting of such a surface makes it possible to provide the finishing with the necessary appearance, for example, imitation marble. Due to appropriate additives, the strengthening or water-repellent properties of the finish are high.

Review of manufacturers

The list of popular manufacturers includes both domestic and foreign companies:

• “Facade Materials Workshop”, UMB, FTP-Europa, “Foreland”, Moscow;
• "Forska", St. Petersburg;
• "Ermak", Novosibirsk;
• Termosit, Zheleznodorozhny;
• “Regent”, Pereslavl-Zalessky;
• "Fride", Dedovsk;
• "Plitprom", Skhodnya;
• KamphaTherm, Germany.

Facade thermal panel Termozit

How to choose?

The selection of thermal panels is carried out according to certain criteria. We decide on the type of insulation from which multilayer plates are produced:

1. Expanded polystyrene (PSB) - expanded polystyrene panels provide low cost, but production should only be in factory conditions. This guarantees compliance with the linear dimensions of the thermal panels. Otherwise, problems may arise during installation, and the low quality of the PBS will also not allow you to obtain the expected result in energy saving.
2. Extruded polystyrene foam (EPS) - is characterized by chemical resistance and durability, resistance to high temperatures. But such material does not allow steam to pass through.
3. Polyurethane foam (PPU) - thermal panels on polyurethane foam must also be factory-made. In this case, they will be inexpensive, strong and durable. Handicraft products are characterized by discrepancies in linear dimensions, which in the future threatens the appearance of cracks and problems during installation.

The structure of a thermal panel on polyurethane foam

DIY installation technology

When finishing a building with thermal panels, it is necessary to strictly follow all stages of the technical process.

Calculations

When purchasing materials, we take into account the area of ​​the facade, as well as the consumption rates of fasteners for installation work. If the panels are attached to the sheathing, you need to purchase wood/metal screws 12 cm long.

Tools

No special equipment is required for installation—all you need is the materials, a hammer, and an electric drill. Fastening can be done using foam glue.

To work, you will need to purchase thermal panels themselves - their area must correspond to the area of ​​the facade minus window and door openings. Since the plates are sold by the square meter, the quantity purchased must exceed the estimated quantity, taking into account trimming. You will also have to purchase additional corner elements so that the building has a neat appearance. The number of such elements is determined by the length of the façade corners and openings.

Preparatory work

The wall for cladding with panels must be flat

1. Preparing the façade for installation involves measuring its evenness. Height differences of no more than 3 centimeters are allowed. If there are more irregularities, then it is necessary to make a sheathing from wood or steel. If the facade is flat, then the panels are attached directly to the wall.
2. The wall itself must be dry and clean; if necessary, all cracks and depressions must be repaired.
3. If we are talking about wooden walls, then an additional layer of waterproofing should be provided.
4. Old masonry should be cleaned of efflorescence, covered with a water repellent, and then layers of plaster should be applied.

Installation of thermal insulation panels

Before proceeding with the installation of facade finishing, you need to decide on the type of fastening:

On the wall

We begin installation from the lower left corner of the building. First you need to install the starting strip - it is to it that the first row of panels is attached. They are fixed with self-tapping screws directly to the wall. When installing the second row of plates, we connect it to the first row using a tongue-and-groove system and securing the elements in the same way. The design will be strong if the plates start with polyurethane foam. All seams must be sealed with frost-resistant foam.

On the sheathing

Installation of thermal panels on the lathing of a wooden house

The lathing is made of metal guides or wooden beams treated with fire retardants. When installing, use a step of no more than 45 cm. Each panel should have 3 vertical bars. Next, the installation is carried out in a similar way - from bottom to top and from left to right - the plates are attached to the sheathing with mortars.

You can do all the installation work yourself - the technical process is not difficult. But it is necessary to purchase high-quality finishing materials and carry out all stages of the process exactly. Only in this case can you count not only on the aesthetic appearance of the building, but also on good heat and sound insulation properties and a long service life.

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Thermal panel is exactly the case when “beautiful” and “necessary” are combined. This is another solution for energy-efficient houses, as well as for those whose budget does not include overpayments for electricity, since the thermal panel provides excellent thermal insulation and such thermal panels with tiles give the facade a rather respectable appearance.

They consist of the actual insulating layer, which is polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam, the composition of which is more than 90% air, and artificial stone, clinker, porcelain stoneware, and glazed ceramics are used as a decorative layer.

Recently, polyurethane foam, due to its higher performance, has been used more often than polystyrene foam. Although polystyrene foam is very popular in the USA, Canada and Western European countries. It is completely safe for human health, since even food packaging is made from it.

It also does not create a favorable environment for the life of fungi and microorganisms, since moisture does not penetrate there. It does not have a pungent odor. Moreover, it is strong and durable. As a result of experiments, it was found that the period of its complete destruction is 250 years.

Facade thermal panels have many design options, and are increasingly used in home decoration. Their variety is so great that you can choose whatever your heart desires, taking into account the tastes of even the most capricious client. Natural shades and textures allow the house to harmoniously fit into any surrounding landscape.

Manufacturers

Today, construction stores offer products from different manufacturers and brands:

1. A.D.W. Klinker,
2. Stroeher,
3. Feldhaus,
4. Ceramika Paradyz,
5. Grasaro,
6. "EUROPE",
7. "ISOSIDING"
8. TERMOSIT,
9. "Regent".

Advantages of facade thermal panels

1. this is one of the most environmentally friendly solutions for thermal insulation;
2. there are no restrictions for their use in facade work, no matter what kind of house we are talking about. They can be mounted on any surface and in several ways on concrete, expanded clay concrete, classic brick, plastered or unplastered facades, walls of block houses, aerated concrete, wood or even adobe (unbaked raw brick made from clay and any fibrous materials). This gives thermal panels clear advantages when it comes to insulating old buildings. Thermal panels are not afraid of even broken façade geometry. In this case, a lathing is used, by adjusting which the surface is leveled;



3. complete independence of installation work from the time of year and weather conditions, so this work can be carried out even in winter, if you did not have time to do it in advance;
4. due to the fact that the thermal panel has an aesthetic function and a heat saving function, it can be safely called a multifunctional material;
5. the choice of color and texture of thermal panels is simply huge, so any bold project of a designer-architect will be feasible;
6. The thermal panel will allow you to save a lot on heating costs. The effectiveness is confirmed by very real figures, which on average show savings of 40%;



7. The use of thermal panels significantly reduces installation time. And the total time spent on construction work and, as a consequence, the cost directly depend on this. As you know, the customer bears the costs not only for construction materials and labor costs, but also for the rental of scaffolding for facade work, payment for freight transport and a crane if loading and unloading work is required, and so on. Installation of thermal panels does not require high professional training from the employee, but this is also a considerable expense item, and here you can save a lot of money. We can say that it is possible to install thermal panels even on your own if you have an electric drill, a screwdriver, a hammer and a lot of desire. Before starting installation, you need to make sure that all walls are level. You can attach façade thermal panels using glue, polystyrene foam or dowels. You can obtain more detailed information from specialists, store sellers, or by reading the detailed instructions;


8. thermal panels are half the price of brickwork, so simple calculations will show the percentage of your savings when organizing thermal insulation;



9. façade thermal panels eliminate the need to repair façade walls once every two years (or maybe more often) in the case of foam insulation, since depending on the location of the house you may encounter some troubles, such as soil vibrations, etc. And even in the case of unprofessional work or low-quality materials, the insulating layer may crack at the joints. This will require painstaking repairs with painting, which does not happen with thermal panels;
10. the material is durable. According to numerous tests, the manufacturer confidently states that the service life of thermal panels is quite high. The minimum is 50 years, although for example the ABC-Klinkergruppe Concern gives a 100-year guarantee not only for strength, but also for color preservation. It is worth emphasizing that it is the unsurpassed color fastness that can be called the calling card of thermal panels. Also, its long service life is influenced by the fact that the external coating contains no lime and salts. This eliminates the formation of so-called efflorescence;



11. the material is resistant to rotting, the formation of all types of mold fungi and the maintenance of microorganisms;
12. there is no need for a long and painstaking selection of shades, as is the case with batches of bricks when doing brickwork;
13. thermal panels are a diffusion open and durable material. The connection of thermal panels is highly precise, minimizing any installation defects, so cold bridges never form in them, and the dew point is always located within the volume of the insulation. This makes it possible to avoid creating ventilation gaps on the rear side of the facade. Such a reliable fastening is not afraid of even slanting rain.


14. the lightness of the material completely eliminates the need for additional strengthening of the foundation. This can be very relevant when it comes to the reconstruction of old buildings, since it is not possible to carry out work on the existing foundation. This is a self-supporting system, eliminating the presence of a load from above. The weight of the thermal panel is 10 times lighter than classic brickwork and is only 15 kg per 1 m2.

Disadvantages of thermal panels

1. the need to prepare the surface, namely, leveling it, which in some cases can take a lot of time, since it can be a labor-intensive process;
2. despite the fact that this material is classified as a “2 in 1”, however, according to consumer reviews, the use of thermal panels is not a budget option. The price of corner elements is especially high;
3. Also, the disadvantage will be the use of low-quality material.

Mounting method

Facade thermal panels with tiles are produced in different sizes and structures. They can also be found both with and without insulation.

Therefore, there are several ways to attach them:

1. with insulation can be mounted directly on the wall using impact dowels;
2. and without insulation it can be mounted in different ways:
1. first glue insulation (for example, polystyrene foam) to the walls, and then attach thermal panels using impact dowels;
2. First, a wooden beam is nailed to the wall, and then insulation is placed between it and the wall. Then the thermal panel is attached to the beam using screws.

The last mounting method is suitable for uneven walls.

The variety of shapes and color solutions for facade thermal panels can even be confusing at first, because a large selection, as a rule, causes a lot of deliberation. Among such a wide range you can always find something suitable. Facade thermal panels look more than aesthetically pleasing, as well as monolithic and neat.

Facade thermal panels can have a decorative layer in the form of smooth, textured, and even aged tiles. The latter, in turn, has a very presentable and unusual appearance. It qualitatively imitates old brickwork, which can often be found in Holland, the western part of Germany, and in some other European countries. It must be said right away that thermal plates with such tiles are not cheap, but the exclusive appearance is worth it. Wealthy people usually make this choice for their homes.

Now about the most popular types of thermal panels

Clinker thermal panels

This is the name for panels where clinker tiles are used as a decorative layer. In terms of resistance to environmental influences, clinker is superior even to some types of natural stone. It has an almost flawless appearance and many natural color options. The raw material for it is shale clay, which is mined today in Northwestern Europe. Therefore, clinker is a 100% natural material, produced without the use of chemical additives by high-temperature firing.

Unlike some types of natural stone, which can be compared to clinker in strength, it does not “phonite”. Its strength grade is M 800, and its water absorption rate is quite low - only 2-3% by weight. Thanks to this, we can say about clinker that it is highly frost-resistant and is able to maintain its characteristics for more than 300 cycles.

In addition to their thermal insulation and aesthetic functions, clinker thermal panels also act as a sound insulator and as additional waterproofing.

They are used today not only as insulation and facade decoration, but also for interior work. They are also used for finishing fountains, swimming pools and other large and small containers where water should be located.

Clinker has a very noble appearance, by which many can easily distinguish it. Such a beautiful external effect and characteristics are obtained using special production technology.

Installation of clinker facade panels can be carried out at any time of the year.

Thermal panels with porcelain tiles

Porcelain tiles are another type of ceramic tile produced from quality raw materials through the use of new technologies that expose them to high firing temperatures and pressure. The result is a material that is compressed so much that it is not afraid of any environmental influences. According to these indicators, it is superior to natural stone.

This is another type of thermal panels that is very popular, especially for finishing low-rise buildings. This method was very popular back in the 60s. last century. And since then, glazed tile coating has proven itself to be excellent. Glazed tiles have a smooth surface and uneven color, which gives the facade a noble appearance, imitating brickwork.

Excellent appearance, ease of installation, excellent characteristics and a minimum of disadvantages have ensured that thermal panels have become increasingly popular.

Without going into numbers, we will make a comparative review of the fundamental differences in the production of thermal panels themselves and dwell on what distinguishes this facade system from others popular on the construction market today. Thermal panels are a ready-made facade that can be used both for newly constructed buildings and for buildings that have been in use for a long time, the appearance of which would be significantly improved plus a significant bonus in the form of additional insulation.

Thermal panels have different design features, ranging from the materials they are made of to installation methods. Let's determine what types of thermal panels there are. According to the materials of the facing layer:

• metal coated with polymer paint;
• foil-coated aluminum coated with polymer paint;
• decorative concrete;
• porcelain stoneware;
• clinker;
• plastics.

For the main layer (it is also the insulation): - expanded polystyrene (PPS); - extruded polystyrene foam (EPS); - polyurethane foam (PPU).

These types of materials are the main ones in the use of thermal panels. There are manufacturers who are experimenting with other types of materials for the production of thermal panels, but since they are not widely used, we will not consider them. Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of the materials under consideration in more detail. The facing layer plays not only a decorative role, but is also a protective layer from the external aggressive environment in the form of precipitation, temperature changes and exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and ensures the removal of moisture from the structure to the outside. All of the listed materials for the facing layer can be divided into 2 subgroups:

• Having the ability to remove moisture outside (decorative concrete, porcelain stoneware, clinker);
• And not hydrophobic (metal, aluminum, plastic).

  All materials provide equally good weather protection, but with ultraviolet radiation it’s not so simple. Materials that have a natural inorganic base do not fade for a very long time, a hundred years or more, and retain their original appearance. These include all ceramics: clinker, porcelain stoneware. Decorative concrete has a somewhat shorter fading time, but since it contains inorganic iron oxide pigments, its decorative properties have a fairly long lifespan - 50 years or more. Metal siding, metal profile, basement and vinyl siding have a polymer coating that retains its decorative appearance for up to 10 years. Another important characteristic of the facing layer is mechanical strength to external influences. All polymer-coated materials are seriously vulnerable in this regard. Monolithic ones have an advantage, because if chips or scratches appear, their appearance is not affected.

  The main layer does not have many varieties, but plays a very significant role, since it is responsible for the structural rigidity of the panel itself, thermal characteristics, hygroscopicity, water absorption, flammability, toxicity, and service life. There are heated debates about these materials on Internet sites. Producers and consumers argue. We will also make our contribution, based on practical experience (more than 10 years) of using these materials in the production of our thermal panels.

  The first material we used was polystyrene foam. Its main advantage is its very low cost. The shortcomings turned out to be much greater. When increasing the density of EPS to ensure the structural rigidity of the thermal panel and adding fire retardants to reduce the crazy flammability of the material, its main advantage is lost - price. The thermal characteristics of PPS are worthy of respect, however, the diffusion of water vapor is difficult, since PPS granules are completely sealed. Moisture concentrates in cavities, which causes the appearance of fungi and destruction of the base itself. That is, we can say that the material does not have breathable characteristics. After several years of operation of thermal panels with EPS, such negatives as shrinkage and the appearance of cracks in joints begin to appear, due to the fact that at temperatures of 40 degrees and above, styrene actively evaporates from EPS. Extruded polystyrene has the same feature. The difference between EPPS and PPS is only in its closed structure. It does not allow moisture and water vapor to pass through, i.e. you can forget about its breathable characteristics.

  Another problem is attaching the front layer to the base. There are two options here: gluing the tiles to the PPS and using tiles with a dovetail design. Both options have disadvantages: when using glue, vapor transparency disappears, the dovetail does not provide a strong connection and the weight of the entire panel increases, since the tile is twice as thick.

  When polyurethane foam is poured directly onto the facing layer, due to the high adhesion of polyurethane foam, the solidity of the structure and maximum tear resistance are achieved. Also, polyurethane foam has water vapor diffusion identical to wood, which allows moisture to be removed from the wall structure. The polyurethane foam itself has very good vapor resistance, which allows it to be used even in frame buildings. Polyurethane foam, although it belongs to the group of flammable materials, is a difficult to combustible and self-extinguishing material. With the correct installation of thermal panels, eliminating air convection, it became possible to use thermal panels on wooden buildings. The positive characteristics of the design of thermal panels made of polyurethane foam include maximum thermal resistance, the best of all existing insulation materials. The high service life of polyurethane foam is limited by its exposure to ultraviolet radiation, but since it is located in the wall structure and covered with a facing layer, we are able to operate the façade system the same for the entire service life of the building. The ecology also turned out to be at its best: the material is an irreversible polymer and exposure to temperatures up to +160 degrees does not cause the release of volatile elements from PU foam.

  For a façade system, the following parameters are fundamental: breathability (moisture removal to the outside), reliable operation, weather resistance, and ease of installation. We were able to obtain the optimal combination of these parameters by using polyurethane foam as a base in the production of thermal panels, and clinker, porcelain stoneware, and decorative concrete as the facing layer.

  The design of the panel, its geometry, and the method of joining are an important distinguishing feature of thermal panels from various manufacturers. Design features (the tongue-and-groove method of joining panels) allow assembly in a simple sequence without additional manipulations with glue or plane alignment (no steps between panels). So be careful when choosing a manufacturer, because the facing layer may be the same for all manufacturers, but the design of the panel determines the seriousness of the manufacturer. Pay special attention to the design of thermal panels! The facing layer, even if it is very beautiful, will not play a role if your building is spoiled by uneven joints!

  In conclusion, one more feature of thermal panels should be noted: the solidity of the entire wall structure, due to the installation method. Thermal panels are mounted without an air gap, without the use of subsystems, directly on the wall itself. This ensures the structural rigidity of the thermal panel due to the main wall. Due to the properties of polyurethane foam and the facing layer, moisture is removed into the atmosphere. This is a distinctive feature from other systems, such as vinyl siding, basement siding, metal siding and other materials that prevent moisture from passing through the entire wall structure. In this case, it is necessary to arrange a subsystem and a ventilated gap to remove moisture into the atmosphere.

  What prospects are there for the development of such a relatively new facade system - “thermal panels”? Whether there is a resource for improvement, time will tell, but today it is clear that such facades confidently take their place among such “classics” of monolithic walls as brickwork and facade plaster, changing the fashion for temporary ventilated facades among developers.