How to improve the concrete foundation in the country. Decorating the basement of the house: options, photos, materials. How to protect a brick basement from moisture

The decoration of the basement of a private building performs not only a decorative function, but also protects the lower part of the building from environmental influences. The basement is a part of the foundation that rises above the earth's surface, protecting it from moisture and cold. Therefore, it must be faced with a durable and resistant, but at the same time beautiful material.

Finishing types

Today, the building materials market offers a variety of varieties of foundation finishes. An ordinary consumer is often worried about what material is ideal for cladding the basement of a private house.

There are many options for finishing the basement, the main thing is to choose the most suitable one for your home

Options for the most popular finishing materials:

natural or artificial stone;
decorative plaster;
facing brick;
siding;
clinker tiles;
sandwich panels.

Plinth finish with natural stone

This type of finish is the most expensive option. It is also a very long-term event. But natural stone is better than many materials in terms of its characteristics, it is resistant to the effects of the natural environment and is extremely durable. If they overlay the facade of a wooden house, it will give the building an expensive and solid look.

Most often it is made of limestone, sandstone, marble, granite or onyx.... Natural stone does not require additional maintenance. The tiles are available in different sizes - from bricks to slabs and textures (smooth or granular).

Installation of stone tiles:

Using an adhesive for working with stone, the tiles are glued one by one to the base. To avoid peeling and cracking, only this adhesive should be used.
To achieve the effect of integrity, the distance between small tiles should be no more than 6 mm, and between large tiles - 2-3 mm or 1-2 cm, with visible separation.
Grouting is done with a frost-resistant mortar, and sandstones and limestones are treated with a water-repellent agent.

Plinth trim with artificial stone

The existing options for artificial stone, as well as a large selection of colors, allow you to choose a material for every taste. It must be durable, resistant to moisture and temperature extremes.
Artificial material is visually almost indistinguishable from natural, but has a lower cost.

Installation of artificial tiles.

Stone tiles are glued to an elastic or simple mortar. The lined basement will be better treated with a water-repellent agent, this measure will increase the operational life by more than 3-4 years.

Siding plinth trim

Siding plinths is an economical and quick finish. The material is not afraid of temperature fluctuations and exposure to moisture, this makes it possible to use it in any conditions.
The cost of siding panels is much lower than stone ones, and finishing works are faster and easier. In addition, this material is quite beautiful and also looks solid.

The process of installing a plinth siding

Plastering the plinth

This is a relatively inexpensive but effective way to insulate and protect the foundation from environmental influences. In the old days, the basement was simply plastered, now it is mandatory to insulate the foundation with all kinds of heat-insulating materials with further plastering.

Insulation prevents cold penetration to the building foundation, while the mesh creates a solid base for mortar application and structural strength. To protect against moisture and improve the appearance, the surface of the foundation is then painted.

You can revet the finished base with stone or siding.

Decorative finishing of the foundation

Such finishing consists in decorating the foundation with the help of staining, creating effects, siding. You can also use a rasp to create a semblance of brick or masonry, mark the seams with contrasting paint, or veneer with a stone.

Finishing the basement of the house with mineral plaster

This type of material contains fine fractions from 0.8 to 3 mm in diameter. The resin in the plaster base makes it water-repellent. At the same time, the material is resistant to cold, mechanical damage... Has vapor permeability.

It is possible to apply the material on concrete, gypsum and mineral plasters. Mosaic plaster must not be applied over unnatural substrates.

Plastering process:

Mineral plaster is applied manually. Before applying the mosaic plaster, lightly coat the base with plaster to enhance adhesion to the foundation.
Mosaic plaster is applied in a layer corresponding to the diameter of the fractions. Smooth with a stainless steel grater before it dries. The direction of movement of the float does not change. Work is carried out on a wet surface to avoid visible joints.
The finished base is treated with a hydrophobic compound in the very first days.

Thermal panels

Thermal panels are glued to the base like a regular tile. Foam glue or expanded polystyrene glue is applied to their ends. The panels are glued and the seams are rubbed. Grout paste should be the same color as thermal panels or white. It contains marble chips for optimal shrinkage.
Warming of the corners of a wooden house is carried out using a corner thermal panel, made by hand using a construction knife.

Thermal panel advantages:

She does not need processing, as well as coloring.
Does not get dirty, has a self-cleaning effect.
Easy installation and replacement of a damaged thermal panel.
The outer layer of the panel is protected from moisture and vapor permeable.
It is insensitive to ultraviolet light, reflects rays well.
Thermal panels are characterized by elasticity, strength, durability.
It is resistant to temperature extremes.
It has heat insulating as well as sound insulating properties.
The panel is not susceptible to mold.

Plinth facing with thermal panels with clinker tiles

Such thermal panels can not only improve the appearance of the base of a private wooden house, but also insulate the foundation.

Clinker tiles imitate brick, but at a much cheaper price. It is made by firing, like natural clinker bricks.

Thermal panels are panels of extruded polystyrene foam, finished with appropriate decorative elements. They are easy and quick to install, provide insulation and moisture protection.

Clinker tiles

The foundation sheathed with such tiles looks like a clinker brick wall, only much lighter and thinner. The tiles are glued to plaster, concrete and thermal insulation. It can be folded and glued even on arched surfaces.

DIY plinth finishing:

First, the line from which the tiles are to be glued is determined (the height of the base / plinth divided by the width of the tiles plus the joint width).
Glue is applied to the tile and base with an area of 1 square meter.
Starting from the corner, the first 4 tiles are glued.
After 2-3 days, the tile joints can be filled with a cold-resistant jointing mortar. This is not necessary, because the glue protruding from the seams can replace the joint.
Such tiles do not need water-repellent impregnations, since they do not absorb moisture.

PVC paneling

This material will be a good choice for owners of a private house who decide to do without wet work. The panels can be easily installed in-house. In appearance, they can resemble mosaic plaster or the surface of a brick wall. They are granules made of natural material, embedded in the plane of the panels.

Installation of panels:

A level is set and a starting profile is installed at the bottom of the foundation.
With the help of grooves and ridges, adjacent elements are connected.
The upper part of the plinth is covered with an overlay profile.
The corners are closed by corner pieces.
A plinth sheathed in this way does not need to be treated with a water-repellent agent.

The foundation can be finished with small (0.4 x 0.18 m) or large (0.6 x 0.18 m and 1.2 x 0.18 m) panels in 40 color combinations.

Sheathing the basement of a wooden house with sandwich panels

The panels are made of two layers of material (mainly metal), joined by heat-pressing insulation. Due to their layered structure, the panels provide excellent insulation, durability and strength. In addition, they look presentable and are easy to install, without undue stress on the base.

The surface can be smooth, decorated or profiled.

The above materials for lining the plinth are most popular with the consumer, due to their decorative, heat-insulating and water-repellent qualities. Insulation of the basement of a wooden house can be performed using any of them.

Protecting the basement from moisture is a necessary and paramount task when forming the basement of a house. The basement is the connecting link of the above-ground structures of the structure with its fundamental underground foundation. The strength of the plinth largely determines the stability of the entire structure. During the construction process, it provides the necessary surface for the construction of the facade walls. In the future, its main function will be protection against penetrating atmospheric and ground moisture.

Meanwhile, the very foot of the house suffers the most from dampness and becomes the most vulnerable spot in the building. It takes on the consequences of heavy rains, melting snow, leading to destruction. Therefore, waterproofing of the basement is necessary, in addition, it requires careful attention to the choice of protective equipment that can adequately withstand the aggressive action of water.

Means and methods of protecting the basement of the house from moisture

Basement waterproofing.

When choosing materials for waterproofing the basement, it must be borne in mind that the work is carried out in two directions:

vertical protection, which involves coating the wall surface;
horizontal protection - laying waterproofing between the walls of the basement and the foundation.

Horizontal insulation of a house is able to prevent the penetration of capillary moisture into the overhead structures of the building. It is realized using roll materials. The most common among them are roofing felt and roofing felt. Roofing paper has a cardboard base, therefore, when choosing it, it is worthwhile to understand that it is not necessary to count on a long operational period.

Modern roofing felt coatings are more effective. They are made from elastomeric bitumen and are supported by polyester nonwovens or durable fiberglass.

Vertical is very flexible and can be done in various ways of waterproofing treatment.

Spreading involves the use of bitumen and its analogs. The thick consistency of the material makes it possible to achieve a thick protective layer on the surface of the house. However, this material does not differ in high strength indicators. It is too unstable to mechanical damage. Innovative building materials, such as liquid glass, are much more durable and efficient.
For staining, protective varnishes and paints are used. The advantages include affordability and ease of the application process.
The impregnation process is based on the use of liquid polymers and synthetic resins.
Pasting allows you to use a wide range of roll-on waterproofers.

When choosing a tool that will help to process the basement, it is necessary to take into account compatibility with the building material used to erect the basement.

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Penetrating waterproofing

The advantage of penetrating waterproofing lies in the fact that it is able to penetrate 90 cm into the thickness of concrete. It moves along the same cracks and capillaries along which moisture could move. Having penetrated into the thickness of the concrete, the material reacts with the constituents of the concrete.

Penetrating waterproofing fills all the small cavities of the concrete structure of the house, due to which the material gains strength (the strength of the concrete increases by 20%). The chemical composition makes it resistant to acids, alkalis and oil products, in addition, it is not subject to mechanical stress.

Remove dust and debris from the surface. Dissolve the dry powder in water, following the instructions on the package, stir the mixture thoroughly until homogeneous. It is necessary to apply the mixture on a moistened surface of a concrete structure. Apply the first layer of penetrating waterproofing to the plinth, after it dries, apply the second. Experts recommend waterproofing with penetrating materials using synthetic brushes or a special mortar pump. It is possible to process the basement of a house with this type of materials only at temperatures above zero.

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Roll glued waterproofing

Roll materials mean bitumen, polymer and synthetic waterproofing. The material is glued to all structures of the basement of the house. Usually the outer walls are covered with several layers of waterproofing. If the house is located in an area with a large amount of groundwater, then the number of layers can be increased to five.

The insulation layers are glued to the outer walls of the basement, overlapping them. This type of insulation is not resistant to damage, therefore, at a distance of 1 cm from the surface of the waterproofing layer, a brick wall is erected in a half-brick or a reinforced concrete block is installed. The space between the protective wall and the waterproofing is filled with bituminous mastic. Installation work can be carried out at an ambient temperature of at least 10 ° C.

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Coating waterproofing

Protecting the surface of the base from moisture, you should pay attention to the coating materials that are applied to the internal and external surfaces. If the mastic is applied from the outside of the wall, moisture is prevented from entering the room. There are several types of coating materials: bituminous mastics, cement-polymer waterproofing, polymer-bitumen mastics.

Bitumen-based mastics are the most readily available, but have a short service life. After operation for 5 years, under the influence of low temperatures, the bitumen material is destroyed, and external moisture will penetrate into the room.

Cement-polymer and polymer-bitumen waterproofing is more resistant to frost conditions. When installing them, it is necessary to provide protection against mechanical damage. Clean the surface, apply the mastic in several layers depending on the moisture content and dry the structure.

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How to protect a brick basement from moisture

Perform in several ways:

to make brickwork, pre-treated with waterproofing impregnation at the factory;
use bitumen grease applied to the surface in several layers;
cover with roofing material;
apply a construction mixture of a special penetrating composition.

The latter method is based on the action of the active components of the mixture, which, once they get into wet microcracks or pores, clog them with their own crystallization.

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

The strip foundation is a concrete mixture with metal or and aggregate from crushed stone and gravel. Firstly, such a surface looks unattractive, even if its edges are perfectly flat. And they are rarely even - depending on what formwork was used when pouring. Traces of shields and usually remain.

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

it must protect the surface of the fill from and, the scorching rays of the sun and winds;
the cladding hides not only all the imperfections of the foundation, but also the layer;
and finally, decorative cladding should match the overall structure and beautify the building.

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

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

The second important point is that you need to take into account the climate of your region.

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

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

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

Natural stone is considered the most respectable and expensive in decoration. Professionals in construction recommend not using loose rocks, such as shell rock and limestone, for decorating the basement. They will soon lose their presentable appearance.

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

Magmatic gabbro and granite are best suited in this regard.

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

Features of the choice of natural stone for outdoor decoration

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

Master class on facing the basement with natural stone

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

Illustration	Description of action
	A metal mesh must be fixed on the surface of the base. It will firmly fix the solution.
	Place the torn stones for the plinth on the ground in the order in which you will place them on a vertical surface. Natural stone does not have two identical parts, so you need to assemble the cladding, as a puzzle is assembled.
	The details that will be below and above must be cut off so that there is a straight line. Use for this with a special stone cutting wheel.
	For facing the basement with natural stone, prepare a mortar from sand and. The consistency should be firm enough. It is better to wet the stones a little before installation.
	Insert wooden or stone chopiks to form gaps between stones. Start laying from the bottom up.
	After the stones are firmly fixed on the plinth, remove the chops and fill the gaps with mortar.

The nuances of facing the basement with artificial stone

Artificial stone will cost you much cheaper than natural. This feature attracts many developers. In addition, the artificial material has regular geometric shapes, which greatly simplifies laying. All you need to do is trim the tiles a little in the corners with a grinder.

It is attractive with a variety of shades, shapes and textures:

This stone is lighter than natural stone, so less mortar is required. Modern artificial materials are not inferior to natural ones in moisture resistance and durability. Their only drawback is their slightly unnatural appearance. But now you can find collections that can only be distinguished on closer inspection.

How to choose an artificial stone for a basement

Don't try to buy the cheapest material. As a rule, its quality is poor. It is best to use stones cast in silicone molds, they most closely mimic the natural texture. Before paying for a batch, study the colors of the stones: the paint should not slick on other shades. The stones should not have holes or cracks, inclusions of foreign particles.

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

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

Video instruction for finishing the basement with artificial stone

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

What is the finish of the basement with plastic panels for a stone

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

Advice! When choosing plastic panels for outdoor use, give preference to well-known brands. A cheap product quickly fades and crumbles from temperature extremes.

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

Finishing the basement with siding and its nuances

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

How to decorate the basement of a house with siding is detailed in this video tutorial:

Using cladding tiles for the basement of the house

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

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

The only drawback of this design is that there is no way to additionally insulate the foundation with mineral wool. But there are other options, which we will discuss below.

For your information! For the exterior laying of tiles, the temperature during work is important, it should be at least minus five degrees. Do not be fooled by the advice to use winter masonry mortars - the tiles will fall off quickly.

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

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

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

Illustration	Description of action
	Fasten a solid insulation, such as penoplex, to the outside of the foundation.
	Install a metal mesh on the surface of the insulation. Fasten it firmly with special fasteners.
	Start with the corner pieces. Place them with the desired clearance of at least 1 cm.
	After the corner, start fixing the rest of the elements. Use a light vibrating motion while pressing the tiles down to allow the grout to penetrate the mesh cells.
	After the masonry has become, fill the joints with mortar and decorate with a jointing tool.

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

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

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

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

The plinth is the upper part of the foundation wall, which is usually 30-50 cm above the ground. This height depends on where the house is built, the water table and the structure of the foundation. Higher plinths can be made in the construction of the foundation partially buried in the ground, in the case of a basement.

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

Is the plinth sinking or protruding?

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

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

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

In the case of thermal insulation of external walls with mineral wool or expanded polystyrene plates, you can also use special starter strips located in the lower protruding part of the facade.

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

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

If we want to revet the entire plinth with decorative stone, we must choose the right thickness so that we can carry out an appropriate water drain.

The protection of the upper surface of the base should protrude approximately 2-5 cm, which will ensure that rainwater flows from the surface without causing dampness of the wall.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you want to veneer a plinth with stone, it should be borne in mind that this is a very time-consuming and therefore more expensive method than finishing with ceramic tiles or basic plaster. This is due to the fact that the correct choice of stone is necessary in order to be able to maintain an approximately equal thickness of the seam over the entire surface.

To accomplish this type of finish, the following are commonly used:

large pebbles, although in this case difficulties arise in the selection of flat stones close to each other in size;
chipped stone;
stone tiles.

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

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

Due to the high labor intensity, finishing the base with natural stone is a relatively expensive solution. It is also worth making sure that this type of finish will blend in with the architecture of the rest of the home (stone is not always suitable for modern homes). In order to save money, the basement is often decorated with stone panels, which imitate the pattern and pattern of natural stone.

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

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

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

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

Mineral plasters are more durable than acrylic plasters. It should be noted, however, that no plaster will be as resistant to impacts and dents as ceramics or stone.

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

While facing the facades of a country house, it is worth thinking about the above-ground part of the foundation, which initially looks like a simple concrete wall. The gap under the building erected on newfangled screw piles looks just as ugly. Hence the task of our article is to consider what materials are used to decorate the basement of a private house and how it is better to sheathe it in certain conditions.

The role of the basement cladding of a private house

We have already mentioned the improvement of the external design with the external finishing layer. But besides decorative, it also performs other important functions:

extending the service life of the concrete base by protecting it from moisture, direct sunlight and sudden temperature changes;
the cladding takes on contamination and various mechanical damage;
protects reinforced concrete from damage by microorganisms - fungi and mold;
in the case of a pile foundation, it closes the gap between the house and the ground so that the wind does not walk on it.

Before finishing the basement from the outside, it must be insulated, these are the requirements of building codes. Thermal insulation is made of polymeric water-repellent materials - foam, extruded polystyrene foam or by spraying polyurethane foam. After that, a layer of insulation is decorated with a facing material on the outside.

Note. There are special thermal panels for finishing the basement, which have a heat-insulating layer, which will be discussed later.

The entire foundation is subject to insulation - both aboveground and underground parts to the depth of soil freezing.
If the construction of the house is completed, then you need to make the basement insulation with a blind area, this is a cheaper option.
It makes no sense to insulate only the basement part, since the cold will penetrate into the building through the ground.
External insulation can be omitted if the floors are well insulated throughout the cottage, although additional protection would be useful.

Finishing materials

There are quite a few options for how you can decorate the basement of a private house:

smooth or embossed plaster;
natural or artificial stone, tiles;
clinker and other decorative bricks;
plastic or metal siding;
various panels with and without thermal insulation layer.

Now let's take a closer look at each option.

Application of plaster

This is one of the inexpensive ways to finish the foundation, used in houses without special requirements for external design. In addition to being cheap, plastering offers the following advantages:

The mortar layer is distinguished by good vapor permeability, and therefore it is successfully applied both to a concrete surface and to a polymer insulation.
The ease of plastering allows you to save more money if you do it yourself.
Such cladding can be quickly and inexpensively decorated with any color and given a different texture - from a small "fur coat" to an imitation of a wild stone, as shown in the photo.
Modern plasters can be tinted without any problems in the required color, which saves you from painting work once every 3-5 years.

Reference. The plastering technology is quite simple. For example, a "fur coat" from a liquid solution is thrown in a thin layer on a moistened base, and the bark beetle is applied and leveled with a rule. Imitation of natural stone is made by hand with a mixture of thick consistency.

The negative side of plaster coatings is the limited service life. From the effects of weather conditions and temperature differences, it gradually crumbles, cracks and even breaks off. High-quality plastering will last about 5 years without problems, and after that it needs periodic repairs. The second moment: this method, for obvious reasons, is not applicable for buildings on pile foundations.

Stone cladding - pros and cons

To improve the basement of the house, the following types of natural stone are used:

shell rock;
limestone;
sandstone;
gray and black granite, marble;
labradorite.

This is what granite cladding looks like

Slabs with polished or chipped edges, cut from rocks, can serve for the entire life of the building. This finish does not lose its excellent appearance for many years, and also does not require maintenance and repair. These are positive aspects, but there are also negative aspects:

The high cost of processed natural stone.
You will not be able to cover the basement with your own hands, you will have to attract specialists, and this is an additional cost.
Due to the decent weight, the material significantly loads the foundation.

Imitation sandstone

You can give the cottage an elite appearance at a lower price if you finish the basement walls with artificial stone products - fiber cement or porcelain stoneware tiles. They are made on the basis of cement mixtures with various additives by casting in silicone molds and successfully imitate any rocks. Artificial stone is not inferior to natural stone in terms of durability, and it weighs less. But for laying tiles on a solution, experience and qualifications are still required, plus labor costs for leveling the surface. All the nuances are described in the video:

Reference. Some manufacturers (for example, the Kanyon brand) offer products with metal brackets that are fixed with self-tapping screws to a wooden frame or directly to a wall. So, if you wish, you can mount the plinth trim yourself.

About brickwork

The benefits of traditional brick cladding are well known to homeowners using this method. In terms of durability and respectable appearance, the masonry is practically not inferior to stone walls, but it has the following features:

To cover the base with a full-size brick, you need to arrange a solid base for it. This will not be a problem if such a finish was foreseen in advance and the width of the foundation tape allows you to build a half-brick wall on it. Another option is the device of a full-fledged blind area associated with the base of the house with fittings.
The brick cladding of the basement makes it possible to organize an air gap or lay insulation in the wall.
If you do not use cheap silicate varieties, then the masonry itself will serve as a good insulation.
To erect a facing wall from decorative stamps, laid out "in the wasteland", you will have to involve a master - a bricklayer or train yourself for a long time.

Note. To reduce the cost of finishing the basement, you can use clinker tiles instead of bricks. The technology of laying on the adhesive mixture is similar to the cladding with porcelain stoneware.

At the construction price, this method outperforms stone cladding, but it will cost more than installing artificial tiles. In addition, for a protruding front wall, you will need a wide ebb around the perimeter of the building.

Siding sheathing

Metal and plastic basement siding can delight every homeowner with both the price and the variety of colors and textures. They are offered in the form of strips and panels of various shapes, mounted on a frame made of wood or steel profiles. In addition to the affordable price, the material has the following advantages:

Quick and easy installation, thanks to which the owner is able to sheathe the basement with siding himself.
A remarkable exterior of a private house.
Since the cladding is mounted on a subsystem, insulation of the required thickness is quietly laid under it.
In case of mechanical damage, the damaged elements can be easily replaced.

Reference. Sometimes a budget material is used as a siding - a wall profiled sheet. It is equally well suited for decorating small country houses, building fences and light gates.

Inexpensive claddings are never ideal. But there are not so many disadvantages to siding:

vinyl sheathing is susceptible to burning, and the highest quality is subject to melting from heating;
polymer painting of metal panels and corrugated board quickly fade in the sun;
after 5-10 years (depending on the quality of the products), the appearance of the material deteriorates;
siding must be periodically washed from dust and dirt;
accidental mechanical damage leaves scratches on the painted metal, and plastic can break from shock loading.

Despite the indicated disadvantages, wall and basement siding does not lose popularity. In addition, it is excellent for sewing up cavities in pile-screw foundations. How to properly perform the installation, read on, and the following video will acquaint you with the plating process:

Advantages of finishing panels

Since the characteristics and installation method of plastic panels differ little from vinyl siding, we suggest paying attention to other types of products:

two-layer thermal panels, where polystyrene insulation is glued to the base made of artificial stone;
fiber cement products of the type of Japanese cladding from the Kmew brand.

The presented finishing materials for the basement combine the positive sides of stone and PVC panels, plus they have an acceptable cost. It is long lasting, excellent in appearance and simplified with or without a frame.

Thermal panels imitating masonry and brickwork are equipped with a heat-insulating layer of foam or extruded polystyrene foam. Fastening is carried out through special countersunk holes, and almost seamless joining is ensured by a perfect locking system. In the same way, fiber cement panels are installed without insulation. More details about editing are described in the video:

Note. Both types of cladding can be used in houses installed on pile foundations.

From the above, we can draw the following conclusions:

In most cases, the choice of material depends on the size of the budget allocated for the construction. The exception is pile foundations, where it is impossible to use the entire range of facing products.
Even with the availability of funds, it is impractical to finish the basement with marble, granite and other types of expensive limestone. There are substitutes - panels and clinker tiles that are not inferior in appearance and service life, which are cheaper and do not load the foundation.
The use of decorative bricks is justified when the width of the foundation tape is designed for masonry. In other cases, it is easier and cheaper to sheathe the basement wall with any imitation brick.

Of the cheap options for a plinth, panels and siding made of non-combustible materials are most suitable. The experience of modern construction shows that the burnout of building facades occurs due to an incorrectly selected basement finish, which ignites from a cigarette butt thrown nearby.

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