Interior wall cladding
Interior wall cladding
Walls are a good place to start if you want to revitalize your interior decor. You have a wide selection of wall cladding to choose from. Paint and wallpaper remain the most popular, perfect if you want a quick change without spending a lot of money. Decorative panels, wood panelling, and decorative stone and brick are always in demand. Take a look at a very stylish option: 3D textured wall panels. Originality guaranteed.
This guide presents the various materials and latest designs in interior wall cladding.
Choose decorative interior wall covering
UNDERSTAND YOUR NEEDS
How important to you is the interior design of your home?
Do you want easy-to-install cladding that can be changed in a few years, or something more permanent that could be more complicated to install?
Is low-maintenance an important consideration?
Who will be doing the installation? You or professionals?
Are you looking for wall cladding that will hide imperfections or cladding that will provide a decorative finish?
Interior walls are usually painted and occasionally wallpapered. Painting and wallpapering is fairly straightforward, easy to complete, and not expensive. Great for creating a new look for your decor in very little time. There are other options to explore, however. You can cover all four walls of a room, one single wall, or opt for a single focal point. The possibilities are endless!
Style – originality
Establish a budget, then personalize your decor according to the style or ambiance you’re trying to achieve.
Wood panelling helps create a warm, country-house style, perfectly suited to the cottage. The rustic appeal of stone is ideal around the fireplace. Three dimensional cladding is a winner for people who want a contemporary, unusual look. And finally, brick and wood walls will always be appreciated by people looking for a traditional style in their home decor.
Conceal imperfections
Accidents happen, and sometimes during the construction or renovation process, a wall can be damaged. An easy way to solve this problem is simply to cover the wall. Wood panels and panelling are ideal and easy to install. If the wall is out-of-plumb, certain adjustments will have to be made. Be sure to match the cladding to the imperfection; avoid horizontal panels and boards on walls of uneven height, and steer away from vertical lines on walls of varying width. Opt instead for cladding with a lot of texture.
Paint, paint with stencils, and wallpaper are the most common options. The composition of paint has evolved over the years. You can buy paint now that is 100% acrylic and very high-quality for both interior and exterior applications. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals emitted from products such as paint during application and should be avoided as much as possible. Low VOC and zero VOC paint is preferred, both for the inhabitants of the home and for the environment. Recycled paint made from unused portions of recovered domestic paint is another eco-friendly option.
Wallpaper has also evolved. Beyond the traditional self-adhesive variety and wallpaper requiring a separate application of glue, there is a veritable smorgasbord of products and design options for you to choose from. Consider decorative wallpaper made from a blend of materials such as linen, rayon, cotton or polyester. Wallpaper applied as a decorative nuance can be very effective, such as a band mid-wall or under the ceiling.
Decorative panels are available in many shapes and made from various materials: plastic, thermoplastic, aluminum, copper, and bronze. Below is a brief description of various decorative panels that could provide you with just the original touch you’re looking for to decorate one of the rooms in your home.
| Model | Features and Composition | Benefits, Drawbacks and Warranty | Types and Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
Made of bamboo, plant fibre or laminated wood, depending on the manufacturer. | Benefits: | Bamboo and plant fibre products must be painted. | |
Embossed tiles made of steel, aluminum or copper are available with various textured motifs. | Benefits: | Many colours and varied patterns. | |
Made of recycled materials, embossed or textured. | Benefits: | Large range of styles and patterns. |
Wood and wood-fibre wall cladding has changed over the past few years. Wood claims a good portion of the market due to its affordability and esthetic qualities. Many wood products have “gone green,” which is to say they are manufactured without formaldehyde and the raw wood material comes from responsibly-managed and environmentally certified forests. Some of these products reward builders with points toward LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
| Model | Features and Composition | Benefits, Drawbacks and Warranty | Types and Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
Many wood species available: pine, eucalyptus, bamboo, oak, maple. | Benefits: | Natural wood colour (pale or dark amber). | |
Preassembled panels are installed mid-wall and add character to the decor of a room. | Benefits: | Can be painted or stained in your chosen colour. | |
Made of a thin sheet of wood, print or sheet of paper glued to a plywood or hardboard structure. | Benefits: | Various colours. | |
Various wood species available. | Benefits: | Colour varies according to wood species and finish. |
Heavy wall cladding is often more expensive than lightweight cladding options (covering the same surface area), but they have the advantage of being more durable.
| Model | Features and Composition | Benefits, Drawbacks and Warranty | Types and Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
Faux brick made of concrete polymer, lightweight aggregates and iron oxide pigments. | Benefits: | Porous brick colours: grey, red, ochre. | |
Faux stone 1" to 1 ½" thick made of concrete polymer, lightweight aggregates and iron oxide pigments. | Benefits: | Large range of colours: white, grey, dark grey, ochre, beige. | |
Simulated stone polyurethane panels. | Benefits: | Sand or grey/beige shades | |
Natural stone design, with stones placed one at a time on a mortared wall. | Benefits: | Natural stone colour |
The surface area the product is intended to cover will usually be indicated on the packaging, usually in square feet. Use this information to determine the product quantities you need:
- Measure height and width to determine your total surface area;
- Calculate the area of any openings such as doors and windows;
- Calculate the surface covered by the corner elements by multiplying the length by 0.75 (1 linear foot of corner elements covers approximately 0.75 square feet);
- Finally, determine the net surface to be covered by your flat elements by subtracting the area of the openings and surface covered by the corner elements from the gross area calculation.
Even though the installation process is very different from one product to another, all types of cladding require a substrate or appropriate installation surface.
Decorative panels are generally glued to the wall, directly onto the drywall. You may need to apply a waterproof adhesive to the wall first for some products, whereas others are self-adhesive. You may also need to use screws or nails to complete installation. Cutting and trimming is done with a saw, metal-cutting scissors or simply with an all-purpose knife. Moulding selected to enhance your decorative panels will provide the right finish to your new decor.
To install wood, faux-wood and wood-product (MDF) cladding you’ll need nails, staples, or screws, depending on the product. Some products, such as MDF panels, also require glue. These products are cut easily with a saw. Finish with baseboards, framing or mouldings.
Decorative brick and stone cladding can only be installed after adhesive has been applied to the wall. Panels can be cut with the table saw. You need to leave enough space for the mortar and for cleaning with a wire brush when you install stones with joints and decorative bricks.
Measuring tools:
- Tape measure;
- Chalk line;
- Square;
- Spirit level.
Cutting tools:
- Table saw or circular saw for cladding made of wood, faux wood, and wood products (MDF);
- Drywall cutter to trim cork;
- Specialized cutting tool for masonry, bricks, decorative stones, and stone tiles.
Installation tools:
- Hammer or pneumatic nailer;
- Caulking gun used for cladding installed in damp areas (e.g. bathroom, kitchen counters);
- Trowel.
Safety equipment:
- Gloves;
- Glasses;
- Construction helmet with protection for your ears;
- Cushion to kneel on.
It is not recommended to install more fragile wall coverings in certain areas of the home, as explained below.
- Kitchen, bathroom and basement: water and moisture-resistant cladding. Avoid wood panelling and wallpaper. Mould and mildew-resistant paint is recommended, particularly in the bathroom.
- Dining room, living room: all types of cladding.
- Bedrooms: all types of cladding. Avoid materials that give off toxic fumes from the adhesive applied during installation.
Interior wall cladding maintenance consists primarily of periodic washing with a mild detergent, a far less labour-intensive job than exterior cladding maintenance.
Manufacturers of wall cladding have become much more aware of environmental issues. As a result, they are coming out with products that have eco-certification, such as FSC-certified palm panels and products made partially from recycled materials, like transparent resin decorative panels.