Wall panels have been increasingly used recently as a finishing material for interior and exterior surfaces of buildings. Such coatings are easy to maintain and easy to install. This makes them so popular among consumers and professionals.
Where to use panels
As for the plastic panels, they are usually installed inside the bathrooms, where they are easy to wash with the help of special tools, maintaining cleanliness. This finish belongs to the class of medium fire hazard, it does not contribute to the development of bugs, bugs, bark beetles and molds. The panels are moisture resistant, so they can be used not only in bathrooms and showers, but also in kitchens and public places.
The main advantage of such panels is that they can be installed even in the case of uneven walls. Using the cover, you can transform the room, making it modern and aesthetically attractive.
Installation of panels on a metal profile
The fastening of plastic wall panels can be carried out on a metal profile. Such a crate is not subjected to deformation, which distinguishes it from a wooden beam, which is also used as a wall preparation for such work.
Metal profiles are cheaper compared to lumber. Profile allows you to make a design with high rigidity. Such a crate is able to withstand not only horizontal, but also vertical loads. The metal profile can have different sizes, so it can be installed vertically and horizontally.
Profile amount determination
Before attaching the wall panels, you will have to deal with the calculation of profiles to create a crate. After reviewing the assortment, you can choose a specific profile. If you have a wall with dimensions of 2.75 x 6 m, then the distance between the racks can be equal to 50 cm. The calculations will look like this: 600 must be divided by 50 and add one more unit, which can go to trim. As a result, you will receive 13 products.
The standard profile has a length of 3 m. In order to complete workpieces, it is necessary to cut 25 cm from the length, which will make it possible to obtain rails by 275 cm. After you set the level to zero and determine the height differences along the surfaces, you can trim the profile. To save money, you should not make a step of 1 m between the rails. As the gap between the grilles increases, the structural rigidity decreases. For walls in frequently visited rooms, the ideal distance between frame elements is 500 mm. But if the repair is carried out in the outbuilding or utility room, the distance may be greater.
Additional calculations
If you will install horizontal elements, then the calculation of their number is carried out similarly. But the height of 275 cm must be replaced by the length of the profile, which is 300 cm. First, 300 must be divided by 50 and add one unit to this quantity, and then the resulting value is multiplied by 2. As a result, you will get 14 units.
For horizontal rails, it is necessary to withstand 50 cm from the floor. A distance of 30 cm is maintained from the middle of the wall and to the ceiling. Cut the calculated number of rails immediately. Doing this is necessary as work progresses. If there are elevation differences in the room, it will not work who can adjust the workpieces by 2.75 m.
Installation of the crate
Wall panels are fastened in several stages. At the first, it will be necessary to fill the metal profile. To do this, you need to install the profile in four places to the concrete surface using dowels. The wall length in the example is 6 m, and the standard profile length is 3 m. In this case, 2 units will be required for the ceiling.
Profile alignment is carried out with high accuracy. The aesthetic design of the wall will depend on the correct installation. A plumb line must be hung from the ceiling rails. Next, the vertical beats at three marks a minimum. On the surface of the floor, marks will need to be installed guides. In the case of a wooden floor, the profile must be nailed with dowels or self-tapping screws.
If the room has a concrete floor, then the top coating will not matter. It can be a laminate, linoleum or PVC tile. In all these cases, the profile is fixed according to the same principle that was used during the installation of the profile to the ceiling. As a result, you should get 2 gutters, one of which will be located on top, the other - from below. There are 13 racks inserted.
The fastening of wall panels in the next step involves marking. At the point where the installation should take place, a plumb line is hung. You will need to measure the length of the rack. Using scissors for metal, a workpiece of the desired length should be cut from the profile. The profile tilts slightly, and after the segment is inserted into the guide. The vertical will need to be aligned visually. You can make precise adjustments using the building level. For fixing, you need to use self-tapping screws. Using a screwdriver, fastening is performed. About 3 fasteners should be spent on each rail.
Panel Mounting
Installation must begin from the wall. The first panel should be mounted as evenly as possible. The exposed panel is fixed with self-tapping screws to the stiffener or vertical strut. A second panel is inserted into the groove of the previous sheet and fixed. All further actions will be performed as described above.
At the end, you will notice a narrow gap where it is impossible to install a whole sheet. Its width must be measured and cut out a piece of cardboard. A template is applied to the slit so that it becomes possible to check the correctness of its size. The panel is cut in half and inserted into the slot. Once you finish installing the panels on one wall, you can proceed to the subsequent surfaces.
Fastening wall panels to a metal profile can be accompanied by the installation of additional stiffeners. Their installation begins from the wall. In upright posts you will notice grooves. Stiffeners are inserted there, which can be the same profiles or corners.
Horizontal guides can be installed without level. Their position must be monitored visually. The basic rule is the evenness of the vertical guides, and the position of the stiffeners does not play a special role.
Column decoration with PVC panels
If there are columns in the room, then you have to trim them with panels, which cannot be called a simple task. Sometimes the column has a round shape, in this case it is necessary to determine the required amount of profile, because a wooden frame cannot be used.
The essence of the casing is the correct installation of the frame. The metal profile has the shape of the letter P. At its edges it is necessary to cut triangles, which will help the grinder or scissors for metal. This will allow you to bend the profile in a circle.
The element is fastened with metal plates, which are fixed around the circumference. On these plates, it will be necessary to install the profile. The wall panels can be fastened to the column diagonally, because the sheets have a rectangular shape, so they can be fixed on a round surface.
Rules for installing sandwich panels
The algorithm of the work in the case of sandwich panels looks almost the same as in the case described above. Work begins with the installation of the frame. The design can be made of wood, in which case it must be treated with an antiseptic. But the metal profile for mounting wall panels is treated against corrosion.
If the products are not new, then they are cleaned of rust and a metal primer is applied to their surface. With the external fastening of the wall sandwich panels, the gasket is installed. If panels with insulation made of polyurethane are used, then foam is used. When the thermal insulation is made of mineral wool, the gasket is made of the same material.
At the next stage, it is necessary to stick a polymer tape on the frame elements or apply silicone-based sealant. Considering the main knots of fastening wall panels, you should consider that when joining products, sealant must be applied to the lock. At the final stage, erectors are installed, they should be located on the site of slopes, joints and corners.
Concealed installation of wood panels
Concealed installation of wooden cladding is carried out using kleimers. At the first stage, it will be necessary to measure the working plane and install the frame. At the stage of installation of the finish, it is necessary to use clips, leading the teeth into the groove. Four kleimers will be enough for a length of 2 m. However, if you doubt the strength of the structure, the number of fasteners should be increased.
The hidden fastening of wall panels involves the use of "bugs". When the fastener is in place, it must be additionally fixed using a screwdriver. After the first strip is installed and fixed, you can assemble the entire structure further. To do this, cut the workpiece from the strip and insert the spike into the groove of the installed panel. This will close the entire plane.
When attaching wall panels to a wall, it may happen that the last strip does not enter into the resulting space. It is cut in length. You will lose the groove and will not be able to fix the last lane. Therefore, the final panel must be fixed with liquid nails.