| Frequently
Asked Questions |
What
is PVC wall panelling?
Are there any problems with it?
Where can I use it?
How do I fit it?
What are the advantages?
How does it compare in price to tiles?
What are the advantages over using wood/mdf panelling?
How easy is it to install the panels myself?
Do I need to put extra sealant between the panels?
How do you cope with fitting around edges and corners?
Can I install halogen spotlights into it?
Can I install PVC panels to the ceiling of my swimming pool?
|
| What
is PVC wall panelling? |
| PVC
wall panelling is the modern alternative to tiling and has been hugely
popular in Europe for years. The panels all have a tongue and groove fitting,
similar to the old style wooden T&G panelling. All panels are double
ply with a "honeycomb" profile. PVC panels are lightweight and
easy to fit.
|
| Are
there any problems with it? |
No.
The panels are very easy to fit and you need minimal DIY skills. PVC wall
cladding has been used in Belgium, Holland and France for over 30 years.
Since then, it has been gaining popularity in more and more countries.
This simple fact shows that our products have proven their reliability
over the years. All our products also have class 1 fire ratings - certificates
on request. Unlike some of the cheaper alternatives on the market, we
know that our panels will not fade, crack or discolour in any way. |
| Where
can I use it? |
| In
a word, anywhere! All panels are can be used on both ceilings and walls.
They are all waterproof, meaning that they can even be used in shower cubicles.
You can use it in any room of the house. Our customers have used it to clad
bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, lounges and utility rooms to name but a few.
The
panelling is also great for commercial establishments. It is used widely
in catering establishments, offices, warehouses, sports and leisure centres
and workshops. It is very hygienic and is favoured by Health & Safety
inspectors. It has a European Class M1 fire rating, making it ideal for
commercial use. They can also withstand temperatures up to 60°C.
Please
note that our panels are not suitable for exterior use, unless specified.
|
| How
do I fit it? |
Fitting
is very easy and we can provide a fitting brochure with your order on
request. Also see our PVC
Panel Fitting Guide which should provide you with all the fitting
advice you need.
You
only need simple tools to fit our panels. Panels can be stuck to any surface
including uneven, wet or damp surfaces using our special range of adhesives.
Alternatively, screws, pins or staples can be used.
For
very uneven walls, you may wish to batten out the wall and attach the
panels to battens. You do not normally need to plaster the wall and you
can even stick the panels over existing tiles.
The
panels can also be fitted directly to your ceiling, or to battens or hanger
brackets if you wish to suspend the ceiling. It is safe and easy to use
spotlights with the panels.
We
also offer a full range of PVC finishing sections such as edge trims,
internal and external corners, coving and skirting boards that ease the
task of fitting and ensure a perfect finish, however your room is shaped.
|
|
What are the advantages? |
- No
more grout, wallpapering, painting or tiling
- Quick
and easy to fit, saves on labour costs (think about the labour costs
for getting a room tiled!)
- Waterproof
and mildew proof (can be used inside shower cubicles)
- Completely
fade resistant
-
Resistant to chemical products such as bleach, disinfectants and other
household chemicals
-
Easy to clean (if necessary!) using soapy water. Due to the smooth surface
of the panels, dirt does not gather in pores or cracks.
- Able
to withstand variations in temperature from -20°c up to 60°c
- Insulating
and warm to the touch
- Can
be fitted over existing tiles
- Hygienic
- panels provide a very clean and hygienic solution for wall and ceilings.
Once installed, there is no grout to go dirty. PVC is mould-repellent
and not a suitable material for bacterial growth.
- Safe:
PVC panels have a good reaction to fire and are classified as non-flammable
products. PVC is self-extinguishable and does not burn by itself, once
the "external flame" is withdrawn
- Recyclable:
PVC is 100% recyclable. Our panels can be taken to any plastic recycling
centre.
- Insulating:
our panels are insulating as well (R-value 2.25), which is an advantage
when PVC panels are used in garages, basements or similar locations
- No
further finishing or care required after installation: no paint, no
varnish...
|
| How
does it compare in price to tiles? |
| Obviously,
tiles come in all sizes and prices, but due to the fact that PVC panels
take only about half the time to fit as tiles, you will save on installation
costs. Whether you are employing a fitter, or doing it yourself, you will
save money. Once installed, there is no grout to go dirty and maintenance
is a thing of the past. |
| What
are the advantages over using wood/mdf panelling? |
| PVC
paneling is highly resistant to moisture and water. When compared to wood,
PVC panels will not warp, delaminate or swell.
PVC
paneling is superior to wood paneling or mdf panels because of the lower
flammability. All our panels have a class 1 fire rating. |
| How
easy is it to install the panels myself? |
| Our
panels are easy to install and only require simple tools. See our PVC
Panel Fitting Guide for more information. |
| Do
I need to put extra sealant between the panels? |
| Our
PVC panels have a tongue and groove system. Each piece perfectly fits into
the previous panel and our panels are designed to be water resistant.
|
| How
do you cope with fitting around edges and corners? |
| There
are many trims to finish edges and inside/outside corners. We also have
coving and trims to be used around the floor. Alternatively, many of the
panels can be scored at the back-end with a Stanley knife and folded neatly
round an inside or outside corner. We don't recommend the use of silicone
to finish off edges as it tends to look unsightly and can turn black in
damp areas. |
| Can
I install halogen spotlights into it? |
|
Yes.
When fitting halogen ceiling lights, holes can be drilled in the panel.
See our PVC
panel fitting guide for more information on this.
|
| Can
I install PVC panels to the ceiling of my swimming pool? |
Our
PVC panels will have enough chemical resistance for an indoor swimming
pool. The maximum allowed concentration level of chlorine around swimming
pools lies around a couple of milligram per cubic meter of air, and this
would not have an effect on the PVC panels.
The successful use of PVC for drainage of waste water and for floor covering
also shows that PVC has a high chemical resistance. |
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