The decoration of the apartment begins with the decoration of the walls. All vertical surfaces in a room can simply be painted or wallpapered, but today decorative panels are becoming more and more popular. Why this method of interior decoration has become so popular, and what materials are better to use, we will tell in the material.
Content:

What are trim panels for?

decorative trim
Wall panels are a finishing building material for decorative surfaces of buildings and structures (inside and outside).
In interior decoration, they perform the following functions:
- Decorate the interior
- Enhance wall protection
- Hides defects in vertical surfaces
- Warm and soundproof the room

Panels for interior decoration
Advantages of finishing sheathing over other materials:
- levels the surface of the wall without plaster and putty (unlike wallpaper)
- easy installation in a short time
- coverage of a large area with one finishing element
- provides additional noise- and thermal insulation
- helps to hide communications
- universal (suitable for both residential and commercial premises)
- durable and resistant to mechanical stress
- economical option, but does not look cheap
- simple and easy to clean
- can be mounted in different directions
- adaptable to different types of walls - can be mounted both vertically and diagonally
- well imitates natural materials
- you can apply photo printing or give different textures
- a large selection of models, textures, colors

Skin classification

Finishing elements
Finishing panels are produced in the form:
- Sheets up to 2–2.5 m long and about 100 mm thick. They are mounted on a crate of metal profiles or glue, and the joints are masked by moldings. They consist of several layers of wood fiber boards impregnated with resin. Imitate natural materials (stone or wood) according to the pattern
- Reek. Rectangular elements up to 4.6 m long, from 30 cm wide. The thickness of such panels does not exceed 12 mm. They are installed in any direction, and the joints are closed with clamps, they are white and colored. A balanced choice for complex rooms with many angles. Between themselves, the elements are connected with spikes and grooves, mounted on a frame made of wooden or metal guides
- Tiles. Small in size: 100 cm long, 50 cm wide, such elements are universal for installation. They can be made in the form of a square with sides from 30 to 98 cm. They are mounted on a wooden beam crate with glue or special clamps.
- Sandwich panels - a specific form, which is used not for decoration, but for the construction of partitions

Wall panels
Wall panels are made from:
- natural wood
- sheets of fiberboard, chipboard, MDF
- plastic
- traffic jams
- glass
- become
- acoustic foam
- gypsum (gypsum vinyl, drywall)
- stone veneer
- leather, eco-leather, fabrics
- PVC
Traditional combinations of form and material are presented in the table.
Form | Material |
---|---|
Lining, slats | wood, plastic |
Plate | Wood, plaster, MDF, fiberboard, chipboard |
Tile | PVC, plaster, glass |
Wooden

Solid wood wall panels
Finishing coating of natural wood (oak, alder, elm, walnut, cedar) adds elegance to the interior. Often it is used to decorate the hallway, personal office or living room.
Such panels are coated with a protective varnish, they are safe for humans, are non-toxic and are considered an environmentally friendly finishing method.
During the production of the material, wood fibers are stacked on top of each other so that they are perpendicular, providing additional structural strength.

Wooden panels
Contrary to the opinion that, due to hygroscopicity, wooden panels can only be installed in dry rooms, after waxing, they can also be installed in the bathroom. Thanks to special impregnations, the material also becomes non-combustible.
Wood absorbs sounds and retains additional heat in the room. The only drawback of wood finishes is the high price. In addition, an excess of wood can give the living space a too formal, austere look.
The installation of wooden boards, sheets and battens is a labor-intensive process that requires skills and special building tools. It is very difficult to independently mount wood wall cladding with high quality and evenly.
Chipboard finish

Chipboard sheathing
Compressed and impregnated with phenol-formaldehyde resin, particle boards are similar in performance to natural wood, but are cheaper. The outer layer is decorated with veneer, which gives the plates an attractive look, or laminated with plastic.
Of course, chipboard panels are not as durable as wooden ones, they are afraid of moisture and can delaminate. However, additional water-repellent impregnation, lamination and decoration can improve the performance of the material.
Fiberboard panels

Fiberboard is used for finishing
The basis of such plates is a mixture of pressed wood bark and wood chips with paraffin or rosin. Most often, wide finishing panels are produced from fiberboard, which are distinguished by water-repellent characteristics. They can imitate natural stone, tile, brick, ceramics or wood.
The outer layer of raw materials is decorated with a plain, textured pattern or photo printing. The elements are attached to the wall not only with moldings along the edges, but also glued over the entire area of the wrong side (end). If this step is neglected, the fiberboard board may swell in the middle over time.
- painted
- veneered
- laminated
MDF sheathing

MDF sheathing
The optimal coating for finishing rooms with high humidity: MDF is not at all afraid of water. In the manufacture of this material, wood shavings under high pressure turn into a monolithic sheet, which endures mechanical damage and exposure to aggressive chemicals.
This material does not accumulate dust, so it is easy to use and easy to clean from grease and dirt.
PVC

PVC textured panels
Polyvinyl chloride is a synthetic substance that surpasses natural materials in a number of characteristics, but is cheaper. That is why PVC is so widely used in construction, renovation and decoration.
PVC coatings:
- durable
- show a high level of resistance to fire
- not afraid of moisture
- do not change characteristics and appearance at low temperatures
- easy to wash
Such slabs consist of 2 layers, between which reinforcing inserts made of stone chips are possible. Best of all are suitable for facing of a bathroom, a bathroom, corridors, loggias and kitchens.

PVC panels
At the same time, the material is easily deformed - plates and slats from it can be easily cut with an ordinary construction knife, scratches and cracks quickly appear on the surface.
During installation, all joints and seams between the elements should be carefully treated with sealant. If water gets into the gaps, then a fungus can develop, mold can grow.
If the material contains recycled PVC, then you do not need to expect durability and durability from such panels: they are cheap, but they will not last long. It is easy to distinguish them from high-quality plates: dark spots and dots will be clearly visible on the surface of recycled materials.
Plastic

plastic cladding
Like other artificial materials, plastic made from polymers has an increased resistance to moisture. It is these panels that are recommended to be installed on kitchen or in the bathroom. In a private house, plastic sheets have proven themselves well when finishing. verandas, pantries and summer kitchens.
Plastic trim sheets are lightweight, so no additional fasteners or adhesives are needed. Standardly produced in the form of long (about 6 m) rails up to 30–40 cm wide. They are also well suited for covering ceilings.
During operation, they do not lose their color, they are easy to clean and are inexpensive. They can plausibly imitate natural materials (brickwork, tiles).
Gypsum

Gypsum lining
GVK - gypsum-vinyl panels - today are considered a sought-after material for decorative finishes. They are made of a natural mineral - gypsum - and covered with a vinyl film. Installation of GVK does not require preliminary alignment of the walls, it can replace decorative plaster.
Such plates are easy to clean, durable, resistant to aggressive chemicals and mechanical stress.
Pure gypsum panels are also used in decor, but less often. The main reason for this is the fragility of the raw material, its high weight and its hygroscopicity. Of the indisputable advantages of the material is the ability to give it any shape.
Gypsum is a hypoallergenic material, safe and durable. Parts or elements that have become unusable are easily changed and restored. Does not absorb foreign odors, does not attract dust.
Cheaper option - drywall. It is most often used for wall cladding in offices and commercial premises. The material is easily and quickly mounted without unnecessary debris and dust.
glass

Glass wall decoration
Decorative panels made of glass with photo printing applied to it are called skinali. Made from tempered glass or acrylic. Look good in kitchen decor, living room or bedroom.
The material is resistant to moisture, durable, has a high resistance to wear and abrasion, is not subject to combustion.
stone veneer

Stone veneer as a finish
One of the new materials for consumers, which has not yet received wide distribution. It is based on a cut of natural slate (or any other stone) and fiberglass. The thickness of such plates, as a rule, is small.
The main advantage of the material is its texture and natural roughness, bulge. It will fit well into the living space, decorated in the loft style.
Other options

Steel panels
Not so common, but found their adherents and fans, such non-standard solutions for interior decoration:
- Soft decor. Made of fabric, felt, suede, leather and its substitute, such finishing panels have an exclusively decorative function. Most often, elements are used in small quantities in the form of a mosaic.Of the advantages: pleasant to the touch, look unusual, can be of any shape. You can make such panels yourself from fiberboard or chipboard base, foam lining (or polyurethane foam) and fabric planted on glue
- CorTen steel in the form of sheets. Not subject to corrosion, can be used to design an apron in the kitchen. Strong and durable material that looks like bronze, but feels soft like velvet or suede
- Acoustic panels for recording studios, radio stations, cinemas. Made from cellulose and wood fiber, gypsum, melamine, drywall, basalt wool, fiberglass
- decorative brick
3D finish

Decorative 3D tiles
A separate group of finishing slabs is three-dimensional panels based on wood, gypsum, and wood products. They consist of several layers and, in fact, are multi-composite.
So, the substrate is usually made of a layer of gypsum and metal, the middle - from embossed wood, and the surface is covered with enamel or veneer, a PVC film is applied.
Such a finish will help isolate the room from excess noise, but it will take away part of the usable area of the living room. 3D panels are easy to install and clean, and they blend well with other finishing materials.

How to choose material

Panel materials for interior decoration
The main criteria for choosing a slab or rail for finishing work:
- safety
- durability
- strength
- elasticity
- fire safety class
- moisture resistance
- low toxicity and smoke levels
- resistance to mechanical damage
- resistance to temperature changes
- ease of installation
- ease of maintenance
- decorative appearance

Wall panels
Regardless of what artificial raw materials the finishing panel is made of, there are a number of signs by which a quality product is determined:
- Over the entire area of the element, the pattern or color of staining is uniform
- There are no white or black dots on the paint - signs of marriage during factory painting
- The width and thickness of the sheet along the entire length is the same
- Plates and slats do not have bumps, swellings, transitions and waves
Recommendations on what material to use in a particular room are collected in the table.
Room type | Recommended material |
---|---|
Living room, hallway | Wood, glass, gypsum vinyl, stone veneer |
Bathroom | Plastic, high pressure MDF, fiberboard with moisture-resistant film, chipboard |
Kitchen | PVC, MDF, glass, fiberboard and chipboard with protective film |

How to calculate the number of panels

Elements for decoration
It is better to prepare for the purchase of building materials for finishing work in advance by calculating how many panels will be needed for a decorative coating. To do this, measure the area of \u200b\u200ball the walls in the room, take away the area of \u200b\u200bwindow and doorways.
The store measures the area of one standard finishing element: the length of the slab, rail or sheet is multiplied by its width, taking into account the grooves. Then the area of the room is divided by the area of \u200b\u200bone panel. The resulting number will be the number of elements that will be needed for a complete finish.
During installation, unforeseen situations may arise, so do not neglect the purchase of spare skins (5% of the quantity). Items purchased later from a different shipment may differ in pattern or color tone.

Mounting methods

Installation of wall panels
To install decorative panels, 3 main methods are used:
The advantages of the first method are that in the resulting free space between the panel and the wall, you can lay the necessary communications: wires, cables, pipes, add insulation. However, this will mean a loss of usable area of 10–15 cm on each side.
It is possible to glue directly to the wall only finishing elements with low weight and only on a flat surface. It will also not work to mask the unevenness of the walls with different thicknesses of glue.
On the crate

Installation of panels on the crate
In this way, plastic and wooden panels are attached. It happens like this:

Mounting on a railing
The main thing in this finishing method is to clearly align the first panel. If this is not done, then the whole structure will “go”, creating a sloppy look.
In wet and unheated rooms, the crate is made of aluminum profile, in dry rooms - of wood. Panels in the form of rails and plastic are interconnected with fasteners called "thorn-groove", and other types - with "groove-groove" fasteners.
On glue

Lightweight panels are mounted on "liquid nails"
For the installation of panels in dry rooms, specialized solutions based on glue (“liquid nails”, gypsum-cement) are used. They are applied to the entire surface of the panel. It is not necessary to coat the wall with glue - it is better to prime it first.
Only light sheet materials are attached in this way. When dismantling and re-repairing, the glue will have to be cleaned off.

Examples of using

Decorative panel of finishing elements
In design projects, finishing panels are used for different purposes and for non-standard solutions.
There are such ways of decorative finishing:
Decorative interior trim with panels - this is a wonderful way not only to update the interior of the apartment, but also the opportunity to additionally insulate and soundproof the room. The most reliable materials for sheathing are wood, glass and PVC, and the most budgetary are chipboard and fiberboard, plastic.
By choosing a finish according to its intended purpose and taking into account the main operational characteristics, you can get a result that which will please the owners for a long time.
Experts talk about the properties and methods of installation of the most budgetary finishing materials in the video:
VIDEO: PVC and MDF decorative panels: types, properties, installation
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