PVC Panelling - Specifications & Fitting
What you need to know for installation and maintenance
Application
The panels are to be used as interior wall and ceiling cladding. PVC wall panels are especially suitable for fitting into “wet‟ environments (e.g. Bathrooms & kitchens).
Maintenance
Our panels are virtually maintenance free. We recommend the regular use of non abrasive domestic cleansing products. Do not use solvents or solvent-containing products.
Anti bacterial
No mould, fungi or any other bacteria can grow on the panels.
Recycling
This product is entirely recyclable. Please ensure that all off cuts and packaging are removed from site and disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner.
Temperature
Our products are unaffected by water or moisture. PVC wall panels should not be exposed to direct sunlight before fixing (this may cause thermal distortion) and should not be fixed in temperatures greater than 35°C or below 5°C.
PVC wall panels are heat resistant up to 60°C. Therefore application behind cookers is not recommended as this may result in thermal distortion. A stainless steel heat plate should be applied to this area.
PVC Panels fitting instructions
Preparation
PVC panels can be fitted chemically directly to existing sound flat surfaces including tiles and plaster. The surface must be free of any grease and dust. The adhesive used should provide good initial “grab”. - we specifically recommend Pink Grip panel adhesive.
In case of uneven surfaces or damp walls we recommend using anti-rot treated battening. Ensure that there is ventilation behind the cladding by leaving gaps in the battening. Batten spacing should be at 25 to 40 cm centres. Battens should be fixed horizontally for vertical installations of the PVC panels. Make sure battens are flat and level, packing out where necessary on uneven walls so that the cladding does not deform due to curvature of the battens
Make sure the area is well ventilated during the installation and for some time after.
Installation
PVC Panels can be nailed or screwed to the battens using stainless steel or BZP screws or pins, or glued using a contact adhesive such as PinkGrip. If using nails or screws, the fixings will be hidden by the overlap of each panel. Panels can also be stapled into place using non- corrosive staples that are at least 14mm in length.
- For a perfect finish we recommended using our finishing trims. Trims are used at the start and end of panel runs, and on any corners. We recommend that 2-part finishing trims are used, in which case the back part of all trims should be fixed first.
- Working from left to right, measure and cut the first panel to the correct length. Boards can be cut with a tenon saw, a jigsaw or a fine toothed hand saw.
- Fix in position using a plumb line or spirit level to ensure that this first length is perfectly vertical. If you are using nails, screws or staples, fix through the lip at the back edge of the board so that the fixings are hidden when the next board is pushed into place.
- If fixing in a shower cubicle apply bathroom grade silicone (apply a bead of sealant vertically along the back leg of the panel that you have fixed).
- Push the next panel into position and fix as before.
- Once all panels have been fixed, fit the front section of the two-part trims to finish the installation.
Sealing Around Baths and Showers
Install the bath or shower in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, ensuring that there is no movement when you stand inside. Seal the bath/shower tray to the wall with a bead of bathroom grade silicone sealant. Then fit the PVC panels (in a shower cubicle you should apply a bead of bathroom grade silicone sealant to the back leg of each panel that you have fixed prior to the next panel being slotted in place). Finally, apply a second bead of the same sealant along the joint between the paneling and the bath or shower tray.
Colour Guarantee
PVC Cladding panels are printed with natural paints and hardened by UV-light. Quality of our products is checked daily. There may, however, be small differences of colour shade due to manufacturing conditions. Please check every pack in daylight prior to use. Any complaint filed after installing the panels will be rejected.
Material Specification Polyvinyl chloride with a paint and varnish finish to the front face. Panels marked with Ca-Zn on the leaflet are made of lead free u-PVC. This material is certified by Solvay-Benvic & Cie (PVC granules producer) to be safe in contact with foodstuffs and will not alter in colour to the presence of sulphurous substances.
Certification
All products supplied in our range are inspected for finish, shape, dimension and colour, in accordance to ISO inspection plans.
Fire Performance Characteristics
Test results by ISSEP (Institut Scientifique de Service Public) Reports: n° 1181 – 1182 – 118
