Review of the market for decorative panels for walls and ceilings: Types of material, operational properties, design, features of the installation of plates
Mural allows you to expand the room space, make a spectacular accent, attract attention
Following the positive desire to update the walls or ceilings of the apartment, the premonition of large inconveniences usually appears. We are frightening the need for a long time to be in uncomfortable cramped conditions, an abundance of construction waste and dust ... however, the standard kitchen, a toilet or a bathroom can be repaired with a minimum of dirt and in just one or two days, if you use decorative panels.
Undoubted pluses of decorative panels for walls and ceiling - speed and unemployed installation, as well as durability, ease of care, a rich choice of interesting design solutions and low cost. Judging by the advertising booklets, this type of finish has practically no flaws. Is it so? Or, before purchasing your favorite panels, it is worth not only to pay attention to their positive qualities, but also to find out the features of installation and operation? Let's start, perhaps, with the most common and popular plastic products.
Universal plastic
Plastic panels are bulk plates with a length of 240-600cm, 10-92 cm wide and a thickness of 0.5-1 cm, and the standard is considered to be 270251cm. Made them of rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In the entire inner cavity, the plates pass the ribs that form a longitudinal cellular structure. Panels bond with each other long sides on the principle of "spike", and ends - with the help of special connecting elements.
Practical advice
Choosing decorative plastic panels, pay attention to several points. First, on the front side there should be no holes, chips, dents, as well as black dots or non-procrase areas. Secondly, the surface of the quality product - even across the entire width, without "waves". Now, the time is minor irregularities in length are permissible, since when attaching to the crate (wall or ceiling), the panel will straighten. Yves-third, try to connect two panels throughout the entire length should be low and neat.
The operational properties of PVC panels are best manifested in kitchens, bathrooms, toilets, corridors, on balconies and garages. Judge for yourself: they are completely not afraid of high humidity and do not spoil from water, the temperature differences are painlessly. They do not delay dust, and any contamination is easy to remove with a wet cloth. The same PVC is the weall, self-tapping material, so the plastic panels will not be lit in the absence of a source of fire. The term of their service under normal operating conditions is more than 10 years. Aza beautiful finish can be hidden various communications, place heat and sound insulation.
One of the indisputable advantages of this type of panels is low price: 150-320 rub. For 1m2. True, at first there were imported products in Russia, which was not cheap at all. Prices have become significantly declineed after the production technology has mastered domestic companies. Among the largest, we note "Alta-profile", "People's Plastic", "Orto", "RBC Plastic", "Rehas Group", "Sadko" (all- Russia). Today, plastic panels are made in hundreds of our country's cities. However, the quality of the material is supported at the proper level not all manufacturers. Products from poor source raw materials made with retreats from technology are not elastic enough, quickly become fragile, do not have the desired rigidity and, as a result, resistance to mechanical damage. At the same time, quality and price are usually in direct dependence, so it is not necessary to warmly search for the cheapest panels. It is better to find out, whether the products of a particular manufacturer have long been on the market and how she has proven itself.
Layout and ambiguity
The large group form panels, the main constructive element (core) of which are chipboard, fiberboard, MDF, HDF or plywood, and upper protective and decorative layers, enamel, melamine and PVC films, laminatin, veneer. The configuration of them is very diverse: from narrow and long slats to square or rectangular sheets. Listed types of fundamentals have different operational properties, which affects the use of the final product.Chipboard (wood chipboard) is made of wood sawdust and chips bonded by various adhesives, which traditionally use formaldehyde resins or more modern and safe lignin. It is no secret that the chipboard is easily crumbling, do not like water, and therefore panels with such a core is undesirable to install in wet rooms.
Distribution panels (wood fibrous plates), MDF (Medium density fiberboard) and HDF (so-called highly dense and hard MDF) are more resistant to high humidity: with its drops, they can only change their linear dimensions. And the smaller the density of the products, the noticeable these oscillations. The quality of the foundation is easy to check if you cut off the part of the panel. The loose material will crumble like a pipe. Tight, on the contrary, give a clear and smooth line of cutting. It is he who will easily withstand extreme conditions for kitchens and bathrooms (although there is where there is direct contact with water, the dial-based panel, MDF, HDF is better not to install).
Synthetic resins and adhesive substances in all listed plates prevent moisture penetration inside, but often contains not too useful ingredients for humans and the environment. The decorative panels on such bases must comply with the hygienic requirements of the safety of polymer and polymer-containing building materials, products and structures, which is confirmed by the sanitary and epidemiological conclusion of state-poidnadzor. If panel sellers refuse to provide you with this document, then it is hardly worth purchasing products.
Inacontament, the highest resistance to the change in humidity is characterized by the base of the plywent-glued thin plates of wood with a cross-liquefaction of fibers in adjacent sheets.
From imitation, to original design
The diversity of the decor of modern panels cannot leave anyone indifferent. Bright surfaces covered with matte and glossy enamels; Light pastel tones of melamine and PVC films; Elegant reliefs created by famous designers; Photos and frescoes, converting walls and ceilings at home in the original panels ... The most popular products of the Companies "Evrogen", "Orto", "Profile-line", "Union" (all- Russia), HDM, Kronospan (both Germany) , CANFOR (Canada), Chesapeake, DPI, Georgia-Pacific (All United States), Leto (Italy), Eucatex (Brazil).
Classic Genra - imitation of ceramic tiles, natural stone and wood. It is such drawings that are presented in the collections of moisture-proof panels Eucatex and Georgia-Pacific. The basis of these products of the Fiberboard from almost eternal eucalyptus fibers, and on top of the decorative layer of durable melamine coating is applied. The cost of the sheet in size is 2441220.32cm- 770rub.
A- in dry rooms with smooth ceilings when installing panels, you can do without crate;
B- arrangement of the crates is necessary if the ceilings are curves, as well as in rooms with high humidity. Wooden bars are suitable for the kitchen and toilet, and in the bathroom it is better to use plastic or metal mounting profiles, as a tree can overreach over time. When installing panels above the bathroom, it is desirable to smear the places of their connection with silicone sealant so that no water drops between the joints;
In- if the panel ceiling is lowered by 10-15 cm, then it is possible to pave an additional heat and soundproofing material;
G- in the "body" of the panel is easy to make holes and build point lights in them
A characteristic inhomogeneous pattern of stone, brick, plaster on the CANFOR panels create several layers of paint, and texture-relief MDF. The price of a sheet of size 2441220,32cm is about 1270 rubles. Similar panels manufactures DPI. The bulbs and the depressions of their foundations perfectly correspond to the decorative pattern. A results of a finish, imitating ceramic tiles, stone or brick, practically not to distinguish from real tiles with elegant borders and inserts, uneven surface of the stone, brick wall with a deep duct. A leaf size 2441220,32cm costs 1170rub.
Mimicly imitate the natural tree of the Chesapeake panel. To do this, use the technology of direct printing on grinded MDF sheets or a three-layer plywood or stick to the film with a pattern. Know-how producer - a special rolled equipment technique. It allows you to create a relief "RUST" (at the place of the joint of two virtual boards) on the panels covered with film. Price of sheet size 2441220.3cm- 620-780 rub.
An unexpected approach to interior design features Orto. It offers a central part of the wall composition. It offers to place the original panels from several panels, and special decors and borders apply as vertically and horizontal. Another novelty is Mural (large-format wall image) on the type of plastic panels (the kit consists of 4-12 plates). It reproduces in other format photos, paintings, frescoes. The beaches covered with the sun and the blue sea on the walls of the bathroom Surely raise the mood in a rainy winter day. Sytom, environmentally friendly paints retain bright and deep colors throughout the entire life life of products. The cost of Mural in size is 2701001cm of four panels - from 4054 rubles.
The panels with the most exquisite decors made on the basis of MDF and plywood presents the LETO concern. For more than half a century, his specialists create real works of art in the field of finishing. The wide range of dimensions (from 4040 to 280120cm) makes it possible to arrange with the help of panels not only walls and ceilings, but also wall cabinets, wardrobes, interior doors, wardrobe. The price for 1m2 is an average of 7 thousand rubles. What preferred the embossed pattern, similar to the folds of soft tissue, or unusual curly lines, which are first cut on the plywood manually, and then "replicate" in a set of instances? Or maybe stay on products lined with veneer of valuable wood tree? By the way, it is worth telling about this type of finish.
Natural beauty
Many may notice that the panels made of plastic or film covered under a tree or stone, despite all their advantages, still look not too presentable. Well, the remark is quite reasonable. Those who wish to make a cabinet more solid and respectable, stylishly arrange a billiard room or library, it is worth paying attention to the decorative panels decorated with natural veneer. A thin cut of wood is placed on the basis of chipboard or MDF. Valid dreams from capricious and requiring special care panels from the array such a design is more stable and unpretentious in operation. In the domestic market, this products are represented by TILO (Austria), Chesapeake, Leto.
CHESAPEAKE panels lined with oak veneer and birch helps to create unique interiors who will give a special comfort to the heat of natural wood. Decorative veneer can be covered with varnish or butter or not to have a finish layer at all. In the second case, additional possibilities for tinting appear, allowing to achieve the most harmonious combination of walls and ceilings with the decoration of the house. The panel in size is 2441220.5cm costs 1200-1350 rubles.
The combination of TILO panels of different shapes and sizes (25620/321.4; 12832/641.4; 32321.4; 64641.4cm) gives unique decisions for the design of the house. Pulling catalogs with photos of realized interiors, you can learn original ideas, look at this finishing material in a new way. Another option to create a unique decoration of help for help from professional designers, which will develop several design projects, taking into account the features of installation. However, the installation of panels can be entrusted to the specialists - they will make it quickly and competently. The price of a panel with a size of 25620cm, lined with an oak veneer or beech, will be 980 rubles. Installation services will cost you 20% of the value of the material.
A- in dry rooms with smooth walls of the panel are fixed with self-draws directly to the surface;
B - in wet rooms and with a significant curvature of the walls, first set the crate of PVC-plank-resistant water or metal profiles;
B, G-when fastening to walls and a wooden crate, you can use a building stapler and brackets;
D, the easiest way for residential rooms: panels are glued to smooth walls or crate
Forever and ever
The decoration of walls and ceilings with decorative panels is simple. It is enough to strictly follow the instructions of the manufacturer. For typical panels that connect to each other on the principle of "spits", there are several ways to fastening.Happy apartment owners with such rare now smooth vertical and horizontal surfaces, connected at right angles, can simply fasten the type-panels to them with self-draws. They are screwed into a wide bar of the connecting "lock" - the so-called wide mounting shelf, and the hats covers the "spike" of the next panel.
On the wall curves and ceilings, first mounted a crate of wooden bars (4020cm), metal profiles or PVC planks, and panels are already attached to it. Soda side, it makes it possible to avoid "dirty" and labor-intensive cleaning and leveling processes. Solid - the lamp reduces the size of the room, "eating" 3-5 cm. Walking rooms are unnoticed. Well, those who choose a panel for a small-sized bathroom, where every centimeter on the account should be made to make a solution more thoughtfully. Many manufacturers have developed special installation systems for their products. So, the TILO panels are fixed on the crate with special metal "hooks" (blessing) and in no case naughty nails and are not screwed into screws. LETO offers different options for 10 and 18 cm panels. For the first, three types of aluminum profiles are intended for second-aluminum profiles or metal plates.
Sheet panels of small thickness (0.32-0.6 cm) are most often glued using universal construction adhesives. In this case, do not do without preliminary surface preparation. Old coatings - wallpaper, paint, whitewash (especially those that are bad on the wall or ceiling) - it is necessary to delete. The surface should be aligned. It should be clean, dry. The panels fixed on the walls of irregularities only emphasize their flaws or will not stick. In addition, the better the surface is aligned, the less the flow of glue. The installation of panels start from the inner corner. Place them at a distance of 2-3mm from each other, leaving a place in case of possible movements. After the glue is finally driving, the seams are filled with elastic silicone sealant.
Practical advice
Before installing panels, it is necessary to determine the places where shelves, lockers, mirrors, lamps, electrical outlets will be installed. Sometimes on these areas it is necessary to pave an additional crate to drill holes under the fasteners directly in it.
Finishing touch
The final decoration details of the room decorative panels are additional elements: plinths, moldings, corners. Shoots and edges, external and internal angles are drawn up, the connection of panels with window and doorways, floor and ceiling. The drawings and the accessories palette usually correspond to the color range of background panels, giving the interior finish and special plastic.
Decorative panels may well replace wallpaper, ceramic tiles and many other finishing materials. The variety of their design and a wide range of prices is equally attractive for the most demanding buyers, and for those looking for an inexpensive and practical decision.
The editors thanks the company "ORTO", "TILO designer", "TK Vector", HDM, ART LAB for help in the preparation of the material.