The finish of the house is able to radically change its architectural appearance. Among the modern facing materials is popular with siding. These are polymer, metal, cement or wooden panels of various colors and textures. Each material gives Siding its properties, and also determines its value. Durability, ease, democratic price is the advantages of plastic finishes. For its manufacture, two types of polymers are used - vinyl and acrylic. To choose siding vinyl or acrylic, you need to figure out which one is better . An objective assessment will give comparison of the appearance and functional features of the finish.

Being before the need to select facing panels, consumers pay attention to several parameters, comparing which you can decide on the optimal option:

• the cost of the product is an important product criterion, often it turns out to be decisive;
• facing durability;
• siding appointment - external or internal placement, installation technology;
• view and form of panels;
• resistance to external factors: temperature fluctuations, ultraviolet effect, mechanical strength;
• easy care.

Detailed information about each form of finishes will decide which siding is better .

Vinyl panels - production and characteristics

Vinyl siding is a decorative panel of polyvinyl chloride. This polymer is the basis of the material, in addition, calcium carbonate is present in the lower layer, it contributes to the design of the desired stiffness. The external coating structure strengthens titanium dioxide. The outer layer is 20% of the panel thickness, it provides resistance to moisture and ultraviolet. Various modifiers increase the resistance of vinyl to external influence. Painting pigments give the necessary shade to vinyl products. The manufacture of siding occurs by extrusion. The polymer is extruded through the molding hole, cuts into segments and gets a working profile. The standard sheet thickness is 0.9-1.2 mm.

Products of three types are available: sofa, base blocks, wall panels. The latter option is offered smooth or with imitation of the structure of the tree. According to Form Factor, sheets are divided into three groups:

• S - single;
• D - double;
• T - triple.

The most common finishes options are: "Fir-tree", "Shipboard", "Block House". The basis of the color scheme is light pastel colors. This is explained by the tendency of PVC to a minor burnout under the right rays of the sun. Buying vinyl saturated dark colors will cost more due to the addition of special components that prevent burnout.

Siding, imitating finishing by block chupus

Advantages of polyvinyl chloride finishes

The popularity of vinyl siding is explained by his decorative attractiveness, functionality, low price. The material reliably protects the house from wind, moisture and other external factors. Among the advantages of PVC panels:

• democratic value;
• wide range of operating temperature from -50º to + 50º C;
• lack of toxicity;
• mechanical strength;
• resistance to moisture, rotting, chemicals;
• when exposed to open fire, the material does not burn, but melts;
• the wide color and textured line of products is provided by each manufacturer;
• service life of 25-30 years;
• easy installation and care.

Work on the installation of vinyl panels do not require special tools and skills. The physical and material costs for finishing the house are lower than that of materials such as wooden lining. Special latches guarantee a reliable and simple panel connection. Each product is fixed on the crate of self-drawing. They are used to restore buildings in need of the repair of facades, in private and industrial construction, for decoration of balconies, loggias, garages.

Acrylic siding - the advantages of modern cladding

Acrylic panels are characterized by high strength to mechanical and climatic loads. The advantages of the finishes are associated with raw materials for its production, as well as the technology used. The panels are made of ASA acrylic polymer by extrusion or casting. Their surface acquires a resistant gloss, ultraviolet resistance, moisture or heating. Painting pigments give the products a bright rich color, they do not have limitations on shades, as a vinyl analog. The special technology of the upper layer staining reduces heat absorption.

The house is decorated with acrylic panels of a saturated berry

As additives used substances that increase the resistance to mold, antistatics that reduce electrical conductivity, antipyrenes that prevent combustion. Advantages of acrylic panels:

• increased resistance to heating, the operating temperature range is from -50º to + 80º C;
• strengths to impacts and mechanical exposure allows the use of material on the basement;
• ultraviolet action does not change the intensity of staining;
• additive flame retardant reduces fire hazard;
• acrylic is not susceptible to chemical compositions;
• the service life of the finishing is 50 years;
• simple installation and minimal care.

FEATURES OF INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

Acrylic siding is installed vertically or horizontally. For installation it is necessary to make a tree crate. The polymer panels do not load the building, their weight is distributed on the frame. The finish can be mounted on the construction with any surface and height.

Vertical siding in the finish of the house

Fastening technology provides the ability to insulate the building and leave a gap for ventilation. In this case, the resulting condensate is assigned to the rear wall of the panels and does not moisturize the insulation. The installation begins with the fixation of the starting plank, the framing of slopes, openings and angles. The products are connected by locks and are attached to the crate in the holes of the perforated edge. It does not allow tight fixation of the panels, they must be freely expanding when heated. Installation technology provides for screwing screws not completely, but with a gap of 1 mm.

Comparative characteristics of polymer panels

After studying the characteristics and properties of facing materials, you can conclude which one is better. After analyzing the difference between items, it is worth noting the more affordable cost of vinyl siding. The finish of the PVC house will cost cheaper than acrylic. But this factor is not a decisive argument, because this is the only advantage. . Acrylic siding surpasses the opponent to several points:

• will last longer, the difference between exploitation is 20 years;
• it is 10 times resistant to the effects of ultraviolet, it means that the initial brightness of the color does not lose;
• withstands high impact load.

Before choosing an acrylic or vinyl finishing material, the degree of illumination should be assessed. Finishing the building, which is in the shade of trees, will not suffer from sunlight. Polyvinyl chloride panels will become excellent material for it - aesthetic and inexpensive. If one part of the building is coming out on the sunny side, the optimal option will be a combined finish when the heating plot is tricked by an expensive acrylic.

Acrylic siding externally impresses respectable and reliable finishes, and the characteristics confirm its functionality. The high cost of the material is fully justified by the durability of operation without losing the decorative appearance.

Vinyl finish for most criteria is not inferior to acrylic, with a limited budget for the construction of an advantage on its side.

Materials have similar installation and departure technology. They are attached to the crate without tight fixation. In case of damage during operation, the panel can be easily replaced.

Facing care is to wash it from the hose 1-2 times a year, if necessary, adding a detergent and using a brush. If the construction is near the highway or other plot with a high level of contamination, wash the polymer finish will have more often. For hard-scale spots, an abrasive composition is used, which is thoroughly washed off.

Unambiguous recommendations on which of the polymer siding is better, even a specialist will not give. Each consumer, weighing everything and against, appreciating its financial capabilities, the location of the house, the material of its walls, makes his own individual choice.

In contact with

The exterior decoration of houses, buildings and structures is a great way to create an individual appearance of the structure and implement traditional or unusual design ideas. Siding among modern facing materials has been very popular for many years due to the variety of types of panels in the type of coating, color range, combination of specific technical characteristics and affordable cost. Consumers are often simply lost in the selection, and manufacturers periodically offer new developments, unique technological solutions. For example, to understand what siding is better vinyl or acrylic, just to consider several aspects in detail in detail.

Vinyl siding - manufacture, characteristics and features of the material

The main raw material for the manufacture of vinyl panels is polyvinyl chloride. In addition to him, the siding includes various modifiers, dyes and pigments, other chemicals and additives. A certain profile of the plates is obtained according to the extrusion method - the alloy is extruded through a hole with a given form, and then cut down the desired size.

With this production technology, the vinyl siding is formed by two-layer:

• the inner layer provides stiffness and durability of the panel due to the addition of calcium carbonate;
• the outer layer, due to the presence of titanium dioxide, creates protection against external factors and weather conditions.

The optimal selection of components for the manufacture of vinyl siding guarantees its main advantages:

• durability in operation when compliance with the installation technology;
• the material does not absorb moisture, does not rot and does not require additional processing with special means against rodents and other pests;
• simplicity of fastening and installing panels due to their small weight and castle overlap;
• the use of panels in the temperature range - from -50 ° C to + 50 ° C;
• protection against burnout when exposed to sunlight;
• not soared in care - small pollution is purified with warm water, and small scratches are almost not noticeable on the surface due to a homogeneous outer layer;
• a variety of shades (bright and pastel) and textures, including imitation of natural surfaces - stone, wood.

Acrylic Siding - a new and improved vinyl modification

Acrylic panels are available on the same technology as vinyl. The qualitative difference lies in the preparation of the feedstock and the special selection of components. The basis for the outer layer is acrylic polymers, they attach special polymer additives ASA (acrylnitril-styrol-acrylester), which makes siding even more resistant to ultraviolet, mechanical damage, thermal exposure. Additionally, the composition is added: biochemical stabilizers, antistatic, antipyrenes, special reagents.

It is this balance of components that helps to get the distinguishing properties of the siding panels from acrylic:

In general, the acrylic saidding retains all the advantages of vinyl, and in some parameters it is much superior.

Taking into account the addition of special pigments and dyes of the acrylic panel acquire a variety of saturated bright shades, sometimes even with an external gloss, depending on the type of coating. The facade of the house can be decorated in any style, embodying original designer ideas. Moreover, acrylic siding, as well as vinyl, can be installed on a prepared frame with a horizontal or vertical method of fastening plates.

The main differences between the two types of panels

Acrylic or vinyl siding has its own characteristics. In making a final decision on the acquisition of the material will help the comparative table of parameters:

Comparison characteristic	View of panels
	vinyl	acrylic
Mechanical strength (blows and directional impact)	high in the summer months, in winter is significantly lower	high regardless of the season
Guaranteed service life	at least 30 years	at least 50 years
Color preservation ability	over time, there is a noticeable change in the shade.	do not fade with direct and long exposure to ultraviolet
The possibility of deformation when heated	change dimensions with long thermal exposure	do not heated
Maximum temperature value	up to + 50 ° С	to + 80 ° C - 85 ° C
Flower palette and coating type	basically bright, under a tree, brick, stone	dark, bright, glossy, under the tree
Appearance	do not have a well-pronounced structure	full imitation of natural coatings

According to the table comparison table, it becomes clear what is the principled difference between the panels. However, higher operational properties of acrylic siding affect its cost - it is more expensive than the vinyl 40 - 50%. As an example, a small overview of the manufacturers of panels:

It is important to note that the cost of fair elements and components for acrylic panels are also higher, relatively made from vinyl.

Main criteria when choosing a material

In each case, choose which siding is better for the outer decoration vinyl or acrylic, it is recommended to consider the following factors:

• the planned budget for the general set of materials is often a restriction on finance significantly affects the final choice,
• estimated life (maximum),
• appearance and shape of panels, type of coating,
• method of fixing panels and main features of installation,
• climatic conditions in the region and the level of exposure to ultraviolet radiation are the stability of the panels to the temperature fluctuations, the effects of ultraviolet.

According to experts, if the house is located on the sunny side, to optimally choose acrylic siding for mounting - steady heating and preserving the original panels. Vinyl siding is allowed to use for decoration of buildings with small snow loads and in zones with temperate climates. And, on the contrary, in the regions with extreme climatic conditions, the best option will be acrylic panels. Sometimes in order to save finances, you can choose a combination of siding panels:

• base to arrange acrylic
• walls - vinyl.

It's important to know

Remember that the manufacture of siding in unscrupulous manufacturers is possible from secondary raw materials, so such panels will have a low level of quality. As a rule, they do not even have a certificate.

High-quality siding both from vinyl and from acrylic is easy to determine with visual inspection - panels have the same thickness throughout the sheet and evenly painted surface with facial and inside. The high cost of acrylic siding is fully justified by a longer period of its operation without losing the basic advantages of the material. Facing with vinyl panels for most parameters is practically not inferior to the trim acrylic and with a limited budget for construction is a profitable replacement.

The term "siding" translated from English means "outdoor facing", the panel of this material is successfully applied when the walls are trimmed, regardless of the presence or absence of a heating layer on them. Its undoubted advantages include the aesthetics, simplicity and high speed of installation, resistance to weathering, mechanical and biological impacts, temperature drops and long service life. The performance is influenced by raw materials and manufacturing technology, when conducting an external finish, owners of private houses are most often choosing between options on an acrylic or vinyl-based basis.

This material is produced in the form of lungs, but durable standard size planks. Vinyl siding is obtained by melt and extruding a mixture of granulated polyvinyl chloride and specialized additives in the extruder. The latter provide its durability to UV, temperature drops and other external influences. Depending on the method of forming, such panels are homogeneous (obtained by monoecastrusion) or two-layer. The second species is considered more reliable: their outer layers better copes with external influences, and the internal well distributes the load due to increased elasticity and strength. The share of the first layer in the total thickness is 25%. Burning resistance in vinyl types is achieved by entering titanium dioxide, taking into account its natural white color, the creation of dark and saturated shades costs expensive, pastel and bright stamps better and retain the attractiveness longer.

Acrylic strips are obtained by extrusion of fibers of thermoplastic polymers, with generally similar manufacturing technology These materials won in resistance to UV, low temperatures and impact resistance. The raw material is inferior to granulated PVC in density, but after melting and molding, siding based on it has the highest possible hardness and perfectly withstands mechanical loads. The opposite side is a high cost, when wearing large areas, the difference between them and vinyl types becomes essential.

There are no panels with a clean basis from As-copolymers, almost all acrylic brands include PVC additives. But even a slight share is enough to improve properties, and when combining them with other modified impurities, this effect is fixed. The exact composition is the secret of manufacturers, many of them combine vinyl and acrylic. The appearance is distinguished by a variety in both cases, the consumer offers imitation of wood, shipbous, etc. The brands are distinguished both smooth and relief texture. The potential sphere of application is the lining of walls with medium and low vapor permeability: brick, concrete and wooden houses (including insulated ), the presence of ventilation gaps must.

Comparative review of indicators and properties

Most characteristics of materials coincide. Requirements for vinyl panels are regulated by DSTU b B.2.7-146: 2008, the quality of both types is verified taking into account international ASTM norms. Product dimensions range from 2.5 to 4 m in length and from 20 to 30 cm in width. Plank 3.66 × 0.23 is considered standard. The thickness depends on the intended purpose, in the brands used for the facing of the outer walls, it is 0.9-1.2 mm. In PVC and acrylic, manufactured by coextrusion, the permissible minimum is 1.1 mm. Shades of the external and inner layer can be slightly different: the cheaper the brand, the stronger the difference is manifested.

Total properties include:

1. High tensile strength (at a rate of 422 kgf / cm2) and an impact resistance. Both varieties perfectly protect the walls with any supporting abilities: from block and wooden houses to frame buildings.

2. Acid exposure resistance: vinyl or acrylic siding retains structure and shape when processing 93% H 2 SO 4 solution for 14 days at a minimum. The material is neutral to alkalis, salts and fats, both types are well tolerated with the use of modern means.

3. The combustible group - r2, ignition - B2, smoke-formation - d2. Both types do not support combustion, but are susceptible to temperature destruction. Acrylic products are better tolerated the heating, but in general the difference between the upper limits does not exceed 30 ° C. When weaving siding wooden houses, the walls and panels should be divided by a layer of unborn minvati.

4. Zero water absorption. Much better than other facing facade materials withstands atmospheric effects, precipitation simply flows from its surface.

5. Simplicity of installation, good tightness of the resulting trim due to the presence of castle compounds.

6. Easy, minimum burden on the design. The average weight of the standard size element (3.66 × 0.23 m) does not exceed 1.7 kg. The difference in the specific gravity between acrylic and vinyl panels is minor.

7. Resistance to rodents and other biological effects. Siding does not need additional processing with antiseptics or similar compositions.

According to reviews, both varieties retain the above work indicators unchanged over long service life. The results of the comparison of the differing performance characteristics of vinyl and acrylic siding are shown in the table:

Name of parameter	A type
	Vinyl	Acrylic
Impact resistance and resistance to wear	Complies with norms	50% higher
Resistance to ultraviolet	Average	10 times better than the vinyl
Operating temperature range, ° C	From -50 to +50	From -50 to +85
Low temperature reaction	Becomes fragile when dropping below -20 ° C	Does not lose strength up to -50 ° C
Durability, years	25	Up to 50

What kind of variety is preferable, the selection criteria

Comparison of characteristics allows us to conclude that the acrylic type wins first of all in burnout resistance, the effects of temperatures and the wealth of the proposed gamma. In the rest, they have similar indicators, in many ways depending on the blesshood of manufacturers. Checked foreign and joint brands include Mitten and Royal (Canada), Boryszew (Poland), Georgia-Pacific (USA), Slovinyl Siding (Slovenia). Many of them are produced both vinyl and acrylic siding. Among domestic products, the best reviews have a panel of the Alta-Profile, Grand Line, Texa, Holtzplast, Docke, from budgetary brands A reasonable quality is observed in Fasiding.

When choosing a specific type, the following criteria are taken into account:

1. Climatic operating conditions. In the northern latitudes, siding on an acrylic basis has proven due to the preservation of high strength of fastenings and profile shapes unchanged under the influence of minus temperatures.

2. Material of the walls or base of fastening cladding. With high fire safety requirements (for example, when wearing wooden houses), it is worth considering the use of a more expensive metal galvanized type or provide for the presence of an insulating layer (insulation functions are welcome).

3. The expected durability of the construction. Acrylic panels preserve the aesthetics and saturation of the color. In compliance with all the requirements of the installation, they will serve at least 50 years.

4. The location of the trimmed structures. Both types are not susceptible to rotting and do not fear fungus, but when operating in conditions of increased and constant humidity on acrylic brands, mold appears more often (easily washed, but sprinkling appearance).

5. The degree of illumination and impact of UV. Containing acrylic siding perfectly tolerates constant in the area of \u200b\u200bdirect sunlight, it is recommended to choose from the south sides of the facade. The blades from Vinyl retain their aesthetics only with initially non-market painting, which is not always suitable.

In any case, when cladding open and outstanding sites and walls, it is worth abandoning glossy varieties, they are more susceptible to heating and faster wear and fade.

6. The expected cost of work. The acrylic option is more expensive (including due to increased rates for fasteners), the vinyl is well suited with a limited budget. Optimal results are achieved in combination.

Cost of materials

View	Name of the series or brand	Manufacturer	Sizes, M.	PRICE PRICE STUD, RULES	Price for 1 m2, rubles
Vinyl	Standard	Tekom, Belgium-Russia	3.66 × 0.23.	180	210
	Canada Plus	Alta Profile, Russia		200	240
	Block House.		3.1 × 0.23.	180	250
	Quadrohouse.			170	240
	Oregon Pride.	Mitten, Canada	3.66 × 0.23.	370	440
	Sentry.			685	810
Acrylic	LUX ship bar	Döcke, Germany-Russia		300	350
	Wood Side
	Kanada Plus Premium	Alta Profile, Russia		250	300
	Ardennes ship bar	Tekom, Belgium-Russia		340	410

With equal sizes and similar colors, acrylic panels cost 20% more expensive (from 50 rubles and higher by 1 m2). The quality of products is estimated by checking the certificate and visually: color, the size of the mounting holes and the thickness must be uniform, small emptiness and defects on the surface are unacceptable. The sign of the correct material is also the presence of a closed, kindup packaging. Prices for vinyl variety depend on the color: a high-quality Dark product from PVC is less common and costs more than its bright analogues. Another factor of influence on the established value is the complexity of the texture and pattern, the use of brands, imitating wood, and profiles with an interesting form increases the cost of finishing the house by siding.

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Acrylic or vinyl siding? What's better

More owners are choosing Siding PVC as finishing. And face a question: vinyl or acrylic siding? Which to choose? What is the difference? And what exactly do it? Let's try to figure it out.

Vinyl and acrylic siding: the differences in the composition

Both types of siding are made from polyvinyl chloride. The first also includes additives, modifiers and concentrated pigments - to give the finish the desired color and operational characteristics.

Acrylic Siding is an Acrylnitril-Styrol-Acrylester (ASA) polymer. It increases the wear resistance, durability of the panels and their resistance to the effects of aggressive factors.

Vinyl siding: Advantages

Vinyl siding frost-resistant. It can be installed even at a negative temperature: the panels retain resistance to mechanical effects at temperatures to -65 ° C (Vinyl Siding "Alaska" from "Alta-profile"). Vinyl siding "Canada Plus" retains impact resistance at a temperature -20 ... -60 ° C.

Advantages of acrylic siding

Acrylic siding, on the contrary, resistant to high temperatures and ultraviolet radiation. It does not lose a deformation heat resistance even at + 80 ° C (Canada Plus acrylic siding from "Alta Profile"). Therefore, it is perfect for finishing houses in the solar southern regions.

Vinyl or acrylic?

What siding is more suitable for your home? To answer this question, let's compare the operational characteristics of both materials on the example of the prestige collection (Vinyl Siding) and Premium (Acrylic Siding) "Canada Plus" from Alta Profile.

Characteristic	Vinyl Siding	Acrylic siding
Temperature Range	60 ° С ... + 60 ° С	50 ° С ... + 80 ° С
Surface		Glossy
Colors that better give preference	Light, pastel	Dark and saturated
Regions where it is better to use siding	Siberia, Far East, Northern Regions	Crimea, Krasnodar Edge and other southern, sunny regions

Otherwise, the characteristics of vinyl and acrylic siding are similar. Both materials:

• moisture resistant
• resistant to humidity and temperature drops
• do not support burning
• not toxic
• do not require special care
• last 50 years old and more.

Thus, if you live in the north, choose vinyl siding, if in the south - acrylic. Want Siding Dark Colors - Prefer the acrylic. Prefer classics, natural and bright shades - choose among vinyl panels.

Outdoor facing at home, performing decorative and protective functions, is called siding. Modern technologies allowed to establish a siding out of different materials. So, on sale there is a siding from metal, vinyl, acrylic, tree and asbestos cement. Each type of siding has its own characteristics and specifications that postpone the imprint on the scope of its use. So, asbestos-cement facing products are more often used to finish the base, so they are also called base siding. But for the walls of the walls of the house, the siding vinyl or acrylic is more often used. It is these two material that we will consider in our article and compare them.

Vinyl facing products

Polyvinyl chloride is used to produce this material. The first panels were manufactured in North America in the middle of the 20th century. By 80%, this product consists of vinyl, and 20% of its volume occupy various additives that allow you to improve the properties and characteristics of the material. These include various coloring pigments, stabilizing additives and various modifiers that provide the resistance of the product to external negative effects, allow you to get a beautiful color, achieve a matte or glossy surface, increase the elasticity, elasticity and durability of the material.

In addition, in the composition of the vinyl product, there are stabilizers based on titanium dioxide, butadiene stabilizing additives, aggregate structure based on calcium carbonate. The vinyl panels are made by coextrusion.

Advantages and disadvantages

To understand what better to use vinyl or acrylic siding is to study the advantages of Vinyl panels:

• High resistance to moisture, high temperatures and solar radiation. The material can be used in the temperature range from -50 ° C to + 50 ° C. In the sun, the material practically does not fade. It is also resistant to moderate alkalis and acids.
• It is resistant to various mechanical damage (medium and small impact force). The material is not cracking, does not reside, its surface does not become rough with a rough time. It is not subject to rotting and corrosion even with long-term operation in conditions of high humidity.
• Vinyl does not spoil insects and rodents.
• This is an environmentally friendly material.
• The product does not conduct an electric current.
• It has no toxic and combustible components.
• Panels are easy and quickly mounted. At the same time, you can perform the installation with your own hands, as special skills and equipment are not needed.
• Siding installation can be performed at any time of the year.
• With it, you can equip the ventilated facade, so that the condensate will not accumulate the material.
• Panels are easy to clean. To do this, it is enough to use the hose and a powerful stream of water.
• Durability of the product. It will last up to 30 years.
• Throughout the operation, there are no special maintenance and repair.

Despite many positive feedback, this material has its drawbacks:

1. Under the influence of high temperatures, the material begins to melt.
2. If the panel is incorrectly installed, then in the process of temperature deformations, it can cross or even crack. But you can only blame for this if you have not followed the rules of installation.
3. Also, at ambient air temperature below -10 ° C, the panel becomes fragile and can crack when cutting or during installation. That this does not happen, cut the material better than the grinder.

Types and characteristics

Externally, the panel can imitate the shipboard, the trim under the "Christmas tree" or a log wall (Block House). In addition to the finishing material, a full range of challenges is available on sale, without which the installation will not be possible. These include the starting profile, the outer and inner corner, the end and connecting profile, the finish bar and sophilor to cover the roof of the roof.

Important: The thickness of the wall finishing material may be within 1-1.2 mm. For greater reliability and durability of the finishes, it is recommended to use siding with a thickness of at least 1.1 mm.

When selling products are marked according to the molding factor:

• S is a single board, that is, the element simulates one log or board;
• D - double;
• T - element of three boards.

Next, in the marking, the letters are the numbers that indicate the width of the panel. For example, the product with marking T 4.5 is decrypted: three boards of 4.5 inches, that is, 4.5 inches \u003d 114.3 mm, which means 114.3 x 3 \u003d 343 mm - the width of the panel.

The length of one element may be within 2.5-4 m. Usually this value is strictly not normalized and may differ from different manufacturers. The weight of one product can reach up to 1.9 kg.

Acrylic siding

To understand what the difference between acrylic and vinyl products should be understood in the features of the production of acrylic panels. Acrylic panels are manufactured by coextrusion. The material consists of two layers of polymer composites. One layer is an acrylic polymer. Due to this panels become resistant to sunlight, high temperatures and can save their color for a long time.

Important: In acrylic products, the degree of glossy gloss surface is 60-90 units.

In addition to acrylic, there are other components in the product:

• to give a certain shade, dyes are used;
• to fix the color, you need titanium dioxide;
• the elasticity of the material is achieved by using special chemical components;
• antipirens are needed to protect against fire;
• to increase the mechanical strength, modifiers are used;
• antistics are used to protect against static electricity.

Advantages and disadvantages

To understand what kind of siding is better, acrylic or vinyl, consider the advantages of the first:

1. Material tolerates mechanical effects well. He is pretty durable.
2. The product retains a constant geometric shape at high temperatures (up to + 80 ° C).
3. There are no toxic and harmful components in the material.
4. The product does not support burning.
5. The surface does not fade under the influence of sunlight and does not change its shade over time.
6. Acrylic siding is also easy and simply mounted, like its vinyl collected. To do this, you do not need special experience and any complex devices and tools. Mounting deadlines are also impressive.
7. The panels are easy to care for. Walls, covered with siding, is enough to wash once a year with water. No repair and special services acrylic siding requires.
8. Material is resistant to acids and various alkalis.

Among the disadvantages should be noted the following:

1. Acrylic products also need compliance with the rules of installation. If this is not done, then as a result of temperature deformations, the panel can be twisted or cracking.
2. If you buy low-quality acrylic siding, which is made on outdated equipment or non-compliance with the proportion of components and installation technology, then the quality of the material will be low. However, this statement is true for any finishing material, including for vinyl panels.

Types and characteristics

Depending on the appearance, you can buy acrylic panels for a shipboard, vertical products and elements imitating a block house. As for the dimensions of these products, they are as follows:

• panels under the shipboard are produced with a length of 3.66 m and a width of 23 cm;
• vertical siding is produced with a length of 3.1 m and 20.5 cm wide;
• the products under the block house are made with a length of 3.1 m, and the width of the single element will be 20 cm, in the double panel, this value is 32 cm.

The thickness of all panels is the same and is 1.1 mm. In this case, the surface of the products may have different textures and color.

Comparison

1. Lifetime. In this category, acrylic siding is much better because it can serve quite a long time. It's all about the special technology for manufacturing siding from acrylic and components used. According to the manufacturer, vinyl products can serve about 30 years, and the acrylic panels are 50 years old. The high strength of the acrylic product in places of fasteners and connections is especially noticeable. The material is less susceptible to temperature deformations.
2. Sunny light resistance. This indicator is especially important to preserve the presentable appearance of the lined house. And here again leads the acrylic product, since it is more resistant to burnout and fading. The degree of stability of the material to burnout depends on the concentration of titanium oxide. In acrylic products, it is more, which is why these panels are 10 times more resistant to burnout than vinyl products.
3. Simplicity and speed of installation. Here both material boast of good characteristics, since the process of their installation is identical.
4. Maintainability. Both materials are equally repaired. If necessary, it suffices to remove the spoiled panel and replace it with a new one.
5. Easy care. Both material do not need special care and, if necessary, easily wash in conventional water.
6. Price. Vinyl siding is cheaper than an acrylic counterpart. So, you can buy one panel from Vinyl for 1.9 cu, and one element from acrylic is sold at 2.9 cu. Accordingly, the cost of components to these panels is also.