Wall Coverings

Soft PVC wallcoverings are a clear favourite in homes and all types of public buildings because of their enormous range of styles, long-life and unbeatable cost-effectiveness.  Literally millions of square kilometres of interior surfaces around the world have been transformed by this material of choice for manufacturers and customers.

Hygienic, safe and long-lasting

The success of PVC for wallcoverings depends on plasticisers which not only allow the polymer to be soft and flexible but also facilitate key aesthetic, design and hygiene qualities.

Typically, it is phthalate plasticisers that are used to allow manufacturers to achieve a very high and consistent smoothness of finish.  Smooth coverings are better to the touch, more pleasing visually and significantly improve hygiene.  The surfaces are much easier to wash and do not require any aggressive cleaning agents. Both benefits cut back on physical labour, maintenance costs and reduce the quantity of substances released to the environment. 

Eliminating cracks and crevices reduces the opportunity for germs and bacteria to breed.  Due to these properties, it is the preferred material for hospitals.  In the home, kitchens and bathrooms can be kept cleaner and fresher with less time and effort.

No other material lasts for as long and in such good condition as soft PVC for wallcoverings.  The in-service life of these products can reach 20 years or more with minimum maintenance requirements.  On average, they last 3-5 times longer than other surface treatments, such as paint.  Unlike wood, PVC wallcoverings require no protective treatment.

PVC is resistant to most internal conditions including extremes of dryness and humidity, which do not make it discolour, fade or decompose.   Although supple, these coverings are strong and difficult to tear or scratch either during installation or in use.

Variety and versatility

No alternatives can match the enormous variety and versatility of soft PVC for wallcoverings.  Thanks to plasticisers and the production process used, manufacturers can offer products in almost every colour, pattern, thickness and design effects suitable for almost any building, taste or budget. 

Most PVC wallcoverings are ‘built up’ from three layers which are applied on top of each other.  Most wallcoverings consist of a decorative layer, an intermediate layer and a backing.  Each layer has its own specific function.  Prints and colours are applied to the decorative layer.  The intermediate layer gives an agreeable soft ‘cushion’ feeling to the wallcovering and the backing imparts strength.

The three-layer construction allows manufacturers to achieve designs and textures which rely on depth, such as tiles, ‘wood grain’ and even bricks.   The process is cost-effective because of the very short drying time per layer achieved with phthalates.  Without them, production times would be significantly longer and probably uneconomic.

Using this production process, wallcovering manufacturers are able to offer literally thousands of different  styles and to alter them quickly as markets and styles evolve, without the need for large-scale investments or long delivery times.  Its keen cost-effectiveness keeps prices attractive and makes quality products accessible to a wider range of customers than would otherwise be possible.

The large market share is reinforced by ease of installation by ordinary residents or by professional decorators.  While strong, PVC wallcoverings can be simply cut to shape and their light-weight ensures that they can be applied to almost any surface without special adhesives.