What are the benefits of hygienic wall cladding?
Hygienic wall cladding is a term to describe PVC sheeting used to clad walls in commercial environments. Different brands offer similar products for varying budgets. Altro Whiterock is often specified by architects and has been on the market since 1982. There are a number of other options such as Jemiclad, Trovex and Proclad who offer their own range of PVC sheet options. We have installed hygienic wall cladding on several of our recent projects. Currently, at Highgate Mental Health Centre, we are installing Altro Whiterock Satins for several applications. In ‘wet areas’ such as en-suite bathrooms and sluice rooms the walls are fully clad to ensure water resistance. In areas such as kitchens and laundry rooms we have installed Altro Whiterock splash-backs. Recently we have also installed hygienic cladding at Viking Primary School and Steritech as part of their WC refurbishments.
What are the benefits of hygienic wall cladding?
There are other options so why choose PVC cladding over tiling or painting your walls? Hygienic cladding is a seamless product which can be installed in a single visit without having to wait for drying times. As the cladding is PVC it is extremely durable and easy to clean. There are fewer ‘nooks and crannies’ for dirt and bacteria to build up compared with tiling. This makes it an appealing product where hygiene is crucial.
PVC cladding is also a really durable option and is often used in high traffic areas. Along a school corridor for example, it would be sensible to clad the walls to avoid having to regularly redecorate. Most of the cladding systems offer guarantees of up to 20 years.
Finally, systems such as Altro Whiterock offer a Class 0 fire rating making it a suitable material for use in high fire risk areas such as commercial kitchens.
Design Options
When you think of PVC clad walls you probably think of sterile white everywhere. However, there are so many options available that some of our clients choose to have walls clad even when a hygienic finish isn’t necessary. Cladding is available in lots of different finishes including matt, gloss, translucent and there is a huge colour palette to suit every design scheme. It is even possible to have hygienic cladding printed with bespoke designs and create a unique finish.
Cost
When compared with painting, hygienic cladding is a more costly option. However, with guarantees of up to 20 years on the product it might be a more cost effective long term solution. When compared with tiling, hygienic cladding such as Altro Whiterock can be cheaper depending on the type of tiles, adhesive and grout used.
If you are interested in exploring the option of hygienic cladding for your refurbishment we can talk you through your options and provide samples to help you make your decision.
