Development of Durable Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems Based on Composite Timber Technology for Building Facades

Abstract

Today, the requirements to thermal insulation of buildings and structures are increasing. Insulation has become an essential part of regulatory thermal protection of buildings. The analysis of the advantages and drawbacks of the existing insulation systems has shown that the most suitable system is the one with the insulation layer located outside the building. Such system of insulation is based on the use of an additional layer, called finishing or cladding, placed on top of the insulation layer to ensure the protection of buildings against atmospheric agents. The purpose of this study was to develop a material for exterior finish cladding of buildings. We developed a composite timber cladding system in the form of laminated composite material consisting of a substrate (base), a binder and a decorative layer. Manufacturing process comprised four stages. Atmospheric effects were modeled according to the GOST climatic test methods. For the rational use of material resources we calculated the optimal material consumption per unit area for the decorative layer. Durability of cladding depends on the substrate material. Under the effect of atmospheric agent the durability of cladding decreases. Heat and ultraviolet exposure causes decrease in durability of cladding after the completion of resin polymerization, which initially leads to an increase in durability. The impact of aggressive media solutions also results in reduced durability of cladding. Durability of cladding depends on the strength characteristics of the substrate. An operation life of cladding is determined by the difference between the mass of cladding with optimal material consumption per unit area for the decorative layer and the mass of similar cladding with the least possible material consumption per unit area for the decorative layer from an aesthetic perspective. The operational life of the developed cladding is at least 15 years. The cement chipboard-resin compound has low adhesive strength, which leads to the conclusion about the impossibility of using cement chipboard as the substrate for decorative cladding. High humidity deformation limits the use of wood particleboards and MDF as a substrate for cladding. Thus, we recommend using WBP plywood as a substrate for the cladding. The economic rationale is based on the comparison of the following materials used for exterior finishing systems: plywood, facing bricks, porcelain stoneware and vinyl siding.

The Effectiveness of Materials Different with Regard to Increasing the Durability

“…Therefore, the problem of evaluating economic efficiency of increasing the longevity of one element cannot be viewed in isolation from other elements and the corresponding system of repair of the building or structure [25][26][27][28][29].…”

“…This can be achieved by applying the following measures to protect against destroying structures [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]:…”

“…The cost required for increasing the input current and of quality control; the purchase of more expensive, but more reliable components and materials; the use of new constructive and technological solutions; stimulate training of employees; use of new equipment and production technologies; maintaining an economically optimal amount of redundant and spare components (blocks and units), etc [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32].…”