The technology for the production of finishing materials has reached such a level that their imitation for natural coatings is practically indistinguishable. At a low cost, an inexpensive shield structure looks like a solid mansion made of solid wood. The cladding can be carried out outside and inside the building. You can do this work with your own hands, saving on the services of hired workers. You just need to choose the right material and correctly install it.
What is imitation timber
Imitation of a bar is a wooden slats, which are one of the varieties of lining. Products are made in the form of strips, the front side of which exactly imitates the texture of a massive bar with a straight or semicircular side. Finishes are classified according to size, configuration and material of manufacture.
Dimensions vary from 10 to 20 cm in height and 15 to 25 mm in thickness. The standard length is considered to be 200 cm, but slats up to 500 cm can be made to order.
Planks are made from the following types of wood:
- Pine;
- cedar;
- oak;
- spruce;
- Linden;
- larch;
- aspen.
Each variety has its own characteristics, the determining of which are density, hardness, resistance to moisture and mold.
When planning to fix an imitation of a bar outside the house, you need to pay attention to the class of raw materials. The quality and presentability of the finished surface will largely depend on this.
The following classification has been established:
- Premium. Differs in uniform color and absence of knots. The cost is high, but also great for interior cladding.
- A. Single number of knots that do not fall out of the holes. No more than a fifth of the core. With high-quality polishing, it is not much inferior to the premium class.
- C. The content of knots is average (up to 5 per linear meter), the presence of shallow blind cracks. The color is uniform.
- C. Many knots, pockets and deep crevices. Additional filler is required. It is more often used for finishing ancillary buildings and back walls of residential buildings.
When buying material, you need to check the degree of its moisture. Permissible no more than 22%, if higher, it is better to refuse it, as it is fraught with curvature and cracks.
Varieties of interior decoration
Wooden slats look great in any interior and landscape, especially among trees and a country-style courtyard. They can be used as an independent cladding and in combination with other types of coatings.
You can fix an imitation of a bar inside the house and on the outer sides of its walls in the following ways:
- Monolithic. It assumes continuous cladding of the entire interior space, which includes walls, floor and ceiling. No gaps are left between the panels, resulting in a structure that is uniform in color and texture.
- Combined. It implies the additional use of one or more types of finishes, covering the entire plane or some of its parts, stripes along the walls and ceiling, corners. Wallpaper, plaster, ceramics are used.
The choice of design is determined by the characteristics of the structure and the priorities of its owners.
Advantages and disadvantages of timber imitation
The purpose of using decorative strips is to create a surface that faithfully imitates a link wall made of massive timber.
The advantages of this solution:
- A comfortable environment inspired by the feeling of being surrounded by natural wood, pleasant to the eye and warm to the touch.
- Aromas that natural material exudes.
- Excellent ventilation properties. Absorption of excess moisture from the air.
- Ease. The cladding does not create additional load on the supporting structures.
- Ease of handling and installation. For this, a minimum set of household tools is sufficient.
- Long service life, subject to the installation and maintenance technology.
- The possibility of dismantling when carrying out repairs or replacement of communications.
There are also disadvantages. The main one is susceptibility to rotting when operating in a humid environment. Frequent cycles of moisture swelling and drying out can cause wood to warp. However, this can be avoided if the outer coating is regularly treated with special impregnations and mastics.
Calculation of the amount of material
In order for the panels to be guaranteed to be enough and there is not a lot of excess material left, you need to correctly calculate its need.
There are two ways to do this:
- Divide the area of the walls by the area of one rail. The result is rounded up.
- Schematically. Draw a wall on paper and apply lamellas, taking into account the scraps. This is longer, but more accurate.
- Calculating the area of each fragment with a combined mount. Any of the options is selected.
When purchasing a profile, you need to provide for a margin of up to 15% of the need. It is needed to cover damage that may occur during transportation, storage, handling and installation.
Required tools and materials
To mount an imitation of a bar, you will need the following tools:
- level;
- screwdriver;
- puncher;
- a hammer;
- putty knife;
- roulette;
- paint brush;
List of materials for installation:
- base primer;
- impregnation for wood;
- antiseptic;
- hardware;
- profile for the frame and lathing;
- sandpaper.
A ladder, goggles and gloves should be prepared.
Features of fastening material
Installation of imitation of a bar inside the house is a simple event, but it requires attention to every little detail.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Freeing the working area about anything that can interfere with the process. Furniture and other interior items are taken out.
- Preparation of the base. Cleaning it from debris, leveling, antiseptic treatment. Removing protruding and loose fragments.
- Installation of the frame. The step between the uprights and cross-members is made under the applied thermal insulation, if this is provided for by the project. The wood is preliminarily treated with an antiseptic, and the metal is painted over in the places of cuts and drills.
- Insulation laying. You need to fix it so that it fits snugly in the grooves. On both sides, the slabs are covered with a membrane film to ensure moisture removal and ventilation of the premises.
- Manufacturing of lathing from rivers and steel profiles.
- Installation of imitation timber on self-tapping screws or kleimers. First, the products are connected into grooves, then they are rigidly fixed on the base.
- Fastening platbands, floor and ceiling skirting boards.
In conclusion, the quality of the work and the finishing of the plating are checked.
