Plastic wall panels made of such materials as rigid PVC eliminate most of the problems. The smooth surfaces provided by plastics do not accumulate ingrained dirt; any superficial dust can be easily cleaned through, say, pressure washing. Plastic does not attract insects and does not rot. It is also impermeable to water and is not affected by damp the way wood is.
Plastic panels are also less expensive than good quality wood panels and do not require regular maintenance actions like painting.
Other Advantages of Plastic Wall Panels
Plastic can be given many different kinds of finish. They can accommodate decorative patterns like marble, abstract, wood, flowers and so on. Plain plastic can come in different colors like white, blue, green, cream and gray. For further decorative effects, plastic wall panels can be produced to accept decorations like silver and gold strips.
Plastic panels can be made to provide flush fitting joints. They are light yet durable. They can be combined with other materials like aluminum to produce composites that have good structural properties.
Plastic walls can also be made translucent, allowing natural daylight in, with thermal and solar controls, such as UV Light filtering properties. In addition to energy savings, this solution can create a great ambience inside. While light is allowed in, noise and dust are insulated against.
With automated lighting systems, lighting units can be turned on when natural light proves insufficient, leading to excellent lighting at all times, yet achieving great energy savings. And thermal controls can prevent heat loss during winter and heat gain during summer, adding to energy savings for heating.
Yet another advantage is that plastic wall panels can be produced to meet special needs such as different shapes, desired thickness, insulation properties, blast resistance and so on. There are explosion venting wall panels, for example, that are released from their mountings when internal pressure exceeds a certain level but still remain attached to the structure to prevent flying debris.
Conclusion
Wall panels were traditionally wood that suffers from various problems such as accumulation of dirt, high maintenance requirements and rot. Plastic wall panels offer a smooth surface that does not allow ingrained dirt accumulation. Plastic wall panels require little maintenance and do not get damp. Any superficial dust can be easily cleaned through washing and surface water can be quickly wiped away or dried out.
Probably the greatest advantage of plastic wall panels is that they can be customized to meet special requirements. Translucent panels can let in daylight; insulation properties can be built in to prevent heat loss/gain; shapes, sizes and thickness can be tailored to special requirements.
Plastic is less costly than wood and can produce recurring cost savings in maintenance and energy costs.
By: Alan Matchett
About the Author:
Alan Matchett B.Eng, Director IPSL, advisor to plastics industry and article writer for Plastic-Wall-Panel
