What is wall cladding?

Wall cladding has two main purposes. The first is as a wall covering that is designed to add decoration to a wall and make it look like a different material to what it actually is, for example, you may install cladding that makes an inside wall look like it’s made of wood.

The second purpose is to protect a wall from adverse weather effects from the outside or other types of irritants that would damage or stain a regular wall from the inside, such as food in a kitchen or chemicals in a laboratory. This is the main purpose of Plasiax™ Pure. A class above in hygienic wall cladding products, it is a system designed to conform to current fire and hygiene regulations. Plasiax Pure also offers a wide range of designs and colour for any interior wall surface.

How to apply hygienic wall cladding

• Before you apply your wall cladding you will need to work out how much you need! First, measure the wall/walls that you are going to be applying the cladding to so you can work out how much to buy.
• Next, you need to prepare the wall, making sure there is no moisture or damp, and no major protrusion or indentations on the wall surface.
• Install your transition or starter trim at the bottom of the wall so that it either sits on the floor or abuts onto the flooring material over the support coving.
• Measure out the desired area to be cladded and mark out on your wall where each sheet will start and finish. If you are cladding up to or around corners, check how level the walls are as you may have to scribe and cut your sheets to suit.
• Measure twice, cut once! With your sheet laid out on a workbench, mark out your dimensions. Then, using either the score and break technique or a circular saw with a fine TCT cutting blade, carefully and slowly cut along your marked lines. Always peel back the film a little bit all around the sheet edges once cut to prevent it getting trapped in the profiles when installing.
• Once your first sheet is cut, present it to the desired area and double check that it will fit correctly. If so, it’s time to glue. The following instructions are for single part glue.
• The adhesive needs to be applied generously to the first marked out section on the wall. Firstly, apply a perimeter bead of adhesive around your marked out sheet dimensions. Then apply diagonal lines of adhesive approximately 400mm long with 50mm gaps, after each row alternate the direction of the lines. You should be using approximately 1200ml of adhesive per 8’x4’ sheet and 1500ml per 10’x4’ sheet.
• If you are using two-part adhesive, lay your cut sheet on a workbench (A 6.5kg tub covers a 1.22mt x 2.44mt sheet). Add solution A to B then, using a mixing paddle with a drill, mix them together. Spread the mixture evenly over the back of the sheet using a castellated trowel. Once the even coat has been applied, the sheet can be installed. (Make sure you fit the bonded sheet immediately as the two-part adhesive does dry quickly)
• Now it’s time to install your first sheet, if you are using a “J” or “H” it is advisable to get another person to help you. One person should guide the sheet into the “J” or “H” (if this is problematic then two wallpaper scrapers are handy) while the other person holds the sheet just off the wall but correctly aligned. Once the sheet is inside the “J” or “H” you can now press the sheet against the wall, starting from the bottom and working your way up to the top. Once the sheet has gripped and you are confident it’s correctly aligned, use a roller to roll or rubber mallet (white rubber mallet preferably) to smooth the sheet at every point so you spread the adhesive, thus, giving you a full surface bond.
• You now need to install your two part “H” joining strip. Besides from applying the correct amount of adhesive, the most crucial part of installation is leaving an expansion gap of 2-3mm in between where your sheet meets the “H”. This is because PVC materials can expand or contract by 1mm per each 10°C change in temperature. If you do not leave an expansion gap and the temperature rises, then the sheet will buckle and billow out at the joins.
• If you’ve cut your sheets down, you will need to cut your two part “H” to suit. Run a small bead of adhesive down the backing part of the “H” and slide it behind your first sheet. Using a small offcut of sheet, slide it up and down in between the sheet and “H” to give you your expansion gap. Leave all of your “H” cover strips till the end so you can see your expansion gaps. Repeat the above processes until you meet a corner.

How to apply hygienic wall cladding corners

Plasiax Pure comes with two types of corners:

1) 50mm x 50mm internal or external corners. These are a simple and effective method of cornering as your sheet cuts don’t have to be completely accurate as you have 50mm either side of the corner to cover the sheets. These corners can simply be cut (if necessary) and stuck on with two generous beads of adhesive.

2) Small internal cove and external “F” corners. These are a smaller profile than the 50×50 corner. Once you have cladded the wall and reached a corner, whether it be internal or external, the next sheet to go onto the other part of the corner will have one of these corner profiles clipped on to it. If necessary, cut the profile to size, and clip it onto your next sheet. Finally, run a thin bead of adhesive down the other corner sheet, which this sheet will butt up to and install.

You may not need to clad all the way along one wall, therefore you will have to terminate the sheets half or two thirds the way down a wall. If so, a vertical “J” cut to size and clipped onto the last sheet with a small bead of adhesive behind is perfect. Trim all your “H” fronts to size and clip and press them firmly onto your previously installed “H” backs. Now, remove all the film from the sheets and wipe off any dirt or adhesive.

How to clean hygienic wall cladding

The best way to clean wall cladding is to use PVCu Cream Cleaner. Simply wash the cladding down with a sponge and some hot soapy water, leave it to dry, and then apply the PVCu Cream Cleaner with a cloth. Wait another 10-15 minutes and buff the cladding. This buffing process is not as crucial as the actual clean but does bring up a shine on the surface.  Where the cladding is being used in a foodsafe or in medical environments, anti-bacterial cleaning fluid must be used.

How to cut hygienic wall cladding

The first step, of course, would be to measure what size panel you need by measuring the wall then measuring the cladding panel and then adding markings so you know where to cut. You can then use a circular saw to cut the cladding, or you could even try using a knife to make a smooth incision on one side of the panel and then fold it and cut the other side.

Alternatively, you could get TBS to do it for you! Just simply let us know the measurements and we’ll supply the panels with the exact measurements you need so you don’t have to waste time cutting!

How to remove hygienic wall cladding

The first thing you should do is put down a floor covering because removing the cladding may prove to be quite messy, you may also want some safety gloves and a dust mask. You should then use a chisel to loosen the trim on the edge of the panels and pull it off. Don’t try and pull too hard because you could risk damaging the surface underneath. If it won’t come off, keep using your chisel to loosen it until it’s loose enough to pull off. Then you’ll need to do the same with the panels. There may be adhesive left on the wall, in this case, you will need to use an adhesive cleaner to remove it.

What is Plasiax™ Pure?

Plasiax™ Pure is a range of hygienic wall and ceiling cladding as well as sheets, trims adhesives, Novasil window board, skirting, bump rail and corner protection.

Why use Plasiax™ Pure?

Plasiax™ Pure conforms to all hygiene and fire regulations, offers a range of design and colour options for any environment, provides a smooth hygienic finish, is impact resistant, washable, and quick and easy to install. Plasiax™ Pure’s key advantages are:

• Fast installation and low facility downtime
• Cost effective wall and ceiling finishes
• Bump rail, skirting and window sill systems available
• Low maintenance
• Pastel and gloss colour ranges available
• Excellent chemical resistance, for chemical and corrosive environments
• Class 1 and Class 0 fire rating, self-extinguishing

Request a sample today!

Who should consider Plasiax™ Pure?

Plasiax™ Pure’s applications include but are not limited to:

• Frequently cleaned wall surfaces
• Commercial kitchens
• Chemical process industries
• Signage in chemical environments
• Laboratories
• Food preparation and processing industry
• Clinics and hospitals
• Schools
• Advertising and signage
• Veterinary
• Prisons
• Shower and bathroom interiors
• Hotels

When should I install Plasiax™ Pure?

Plasiax™ Pure can be installed at the new build stage or retrofitted as part of any renovation, so essentially you can install it whenever you like!

How long will it take to get Plasiax™ Pure?

At TBS we make every effort to ensure you get the right product at the right time, and that’s why we have an in-stock promise or a suitable replacement. If you’re picking up Plasiax™ Pure from the trade counter and you don’t need any finishing or fabrication you can just pick it up straight away! We aim to serve you within 10 minutes of arrival, we know less time at the builder’s yard means more time to get the jobs done on site.

How long does it take to get a quote for Plasiax™ Pure?

As the material is a stock item and we are well versed in its uses and applications, getting a quote is simple and quick. You can either send us a list of items that you need or send us diagrams or a plan view of the area requiring cladding and we can issue a parts list to you with pricing.

Where can I buy Plasiax™ Pure?

The best place to buy Plasiax™ Pure is direct from TBS Polycarbonates, we offer a full delivery service throughout the UK, normally within 48 hours from acceptance of an order instruction. Or you can stop by our trade counter in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, where we stock the full range of white cladding and can get our coloured range for next day. Our newly extended and refitted trade counter is open from 6am!

If you are looking to pick up Plasiax™ Pure from somewhere a bit closer, you can use our find a stockist tool to find the closest supplier to you.

How can I stock hygienic wall cladding?

To discuss stocking Plasiax™ in your store or branch simply fill in our become a distributor form and we’ll get straight back to you regarding any requests or questions you may have.

You can also get in touch by emailing sales@tbspoly.com, ringing 01992 622 823 or filling in our online enquiry form.

This article was written by William Gresswell.

William started at TBS in 2008 after leaving upper sixth form working in fabrication and cutting, he started on the trade counter and has worked through to business development. William actually worked part-time at TBS during holidays from a young age until he officially started full-time. William has completed a 2-year advanced business management course, a course with the chartered institute of management accountants (CIMA) and holds City and Guild certificates in basic electrics, plumbing, brickwork and carpentry.

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