The modern construction market can offer a huge variety of finishing materials, each of which differs in its merits. And manufacturers of building materials are developing and are providing more and more new, or improved old, cladding materials.
One of the modern materials for cladding are plastic panels. They firmly took pride of place in the preferences of many designers for their undeniable advantages. And what exactly advantages are inherent in this material and much more, we will consider further.
Scope of application
Plastic panels are becoming increasingly popular. This cheap, and at the same time, unique material can be used almost everywhere. PVC panels are used both in residential premises and in public buildings.
Very often in apartments and residential premises, due to their moisture resistance, PVC panels are found in bathrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. Ease of care also plays a large role.
In private homes, plastic panels are also not uncommon. Often they are lined with the walls of the veranda, pantries, and canopies. This material can withstand low temperatures, so it can often be seen as a sheathing of external walls and facades of buildings.
Plastic panels have found their application in urban apartments. Universal material is increasingly lining balconies and loggias. In addition, plastic panels can serve as an element of decor.
Not only walls are sheathed with this material. They found application in the cladding of ceilings. Such panels are additionally treated with an additional layer of varnish, which, in turn, protects the material from dust and various contaminants, and also increases the service life.
Regarding public spaces, decorative plastic panels for walls can be seen in cafes and canteens, kindergartens and schools, shops and other public buildings.
PVC panels, except for direct use, are used in other qualities. For example, it can be slopes of plastic windows, cornices, decorative structures.
Advantages of plastic panels
Plastic wall panels are very popular. By the way, before such material was quite heavy, and even very expensive. But, when the method of free foaming of polyvinyl chloride was invented in Germany, the material became quite lightweight and, accordingly, much cheaper.
Plastic panels for wall decoration have a lot of advantages. This attracts consumers to this material. Among the advantages, the following parameters can be distinguished:
- Inexpensive. Plastic panels for walls, in comparison with other materials, have a fairly affordable price.
- Easy installation. Before finishing, there is no need to align the walls, apply plaster and other works. Often you can do it yourself without resorting to special tools and professional help.
- Lightness of material. And this means that there is no need for additional fastening. And you can mount panels on almost any basis.
- Ease of care. Plastic panels for walls are absolutely unpretentious in leaving. To do this, it will be enough 1-2 times a year to wipe them with a damp cloth (sponge). If more serious stains appear on the panels, then you can use household cleaners without abrasives.
- Resistance to moisture and water. This material does not pass moisture even through the junction of the panels.
- Allows you to hide various surface defects. And besides, you can perfectly mask the wiring, communications and other wires.
- Ability to quickly replace a damaged panel. That is, in the event that one of them is damaged, it will not be necessary to disassemble the entire structure. It is enough to replace the spoiled one.
- Long service life of the material. With proper use, plastic wall panels can last for decades. In addition, the original appearance of the material will be preserved.
- Due to its structure, plastic panels have increased sound insulation and thermal insulation.
- The material is resistant to fire, and its ignition temperature is about 400 degrees Celsius. In addition, it does not support combustion in air, which is important in case of fire.
- Resistance to cold. Plastic panels perfectly withstand temperatures from -50 to +50 degrees Celsius. And some more advanced analogues - from -50 to +110 degrees.
- Great opportunities for both manual and mechanical processing. They can be drilled, sawn, stamped, bent along the radius, engaged in figured cutting and milling.
- The elasticity of the material.
- Plastic panels are environmentally friendly because they do not contain heavy metals.
- The minimum amount of waste during installation.
- A wide selection that will allow you to express your individual approach.
The disadvantages of plastic panels
No matter how wonderful the material, and whatever strengths it possesses, there are still flaws:
- Despite the fire resistance and environmental friendliness of PVC, it was still banned from being installed in places where people can be evacuated (for example, corridors, stairs), as well as in places of rest. And all because in a fire the material begins to melt and emit corrosive hazardous smoke.
- Low resistance to mechanical damage. But not everything is so scary here. In the production, some manufacturers add special substances that increase stability.
- In direct sunlight, burnout is possible. But again, as in the previous paragraph, there are panels, in the manufacture of which they used special additives, which makes them resistant to UV rays.
- Intolerance to sudden changes in temperature. If the differences are over 20 degrees Celsius, then material corrosion can occur.
- With the interior decoration of the walls, the area of the room is reduced. And this is not too pleasing when there is not much space.
Types of Plastic Panels
The production of plastic panels for wall decoration does not stand still. More and more new types of this material are appearing. And, as always, in order to facilitate the choice for the consumer, the material is classified according to some characteristics: by shape and size, by the presence of a seam, by the method of drawing a pattern, and so on.
Depending on the nature of the coating:
- frosted plastic panels;
- mirror plastic panels for walls;
- glossy panels for walls.
By the method of drawing a picture on the panel:
- Laminated. This method involves applying a special film with a pattern on the surface of the panel. A similar method allows you to simulate any kind of stone or wood species.
- Using thermal film. It consists in the fact that the necessary color is applied to the white panel and coated with thermal film on top.
- By the method of direct (offset) printing. The essence of the method is to transfer the image to the front side of the panel. Top coated with a special varnish.
By the presence of a seam, the panels are divided into:
- Seamless. It means that with proper installation, the seams are completely invisible and the impression of a smooth monolithic surface.
- Embossed. Such panels have a clearly marked seam, which is part of the decor.
- With a bevel. At its core, this is a seamless option, but the presence of a small decorative recess makes it embossed.
Particularly noteworthy are the coatings made under the brick and mirror plastic panels for the walls. Of course, this is not an exact classification. Different manufacturers can have it. But such a systematization is the most popular.
Brick wall decoration with plastic panels
Brickwork always looks interesting and noble. But the price sometimes bites. Instead, you can use inexpensive plastic panels for walls that look no worse than real bricks.
Advantages:
- imitation of various shades of brick and all kinds of masonry;
- light weight and ease of assembly compared to brick;
- long service life;
- simplicity in leaving;
- relatively low price.
Finishing with plastic panels under a brick looks great in a kitchen (also goes well with kitchen furniture made of MDF material), an entrance hall, a living room and in various public places.
Mirrored Plastic Panels
This is one of the most attractive types of plastic panels. He appeared not so long ago, but already firmly occupies the first position in design. Mirror panels are a polystyrene product that is coated with a special reflective film. Such panels are used not only in apartments and houses, but they can also be found in the premises of hotels, restaurants, discos, bars and other public places.
Mirrored decorative plastic panels for walls have their own varieties:
- In rolls and in sheets. In the first case, the panels are wound on a roll according to the linoleum principle, and therefore preliminary preparatory work is required. 24 hours before installation, spread the roll on any flat surface. If necessary, press down with something heavy. In the second case, preliminary preparation is not required.
- Plastic panels can be matte and mirror. Also, the coating is able to have holographic effects or perforated patterns. In addition, it has a variety of shades.
- The basis of the panels can be either self-adhesive or conventional.
- The surface of the panels can consist of many pieces (the material is cut into small squares and strips in advance) or be solid.
- The panels are covered with a protective film. After the installation is complete, it should be removed, and you need to firmly press the panel to the base. Such actions will help to avoid the appearance of air blotches on the already mounted material.
Mirror panels have the following advantages:
- reflect light well and visually increase space;
- goes well with other decorative elements;
- mounted on various bases;
- the ability to mount on rounded surfaces (for example, columns);
- care can be done with simple glass cleaner.
It is believed that mirror panels are afraid of moisture, so it is not recommended to install such a finishing material in places with high humidity. In addition, high temperature is a bad influence on decorative plastic panels for walls - a maximum of +60 o Celsius. Another unpleasant moment is any inaccuracy during installation or slight damage and image distortion occurs.
Dimensions of plastic wall panels
In order for this type of decor to fit harmoniously into the space of the room, it is necessary to calculate its dimensions in advance and determine the type.
In the form of plastic decorative panels for walls are:
- rack and pinion (another name is "lining");
- sheet panels;
- tiled analogues;
- sandwich tile.
As a rule, manufacturers "do not sleep", releasing new types of decorative coatings, you should study the market before buying materials.
Dimensions of plastic panels for walls are as follows:
- The length can be from 90 cm to 3 m, and if it is a ceiling panel, then the size can be from 3 m and reach 12 m.
- Width ranges from 13.5 cm to 1.5 m.
- The thickness of the panel, most often, ranges from 8 to 12 mm. But some manufacturers are striving to reduce the thickness and therefore it is possible to find panels with a thickness of 7 mm, and even 4 - 5 mm.
Mounting tools
Before proceeding with the installation of plastic panels for walls, it is necessary to prepare the tools. Some of them, for example, an electric drill, can be rented if one-time use is required.
What will be required for installation:
- plastic panels for interior walls;
- construction level and tape measure;
- electric drill with drills and crowns (necessary for mounting the crate and preparing holes for sockets and switches);
- marker (pencil);
- a screwdriver or a screwdriver / construction stapler / glue - depends on the method of installation of the panels;
- knife and hacksaw for metal - it is necessary to cut the plastic.
This is not a complete list of tools you need. Depending on the installation method, it may vary.
Installation methods and calculation of the necessary material
Plastic wall panels can be attached in the following ways:
- Installation directly on the wall itself. The surface should be smooth and prepared for work. The method is applicable for dry rooms.
- Mounting on a wooden crate. For it, wooden blocks are used with a cut of 2 * 4 cm. The fastening step of the slats is 40 cm. The method is used in dry rooms.
- Mounting on metal profiles. The design is similar to a metal frame for the installation of drywall, but without intersecting profiles.
- On a plastic frame. Profiles are installed in increments of 0.3 m. Designed for small loads.
To find out the required number of panels, you need to do the following calculations. First of all, the size of the area covered by the panels is calculated. The dimensions of the openings are taken from this figure. Next, we calculate the performance of one panel. We divide the area covered by plastic into the parameters of one PVC panel. Thus, the resulting figure is the number of required panels in pieces. So that the material is probably enough, we add 3 - 5% to this amount.
Finishing work
Installation of plastic panels for walls begins with the choice of mounting method. If it is made in the direction of installing the crate, then its installation is the next step. Now you can proceed directly to the wall decoration with plastic panels.
Start installation work from the farthest corner (from the door). First you need to attach the moldings: ceiling (start), end (final) and corner. The first panel must be inserted into the recesses of the upper and lower moldings, and then into the corner. Carefully verify the parallelism and perpendicularity of the panel. After making sure the installation is accurate, the lamella is fixed with brackets. Next, the following panels are attached, but there is no need to fasten them with brackets. The very last panel is cut to 1 cm and is installed first in the groove of the final molding. Then it should be carefully moved to the penultimate PVC panel.
In the case of choosing the installation of panels without installing the crate, it is necessary to prepare the work surface in advance. This means cleaning it of old wallpaper or other coatings, removing dust and priming. You need to fasten the panels to glue specially designed for this. Apply it, starting from the corners, and at the joints there should be gaps from 1 to 3 mm. In order for the glue to completely harden, the seams are filled with a special sealant.
The nuances of installing plastic panels in the bathroom
Traditionally, in the bathroom you can find tile masonry. But this method is more expensive and difficult to install. Plastic panels for walls in the bathroom - it is not only economical in terms of finance, strength and knowledge, but also beautiful.
The installation of panels in the bathroom is inherently no different from installation in other rooms. But still, some nuances are worth considering:
- For fastening the panels, it is better to give preference to the plastic frame due to its moisture resistance. If a tree was nevertheless chosen, then, first of all, it must be treated with a special tool.
- The panels themselves are better to choose smooth, without embossing. In this picture, dirt will accumulate, which will constantly need to be removed.
- If the bathroom is small, then it is better to choose light shades of PVC panels.
Video on the installation of plastic panels
Video on how to mount plastic panels on walls.
Another video that tells how to make a bathroom finish with your own hands.
Conclusion
Plastic wall panels firmly occupy a leading position in the modern construction market. A variety of colors and textures, reasonable price and ease of installation make them attractive not only for professionals, but also for those who wish to carry out repairs on their own.