Wall panels: varieties, features of use

Note that modern wall panels on the Russian market have appeared relatively recently and were initially used only for finishing office and retail premises. However, they have many virtues that allow them to gain popularity among homeowners who decide to try something new for interior decoration..

Wall panels are of three types:

• Rack. They are planks, the width of which varies from 125 to 300 mm, the length – from 2400 to 3700 mm. The thickness of such wall panels can vary from 8 to 12 mm. To mount such planks on the wall, you need a metal or wooden crate. On the slatted panels there are special grooves and spikes that allow them to be mounted practically without gaps. For fixing on the crate, self-tapping screws are used in the groove or staples.

• Typesetting tiled. These panels are squares, the minimum size is 30 by 30 cm, the maximum size is 98 by 98 cm.Unlike slatted panels, tile panels are usually fastened to clamps or glue, and are connected to each other exclusively using grooves and inserts.

• Leafy. These are the largest wall panels, ranging in size from 122 to 244 cm. Thickness can be from three to six millimeters. Sheet wall panels are mounted on glue, and the joints are hidden under the moldings. Such a coating can be mistaken for ordinary wallpaper, stone, ceramic tiles or plaster..

As for the materials from which the wall panels are made, the most expensive is, of course, natural wood. Such wall panels really look luxurious, however, they are most often used not for the entire wall, but for its lower part. Especially often, panels of maple, cedar, oak, alder are found in classic interiors, emphasizing their severity and special chic.

More affordable options will be wall panels made of fiberboard, chipboard, MDF and PVC. Chipboards can only be used in dry rooms, as they cannot withstand humidity. Their service life is noticeably less than wood or MDF. Fibreboard is more resistant, but still not suitable for areas that may be exposed to water.

For wet rooms and balconies, PVC panels are best suited. By the way, they are the most popular so far, as they are distinguished by a favorable price and a long service life. But in appearance they may lose to other materials.

You can also highlight glass wall panels, which are often used to decorate kitchen aprons, gypsum vinyl and 3D panels. The attractiveness of the wall panels is given by the top layer, which can imitate various surfaces. Usually, wall panels are covered with laminate, that is, a film that can imitate all kinds of wood, stone, and so on. This film is glossy or matte..

Another option is a veneer layer, that is, a thin layer of natural wood, which is attached to a fiberboard or chipboard panel by hot pressing. Veneer panels will, of course, be somewhat more expensive than laminated ones..

The advantages of wall panels include:

• A variety of choices. You can choose panels that are more expensive and cheaper, imitating tiles, natural stone, wood texture, with a pattern, in a variety of colors. Russian manufacturers still have less choice, but this market segment continues to develop.
• Ease of installation. The owner of the house will be able to fix the wall walls on his own, it takes a little time, it is not necessary to hire professionals.
• Installation of wall panels does not require preliminary surface preparation, you do not need to perfectly level everything and use plaster. On the contrary, the panels will perfectly hide the unevenness of the wall..
• Modern wall panels are environmentally friendly, that is, they do not pose any threat to home owners.
• Wall panels will last longer than wallpaper and paint, and in case of damage, one board or slab can be replaced without touching the rest of the parts. Manufacturers often provide a 15-year warranty.
• Wall panels are suitable for different rooms. You can choose plastic for the part of the bathroom next to the shower, and finish the rest of the walls with sheet panels made of fiberboard, for example.
• You can experiment with laying slatted and tile panels. For example, if you attach the planks vertically, the room will appear taller, horizontally wider. And from tiles of different colors and textures, you can even lay out whole pictures.

The disadvantages of wall panels include the fact that they are unlikely to withstand a strong blow, so it is better not to knock on them with heavy objects. In addition, you should pay attention to the flammability index, because wood-based materials are fire hazardous.