Introduction
If your walls could talk, they’re probably saying “HELP!” Crowded corridors, cleaning equipment, and everyday wear and tear leave your walls asking for help. Consider protecting them with a durable (and stylish!) wall cladding product.
Palladium® Rigid Sheet is our most popular product, and it’s installed in thousands of facilities around the globe. It’s safe to say our rigid sheet is a major hit…and it can take one too!
So, if you’re ready to give your walls the protection they’re asking for, here are 6 things you should consider when specifying rigid sheet products.
1. Pick your material: Palladium® Rigid Vinyl or Palladium® G2 BioBlend®
Palladium Rigid Vinyl provides tremendous impact resistance and long-lasting durability. It’s why vinyl is used so extensively in building construction and renovation.
Some might ask: What about vinyl and phthalates? Simple answer:
Architects, designers, building owners and occupants do not need to worry about phthalates when specifying Inpro’s rigid vinyl because the material contains no phthalates. Period.
Inpro also offers a non-PVC alternative: G2 BioBlend® -- a reformulated PETG manufactured using a biopolymer blend. It contains up to 20% pre-consumer recycled content and rapidly renewable biopolymer.
2. Supersize it … Sheet vs. Rolls
Our standard sheet size is 4' by 8' (1.2m by 2.4m) with thicknesses of: .030"(.762mm), .040" (1.2mm) and .060" (1.5mm). This allows you to increase impact protection based on perceived or actual damage potential.
We also offer rolled vinyl sheet that comes in 3' or 4' (.9m or 1.2m) widths, and is a perfect option for a wainscot or half-wall installation. Here’s a picture of rolled vinyl sheet installed on a long half-wall at a university dining hall … the main benefit of using rolled sheet is a significant reduction in seams, which gives you a smoother, less-interrupted finish. [Note: We do recommend a seam every 12' to allow for thermal expansion and contraction.]
Rolled product thicknesses and lengths are as follows:
- Rolls of .040” (1.2mm) sheet available in 50', 80', 100' and 120' (15.2m, 24.4m, 30.5m and 36.6m) lengths.
- Rolls of .060” (1.5mm) sheet available in 50', and 80' (15.2m and 24.4m) lengths.
3. Finishing touches – Trim vs. Caulk
An additional consideration is how you’ll put the finishing touches on your sheet: trim pieces or color matched caulk.
Deciding which to use is really based on two factors:
- Aesthetics – the application of trims provides a more highly finished look to the installation. Caulks finish the seam only but do provide some appearance of “smoothing” by making seams less visible.
- Cost – the installation of trims can be more expensive, especially due to the labor involved in cutting and placing. Caulk can be less expensive and less labor intensive to install.
One caution on applying trim to sheet: The trim pieces do protrude a bit from the wall. It’s possible for carts, gurneys or wheelchairs to snag and tear off the trim piece. It’s rare, but it can happen. Caulk may be the better finishing option for seams where snag potential may be high.
4. Add your style: Colors, Woodgrains and Patterns
Inpro’s Rigid Sheet comes in three standard color or pattern options:
- 81 Solid Colors
- 20 Woodgrain Patterns
- 14 Patterns
- 3 Metallics
Important Tip! Looks can be deceiving … so be sure to always order a physical sample for the most accurate color representation.
5. Getting the job done: Tools, Adhesives & Caulk
Inpro offers a notched trowel for smooth and proper adhesive installation, and an extension roller to speed installation, ensure proper bonding, and smooth out the sheet goods. FastFill™ Color Matched Caulk helps seams disappear.
Three adhesive choices are available and recommended:
- Inpro® Bond
- 3M Fastbond™ 30 Contact Cement
- XT-2000+™ Adhesive
6. Help is a click … or phone call … away
Inpro provides extensive installation instructions to guide material prep and set-up, field cutting and fabrication, and installation of our rigid sheet products. Step-by-step installation videos are also available online. Finally, help is just a phone call away at 800-222-5556.