You can make fixing wall cladding and ceiling cladding easier and do work of better quality by following certain standard procedures. We look at certain key procedures in the following sections. There is no attempt to include all the finer points. Instead the aim is to give an overview and indicate some key points that need attention.
The first step is to fix the bottom and top edge pieces, by screwing them to the wall. Next comes the task of sliding the cladding sheets into these pieces. Once the sheet is in place, the horizontal joints are attached to the vertical ends of the sheets and screwed into the wall. Next comes fixing internal and external angles at corners, and around doors and windows.
We look at these fixing steps in a little more detail below.
Top and Bottom Edges
All four edges of all sheets must be secured to the wall. In most cases, J edges, H joints and internal/external angles can do the job. Where necessary, Maxbash Skirting can be used at the bottom instead of a J edge. For very uneven walls, two-piece joints can be used between sheets.
Where only wall cladding is being installed, the top edges can also be secured using a J edge. If ceiling cladding is also being installed, you might prefer trapping the top of the wall cladding sheets with the ceiling. Alternatively, a 2-piece internal corner is used as a coving.
Good quality silicone beading is used between the wall and J edge/Maxbash skirting to seal them permanently to the wall and floor.
Fixing Cladding Sheets
Flex a cladding sheet into the top and bottom J edges and fit a one-piece H joint to the vertical edge of the sheet, leaving necessary space for any expansion in the sheet. Secure the joint to the wall.
Now flex in a second sheet into the J edges and H joint and fix a joint on the other vertical edge of the sheet. Continue the procedure till the walls are fully covered.
Silicone sealant is used between sheets and J edges/H joints to seal the sheets.
Corners
Corners are typically fixed using internal and external angles. If the corners are not square, a universal angle is used. This type of angle has a flexible center that can be bent to a desired degree.
General
The above outline is intended only to give a general idea. There could be finer points that need to be mastered to solve specific problems in actual working. For these, you can refer to the instruction manual that comes with the sheets. Do take the trouble to go through the manual carefully. It could mean the difference between quality work and less-than-perfect work.
Conclusion
This article outlined how cladding sheets are fixed to walls. The typical procedure is to screw the bottom and top J edges first, flex a sheet into them, fix an H joint to the vertical edge of the sheet, add the next sheet into this joint as well the its own J edges, and so on.
Corners are fixed using internal and external angles.
Good quality silicone sealant is used to ensure waterproof sealing of the entire surface.
Stainless Steel Wall Cladding
An internal plastic wall cladding provides several advantages over other materials like wood and brick. Wall cladding sheets made of PVC, for example, can create hygienic and aesthetic interiors where you will like to live in. PVC sheets can be made in different colors and patterns, and this makes it possible to create pleasing interiors using plastic wall claddings.
Interiors made of wood, however aesthetic, are not very hygienic. Wood tends to get damp, and to accumulate difficult to remove dirt. Wood is also prone to insect infestation, and requires periodic maintenance to prolong its useful life.
Plastic interiors are easy to keep looking like new, and are also quite hygienic. Any surface dirt can be cleaned quite easily with a pressure wash. And water drops remaining after the wash can be dried as easily, probably through a simple wipe with a dry cloth.
Compare this to brickwork, or timber-clad, interior that might take hours to clean once dirt has accumulated. And using water to clean a brick or timber-clad wall is not a good idea as these materials can absorb dampness. Wood interiors can also be rotting from inside out without you even being aware of it.
A hygienic plastic wall cladding complies with regulations applicable to certain industries, such as restaurants where food is being served, hospitals where microbial infections are easy to spread and food processing factories where food contamination needs to be guarded against. Government regulations stipulate that such places must have interiors that do not permit dust accumulation, condensation or heavy particle shedding. Plastic wall cladding meets these criteria.
Another major advantage is cost.
Considering material, labor and finishing costs, plastic wall cladding costs the least when compared to other materials. Standard sized sheets are easy to install using J edges, H joints, and internal/external angles.
Environmental Aspects of Plastic Wall Cladding
Plastic is less recyclable compared to other materials. PVC can be recycled only if it is new as in the case of factory scrap and installation cuttings. Some plastic cladding makers have developed methods for using recycled plastic as the core and using new materials only on the surface.
On the other hand, plastic does not cause air pollution like painting or staining, and consumes less energy than aluminum.
Ensuring Quality of Plastic Wall Cladding Installations
A number of industry standards have been developed for plastic claddings. The standards cover product quality, color retention and installation competence.
By ensuring that the product you buy meets the standards, you could guard against substandard wall claddings, and enjoy the advantages that plastic offers.
Conclusion
Plastic wall cladding is an alternative to wood or aluminum claddings, and bare brick or concrete walls. Covered with plastic cladding sheets, brick and concrete walls can be transformed beyond recognition. With pleasing colors and intriguing patterns, you can create different kinds of effects in your interiors.
Plastic is hygienic, easy to clean and needs no maintenance activities like periodic painting. Standards have been developed to ensure product quality, color retention and installation quality.
Considering material, labor and finish, plastic wall claddings are less expensive to install than other alternatives.
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