Learn about the different types of wall panels

Home improvement literally knows no limits. Every year homeowners learn of dozens of home improvement options available to exploit. One of the best additions to this pool is the use of wall panels as an architectural element in both residential and commercial buildings. In this trend, a single piece of flat material, such as wood, is typically cut into a rectangular shape and installed as a visible, exposed wall cladding. This is usually done not only to improve the aesthetic appeal of the building, but also to improve its functionality. The required material can be found both in specialized stores and in hardware stores.

panel types
There are several different types of wall panels that can be found on the market today. These are mainly classified according to the intended purpose. They include:

1. Decorative: This is done by using a variety of attractive materials, such as wainscoting, to enhance the appearance of the wall. Wainscot is usually made of wood or synthetic materials and is decorated with carvings and designs. Decorative wall panels are generally installed in the lower half of the wall, although the exact height may vary. They usually come pre-made or you can choose to make your own. Other commonly used materials are stainless steel, plastic, and laminate.

2.Utility: Here, the material is made from perforated hardboard and is used for both functionality and appearance. It contains small holes that can be used to hang objects with nails or pegs. It is common in garages and kitchens, as well as commercial buildings.

3. Tiled Board: This makes use of panels made of resin or melamine that are textured and colored to resemble ceramic tile, which are attached to a moisture-proof backing plate. They are preferred due to their affordability and the fact that they do not have grout lines, making them easy to clean.

4. Structural: This can also be done outdoors using precast concrete to quickly and easily frame homes and commercial premises.

Another way is acoustic wall panels where structures are used to control noise levels or block noise from passing through the walls. Such panels are made of wood or foam and wrapped in a layer of vinyl or fabric. Such are common in schools, hotel rooms, and auditoriums.

Benefits of decorative panels
Panels are becoming more and more of a popular trend due to their versatility. Decorative wall panels, for example, are not just limited to enhancing the appearance of a building. In addition to increasing the visual appeal:

• They also help preserve interior surfaces. This helps reduce unnecessary maintenance costs.
• They are much easier to clean since most are shiny and do not need to be repainted from time to time.

In case you are looking for interior or exterior decoration options, this does not seem like a bad idea.