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The number of finishing materials is growing year by year. But wall panels for interior decoration have been known for a long time. The first to use wood panels for wall cladding, later other materials were added.
What are wall panels for interior decoration (release forms)
Wall panels are a great option. They can be mounted on a base of any curvature and appearance. When installing them, a long and difficult process of plastering and puttying is not needed. Wall panels for interior decoration are fastened to a crate made of wooden bars or metal profiles, thanks to which any irregularities are hidden. This finishing material is produced in three types: in the form of sheets, plates and rails. Let’s consider each type in more detail.
Rack panels for wall decoration
They have a small width. but considerable length. They are connected to each other according to the tenon-groove principle. There are slatted wall panels for interior decoration, in which the joints are hardly noticeable, there are with a pronounced relief. Of the installation features: the crate should be located in a direction perpendicular to the laying direction. If you mount the strips horizontally, the crate must be vertical.
Made from MDF, chipboard, fiberboard and plastic (PVC), they are widely used. PVC slatted panels are popular for budget wall and ceiling decoration in bathrooms and kitchens. Their disadvantage is fragility. Under mechanical stress, the plastic bends, in rare cases it may crack. For places with high humidity, you can use MDF panels (except for places of direct contact with water). Rack panels fiberboard and chipboard are more suitable for dry rooms. Differ in much higher resistance to loadings. Good for wall decoration in hallways, corridors, living rooms.
Rack panels during installation are attached to the crate with self-tapping screws or staples from a construction stapler. There are also special fasteners: clamps. A clamp is attached to the crate, and he holds the rail with a protruding part – a tongue. In general, clamps are used for mounting wall panels for interior decoration of any type. This is a convenient concealed mounting system.
Installation of rack wall panels can be carried out in a horizontal, vertical, inclined direction. Least waste when mounted vertically or horizontally. Although the rack panels have a considerable length (from 2,4 m), there are still joints. For their decoration there are special docking strips. Special additional elements are used to design internal and external corners, starting strips are used to decorate the edge of the finish.
In general, it is worth saying that slatted wall panels for interior decoration are a good choice. Their appearance is combined with ethnic styles, loft, modern, some classical trends. In fact, it all depends on the appearance of the panel. They can imitate wood, ceramic tiles, stone surfaces. To be honest, the imitation on PVC wall panels is “so-so”. Even from a considerable distance you can see that it is plastic. The woody relief on MDF slatted panels looks more believable, a little worse on chipboard.
Wall tiles
Panels for wall decoration in rooms are produced in the form of plates. They have a rectangular or square shape. The maximum size of square – 100 * 100 cm, rectangular – 120 * 80 cm. Of the installation features – the crate must be made to fit the size of the plates. In some systems, the fragments are joined using joint profiles that are visible between the slabs and may have a different color (most often darker). Due to this, the wall looks more voluminous.
Slab wall panels for interior decoration are produced from MDF, chipboard, wood, gypsum, metal (aluminum, painted or stainless steel). In our climate, metal wall panels for interior decoration are used infrequently. But from MDF and chipboard – a popular finishing material for residential premises and corridors. They can be both smoothly painted in one color, and imitating wood, stone or brickwork, ceramic tiles, concrete. Unlike plastic panels, the imitation is reliable, since the manufacturing technology makes it possible to make the surface not smooth, but textured.
Gypsum wall panels have a deep texture. This is the material that is called volumetric or 3D panels. Due to the high plasticity of gypsum, you can create a surface of any shape. Such plates come in white, but can be painted.
Sheet finishing material for walls
Sheet wall panels for interior wall decoration have solid dimensions – height from 220 mm to 300 mm, width is usually 125 cm. Their advantage is that you can find such a size that the plate occupies an area from floor to ceiling. In width, most likely, they will have to be joined, but the joints are designed as a finish, so it looks good. Of the installation features – with small irregularities on the wall, they can be mounted directly to the wall, without a crate.
Sheet wall panels are made of PVC, laminated chipboard and fiberboard, MDF. Plastic sheet panels are good for wet rooms – bathroom, kitchen. Often imitate ceramic tiles, brick and masonry. The desired relief is formed on the plastic, so such an imitation looks quite believable. There are also sheet plastic panels with photo printing. They are often used as kitchen backsplashes – for finishing a work wall instead of ceramic tiles.
Sheet wall panels made of laminated fiberboard are one of the budget options for interior decoration. Most often imitates wood, but can be found under brick and masonry, smoothly painted. Due to the hygroscopicity of the material, they are used only in dry rooms – a corridor, living rooms.
Sheet MDF boards can be used in conditions of high humidity, finishing material from chipboard is suitable for decorating rooms with normal humidity. In terms of texture and color, there are all the same options: imitation of wood, stone and brickwork, plain-colored sheets. MDF wall boards can be embossed (3D). But, unlike gypsum, they cannot be painted.
Characteristics and scope by type of material
We will not talk about PVC panels. There is a separate article about them with a detailed description of the technology for mounting on walls and ceilings. In this paragraph, we will consider wall panels for interior decoration from other materials. They are more than enough. There are the usual MDF and chipboard, there are exotic bamboo, glass, metal.
MDF panels
Finishing wall panels based on MDF are available in three forms of release: slatted, slab and sheet. Their surface can be finished with veneer or laminated (pasted with a film), painted. The surface can be smooth or embossed, the color can be any, even in flowers. Most often, MDF panels imitate a wooden surface (it can be the natural color of a tree, brightened, tinted in different colors).
The option with brickwork is also popular, masonry is a little less common. There are also smooth-colored colors, and although they are presented in even cheaper materials such as fiberboard and chipboard, they are still bought. There are reasons for this:
This material still has a drawback: it costs a lot. The price depends on several factors:
- Density.
- material thickness.
- The complexity of molding and coloring.
The minimum price is from $30 per square meter, the maximum price is up to several hundred dollars. But here we must also understand that MDF wall panels have different purposes. Available for wall decoration. They have a high density and thickness (from 8 mm thick). The minimum price is from $40. For finishing the ceiling. You can take thin ones (from 6 mm), since there is practically no mechanical load. But we must take into account the following fact: that the thinner the MDF, the more often it is necessary to install suspensions (fasteners). Otherwise, the MDF panels may bend under their own weight. Fasteners cost money, so saving, if possible, is negligible. But spend more time at work.
Chipboard wall panels
From chipboard, panels for wall decoration are made of sheet and slab type. The material is characterized by low resistance to humidity, so it is used only in rooms with normal humidity. It also reacts poorly to cold, therefore it is not used on unheated loggias and balconies, bathhouses, summer cottages for seasonal visits.
In the manufacture of chipboard, an artificial binder containing formaldehyde is used. In high concentrations, this substance is dangerous, because the production of the material is controlled by the sanitary and epidemiological station. Each batch of material is tested, according to the results of laboratory tests, a hygiene certificate is issued with the emission class indicated in it. Excellent indicator – Super E and E1 (like natural wood), acceptable – E2. Anything above (more than a number) is better not to use at home.
Chipboard wall panels for interior decoration are available laminated (film-coated) or veneered. Their range is not so wide – the material is slightly plastic, because the plates are mostly smooth. Only a few manufacturers have modern equipment that allows you to form a relief. But, even with new equipment, the maximum that can be molded is imitation of brickwork, ceramic tiles, wood texture.
Fastening can be secret – with the help of kleimers – or self-tapping screws. When fastening with self-tapping screws, holes of a smaller diameter are pre-drilled in the material. And we must remember that re-installing the same fastener will not work. It is necessary to use a larger diameter, since the material is crushed / crumbled and is not restored.
Gypsum wall panels
About 5 years ago, gypsum wall panels for interior decoration appeared on the market. This is an environmentally friendly finishing material, absolutely safe and hypoallergenic. Another advantage is its absolute incombustibility. It is as flammable as the stones. In general, a good choice.
Production technology allows you to make a relief of any complexity, so that such plates have a figured front surface. They are also called 3D wall plates. Landforms are very different. Geometric patterns of varying complexity, curved lines, circles, floral motifs and all this in combination. Options and variations – very, very much. The production technology has almost no restrictions. And this whole variety is available in two versions:
- Made from pure gypsum diluted with water. They can only be used in rooms with normal humidity, since gypsum is hygroscopic. When wet, it collapses. Scope – corridors, living quarters.
- Moisture resistant with hydrophobic additives. Additives reduce the absorbency so much that this type of finish can be used in rooms with high humidity. With some types of additives, they can be mounted in places of direct contact with water – near bathtubs, washstands. They can be mounted in bathrooms, as kitchen aprons.
Whether water resistant or not, gypsum interior wallboards can be painted. This is probably the only option for painting. Paint can be any. Its type is selected according to the task: if wet cleaning is expected, the paint must be resistant to washing; if gypsum panels mounted on the walls of the pool are painted, paint with a waterproof effect is needed (or varnished over).
Installation of gypsum boards for wall decoration – on glue. If the surface is flat, you can directly on the wall, if there are differences, you must either level the wall or mount the crate. Take universal glue, but make sure it is suitable for the materials used and can withstand a sufficient load. One plate weighs about 2-4 kg. Not too much, but also a lot.
The seams between the plates can be left, or you can make a seamless surface. The choice depends on the type of relief and the type of room. There are obviously “square” slabs, so the seams look attractive. Just keep in mind that it is better not to do them in the bathroom or kitchen – extra problems when cleaning. There are no such problems with living rooms – there is no strong pollution here.
Bamboo trim panels
Not too common, but an interesting option is bamboo wall panels for interior decoration. They are made from bamboo cut into strips, which are then interlaced into slabs of various sizes. After that, the material is pressed, painted and varnished. Such bamboo panels are suitable for interiors in ethnic style, and more of an oriental orientation. The resulting braid has a different thickness – from 1 mm to 7 mm. Depending on the thickness, bamboo panels are glued to the ceiling (1-3 mm thick) or walls (from 4 mm and thicker).
There is another technology for the production of bamboo wall panels. In this case, the stems are crushed to fibers, pressed at a high temperature. This is how eco-panels 3D made of bamboo are obtained. The same technology produces a similar material of their cellulose, cane. The variety of patterns here is no less than in gypsum counterparts, and the thermal conductivity is slightly less. Of the shortcomings – they do not belong to the category of non-combustible materials. And one more thing: they are produced in China, Thailand, in Russia there is no production yet.
The method of mounting these volumetric finishing panels is with glue. The seams are putty, leveled. The surface can be painted, but it must first be coated with a primer – to reduce and even out the absorbency and so that the paint lies more evenly. It is better to apply paint from a spray gun – it is difficult to paint over the relief with a brush and it is completely impossible with a roller.
Metal panels for interior decoration
Wall panels for interior decoration are not used very often. Metal is not associated, we have its brilliance with the comfort of home. Occasionally they can be seen in high-tech, loft, minimalism, art deco interiors. As a rule, they make out an accent wall. In the most avant-garde interiors, metal wall panels can be seen on the ceiling.
In high-tech, polished or brushed stainless steel is used, in loft and art deco, it can be painted or artificially “rusted” black steel. Steel plates, but painted in grey, black, red, can be minimalist.
Due to the resistance to water and moisture, stainless steel panels can be seen as a kitchen f
artuk. In general, this is a good option for finishing balconies and loggias. There are metal panels covered with a layer of colored polymer. They are used for exterior decoration of buildings, so that they are not afraid of anything on unheated balconies. By the way, there are corrugated metal panels that are perfect for a false ceiling in wet rooms (bathroom, pool) and will not interfere with ventilation.
Glass and mirror
Wall panels for interior decoration made of glass and mirrors appeared a few years ago. As a rule, they are mounted on previously painted surfaces, protecting them from moisture. This technique works well in rooms with high humidity – bathrooms, kitchens. Glass is used tempered, consisting of several layers fastened together by a transparent polymer. Similar glasses are used as entrance doors. So as a decoration on the walls they are safe.
There are still new trends – photo printing on glass. With the help of new technologies, any pattern or even a photograph is applied to the glass. Since such decorative panels still remain translucent, the wall must be painted over. But the choice of color and tone depends on the desired effect.
Another non-standard type of wall panels is from mirrors. They are also made from durable, film-glued sheets. Making a wall completely mirrored is not always a good idea, but making the stripes vertical or horizontal is an interesting idea. The interior immediately becomes fashionable and dynamic.