Materials and technologies for home decor

Architecture is a science that unites two types of activity: planning and building construction. Architecture, as it was called in the old days, cannot be mastered without highly specialized knowledge, the talent of which is available to every talented professional. The word “architecture” passed through a long way of borrowing from other languages ​​before it appeared in Russian. At first it was adopted from the Poles, they borrowed the name in Latin, and to it it migrated from the Greek, where it mattered "main, main builder". Architects manage to combine math and art. Their work consists of several stages, the last of which is decoration. If we are talking about monumental buildings, then decorate them to a simple man in the street is not under force.

Try on the role of the architect is possible only when decorating your own house. Usually private average dwellings are similar to each other, as typical copies: standard two or three windows on the facade, on one side of the veranda with an entrance door. The question is not so much in the capabilities of the owners to beautifully decorate their home, as in a simple desire. Design project can be implemented even with inexpensive materials. The decor of the facade of the house is no less important than the interior solution inside the dwelling. If the guests “get acquainted” with the decoration after they are invited, the exterior will tell any passerby about the special taste of the site owners.

The interior is created more for the convenience of living, architectural solutions are aimed at creating beauty outside. However, do not be mistaken about the complete uselessness of decorative trim. It becomes an additional support and a strong obstacle in the way of destructive processes, which eventually begin to affect the facades of any material.

Materials for decor

The front side is the “face” of the house, which welcomes guests. From its appearance depends on the first impression, which is known to be difficult to smooth over time. It is necessary to think out what elements you will decorate the main wall of the house in advance. Usually, the exterior solution is linked to the design of the landscape of the site and home territory. For her, as well as for the interior, they select the style, the finishing materials for the lining and the decorative elements that play the role of the very cherry on the cake. And without it, sweet and tasty, but with her much more beautiful.

Facing the front surface is used as an additional layer of insulation. Finishing materials are classified into several popular types:

• Artificial brick, stone (polymer concrete);
• Concrete. Perhaps the most "strong" option;
• Decorative plaster;
• Metal and its derivatives in fine finishes;
• Polyfoam and polyurethane foam;
• Glass fiber concrete. Material that is widely used in the "big" architecture;
• Gypsum. Fragile material, products from which are usually kept at home. In order for the gypsum elements to withstand the "rainy season", special formulations are used.

Each material is used to implement specific ideas within the framework of stylistic decisions. For example, wood is indispensable for a group of village styles and ethnics, and artificial brick or stone is used to create modern versions of facades.

Styrofoam

Polyfoam is mainly used for interior decoration and for insulation. Previously, the material was used exclusively as a "draft" layer. In decorating, it was re-discovered not so long ago. Foam panels, which have already been embossed, are popular. The texture of the material reliably imitates brick and stone. You can create a similar relief with your own hands using a lighter (soldering iron) and a clerical knife. Conventional foam is toxic only when burning, so work on creating decorative panels from it is better to transfer to the street and protect the respiratory tract with a respirator. The type of material with "balls" in the structure, which enclose fragile items in boxes, is only suitable for insulation and interior decoration.

For decorating the facades using polystyrene foam. His safety for humans is proven by research. Expanded polystyrene can even contact with food without consequences. The word "foam" means any foamed plastic. This is not a special kind, but a collective concept that unites a mass of materials.

For decorating facades used foam with a special coating - a film that protects the brittle base from damage and environmental exposure. However, despite these measures, it is impossible to call such a lining durable. On average, its service life will be about five years. Of the indisputable advantages note the additional insulation provided by the material, and its weight, which does not add to the load on the structure.

The modern construction market offers not only foam panels for decoration, but also individual decorative elements: pilasters, stucco molding, rosettes.

Glass fiber concrete

Glass fiber concrete belongs to relatively new materials. It has an average weight: heavier than polyurethane, but lighter than concrete, does not absorb moisture and is not sensitive to frost. Panels are usually made to order, and the service life is not inferior to the building itself. The material is one of the types of fiber-reinforced concrete. Reinforcing additives play the role of "frame", they use steel, fiberglass or synthetic materials. Fibers are added to the concrete (fine-grained matrix), which are evenly distributed throughout the formation. For decoration use a separate type. Other types of glass fiber are used for waterproofing purposes or are components of complex structures. The cost of the material slightly bites, because the price is “above average”, but the durability of the coating will quickly pay for itself.

Polyurethane foam

Elastic polyurethane foam is used in furniture production. The material perfectly keeps its shape and is used as a soft filler in sofas, beds, armchairs and orthopedic mattresses. Furniture using polyurethane foam is considered absolutely safe for humans. The material is made on the basis of non-toxic plastic. "Hard" types of polyurethane decorate the facades of houses. By weight, the material is similar to foam, the design does not weigh down.

In the building stores you can buy polyurethane plates or resort to an exotic option: spraying. Usually from sprays liquid material is sprayed for insulation. After complete drying of the surface, a solid “crust” is formed, which tightly adheres to the base itself, without the aid of adhesives. There will be no seams on such a wall. The material is considered an innovative analogue of mineral wool and expanded clay.

Polymer concrete

Polymer concrete, like foam, is a collective concept. They designate a group of materials, where the cement or silicate binder is replaced by polymers. Polymer concrete is relatively heavy, so add weight to the front wall. The variety of its shades and textures allows you to choose the desired surface that will match the style. In concrete for decorating usually add "dry" cement without water or resin (polyesters).

In terms of service life, the material compares favorably with cheaper analogues, since it can outlast the building itself. No mechanical damage or extreme weather conditions are terrible for him. In the price gradation polymer concrete is located in the category of expensive materials.

Types of architectural elements of decor

Decorative details for the exterior of the house can be classified into the following types:

• Columns. Freestanding elements, which in this case only mimic the "support" of the vault (usually the porch);
• Pilasters. Represent the columns "drowned" in the facade of the building by half;
• Cornices and moldings. Interfloor and basement elements;
• Beadings for doors and windows;
• Rusty. Used for decoration of corners and additional protection against their destruction;
• Gables and panels. Decorate the roof and walls under the window openings;
• Balustrades. Special decorative "railings", consisting of elegant columns;
• Brackets. Simulate the "support" of individual dimensional parts.

This list is not exhaustive. It includes a dozen more smaller elements that are used less frequently.

Do not forget about the facade lighting (lights and bulbs) and windows. Last it is important to decorate not only outside, but also not to blink inside. Beautiful curtains in the bedroom or neat kitchen blinds will also “look out” to the street and unwittingly become part of the exterior of the house.

Decorative columns

Ancient architects created unique designs with perfect balance, the “roof” of which was kept on powerful columns. These buildings stood for centuries and many did not succumb to destruction and survived to our days. Naturally, ideas using columns are widely used in decorating modern facades of country houses. The element is usually not used as support for the roof, but serves only as a decoration. Columns appropriately look and in interiors. They are made of various materials: MDF, timber, glass fiber concrete, polymer concrete.

Do not be mistaken that the columns - the lot exclusively antique style. They also differ in design and can organically merge into the modern design. The column consists of a base, trunk and capitals. All three parts can be made of various materials. The barrel is usually smooth, and the relief and unusual texture are characteristic of the other two parts.

In rare cases, columns save buildings that were destroyed or were built with the assumption of gross, but not critical architectural errors. Elements combine a decorative function and play the role of additional support.

Pilasters

Pilasters appeared later on the columns, imitating their detail. They are fastened to the wall along the entire length and sometimes can also “support” the structure. This decoration is used both in the exterior and in the interior of the houses. The horizontal section of parts may be rectangular, semi-circular (like columns) or complex shapes. The base, capital and trunk are also included in the pilaster construction. The decoration of the facade in the style of art deco, rococo, baroque, classic and ethnic does not do without this element.

Architectural Profiles

Architectural profiles are a group that unites all types of decorative elements used to decorate the facades of buildings. These include as large elements: arches, balustrades, pediments, cornices, rusts. So are the details "smaller": the castle stones, rosettes, friezes, panels and beadings. Rustami decorate the corners of buildings (usually in the form of tiles), gables - “sides” of the roof between the slopes.

Arches decorate doorways and windows, and enclose porches and terraces with balustrades. Eaves "grind" a stylistic picture of an exterior. The castle stones are used on the tops of the arched vaults, and the panels are “bogus niches” in the wall. Beadings decorate the joints of glass and window frame materials or doors. Friezes are complex relief compositions. They resemble three-dimensional paintings. Rosettes are round and look like small friezes.

Decorative wood imitation

Wooden decor harmoniously looks in rustic and ethnic styles. Usually, the elements imitate the carving technique, without which no Russian hut used to be. A “continuous” wall covering is made of concrete, composite or artificial wood, painted in characteristic colors with a repetition of the special texture of the sample. Also relevant is the imitation of beams that decorate houses in Western countries.

Features of the production of modern decor

The production of modern decor is more focused on reducing the cost of production. These are the realities of life: the more accessible the element, the more often it is bought. Naturally materials are trying to make safe for humans, easy and convenient for installation. To decorate the modern facade of the house you do not have to grind the stone yourself, engage in modeling, knead the foundation or pay big money to the master who will do it manually. Details are formed on special machines by thermal cutting. Smart, high-tech equipment is accurate to the millimeter. Several protective layers are applied to the finished part, which will provide it with “endurance” and immunity to rain, wind, sunlight, mechanical damage, frost and heat.

The range of already finished products is rich and allows you to choose low-cost options that perform the main function: decorate the exterior. Perhaps they will serve not so long, but, as they say, the miser pays twice, so be prepared for the mandatory replacement of the decor. More expensive materials are characterized by high strength and durability.

Installation

Making the facade start with a drawing. On a rough outline with real sizes mark the approximate location of the decorative elements and their groups. Then the exterior picture is polished and made a layout or a more accurate and detailed drawing. Gross mistakes will get out of the design composition at a visual assessment of the project, so they are easy to fix. Further work is conventionally divided into three stages:

• Cutting elements;
• Their attachment to the surface;
• Painting.

At the preparatory stage on the facade of the house mark the location of decorative details with a tape measure and level. In parallel with this, the elements themselves, if necessary, are cut and adjusted to the required dimensions. The surface must also be prepared. Old layers of paint are removed from it, cleaned of dirt and putty. All cracks must be smeared, and defects and irregularities - smoothed. Then the decorative elements are applied to the places of the future location and fit to each other, if the planned docking or mistakes were made in the measurements. Attach jewelry with glue.

Manufacturers usually recommend in the instructions for the product is the composition that is most effective. To increase the "hitch" between the surfaces using a reinforcing mesh. Glue is applied to the back side of the element with a notched trowel and pressed against the wall. If the item is large, then use additional support. The joints between the decor and the windows or doors must be treated with sealant.

Painting

After installation, the decor must be painted. First, it is primed, and the wall around the location of the element is sealed with masking tape. On relief or small parts paint is applied with a brush, and on large surfaces - with a roller. Traditionally, elements are covered with two layers of matter. If the paint is in contact with the foam, then it should not be solvents. They simply "melt" the decor. To check, you can try to put the composition on a small piece.

Conclusion

Finding a “starting point” in history, when people first began using decor for exterior decoration of buildings, is impossible. In many architectural monuments and their ruins, which have come down to our days, remains of parts that served as decoration have survived. Initially, for these purposes a ceramic tile with a protective coating of glaze was used. It, by the way, was made manually for facing of temple complexes and buildings of public type.

Only after establishing a less labor-intensive production, reducing the cost, did tiles become available for the homes of mere mortals. The material was made so high quality that he managed to pass the test of time and reach our days safe and sound. Then the elements became more and more complicated: lower eaves, columns, stucco moldings, friezes appeared, which became a special form of sculpture. Gothic castles were decorated with gargoyles and fantastic birds (harpies), which sat on decorative pedestals at the entrance doors. Nowadays, such decoration of the facade of a country house will look too pompous and pretentious. People switched to cheaper and simpler materials that embody, if not luxurious, but rather exquisite details.