Wall decoration with plastic panels is now very popular. But before deciding to choose this particular option, it is worth examining information about the properties of the material and the technology for its use. At first glance, you can find a lot of information about this finish option, but often it is distorted or provided in the form of inconvenient for perception. For this reason, the choice of source of information should be considered carefully.
Plastic as material
Wall decoration with plastic panels has its advantages and disadvantages. They must be taken into account when making the final decision. Finishing material has the following advantages:
- Absolute harmlessness. Many are afraid of plastic due to the fact that it is an artificial material. Modern technologies to produce harmless products are simpler and cheaper than old ones. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to find dangerous material even among fakes.
- Wall panels for interior decoration are very beautiful. There are many options for colors and textures. In addition, manufacturers are releasing new seamless options that are very different from the usual office panels. You can choose a wood finish, plain, colored. Photo printing is also applied to the coating.
- Ability to use in cramped conditions. Plastic panels for interior decoration are perfect for various niches and other corners of an apartment or house, where it is inconvenient to work with other materials.
- The panels are easily mounted together with ventilation grilles, sockets. At any color, these elements look natural and do not catch the eye.
- Plastic is perfect for decorating the bathroom and other wet areas. Wall and ceiling decoration is durable, does not require complicated maintenance, can be operated at low temperatures (for example, on an insulated balcony).
The disadvantages include the following negative points:
- Combustibility It is difficult to set fire to the material, but when exposed to fire, it maintains combustion and releases a large amount of gases dangerous to humans.
- Panels do not breathe. They completely block the movement of air through the walls, which is necessary to ensure normal ventilation. Due to this property, the type of decoration is not recommended for use in the bedroom and children's room.
- Insects can settle in the voids of the panels. This problem is especially relevant for the southern regions.
- The need to use a special tool for cutting and certain installation skills.
- DIY PVC wall decoration requires careful preparation of the base.
Having considered all the advantages and disadvantages of the material, it is worthwhile to calmly make an informed decision about the possibility of using this type of finish.
What tools will be required
It is worth preparing for work with PVC panels. First of all, you need to find a special tool:
- Circular Saw. If there is no way to find it, you can use a jigsaw. The file or disc should be with small cloves (“clean cut”). It is preferable to use a saw. The jigsaw file is highly flexible so the cut can be wavy.
- Jigsaw jigsaw with angles of 45 and 90 degrees.
- Construction stapler when plating on a wooden crate.
- Rubber mallet with hook rule. The same tool is used to install the laminate. It is necessary for "pulling out" jammed panels. By doing this with your hands, you can easily damage the panel or crate.
- Plaster spatula, which bends the finish profile when installing the last bar. The length of the spatula is 80-120 cm.
Also, when performing work, you will need:
- pencil and tape measure;
- building level;
- square;
- fasteners (self-tapping screws, dowel-nails, clamps);
- screwdriver;
- hammer drill;
- sealant;
- antiseptic.
Installation of plastic panels for wall decoration
Plastic can perfectly replace wooden decorative elements and other finishes. But you need to fix it in strict accordance with technology. Decorative panels for the walls will help to make your home cozy and beautiful.
Wall decoration in the bathroom and other rooms, as well as the ceiling with plastic panels, is performed in the following order:
- foundation preparation;
- markup;
- lathing device;
- installation of start and finish profiles;
- installation of all other strips;
- facing of slopes;
- fixing skirting boards.
Foundation preparation
Work with plastic begins with the removal of the old coating. To finish the coating had an attractive appearance without distortion and other troubles, you will need to carefully close all the cracks in the walls and ceilings, to eliminate bumps.
Next, the base is covered with a layer of antiseptic composition. It will help prevent mold and mildew under the panels.
Markup
Before finishing the room, it is necessary to determine the location of the frame racks. Plastic finishing of ceilings and walls provides for marking in this order:
- Mark a point at a distance of 1-2 cm from the level of the floor or walls. Through this point, a line is drawn around the perimeter. For the accuracy of the markup, a building level is used.
- When marking the walls, the same line must be drawn under the ceiling.
- Parallel lines are drawn from the bottom line in increments of 40-50 cm to the entire height.
This marking is suitable for mounting panels vertically. The cladding is always fixed perpendicular to the frame, therefore, if necessary, arrange the cladding elements horizontally, perform vertical marking.
Lathing device
Most often, wood is used as a lathing under the panel for interior wall decoration. In this case, the slats must be pre-treated with an antiseptic composition to protect against destruction. Holes for fasteners with a distance of 50 cm are made along the marking lines using a puncher. The frame rails are fixed to the wall. If necessary, wiring under the finish, this must be taken into account at this stage:
- Provide fasteners for wires;
- check that they do not protrude beyond the plane of the crate.
When using a metal C-profile as a lathing, it is additionally required to buy elements for fasteners. They are usually sold complete. The metal is fixed to the base by self-tapping screws in the dowels. All work must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
To increase the thermal insulation or sound insulation of the walls, special mats can be placed between the frame rails. They are fixed depending on the type of material used. For different types, fastenings on the expansion bolt shield, and on glue structure can be applied.
Lamella fastening
The first plastic strip needs to be fixed in the most illuminated and noticeable corner. Most often, this becomes the one located opposite the entrance to the room. Using a tape measure make measurements. The panel is cut to the required length with a special tool (usually a circular saw).
One edge of the strip is inserted into a special side molding. This element is designed to ensure mutual fixation of panels that are located on opposite sides of the corner. An element with a molding is applied to the corner and fixed to the crate from the back.
Next, you need to connect the first panel to the second. For this, the tongue-and-groove system is again used. The joint is pressed tightly and fix the bar to a wooden or metal frame. All subsequent elements are mounted using the same technology. To guarantee maximum tightness of joints, it is recommended to lubricate the side edges with silicone before installing the panel. When installing the last part, it is worth checking whether it fits the width. If necessary, the element is cut in width. The last panel is not fixed to the crate. It must be snapped onto the finish element. If necessary, all joints are treated with silicone (sealant).
To complete the installation, you need to install accessories. These elements include skirting boards and their caps, corner elements. The latter are bought with the panels and glow on top of them.
To make holes for switches and sockets, use a sharp knife. They cut holes of the required size.
Mounting panels on glue
If necessary, trim elements can be fixed directly to the wall without using a lathing. In this case, increased demands are made on the base. It will take more time to prepare it, since the surface must be perfectly even.
Before starting work, they acquire special glue. It is allowed to use liquid nails for installation. It is important to check the composition of the substance in the store. It should not contain solvents that destroy plastic elements.
The work is performed in the following order:
- cleaning the base of the old cladding;
- processing with antibacterial putty or a primer layer that contains components that can protect against mold and fungus;
- drying of the base;
- preparation of adhesive in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging;
- the choice of a working tool is carried out depending on the consistency of the adhesive: roller, brush, spatula;
- work begins with corner elements;
- glue is applied at a time to a small area (equal to approximately 1 — panels) so that it does not have time to dry;
- they fix an angular part to which an ordinary element is mounted with the help of grooves;
- the panels are pressed against the wall with your hands for a short time, during which the adhesive solution has time to grab;
- mount all other panels;
- install decorative elements, coat the seams with silicone sealant.
General recommendations
In addition to mounting on glue and on the crate, there are several other methods that are used by professional workers. But they are not widespread. In conclusion, you can give a few general tips:
- Panels are recommended for finishing balconies, loggias, bathrooms, hallways and living rooms. For bedrooms and children's rooms, you should pay attention to more breathable materials.
- It is best to use seamless plastic in rooms with air conditioning or forced ventilation.
- In the bedroom for adults, it is permissible to use material for individual sections of the walls.
- Do not use items in the kitchen. In this case, fat and other substances will settle on the surface of the panels, which will become an excellent environment for the growth of bacteria.