How to sheathe a house from a foam block. Foam block houses: how interior decoration is done

The interior decoration of the house from foam blocks has certain features, and some nuances should be taken into account when implementing it. How the interior decoration of the house from foam blocks is carried out, the photo clearly shows, and there are a lot of options for such an operation. In general, foam blocks are currently competing with bricks and other building materials, causing increased popularity. A phased interior decoration of a foam block house illustrates a video that will help you do all the work yourself.

Foam blocks have properties that distinguish them from other building materials. First of all, they have a porous structure, which provides increased heat resistance and low specific gravity. At the same time, moisture or steam, penetrating into the air pores, accumulates in them and significantly worsens the basic characteristics of the material.

With this in mind, foam blocks, unlike bricks, require double-sided moisture and vapor protection. In other words, regardless of the external wall cladding, foam blocks require waterproofing and vapor barrier for interior decoration as well.

The blocks are quite large in size, which gives great advantages in construction. At the same time, this feature very strongly manifests any masonry defects: the slightest distortion when laying the block creates significant irregularities on the wall surface, which must be smoothed out during interior arrangement. In addition, special adhesive compositions are used during masonry, as a result of which not every finishing solution has good adhesion with it, which must be taken into account when interior decoration.

Finally, when ov it is necessary to take into account technological nuances. Wet finishing processes cause moisture to penetrate inside the blocks, which then remains there. This raises an important requirement for the work: when applying the coating, it is necessary to minimize the ingress of water into the material.

This is achieved by the following conditions: work associated with wet solutions is carried out in the warm season and with complete drying of surface moisture; requires the use of special primer mixtures for foamed concrete, creating a barrier layer to a depth of 3-4 mm.

How to plaster

Do-it-yourself interior decoration of a house made of foam blocks almost always includes such an operation as leveling a wall with plaster. Such an event has its own characteristics, which must be taken into account when carrying out work.

• Primer application. For this purpose, a special primer is used, which creates a protective barrier against moisture; improves the adhesion of the plaster to the wall surface; closes the suture adhesive. The most important task: the primary leveling of surface irregularities - defects and cracks in the masonry are eliminated.

• Mounting grid installation. It is applied after the primer has completely dried and fixed with dowels. As a rule, fiberglass mesh is used. It should be taken into account the fact that plaster applied without a mesh will not adhere strongly enough to the surface of the blocks, and may peel off over time.

• Wall plaster. The thickness and technology of this operation depends on further finishing. If various tiled coatings are mounted on top of the plaster, then it is enough to apply 1 layer of mortar without finishing. When planning painting work or applying soft roll materials (wallpaper), the plaster is carried out in 2-3 layers with a final careful leveling of the wall surface. For plaster, a ready-made mixture based on cement or gypsum for interior work is used, but home-made sand-cement mortar (proportion 3: 1) can also be used. The main layer is made 20-25 mm thick, and the surface layer is about 10 mm thick.

Finishing with paint

Interior wall decoration in a foam block house can be done by decorative surface painting. To do this, first carefully leveling the wall.

When choosing a paint, it should be borne in mind that acrylic paints are not entirely suitable for porous concrete, as they eliminate an important advantage - the breathing effect. When finishing foam blocks, silicate or silicone paints are more suitable. Modern options include the use of polyurethane paint.

The original is provided in the loft style. This style involves emphasizing block masonry. This effect is achieved by the absence of plaster. Only a thin primer is carried out, which does not violate the texture of the masonry. Previously, the surface of the foam blocks is carefully polished, and the seams are aligned and formed to give decorativeness. Next, impregnation with a hydrophobic composition and varnishing is carried out.

The loft decoration style requires the appropriate design of the entire room, incl. selection of furniture.

How to finish drywall

One of the most common ways is the interior decoration of the house from foam blocks with drywall.

The main advantage of this method is the possibility of applying any heat, hydro and vapor barrier, as well as the formation of a ventilating gap between the foam block wall and the outer coating. The most commonly used technology is plasterboard wall cladding with the installation of battens. In this case, a wooden beam (rail) or an aluminum profile is attached to the surface of the plastered wall. The crate is made in the form of vertical racks with an installation step of 50-60 cm.

The stages of interior decoration of the house from foam blocks using drywall are as follows:

• The imposition of a primer and plaster in one layer without finishing alignment.
• Fastening the vertical racks of the crate from a wooden lath or timber 2x4 or 4x4 cm. The best option is an aluminum U-shaped profile.
• Laying in the cells of the crate waterproofing from a layer of roofing material or polyethylene film.

• Applying a heat-insulating layer over the waterproofing. As a rule, mineral wool is used, which has a breathable effect. In order not to install an additional vapor barrier, it is recommended to use mineral wool rolls or sheets with a layer of aluminum foil. When laying, this layer faces outward. Protective films are fastened with dowels or by gluing. Particular attention should be paid to the tightness of their fit to the beams of the crate - gaps are not allowed.

• Sheets of drywall are attached to the crate with screws. Holes are pre-drilled at the attachment points to prevent damage to the material. Screw heads should be sunk.
• External finishing of drywall is carried out in accordance with the chosen interior (painting, wallpaper, etc.).

Other interior finishes

Interior decoration of walls made of foam blocks can also be done in other ways in 2 main directions: rolled soft cladding and hard coatings. A common method is wallpapering. They can be used on top of finishing plaster or drywall.

Usually for foam blocks it is not recommended to use polymer-based wallpaper (vinyl), which removes the breathing effect. Paper, non-woven and fabric wallpapers are considered the most suitable. For overlay, the usual adhesive composition for the corresponding type of wallpaper is used.

Looks good interior decoration with wooden elements. You can use lining, wood panels or panels with imitation of natural wood. Wooden is made using crates - similar to the installation of drywall.

The interior decoration of the house from foam blocks has some features that should be considered when carrying out work. In general, such an event differs little from wall cladding made of other materials and can be successfully carried out with your own hands.

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October 4, 2016
Specialization: Capital construction works (laying the foundation, erecting walls, constructing the roof, etc.). Internal construction works (laying of internal communications, rough and fine finishing). Hobbies: mobile communication, high technologies, computer equipment, programming.

One of the most important stages in the construction of a dwelling made of cellular wall materials is the exterior and interior decoration of a house made of foam blocks. It should not only decorate, but also protect the walls from destructive factors of influence, but at the same time not interfere with air infiltration.

Today we will just talk about how it is better to finish the facade of the house from foam blocks, and how to arrange the walls inside.

Features of walls made of foam blocks and finishes for them

The foam block, as the name implies, belongs to the category of porous building materials. In its manufacture, a gas-forming substance is used, due to which more bubbles appear inside the solidifying mixture.

Thanks to this, the walls have a high degree of vapor permeability. Natural air infiltration passing through the building envelope contributes to the establishment of a comfortable microclimate inside the dwelling.

This applies to both humidity levels and temperature. After all, foam concrete has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity, that is, in some cases, walls made of it do not require insulation.

However, there is also a downside to the issue. Foam blocks themselves do not have high mechanical strength and can be damaged as a result of mechanical stress. In addition, they absorb water well, which freezes at negative temperatures and destroys blocks.

Therefore, dwellings made of foam blocks should be finished without fail from the inside and outside. But the material used for this must have certain properties, which are detailed in the table below.

Characteristic	Description
Vapor permeability	Decorative trim should not prevent air infiltration through the cellular enclosing surfaces. This contributes to the regulation of the microclimate in the room and the removal of moisture from the bearing walls.
Frost resistance	Exterior finishes must withstand many freeze and thaw cycles without destroying the internal structure and changing the appearance. This also applies to interior decoration, if the dwelling is not supposed to be heated in winter.
Waterproof	The finishing material, both internal and external, must reliably protect the foam blocks from moisture ingress to them. Outside, it can be affected by rain or snow, inside - by water vapor and jets of water (for example, if the interior of the bath is being finished).
Strength	The selected finish must withstand significant mechanical stress, including impact.

I will not talk about decorative properties, strength, UV resistance, and so on, since these characteristics should be inherent in all finishing materials, especially facade ones.

However, I want to note, especially for beginners, that the foam block house outside, in addition to separating, must also be equipped with:

• rain and melt water removal system;
• visors;
• plums under window openings;
• a system for protecting the basement and foundation from moisture penetration;
• properly designed roof.

And now I’ll tell you about the specific materials that are used for the interior and exterior decoration of the foam block.

Materials for outdoor decoration

First, let's figure out how to finish the facade of the house from foam blocks. I made a small diagram, which depicted all the possible options.

Let's consider each of the methods in more detail.

External facing materials

One of the frequently used methods of finishing a foam block dwelling is facing surfaces with ceramic (clinker) bricks, natural stone or facade tiles.

I'll start in order:

1. Brick. One of the most common materials.

The brick is laid out at a distance of 5 cm from the main foam concrete wall to form a ventilation gap. In order for the decorative masonry to be even, experts advise using a technological sheet, which at the same time prevents the installation mortar from entering the gap between the main and decorative walls. As you move up, the sheet rises along the masonry.

Ventilation holes must be left under the eaves in the rows of brickwork. Their total area should be approximately 2% of the wall area. If the house is not supposed to be used in the cold season, you can not do the ventilation. But be prepared for increased levels of humidity inside living rooms.

External decorative brick cladding must be connected to the main walls. I advise making at least four ties per square meter of surface. For this you can use:

• bandage stainless tape 19.1 wide and 1.1 mm thick;
• nails for cellular concrete;
• galvanized perforated strip;
• flexible connections made of basalt plastic.

To make it more convenient for you to choose, I will give a table that describes in detail the pros and cons of this type of finish:

Advantages	disadvantages
Facing brick reliably protects foam block walls from atmospheric precipitation.	In some cases, whitish spots (efflorescence) may appear on the finish, which worsen the appearance of the building.
External finishing gives additional strength and stability to the constructed building.	Brick finishing is quite expensive. You can choose and use budget options.
Clinker brick trim can be used with strong temperature fluctuations. At the same time, it does not lose its original appearance and strength.
The material significantly increases the service life of the bearing walls of the building.
During operation, the described finish does not require additional care, constant tinting or plastering.

1. A natural stone.

The weight of the finish will be very large, so for its installation you need to have a very reliable and fairly wide foundation. It is necessary to take care of its design even before the construction of the house begins.

As in the previous case, I briefly summarize the advantages and disadvantages of this type of facade finish:

pros	Minuses
Attractive appearance. There are a huge number of finishes on the market - from wild stone to polished tiles made from it. The design options for your home are only limited by your imagination.	Partial destruction of the facade. Due to poor-quality installation, natural stone can peel off from foam concrete. However, there is nothing to worry about, since spot repairs will not be difficult even for a non-professional.
Practicality. The stone reliably resists destructive external influences: water, sun, frost, etc. Such finishing of the foam block house will last as long as possible.	Possible radioactivity. Some types of minerals emit radiation, but the dose of radiation received is very small and is completely within the established norms.

1. Tile. Finishing the house from the outside of foam blocks does not require a foundation, since the cladding is glued to the walls and does not rest on the base. At the same time, it reliably protects the porous material from external influences, and its appearance can imitate many materials, including natural stone or ceramic brick.

For exterior decoration of foam block facades, you can use the following types of tiles:

• Facade ceramic.

For outdoor work it is necessary to use frost-resistant tiles.

• Porcelain tile.

• Clinker tiles.

To make it easier for you to make a choice, I have compiled a small table where I described the pros and cons of tiles in terms of its use as a facade finish:

Advantages	disadvantages
The tile does not pass moisture to the foam blocks. There are no microcracks in it, which are inherent, for example, in natural stone.	The main disadvantage of the tile is its low vapor permeability. Finishing almost completely stops air infiltration.
The facing tile retains its technical characteristics regardless of the ambient temperature. It tolerates high temperatures in summer and low temperatures in winter.	The cost of the described finish cannot be attributed to the budget, but it is not the most expensive either. However, here you also need to take into account the costs of surface preparation, the purchase of glue and other nuances.
The tile well transfers external mechanical influence.	The total weight of the tiles can be quite large, which must be taken into account when calculating the strength characteristics of the foundation of the house.
Using different colors and textures, it is very easy to give a boring foam block structure a unique touch.

Plaster

For cellular material, it is necessary to use plaster, which prevents atmospheric moisture from being absorbed into the building envelope. From above, it should be painted with vapor-permeable facade paint or covered with decorative facade plaster (for example, “bark beetle” or the like).

This option should be recognized as one of the inexpensive and easy to implement, but not very durable. In addition, you still need to have some skills in leveling surfaces with plaster.

The surface must be properly prepared before plastering. Usually foam blocks are cleaned of dirt, dust-free, primed. Only after that two layers of plaster are applied - starting and finishing. Naturally, compositions that form a vapor-permeable layer should be used.

Fiberglass mesh is used to strengthen the plaster. It reinforces the solution, preventing it from crumbling and collapsing during operation.

Personally, I advise resorting to plastering in cases where you are going to insulate the house at the same time with foam or mineral mats. Then the plaster simultaneously acts as a protective layer and decorative finish for.

To make it easier for you to form your own opinion about plaster, I have compiled a table where I described its pros and cons.

Advantages	disadvantages
The finish has hydrophobic properties. This allows foam concrete blocks to maintain integrity for a long time.	To apply plaster on the walls, you need to have certain skills and have the appropriate tools.
The hardened plaster is notable for its good strength and keeps the blocks from damage as a result of external mechanical impact.	The service life of the plaster before the next repair or restoration does not exceed 10 years.
The material does not prevent the diffusion of air through the foam blocks. The water vapor accumulated inside is expelled to the outside.	The material is sensitive to vibration and may crumble when the base vibrates.
With the help of decorative plaster, you can effectively decorate the facade of the building, using materials of different colors and textures. The possibility of tinting the composition or its coloring with paint further diversifies the exterior.	The preparation of the composition and its application requires strict adherence to the proposed technology.
The cost of the material and the application of plaster is quite affordable for all our compatriots.

Ventilated facade

If you built a house from foam blocks, then I advise you to use just this method of finishing. In this case, a ventilation gap remains between the decorative material and the main bearing wall, due to which the vapor permeability of the surfaces is not disturbed, which positively affects the life of the house and the microclimate in it.

For the manufacture of a ventilated facade, you can use the following materials:

1. Mounted cassettes. Prefabricated aluminum structure, which is often seen on high-rise urban buildings, commercial and industrial premises.

When buying a hinged cassette facade system, you get everything you need for its installation in the kit, and the installation process itself is described in detail in the instructions and usually does not cause difficulties.

However, it should be said that the price of such a solution will be quite high.

1. Decking. It is a metal sheet of a certain shape (with ridges and recesses), which is installed on a pre-designed crate.

From the destructive effects of the environment, metal profiled sheets are protected by an external decorative layer, which usually comes in two types:

• zinc coating - a budget option for corrugated board, which does not have outstanding decorative properties, but is able to reliably protect foam blocks from mechanical stress and moisture;
• polymer coating - is highly resistant to external influences and attractive in appearance, it can have a different color and texture, which makes it possible to diversify the exterior of the building.

I advise you to use the last option of the two listed. And, of course, I bring to your attention a table that facilitates the decision on the choice.

Advantages	disadvantages
Ease and simplicity of installation of a profile. To install the cladding, you need a simple frame that is attached to the walls of the foam block.	The high level of noise that the profiled sheet emits during rain.
Resistance to external atmospheric influences, corrosion and biocorrosion. The material does not require additional finishing (for example, staining or antiseptic treatment), which is usually used when facing with a block house or clapboard.
Durability and ease of maintenance of the facade, finished with this material. The profiled sheet does not require additional care during the entire period of operation. In case of severe damage to the protective and decorative layer, it is better to completely replace the part.
Fire resistance. The material is non-flammable and does not contribute to the spread of flames.
Wide range of colors. The polymer coating of profiled sheets can have different colors.
The profiled sheet is completely sealed and does not allow moisture to penetrate to the load-bearing (enclosing) walls of foam blocks.

1. Vinyl siding. Another popular finish option, which can be safely attributed to a fairly budget. These are panels made of plastic. Thanks to special additives, the polymer acquires various colors and shades, increased strength and excellent performance properties.

To make it easier for you to make a choice, I will list the main advantages and disadvantages of vinyl siding:

Advantages	disadvantages
Vinyl siding does not absorb moisture during rain and snowmelt.	Poor-quality finishing material can crack from strong temperature changes.
It features a wide variety of colors that do not fade in direct sunlight during the entire period of operation.	If the installation order is violated, vinyl sheets can be destroyed by strong winds.
The material perfectly tolerates exposure to low air temperatures and many successive freeze and thaw cycles.
Vinyl siding does not rust over time and is not subject to biocorrosion, regardless of operating conditions.
Installation of the finishing material can be done independently by fixing the siding sheets on a pre-designed frame.

1. Fiber cement boards. Another modern type of exterior finish of foam concrete walls, which provides both ventilation of enclosing surfaces, protection from rain and melt water, and insulation.

In addition, the appearance of fiber cement panels makes it possible to decorate the facades of the cottage in a stylish and original way.

Materials for interior decoration

Now let's turn to the materials that are used to finish the foam block from the inside. There are many options, but the most common include the following:

1. Plaster. To work on foam blocks, I advise you to use compositions that have high vapor permeability and good hydrophobic properties. It is allowed to use dry building mixtures based on cement or gypsum.

To make the plaster durable, I advise you to use a reinforcing fiberglass mesh for interior work (with small cells). Experts advise to plaster the walls so that the thickness of the layer inside is twice the thickness of the outer plaster.

One pack of dry mortar for plastering weighing 30 kg is used to cover three square meters of walls with a layer of 1 cm thick. Based on this, you can calculate the cost of purchasing building materials. I must say right away that if you laid out the walls correctly and applied glue for foam concrete, then the surfaces will already be quite even and you will not need to apply a thick layer of plaster.

From above, the plastered surface can be painted with interior paint or wallpapered. In both cases, it is necessary to use a finishing plaster on top of the starting one, which is very carefully smoothed with floats and then sanded. Otherwise, flaws may appear on the surface.

1. Drywall. In my practical activities, I very often finished foam concrete walls with drywall. This is a universal material with which you can easily level surfaces of any curvature and build very complex multi-level architectural elements.

For fastening drywall to foam blocks, you can use glue or a frame made of galvanized profiles. I resort to the second option, since in this way it is possible to insulate the walls and lay engineering communications behind the false wall without resorting to gating.

In addition, when using a frame, a ventilation gap is formed between the decorative finish and the enclosing wall, which facilitates the diffusion of air through the walls, and, therefore, contributes to the self-regulation of the humidity level inside the rooms.

When mounting the frame, you need to use special dowels that can be screwed into foam concrete walls. If you are finishing rooms with a high level of humidity (for example, a shower bath inside), you must choose moisture-resistant drywall (it is painted green).

1. Wooden lining. Used to decorate baths or dwellings in a natural style. To install it, I also recommend using a galvanized frame (although you can install lining on wooden slats).

The advantage of this finishing method is that the wood perfectly passes air and allows the foam block walls to “breathe”. Minus - the need for subsequent processing of wood with varnish or paint. Although, the same drywall also needs to be finished with wallpaper, paint or something similar.

During installation, I advise you to use vapor-permeable barriers that protect the foam blocks from moisture from air vapor generated as a result of human activity. Do not replace them with ordinary polyethylene film, as it completely stops air infiltration, that is, you will reduce all the advantages of lining and foam blocks to zero.

In addition to those listed, there are also other ways of finishing - MDF boards, plywood and so on. However, in essence, they are similar to those already listed and their detailed description does not make practical sense.

Summary

Now you know how to finish the foam block inside and out. For those interested in the video, this article provides instructions on how to do the exterior decoration of a foam concrete house with your own hands using siding.

And I wanted to ask the readers, what finish do you like? You can leave your opinion on this issue in the comments.

October 4, 2016

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thanks!

Despite the fact that houses made of foam concrete have high heat and sound insulation characteristics, and it is also a relatively inexpensive material, they have a number of disadvantages.

Foam blocks are an artificial material based on concrete, it has a foamed structure, which ensures its properties. The use of special compounds will make it possible to evenly distribute air over the structure of the material, so the foam concrete turns out to be porous

Positive qualities of foam concrete:

• light weight;
• sufficient strength;
• does not burn;
• has a long service life;
• high heat and sound insulation characteristics;
• smooth surface, which facilitates finishing work.

Disadvantages:

• foam concrete has low moisture resistance, water penetrates into its structure, and a chemical reaction occurs, in which the material is gradually destroyed. To avoid this, the interior decoration of the house from foam blocks must be done and the vapor barrier of all walls has been made with high quality;
• in addition, this material is porous, so its density is low, this must be taken into account when fixing the interior finish.
• when carrying out plaster, it is imperative to use reinforcement.

Finishing the walls with drywall

There are many ways to decorate the walls of a foam block house that you can do yourself. One option is to use drywall, it can be attached both with the help of a frame and without it.

Fig.1 Mounting the frame

If the walls are laid correctly, then frameless technology can be used.

In this case, the walls are cleaned of the remnants of the mortar, if necessary, then the drywall sheets are leveled and glued. It takes 20-30 minutes for the glue to dry completely.

If the walls are uneven, then you can install a frame, it can be made of a metal profile or wooden beams and drywall is already attached to it. The pitch of the frame is usually 60 cm.

Although this method takes up part of the space of the room, it is possible to hide communications in it, put insulation, which is very convenient and efficient. After the installation of drywall, joints are sealed, and then it can be painted, wallpapered, plastered or tiled.

Working with lining

A fairly popular way to finish inside a house built from foam blocks is to use lining.

Lining - boards of small thickness, which are fastened together with the help of special locks, after which a solid coating is obtained. It can be made from various materials, such as natural wood, plastic, wood industry waste.

The popularity of this material is due to its low cost, installation is simple, everything can be done by hand.

It can be mounted on walls both vertically and horizontally, the sequence of work does not change.

To fix the lining, it is necessary to make a frame, for which wooden beams or a metal profile are used. If wooden beams are used, then they must be impregnated with an antiseptic and fire retardant to protect them from decay and improve fire performance.

Particular attention should be paid to the installation of the first board, since all subsequent boards will be attached to it. In order to check the correct installation of the first board, a building level or level is used.

Clamps are used to fasten the boards to the frame, which makes the fasteners durable and inconspicuous.

Other options

For a house made of foam concrete, the interior decoration can also be made of other materials. The main condition is the implementation of high-quality vapor barrier of the walls. It is best to make external thermal insulation, but if this is not possible, then it can be done from the inside.

This material can be produced both in rolls and in sheets. Since the cork is a finishing coating, before installing it, it is necessary to prepare the walls with high quality, they must be clean and even.

Fig. 2 Using a cork

Before installing the cork, the walls must be plastered, coated with a deep penetration primer and allowed to dry well. Before gluing it, it is necessary that the cork stays in the room for about a day. Installation is carried out on a special glue. Read about their use, installation and cost.

The use of penofol

This is a modern material, which is polyethylene foam, on both sides it is covered with aluminum foil.

Fig.3 Laying penofol

A frame is made on the wall and penofol is attached to it. All seams are glued with special aluminum tape, which ensures the integrity of the coating. After that, the final covering, such as lining or drywall, can be laid.

For such a house, it is necessary to take breathable compositions based on gypsum. In order for the plaster to lie securely on the wall, it is necessary to use a reinforcing mesh. After plastering the walls, they can be painted or wallpapered, they must be moisture permeable.

Fig. 4 Plaster walls

If you apply plaster with a layer of 10 mm, then a bag weighing 30 kg is enough for approximately 3 square meters of the wall. Before starting work, the stynu must be moistened.

As a first layer, a mixture of water and cement can be applied, after which plaster is immediately applied. The work is carried out in small areas. If further painting or wallpapering is planned, then the surface is additionally rubbed, for this a trowel is used.

To create a pattern, patterns can be applied to a wall that is not completely dry before painting, this is done with a hard brush, a relief roller or a comb spatula.

MDF panels

This material has not only an attractive appearance and is easy to install, but also has high heat and sound insulation characteristics, so it is often used for interior decoration.

It does not fade, has a long service life, and if it is damaged, it is enough just to change one or more panels.

To perform high-quality interior decoration, it is necessary to properly lay the walls. Many craftsmen make a mistake when laying foam blocks on a regular mortar. Its installation must be done on a special glue, due to which the seams are obtained with a minimum thickness, and the walls are even.

Another mistake that is often made when building such a house is the lack of reinforcing belts. They must be done on all walls, every 4-5 rows, and not just in the window sill area.

This allows you to make a solid building, and when it shrinks, the walls and, accordingly, the interior decoration of the house will not collapse.

First you need to carry out interior finishing work, and then move on to finishing the facade. Work is best done in the summer so that the moisture that gets into the foam concrete dries up and does not freeze.

For the primer, it is necessary to use special compositions for foam concrete, they penetrate into it by 2-5 mm and reliably protect against moisture ingress into the material.

Table 1. Cost of materials.

Most of the work on the interior decoration of the house from foam blocks can be done by hand and thus save money.

If you decide to invite specialists for this, then the cost of their work will depend on the material that you choose to complete the finish, on average, this is 40-60% of the cost of the material itself.

The construction of foam blocks is built quickly. The issue of exterior decoration of a house made of foam blocks, which of all the varieties is best, should be decided long before the start of finishing work. The article tells about the features of foam block walls, which impose restrictions on the choice of finishing cladding. You will learn what you can and cannot finish foam concrete with, as well as get acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of popular options.

Finishing not far off Source stavlib.org.ru

Features of foam concrete and finishing requirements

Foam concrete belongs to the family of lightweight cellular concrete and has a characteristic porous structure. In modern suburban housing construction, foam concrete is one of the most common materials. The reason for the popularity lies in its many advantages due to the internal structure.

Walls made of foam concrete blocks are distinguished not only by their rapid construction, but also by their low thermal conductivity, which saves on insulation. An important feature of foam concrete, which affects the specifics of external and internal finishing works, is its rather noticeable vapor permeability. Exterior decoration should be selected in such a way that natural air exchange between the dwelling and the street is not hindered, and the microclimate always remains comfortable. Facing materials must perform several functions:

Serve wall structure protection from precipitation.

Proper cladding combines practical and aesthetic benefits Source kromvel.kz

act as an additional insulating layer.

Create aesthetic appearance, the "face" of the house.

Support moisture and heat transfer, normalizing the microclimate of housing.

hinder the appearance of condensate and acid damage on wall surfaces.

It is believed that a building made of foam blocks can be left unfinished if the laying of blocks and the processing of seams are perfectly even. Such buildings are found in a number of European countries and completely satisfy the owners with their performance characteristics; the only thing that can suffer is aesthetic perception. In the external pores (on the surface of the walls), dirt accumulates over time, rainwater gets there, after which acid reactions are triggered. The walls begin to darken, and this process is uneven; sometimes destruction of the outer layer of foam concrete is observed. Therefore, most experts still recommend facing the house; the question of how to finish the facade of a foam block house from the outside has several answers.

Hygroscopicity is the main quality of the material Source besplatka.ua

On our website you can get acquainted with the most popular projects of houses from foam concrete blocks from construction companies presented at the exhibition of houses Low-rise Country.

Qualities required for finishing materials

All facade materials, regardless of what surface they are intended for, must have mechanical strength, UV resistance and decorative value. Facing materials for foam block walls, in addition, must fulfill the following conditions:

Vapor permeability. The material should not interfere with air exchange, otherwise the air in the premises will begin to stagnate, and moisture will begin to accumulate in the load-bearing walls.

Waterproof. Finishing should reliably protect the wall structure from rain and snow.

Frost resistance. The cladding structure must be designed to withstand a sufficient number of freeze/thaw cycles without changing the appearance.

For long-term operation of a house made of foam blocks, additional measures will be extremely useful: a properly designed roof and protective elements: peaks, gutters, window drains, ebbs for the basement of the foundation. However, all these wonderful devices will be of little use if the finishing material is chosen incorrectly.

In most regions, the frost resistance of the cladding is important. Source remcraft.ru

Improper finishing of the foam block house from the outside will begin to retain water vapor, which, condensing, will lead to the destruction of the foam blocks. The options that can destroy foam concrete include the following materials:

Ceramic and concrete tiles.

facade paint forming a vapor barrier (with low vapor permeability).

cement plaster.

foam boards(PVC).

completion service for unfinished houses

Materials for outdoor decoration

There are three directions for exterior decoration of a house made of foam blocks; options look like this:

Arrangement of a ventilated facade. Vinyl siding, corrugated board, hanging cassettes or fiber cement boards are mounted on the crate.

Facing with decorative stone, some types of tiles or bricks.

Plaster possibly followed by staining.

Scheme of a ventilated facade Source kdomu.by

Ventilated facades

Ventilated facades - a finishing method in which a gap is left between the wall and the cladding. The method is considered optimal for a foam block structure, and therefore is widely used in practice; Developers choose it due to the following factors:

In the space between the facade and the cladding, constant air exchange, the vapor permeability of the bearing walls is not disturbed, and condensate does not accumulate in the masonry joints. All together it has a positive effect on the microclimate in the house and extends the life of the building.

The frame on which the facing material is mounted, made of wood, metal profile or plastic. The most common wooden frames; the metal profile has a negative feature - condensation can form on it.

Video description

About the nuances of installing siding in the following video:

Materials hung on a ventilated facade have the following features:

Facade cassettes

A cassette hinged facade is more often found on industrial or administrative buildings than on a country house. But nothing prevents you from using this option for your own housing; when purchasing a cassette facade system made of aluminum, you get a complete installation kit with detailed instructions. Lightweight and durable cassettes are used for both decoration and insulation; the reason for the rare use in private construction is the high price.

On our site you can find contacts of construction companies that offer the service of reconstruction and restructuring of houses. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

Decking

In the decoration of the facade of the house from foam blocks, there is a profile steel sheet, a material obtained by cold rolling. Due to the complex profile in the form of a wave or a trapezoid, it has increased rigidity. The service life of corrugated board is increased by the following coatings:

Zinc. It has good anti-corrosion properties, increases the resistance of the profiled sheet to moisture, but does not have any special decorative advantages (especially for a private house).

Finishing with corrugated board Source infokanal55.ru

Polymer. It also has a protective function. In addition, corrugated board with a polymer or paint coating has a wide color palette, which allows you to diversify the appearance of the building.

The positive qualities that make the use of a profiled sheet for a ventilated facade are simple, without additional finishing, installation, fire resistance and tightness of the cladding, easy maintenance throughout the entire service life. The downside is the drum effect - the material is able to amplify the sound during rain. Also, if the protective layer is damaged, corrosion can begin.

Video description

About finishing the house with fiber cement in the following video:

Vinyl siding

Plastic (vinyl) panels are a popular way of arranging a ventilated facade. Siding panels consist of two layers: the inner layer gives strength, keeping the geometry of the material unchanged; the outer, thinner layer provides protection from precipitation and ultraviolet radiation. Facing material is characterized by many advantages:

Resistance to a wide range of influences, including temperature fluctuations and moderately acidic and alkaline environments. The original color and shape are preserved throughout the entire period of operation.

budget. Vinyl siding has an optimal price / quality ratio.

Diversity. In the construction market, you can choose a material for any color palette. You can decorate your home in any style.

Ease of installation and service.

The disadvantage of low-quality vinyl siding can be its cracking under the influence of low temperatures. In addition, a violation of the technology of installation work can lead to separation of the skin in strong winds.

Vinyl siding Source www.yugkrovlya.ru

Fiber cement boards

Among the various facade finishes of the foam block house, fiber cement boards are considered an interesting option. Fiber cement cladding has many advantages:

Fortitude. The material is not subject to rotting and any form of corrosion, it is resistant to direct exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

energy efficiency. The internal structure turns fiber cement boards into a good thermal insulator, increasing the heat-saving capacity of the tiled house.

Environmental friendliness. The components of fiber cement (cement, mineral fillers and fibers) do not affect health and the environment.

Vapor permeability. Allows foam block walls to breathe. In hinged ventilated facades it is allowed to use it both in a set with a heater and separately.

Wide decorative possibilities. Fiber cement boards are available in a variety of colors and textures, which allows them to be used for decorating houses in any architectural style.

Installation of fiber cement panels Source lesnoygorodok.csk-remont.ru

Plaster and paint

These methods of finishing foam block facades are recommended in fairly warm regions where an additional insulating layer is not required. Plaster acts as a good protection for cellular concrete, an insurmountable barrier to atmospheric moisture. Usually plaster is covered with a layer of special facade paint or decorative plaster. The technology of plastering walls made of foam concrete includes the following features:

Temperature limits. For a high-quality result during operation, it is necessary to observe the temperature regime. The technology involves the sequential application of several layers, each subsequent - after the previous one has dried. This can only be achieved if the average daily ambient temperature does not fall below +5°C.

Surface preparation. To avoid the appearance of dampness, the walls are pre-coated with a primer. A reinforcing mesh is attached to the top with facade dowels, which increases the strength of the plaster layer and prevents cracks from appearing on the surface.

Video description

How to plaster walls from foam blocks in the following video:

Plastering. The material is applied in two stages: first, the reinforcing mesh is closed, then the surface is leveled.

decoration. After drying, finishing (decorative) plastering is performed or staining is carried out.

Exterior decoration of a house made of foam blocks for plastering or painting involves the choice of materials with the following properties:

plaster mixture. Standard sand-cement plaster mix is ​​not suitable for use on foam block walls that are poorly absorbent. An acceptable option are mixtures with adhesive additives that increase the adhesion index (adhesion to the surface). Plaster mixtures intended for foam concrete have the necessary vapor-permeable and waterproofing parameters.

Dye. The main condition is that the paint must be vapor-permeable; silicone paints and primers are ideal for foam concrete. The use of a paint that is not suitable for lightweight concrete will stop air exchange and lead to the accumulation of moisture in the structure of the cladding.

Finishing the facade with plaster

Cladding with piece material

Brick, stone and tile are materials that are characterized by significant weight. Their use in cladding should be provided for at the design stage of the house. Wall structures made of foam concrete blocks weigh relatively little, and therefore the foundation of such a building is usually laid light. In the case of heavy finishes, the base should be wider and deeper. One of the popular cladding methods is brick; its use is possible due to its positive properties:

Protection and insulation. Brickwork is a reliable way to protect foam concrete from any natural precipitation and temperature fluctuations.

Extended service life. Brick cladding gives foam concrete walls additional strength, thereby extending the service life of the supporting structure.

Aesthetics. Brick walls are an ageless classic of suburban housing construction.

Easy Maintenance. If you have chosen brick as an exterior finish, you will not have to spend time on additional care.

Video description

About facing the facade with stone in the following video:

The main deterrent when choosing a brick finish is the cost - the spectacular appearance of such a house will be quite expensive. A frequent disadvantage of low-quality bricks is the appearance of efflorescence (salt stains), which significantly worsen the appearance.

Finishing foam concrete walls with stone is carried out only if there is a powerful foundation. The house, lined with natural stone, has an unusually attractive appearance. There are many colors and textures of stone finishes, which are distinguished not only by aesthetics, but also by practicality, since they will last as long as possible without much hassle. For a short time, the choice of stone cladding can be overshadowed by poor-quality installation - individual stones can lag behind foam concrete, which, however, is easily fixable.

brick finish Source svarnayasetka.by

To finish the facade of foam blocks, you can use clinker, ceramic and porcelain tiles, for which you will need to perform the following preparatory work:

Prime the wall surface waterproofing compound.

If necessary insulate the walls(standard choice - mineral wool or fiberglass).

Spend frame installation from aluminum profiles, fix drywall sheets on it. Foam concrete walls will be provided with effective ventilation.

Coat the prepared surface using adhesive solution.

The tiled facade will be a practical protection for foam blocks from moisture and temperature fluctuations. This finishing option is common due to the good price / quality ratio and aesthetic possibilities - imitation of ceramic bricks or natural stone will be ideal. The main disadvantage of tiled cladding is the cost and time spent on preparing the walls.

Finishing with artificial stone Source u-f.ru

Conclusion

You can increase the attractiveness of a house from foam blocks in many ways, both budgetary and more expensive. Whatever material is chosen as a finish, when facing, it is necessary to ensure the unhindered removal of water vapor from the housing. Ignoring this simple fact will lead to a deterioration in the microclimate and premature replacement of the cladding.

Building blocks made of light-weight cellular concrete "pressed" ceramic and silicate bricks in low-rise construction. Low load on the foundation and high thermal insulation properties explain their popularity. And the decoration of walls from foam blocks inside is carried out in the same ways and materials as in a brick house: plaster, drywall and painting. It is important to properly prepare the surface, and take into account the features of foam concrete.

Plaster

Finishing foam blocks from the inside is carried out before facing the facade from the outside and after carrying out "wet" work on pouring the screed. Any extra layer on the walls makes it harder for water vapor from the building materials to escape to the outside.

This condition is especially important if the interior decoration is carried out using plaster. And the entire cycle of work must be completed in warm weather so that the vapors cannot condense and freeze inside the foam concrete.

At the preparatory stage, the walls are cleaned of the remnants of the masonry mortar. If necessary, “empty” seams and chips on the edges of the blocks are filled with mortar so that the surface is as even as possible.

The sequence of applying the primer depends on the type of foam block.

Foam concrete differs from aerated concrete not only in the "chemical" way of forming cells - there is also a difference in the method of obtaining blocks. Aerated concrete blocks are sawn (cut out) from a large array. Foam concrete blocks, in addition to sawing out, can be obtained by pouring into a mold. And their surface can be both “rough” and “smooth”, and this affects the adhesive properties of the wall.

If the wall is lined with sawn blocks, then the primer is simply applied to the dust-free surface. Cast blocks do not “hold” the plaster well, and their surface must be treated with coarse-grained sandpaper or a float on aerated concrete, and then dedusted and applied with two layers of primer.

A grater for aerated concrete can remove minor wall irregularities and reduce the thickness of the base layer.

The next step is the creation of the base layer and reinforcement.

Base coat for plaster

Cellular blocks are weak bases that are subject to deformation and shrinkage. To prevent cracks from appearing on the interior decoration of walls made of foam blocks, the base layer of plaster must be reinforced. Surface hardening technology can take place in two ways.

The classic way, with the alignment of the wall with plaster on the lighthouses.

The technology for creating the base layer looks like this:

1. Beacons are attached to the wall in increments less than the size of the rule. The beacons are fixed using the same solution that was chosen for the first layer of plaster.
2. Plane control is carried out either in the traditional way using a bubble level and cords, or with a laser level.
3. When the mortar fixing the beacons hardens, a base layer of plaster is applied, and leveled to the level of the beacons using the rule.
4. A fiberglass reinforcing mesh is pressed into the base layer. For adjacent strips, an overlap of several centimeters is observed (including when increasing the mesh along the length).
5. “Smooth out” the surface with a trowel, having previously increased the layer thickness by 2-3 mm.
6. The next day, the surface is finally “rubbed over”, removing minor irregularities and sagging.

Simplified way

If the walls are even (or leveled with a float for aerated concrete), and the height difference does not exceed a couple of millimeters, then you can use the technology that is used when reinforcing the insulated "wet facade":

1. Prepare, in accordance with the instructions, putty for interior work on aerated concrete. You can also choose any tile adhesive. It has even higher "stickiness" (adhesion) to foam concrete than putty.
2. A base layer 5-6 mm thick is applied to the prepared surface.
3. The polymer mesh is pressed in, observing the overlap of adjacent strips.
4. Align and overwrite the “base” with a trowel.

Is it possible to improve the properties of the base to "hold" the finish layer? Some professionals practice creating a "horizontal comb" with a notched trowel with a notch depth of no more than 3 mm. But this method is only suitable for a “smooth” finish layer for painting. For decorative plaster, you need a perfectly even base layer.

Finishing layer

Before finishing the walls of the foam block inside the house, the base layer must dry. The time required for "ripening" depends on the conditions and composition of the mixture.

For cement starting plaster, the rule is usually followed: 1 mm of thickness = one day. Although under ideal conditions (18-20°C and 70% relative humidity) the thickness of the layer in the formula can be increased up to 2 mm.

The maturation time of gypsum plaster is much less. Although, with adverse factors and a large layer thickness, drying may take from 7 to 14 days.

Before applying the finishing plaster, the wall surface must be treated again with a primer in two layers.

If you plan to paint or wallpaper, then apply a thin layer of finishing plaster (putty), which, after drying, is polished with a grater.

The method of applying decorative plaster depends on its type.

Drywall

In fact, this popular material is nothing more than dry gypsum plaster in slabs reinforced on both sides with cardboard. Therefore, drywall can be considered both as wall panels for mounting on a crate, and as a large tile that can be attached to walls with gypsum glue.

Lathing installation

There are two types of materials for the crate: a wooden beam and a metal profile.

wooden beam

It is easy to work with a wooden beam and attach gypsum boards to it. But it must be dry, and for rooms with high humidity - treated with an antiseptic.

If the walls are even, then the timber is attached directly to the foam block.

In order to level the sheathing on uneven walls in the horizontal and vertical plane, the beam is attached to the foam block on direct suspensions for the CD ceiling profile.

The beam layout step is 60 cm. In this case, each standard sheet 1200 mm wide will rest on the crate in the center and edges in the middle of the beam. The most common sheet height is 2500 mm. But if the ceilings are higher than 2.5 m, in order not to “get” the sheathing in pieces, you can order a plasterboard with a height of 3000 mm or 4000 mm.

The width of the beam must be at least 60 mm. This is a necessary condition for the location of the screws from the edge of the sheet and the edge of the beam. The thickness of the beam should be sufficient so that the self-tapping screw enters it without exit from the other side - 30 or 40 mm.

For finishing foam blocks with drywall, CD and UD metal profiles are more often used. The reason is the stable geometry, proven mounting technology and nodal connections.

The installation process of the crate looks like this:

1. Two parallel lines are beaten off on the ceiling and floor, lying in the plane of the skin.
2. UD profiles are mounted along these lines.
3. In accordance with the layout step (600 mm), vertical lines are beaten off on the walls, along which straight hangers are attached for mounting the CD profile. Enough 3-4 suspension per profile with a ceiling height of up to three meters.
4. Screw the CD profile to the hangers. Check the level of the crate and the distance between adjacent elements. Finally fixed to the guide profiles.
5. In places where heavy objects are hung on the walls, embedded elements are mounted.

After installing the crates, they begin to sheath the walls with drywall.

Often, the possibility of insulating the outer walls from the inside is given as an advantage of plasterboard sheathing along the crate. Internal insulation is not expressly prohibited by regulations, but not recommended. And as a prerequisite, a requirement is put forward for a continuous and reliable vapor barrier layer that protects the insulation from the side of the room. Otherwise, it will get wet and lose its properties, a fungus will appear on the walls. Creating such a layer is extremely difficult. Therefore, this option is not a virtue, but a necessary measure when it is impossible to insulate the walls from the outside.

Glue mounting

If the walls are even, then drywall is attached to them with glue. Especially for these purposes, the Knauf company produces a dry mixture of Perlfix, which must be diluted with water according to the instructions on the package. But before finishing the walls in the house of foam blocks inside, the surface must be prepared. The procedure is standard:

• wall cleaning;
• filling with a solution of seams and chips;
• leveling with a grater for aerated concrete;
• applying a primer.

The adhesive composition is applied to the sheet using a trowel "cakes". One trowel - one portion. Along the perimeter, portions of glue are laid out close to each other, stepping back a few centimeters from the edge. In the middle of the sheet (along the horizon), another strip is laid out, but already thinned out - with a distance between portions of about 35 cm.

Then the sheet is put in place, a wooden lath is attached, and with a light tap on it, the sheet is leveled in the plane of the sheathing.

The “life” time of the prepared solution is not more than 30 minutes. This must be taken into account in the course of work. It is useless to dilute dried gypsum glue with water. !!

Drywall finishing

Any finishing of drywall is not complete without "wet" work.

This is natural if the decoration of apartments in houses made of foam blocks is carried out using decorative plaster or tiles. But even for painting or wallpapering, drywall must be puttied.

Even if the paint has good hiding power, surface irregularities and seams may show through two coats of finish. Wallpaper has a different reason. When carrying out cosmetic repairs, they cannot be removed without damaging the cardboard if there is no separating layer of putty.

Coloring

When choosing a way to finish the foam block from the inside, the option of direct staining is rarely considered due to the porous surface of the walls. But this stereotype applies only to ordinary, “smooth” paints. And there are also special compositions with a large thickness and relief surface of the layer. These are textured and texture paints. Additional volume in them is obtained due to special fillers, high viscosity of the composition and application technique.