The implementation of interior wall coverings gives the building an aesthetic dimension and ensures the finishing of the structure. The proposals in this area are numerous, among them are paintings, wall textiles, fiberglass fabrics or wall protection panels. These solutions, although very different, all have a common purpose: to decorate your spaces. In addition to this shared axis, each type of coating is characterized by its resistance in time, robustness, implementation, maintenance and appearance.
Depending on the nature of the construction or renovation project, some properties will be more adapted to the sanitary, environmental, aesthetic and budgetary requirements of the structure. To accompany you in this choice we offer an overview of the most used solutions in public buildings.
Professionnal solutions
The painting is not really considered as a wall covering strictly speaking but more as a finish however its very large presence in the construction projects positions it as a key solution.
Smoothing or fiberglass coatings are also widely used in buildings intended for the public and in particular during renovation work. Their ability to cover the slight defects present on the walls often makes it possible to avoid the preparatory work of smoothing. This type of raw material however requires to be painted after installation what can be likened to a second finishing site.
As with smoothing coatings, the wall protection panels do not require any preliminary work because they mask the marked irregularities of the support. Tinted in the mass, they have an immediate decorative power that requires no additional finishing work.
Nonwoven wallpapers, vinyl or wall textiles also offer this decorative action as soon as they are applied, but require, like painting, a preparation site if the wall is not quite clear. These latter solutions are, however, less common in buildings that are open to the public because of their fragility in the face of everyday use.
Ensure a coherent decoration with the project.
To ensure that the selected shade approaches your final expectations, we advise you to check the colorimetry with the supplier, to compare the color with its reference in the RAL classification (or any other standardized color) and to consider the support of the color chart. A shade proposed on a paper chart will be rather similar while proposed on a lambda screen, it will be rather false.
Other factors to consider are the support, which can absorb the pigments in different ways, the natural light that affects our perception of colors and the configuration and size of the space. In order to assure the construction site that the chosen color is exactly the one that will be part of the building, the panels of decorative panels offer real samples of colored matter. Beyond color control, this feature also makes it possible to test in situ the characteristics offered by the finish to the space. The Acrovyn material, for example, has a satin finish that reflects and captures the light in buildings.
The specificities of the implementation work
Punctuated with meticulous steps, a painting site requires a rigorous preparation routine that can represent up to 80% of the time of the site. In addition to the various layers of paint necessary for the substrate to be completely covered, it is necessary to ensure beforehand that the support is perfectly smooth and prepared with an underlay which incorporates a binder solution. These operations ensure that the porous walls absorb the material homogeneously and do not leave traces after the drying time.
On the other hand, when the delivery deadline for the project approaches or the establishment can not afford a long closure for rehabilitation work, the implementation of decorative panels remains the most effective option. This professional solution incorporates robust wall protection and practical options such as custom-made siding cut-outs or self-adhesive strips at the factory to ensure quick and easy installation.
The textured paint coatings mark the shallow scratches less than a smooth wall thanks to the reinforcement provided by the fiberglass layer. The walls are preserved against slight deterioration, however only Acrovyn® decorative panels offer the necessary resistance to intense shocks, such as impacts of heavy objects.
Daily maintenance
The circulation spaces of buildings open to the public are widely used and are the first to be degraded. It is not uncommon to see traces of hands and other unwanted projections as soon as the work is completed and sometimes even during the last operations of the second work.
This recurrent phenomenon is as noticeable in commercial places, hotel residences, schools and hospitals. This is why the maintenance criteria and its ability to withstand intensive cleaning cycles should not be underestimated.
Whether applied directly to walls or fiberglass, glycerophthalic paints are mostly leachable but often do not support the use of the solvents needed to remove stubborn and encrusted stains. Unlike Acrovyn® board material designed to withstand regular maintenance with high-pressure steam or cleaning products.
Some decorative panels, which should not be related to the wall protection, have a more pronounced relief or a pattern on their surface, if your choice is towards this type of coating we advise you to check the frequency of cleaning cycles tolerated and the pressure and temperature that the medium supports during maintenance operations.
Durability & aesthetics
One can very quickly get an idea about the recency of a building just by observing the state of common areas and interior decoration. Visible and accessible to all, the walls are witnesses to the use of a building.
When freshly painted they provide a smooth and clean finish, but this appearance is often short lived when the premises are subjected to intense daily use. Therefore, a deterioration of the wall such as a scratch or a slight recess in the plasterboard gives a look tired, and this feeling will be identical even in establishments that offer high-end amenities. In order not to allow this unjustified appreciation to take hold, two main options are possible:
- Select a purely decorative wall covering and choose to refresh it frequently. Professionals in the sector believe that a building that welcomes the public must be repainted on average every 4 to 5 years. Renovation of a cladding can be cumbersome and seemingly recurrent, but it is better not to delay to carry out improvement work at the risk of seeing the wall suffer more damage and having to take on more expensive work.
- Select a wall covering that combines decorative and protective action. Acrovyn® wall protection panels act as a protective envelope that keeps the underlying walls in their original state. The material is robust and does not require maintenance or renovation work after installation. Because they are tinted in their mass, Acrovyn® Decorative Plates do not require refreshing work after installation and their pigments do not fade over time.
Also think about what we do not see but that affects us all
The international commitments of the Geneva and Gothenburg Protocols aiming inter alia at reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds worldwide have led the French state to tighten its laws on indoor air quality. The implementation of the National Health and Environment Plan (PNSE1 and 2) and the support of the Grenelle Environment Forum have led to the creation of the French label “emissions in indoor air”.
Since 1st of January 2012, all construction and decoration products placed on the market must be equipped with a label that qualifies their emission level as volatile pollutants (COV, formaldehyde, etc.) in four classes (From A + to C).
We advise you to check with the supplier the total COV content of the product and not only its class, which includes very variable rates.
Construction Specialties develops and continues to innovate in the service of your buildings and for your projects, if you wish to know a little more about Acrovyn® decorative panels and protection profiles, contact our team of specialists.
Acrovyn® Solutions
Acrovyn by Design®
Acrovyn®
Acrovyn® colors
