Having purchased a new apartment or a new house, you always want to create comfort in it, so that the decorative covering of the walls pleases the eye and looks stylish. Wall panels for interior decoration have recently become popular; people appreciated the ease of installation and the diversity of the product range. Everyone can find a suitable color and panel design for themselves. The types and materials of wall panels will be discussed in detail below.
Advantages and disadvantages of wall panels for interior wall decoration
Before you start talking about the types of wall panels, it’s worth stopping at a description of their pros and cons. Knowing both of these sides of the material, you can easily understand whether you should choose a panel type of finish, or look for other options
Wall panels have the following advantages:
- ease of installation, it will not be difficult to install the plates on the walls yourself, while saving on the involvement of specialists;
- does not require spending time and money on carefully leveling the walls;
- durability, easy maintenance;
- diversity of species;
- acceptable price;
- with their help, all communications are hidden, which will also improve the decorative appearance of the room.
But the plates also have disadvantages:
- since they are installed using lathing, they take up part of the area;
- some types are easily deformed under mechanical stress.
With their help, all communications are hidden, which will also improve the decorative appearance of the room.
Metal panels
These elements are also called composite. They consist of two layers of metal with a polymer layer between them. Elements can be rectangular or square. Long parts are produced that can be cut directly on the construction site.
Metal sheets are made of aluminum. This allows the elements to be used even in high humidity conditions. Unlike steel, aluminum is not subject to corrosion.
Facade made of composite panels
The panels are attached from the inside to special brackets. The elements are connected to each other using a groove system. Metal panels do not perform thermal insulation functions. The advantages of using them include:
The material can be used both for private houses and for large high-rise buildings. When properly secured, the elements are resistant to significant wind loads.
Types of wall panels for interior decoration
As noted above, on the market you can see various types of wall panels for interior decoration, so it is so easy to choose a suitable option that will satisfy the stylistic requirements of the owner of the room. The following will describe the main types of panels.
Rack and pinion
Slatted wall panels are easy to install, corner parts do not cause difficulties, they are easily adjusted to such places. To connect them together, special fasteners are available for sale, and to cover the fastening points, you can easily select corners that match the color, etc.
The assortment is varied; the option with a wood pattern is often chosen.
Slatted wall panels are easy to install.
Leafy
The sheets are distinguished by their large sizes, which reduces the time for installation work. A plus is also noted that they are not attached to the sheathing, and the excess space will not be taken away. They are attached using an adhesive composition.
Made from fiberboard, MDF and PVC. Often an imitation of wood and stones is created; they are durable and light. The plastic type tolerates moisture well.
When using fiberboard to make sheet plates, they cannot be used in rooms with high humidity.
The sheets are distinguished by their large sizes, which reduces the time for installation work.
Tiled
Wall slabs can be square or rectangular in shape. Tile plates can have a textured structure, and with their help you can perfectly diversify the decor of a room. There are special locking connections that allow them to be conveniently installed on the surface.
Tile plates can have a textured structure, and with their help you can perfectly diversify the decor of a room.
3D
This is a new material that quickly became quite popular, because the resulting 3D effect makes the wall unique and stylish. Such plates are made from various types of materials:
- chipboard;
- aluminum;
- gypsum;
- glass;
- plastic;
- MDF;
- bamboo.
All of them are distinguished by their visual appeal, ease of maintenance, ease of installation, wear resistance, and good noise insulation properties.
Disadvantages include high cost and the need to install sheathing.
The 3D effect makes the wall unique and stylish.
Other possible types
It can also be noted that the panels can be metal, glass or mirror plates. The latter type creates a unique coating, replacing mirrors in the house; they are usually combined with other types of panels. They all fit comfortably and are easy to clean. All possible panel options, which differ in the type of material, will be described below.
Mirror panels create a unique finish, replacing mirrors in the house.
Main types of cladding
Plastic panels for the kitchen may vary in shape. The following types of products exist:
Rack and pinion. As a rule, these are inexpensive products with groove joints, having a width of 12 to 50 cm. Lathing is used for fastening.- Tiled. They have a square shape with a side size of 30 to 60 cm. They are used as an alternative to ceramic tiles.
- Leafy. The most convenient option is considered to be plastic panels, the dimensions of which are approximately 1.5 by 3 m. This helps to cover large wall surfaces with one sheet.
Materials from which wall panels are made
The type of material from which the plates are made is an important factor when choosing a product. After all, it affects the properties of the plates.
Tree
Wood has been used for wall cladding for a long time, but the natural material is highly expensive. And modern technologies have made it possible to combine cheaper rocks with expensive ones to create plates. Therefore, the price of the plates is strikingly different from similar natural materials. Wood grain suits many styles.
Wood grain suits many styles.
MDF
MDF panels are safe for humans, so they can be safely used for residential premises. They have heat and sound insulating properties, are durable, and imitate a wooden surface at the highest level. Construction work is also easy to carry out.
MDF panels are safe for humans, so they can be safely used for residential premises.
PVC
PVC wall plates are made either as slabs or sheets. You can find plates of various widths on sale. They are absolutely safe for human health, easy to clean, moisture-resistant, lightweight and come in a variety of colors.
They are absolutely safe for human health, easy to clean, and moisture resistant.
Chipboard and fibreboard
They are distinguished by their low price and ease of installation. The presence of formaldehyde resins in the composition reduces their positive qualities. They have noise-insulating and heat-insulating properties. It should be noted that they are unstable, when exposed to vapor and humidity, they quickly lose their attractive appearance and become deformed.
They have noise-insulating and heat-insulating properties.
Plaster
Indoors, gypsum plates create an excellent coating that will help regulate the microclimate. But they are not suitable for rooms with high humidity. It is difficult to care for, but if you use special products, care will become easier. They have good thermal insulation and sound insulation. It is possible to replace an individual plate without removing the entire finish.
Indoors, gypsum plates create an excellent coating that will help regulate the microclimate.
Bamboo
A natural material that is becoming increasingly popular. Non-flammable, environmentally friendly, durable, affordable price and easy to install. All these characteristics make bamboo so popular. But not everyone may like this type of decor; it all depends on individual preferences.
A natural material that is becoming increasingly popular.
Metal
Metal plates are made from non-ferrous or regular metal and can be mounted on the ceiling of a wall. Create a unique room design. Easy to install, you can choose a square or rectangle shape. May have a perforated pattern.
Create a unique room design.
Glass and mirror
Mirror panels are also becoming more and more popular; they are easy to install, flexible, but require frequent wiping. Glass and mirror types are made in different shades, give the room an unusual look, and visually increase the space.
They give the room an unusual look and visually increase the space.
Concrete
Concrete plates are used when styling rooms under high-tech and minimalism. They are flexible and easy to install. Durable and reliable. Special forms can be used to give an interesting decorative look to the concrete.
Concrete plates are used when styling rooms under high-tech and minimalism.
Other possible materials
You can also note gypsum vinyl plates; on the outside, the gypsum is covered with vinyl material. They are durable and strong, and withstand mechanical stress well. May be of different colors. You can also note their moisture resistance.
They are durable and strong, and withstand mechanical stress well.
In addition, cork panels are becoming popular. Cork has a unique pattern and is an eco-friendly material that can give a pleasant appearance to a room.
In addition, there is a fabric look.
This is an eco-friendly material that can give a pleasant appearance to the room.
Plastic panels
Wall cladding using PVC has become quite widespread for private buildings. This material is cheap and quite easy to work with. The advantages also include:
Plastic decorative products are quite easy to buy. They are available in almost all hardware stores. Accessibility can also be considered a positive characteristic. PVC sheathing is absolutely safe for humans. It does not emit harmful substances, does not lead to a decrease in living standards or health problems.
Plastic elements are easy to use. Due to the structure of the PVC material, they are easy to clean; if necessary, various cleaning agents can be used. The service life, subject to proper installation, is at least 30 years.
There are many design options for PVC panels on the market.
PVC plastic elements are safe from a fire safety point of view. They do not support combustion. The disadvantages of the material include:
Manufacturers are trying to eliminate these shortcomings by introducing new technologies. Typically, only the cheapest types of material have the listed disadvantages. Noise when exposed to wind occurs if the technology was violated when fastening the products, or the work was not carried out carefully enough.
Plastic is usually used in the construction of ventilated facades. A frame made of wooden blocks or a light metal profile is used as a base for fastening. It is necessary to provide a ventilation gap between the panels and the insulation.
Criteria for selecting wall panels for interior wall decoration
When choosing the type of plates, you first need to understand what characteristics are important. Do they need to be moisture resistant?
They must be fireproof and harmless to human health. If desired, you should also pay attention to the environmental friendliness of the coating.
Of course, the design of the room is also important, because they must fit well into it. And the cost of the material affects the choice in case of a limited budget.
The panels must be fireproof and harmless to human health.
Options for decorating different rooms with wall panels
Before choosing finishing panels, you need to consider possible options for specific rooms. This will make it easier to understand which coating you like best.
Bedroom
In the bedroom you can use fabric panels that will highlight the head of the bed. Mirrored europanels will greatly increase the space. Various types of MDF products will also fit well into a room intended for sleeping. Can be combined with other types of finishing materials.
In the bedroom you can use fabric panels that will highlight the head of the bed.
Living room
For the living room, it is better to choose panels made from natural materials. You can use textured types, rear effect, wood patterns are also successfully used in combination with other facing materials.
For the living room, it is better to choose panels made from natural materials.
Kitchen
In the kitchen, panels are most often used to create an apron that protects the walls from moisture and dirt. Here you can choose stone designs, wooden ones, or a variety of bright solutions that should match the color of the kitchen set. You can use drawings of fruits, food, coffee, etc.
In the kitchen, panels are most often used to create an apron that protects the walls from moisture and dirt.
Bathroom
In the bathroom, marble and brick patterns are now often used, combined with other more familiar materials.
They use panels that form a specific pattern. Or imitating tiles. 3D panels with a marine theme will also look impressive.
In the bathroom, marble and brick patterns are now often used, combined with other more familiar materials.
Toilet
The design of the toilet should be consistent with the rest of the rooms, at least with the bathroom. You can use options with patterns, but it’s better not to choose voluminous options; in a small space with such a pattern it won’t be comfortable. It is better to use plain panels, or with small patterns.
It is better to use plain panels, or with small patterns.
Hallway
Mirror panels will look good in the hallway. And imitation brick or stone. The hallway can be divided into two parts using a combination of different materials. For example, the entrance part can be finished with plates so that they can be quickly cleaned. And the lobby area with paint or wallpaper.
The hallway can be divided into two parts using a combination of different materials.
Corridor
Using light colors will help to visually enlarge the space and brighten it well. Mirror inserts from panels or the use of small patterns will also look good in the corridor. You can attach plain panels with a pattern like molding at the bottom, and glue wallpaper on top.
Using light colors will help to visually enlarge the space and brighten it well.
Tips and tricks for using wall panels for interior decoration
Some tips can make working with panels easier:
- study the manufacturer’s installation recommendations to choose the correct mounting method;
- when gluing panels directly to the wall, be sure to thoroughly prepare the walls;
- the panels should be combined with the rest of the furniture in the room;
- Some types can be additionally coated with protective agents to make them last longer.
The panels should match the rest of the furniture in the room.
Panels for interior wall decoration are a modern and practical cladding material. They are easy to attach and can give a room a pleasant aesthetic appearance; ease of installation and a variety of options make them an excellent option for covering wall surfaces.
