How to attach plastic panels to the wall: instructions

Among all the numerous types of wall decoration, PVC panels are one of the most budget-friendly. But in terms of performance characteristics, these materials meet most of the rather stringent requirements of modern consumers. Let's look at how to attach plastic panels to the wall, as well as the features of choosing and using such a finish.

How to attach plastic panels to the wall

Brief characteristics

Before making a final decision, each developer must know all the objective parameters of the selected material, because this is the only way to be sure that during operation there will be no disappointment in the chosen finish. We will look at both the positive and negative sides of plastic panels, since some of them have a direct impact on installation technology.

Types of plastic panels

Color and pattern

Plastic panels for kitchen renovation are available in a large selection of colors, textures, and prints, so it is possible to implement different design ideas:

Plain - stylish, practical, look like a painted surface;

Imitating natural materials - stone, marble, wood. The better the design, the more natural the kitchen finish looks;

Repeating print - an identical image that imitates different types of materials during assembly, for example, ceramic tiles;

The most popular is finishing the kitchen with plastic panels that imitate brick, which are appropriate for any design solution;

The material and composition form a single picture - landscape, still life.

To decorate a small kitchen, choose light plastic panels with small patterns; for a spacious kitchen, choose dark colors with large prints. A glossy surface visually increases the space, while a matte surface does not affect the visual size.

Advantages of PVC panels

There are quite a lot of them, these are objective data that you can trust.

Light weight. The additional load is so insignificant that it is not taken into account during the design of the building. Finishing can be done on fragile surfaces; the coating is not afraid of minor temperature fluctuations in the linear dimensions of the room.
Manufacturability. Plastic panels are very quickly mounted on metal or wooden frames. The former are more expensive, the latter are much cheaper. When it comes to quality and durability, there is no practical difference. An important advantage is that the panels can be installed on uneven and unplastered walls. Finishing masonry materials to level them requires a lot of time and money. Another quality related to manufacturability is that when decorating walls with PVC panels, there is no need to use special expensive devices and tools. The complexity of the installation is accessible to beginners.
Fastening the panels does not require much effort
Low cost. It is important to know that not only panels have a low price - the cost of installing them is also much cheaper than finishing walls with other materials.
Moisture resistance. This is a significant advantage if there is a need to finish walls in rooms with high humidity. Moreover, the material does not react at all to direct contact with water.
PVC panels are often used in bathroom decoration

Design ideas

High-quality, textured lining that imitates wood is practically no different from the real thing. Plain slats with bleached pine needles can be used to decorate the walls and ceiling - completely or partially. For example, decorate a wall near the dining table or a work area near the kitchen unit.

Wall decoration with plastic slats near the dining table

To decorate the apron, you can use plastic with imitation brickwork. The work area, decorated with white bricks, looks good, which is visually indistinguishable from the classic hog tiles.

The wall in the kitchen looks stylish, decorated with plastic sheets imitating marble. Suitable for a minimalist style, especially in combination with a tabletop of the same print.

In order not to spoil the interior when working with plastic, you need to avoid some mistakes:

Flashy designs like photo wallpapers can deteriorate any design. You can use a small ornament or imitation of natural materials;
A wall completely covered with plastic looks unnatural;
A glossy surface with reflections looks unnatural; it is better to choose a matte one;
Sheets or tiles attached to unleveled walls will not make the kitchen interior more beautiful. Although they are easy to install, the result will be better if you prepare the surface first.

Disadvantages of PVC panels

Each building material has its drawbacks, and panels are no exception.

Low physical strength. The panels are made of thin plastic and have a hollow structure. They hold static and dynamic forces very poorly. Moreover, the damage cannot be repaired; the coating has to be completely replaced.
Evaporation of harmful chemical compounds. There is a particularly high concentration of unlicensed goods. In addition, during combustion, toxic smoke is released, a person loses consciousness even after two or three breaths.
Negative reaction to hard ultraviolet radiation. Under the influence of UV rays, the intermolecular bonds of polymer plastics are significantly weakened and they become brittle. Even with little effort they crack.

The panel can be damaged by a sharp blow

Unfortunately, the domestic building materials market is oversaturated with fakes. Low-quality PVC panels are almost completely devoid of real advantages, and the negative sides appear even more noticeably.

Tips for choosing

Universal advice is to ask the seller for a package of accompanying documents. But it always works: either the seller does not show invoices and certificates, then substandard goods are sold under the guise of one batch of good goods, or the consumer is embarrassed to defend his rights. There are several external signs by which you can most likely distinguish a counterfeit from a licensed product.

It is best to buy PVC panels in large construction stores, where all products are licensed

Table. The main differences between high-quality and low-quality panels

Name of criterion	Quality panels	Low grade panels
Number of stiffeners	29 pieces at perfectly equal distances from each other	20 pieces, you can notice the unevenness of the step by eye
PVC thickness	2 mm	1.5 mm
Linearity Options	All surfaces are smooth, the planes do not have depressions or bumps	Traces of shrinkage are clearly visible on the surface. Excessive shrinkage is explained by the use of low-quality secondary raw materials for production.
Mechanical strength indicators	The panels bend and can withstand relatively heavy physical loads. After removing the stress, the panels completely restore their original performance.	The strength of the panels does not allow them to bend; the thin side strips for fixing the lamellas are very fragile and often crack when driving in staples. The plasticity of the panel surface is minimal.

Good quality panels have a uniform pattern, straight cuts, stiffeners are located at the same distance from each other

Decor

Manufacturers produce wall panels with decor. The design is applied to plastic using offset printing, thermal printing or lamination.

Thermal printing.

The design is applied using a hot silicone roller. The design is not secured with varnish and is therefore susceptible to damage. Thermally printed panels are recommended for use in rooms and corridors.

The stability of the pattern depends on the method of its application (photo No. 4)

Offset printing.

More stable compared to thermal printing. Ultraviolet paints are used to apply the design. The top of the drawing is covered with several layers of protective varnish. Offset printed panels are resistant to mechanical damage and detergents. Suitable for finishing bathrooms and kitchens.

Lamination.

A painted PVC film is applied to the base. The surface of the panel is embossed. It reliably imitates the surface and texture of wood. The surface is resistant to moisture and detergents. Suitable for finishing bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms.

Advice:

It is better not to use laminated panels for finishing the apron, as they have an uneven texture. They are harder to wash.

The wood texture is clearly visible on laminated panels (photo No. 5)

Stages of work production

None of the professional builders begins work without prior preparation. What activities are included in this list?

Careful inspection of the premises. Pay attention to the condition of the walls, the purpose of the room, microclimate parameters and operating conditions of the building. Decide on the fastening method, prepare tools and devices taking into account the fastening technology.
Counting the number of panels and additional elements. In addition to the surface area, you need to know the footage of starting, connecting and end profiles, baseboards, internal and external corners. Some manufacturers of plastic panels produce universal profiles, but in practice they do not live up to consumer expectations; professionals do not recommend using them.
Accessories for PVC panels
Preparing rooms and surfaces for installation. It is necessary to remove construction debris, furniture and other objects that interfere with the master’s free access to the site.
Installation of panels. It also consists of several stages, each of which has a significant impact on the final quality of the work.

How to calculate the number of PVC panels

If you have made the final decision to install plastic panels, we recommend that you study the instructions and advice of professional builders.

Step-by-step installation instructions

The installation process is divided into several stages, pay due attention to each of them.

Step 1. Installation of the sheathing. The structure is made of wooden slats with a cross-section of 20×40 mm, the walls are lined with foil polypropylene foam insulation 4 mm thick. By using this layer, it is possible to reduce heat loss from the premises and provide additional sound insulation. Additionally, the foil reliably protects the wooden elements of the sheathing from the negative effects of high humidity.

Lath lathing is mounted on top of foil insulation

During the manufacture of the sheathing, the following rules should be followed.

The slats are fixed to the wall with self-tapping screws or dowels; the specific choice depends on the material of manufacture.
The sheathing must have a perpendicular direction to the location of the plastic panels. In our case, they are vertical; the slats should be fixed horizontally.
The distance between the elements of the sheathing is no more than 50 cm; the thinner the lamellas, the smaller the distance should be. The fact is that the lamellas cannot withstand significant forces and, under their influence, are greatly deformed, and this causes a violation of the fixation strength.
Before starting work, the horizontalness of the wall is checked; if necessary, wedges are placed under the slats to level the position. Each wall is checked with a bubble level.

The slats are fixed with self-tapping screws

At the bottom, the slats are nailed at a height of no more than five centimeters from the floor; not only panels, but also baseboards will be fixed to them. The same slats are installed at the top for attaching ceiling decorative elements. All window and door openings around the perimeter are also covered with lathing; this is a mandatory installation requirement; the slats should not sag.

Slats are also placed around the perimeter of the openings

Practical advice. For wet rooms, it is strongly recommended to impregnate the wooden elements of the sheathing with antiseptics; they quite effectively protect them from the negative effects of moisture. The specific names of the impregnations do not matter; they all meet existing requirements.

Step 2. Installation of the first panel. This is a very crucial moment; if the starting lamella is incorrectly laid, the accuracy of finishing the entire surface of the room is disrupted.

Replace the inner or outer corner depending on the location of the first panel.
Push the lamella into it and very carefully check the vertical position using the level.
Secure the panel with a self-tapping screw with a press washer, a nail or a stapler. The latter option is preferable to the former; it is much simpler, lighter and faster.

Attaching the first panel

Step 3. Installation of row panels. After attaching the first one, you can easily put the next ones in place. If the lathing is made according to the requirements of the instructions, then no problems should arise during installation work. The panels are snapped into a special groove along their entire length, and the connection to the sheathing is made in a similar way.

The edge of the panel is inserted into the groove and snaps into place

Step 4. Finishing windows and doors. In these places the panel must be cut. This is done in several steps.

Take exact measurements, draw on the panel the area that needs to be cut.
Using a sharp mounting knife, carefully cut the panel along the contour, do not allow burrs, work carefully.
Using a hacksaw, cut off the selected section of the lamella and remove it. Experienced craftsmen often use a grinder instead of a saw; it speeds up the process much more. But for this you need to have practical experience; if you lack it, you can not only completely ruin the panel, but also get very serious injuries.

Carry out panel cutting

Place the prepared panel in place and attach it. If everything is done correctly, it will fit the first time, no final adjustment is required.

Installing the finished panel in place

Step 5. Installation of the corner profile. This element is used to improve the appearance of the wall. The wide side is inserted under the panel, the narrow side is located on the front surface. Next, the profile is fixed on one side with self-tapping screws and press washers. Continue inserting panels into the attached element and completely finish the adjacent wall of the room.

Installation of the final profile

Step 6. Installing the last panel. Most often, it needs to be cut to width; this is done with an ordinary mounting knife under a metal ruler or wooden strip.

The last panel can be cut if necessary

Carefully snap it into the groove of the previous lamella, constantly monitoring the position.

Step 7. Installation of the F-profile. It is used at the junction of slopes with panels and covers uneven open honeycombs. The profile is placed on the skin and pressed until it stops.

A profile is installed around the perimeter of the openings

This completes the wall paneling. Check the strength and correctness of fixation again.

Installation of plastic panels in the kitchen

Such elements are very beneficial to use for kitchen aprons. These areas have previously only used ceramic tiles, but installation of such materials requires experience. In addition, the tiles are installed for many years, and the panels can be changed at any time, this can be done using simple technology. It does not require the use of fasteners; the low height of the apron makes it possible to save installation time.

An apron made of plastic panels looks no worse than tiles

How to install slats?

Accurately measure the distance between the tabletop and wall cabinets.
Add 2-3 cm to it and cut the required number of panels.
Place the lower end of the lamella on the desktop, bend it slightly and place the upper end under the hanging bedside tables. They need to be tilted; after installing all the slats, the bedside tables are put in place.
Screw the plinth onto the table.

Installation of an apron made of plastic panels

This simple installation technology allows you to remove outdated panels at any time and replace them with new, more fashionable and beautiful ones. To guarantee, the lamellas can be glued, but this technology does not have any noticeable advantages. But there are several disadvantages: the complexity of the technology, the impossibility of performing repair work and increased cost.

Kitchen apron: spacer fastening technology

So-called kitchen backsplashes are often made from tiles. But the technology of laying tiles is quite complex, and not everyone can do it. Modern plastic is in no way inferior to tiles in appearance, but installing PVC panels is much easier.

The spacer fastening technology is different in that it allows you to avoid elements such as:

special fasteners;
adhesive composition.
use of sheathing material.

This option is suitable for kitchen owners with a small area. One panel sheet is enough to cover the entire work area. Step-by-step instructions include the following steps:

A specially selected panel is installed on the tabletop with its lower edge. The material is cut out.
The upper part goes behind the hanging cabinet. The main thing is that the sheet is securely pressed against the wall. Fasteners in the form of staples will improve the final fixation.
The lower part of the panel near the table top is fixed with a plinth. For the floor, it is recommended to choose the most durable and massive option possible.