Length
The typical length of a wall panel is 2.62 m, while some manufacturers have launched products with lengths of 2.44 and 2.8 meters.
The parameters and sizes of the boards vary depending on the MDF manufacturer. So, for example, the popular brand Kronospan produces panels in sizes 2600X200 mm, 2600X325 mm, 2600X153 mm and 2600X200 mm.
The world-famous manufacturer HDM offers panels with parameters of 1300X198 mm and 2600X198 mm. Finally, the Russian one produces panels in a single size 2600X238.
Each manufacturer (within its size range) produces a wide variety of panels, differing in texture and color.
Main manufacturers
Today, a large number of companies are engaged in the production of such sheets. But among them, the most popular are products from a number of domestic and foreign manufacturers.
KRONOSPAN
An Austrian company established more than 100 years ago. At the beginning of 1959, the first wood processing plant was opened in Salzburg. Today, the concern's subsidiaries are located in different countries. Such products are also produced in Russia. The rack sheets have dimensions:
- Length -2600 mm.
- Thickness - 7-14 mm.
- Width - 153−325 mm.
Dimensions of sheet products - 2800×2070, 2800×1040 mm. Thickness - 6−28 mm.
HDM
This German company began its activities back in 1959. It took her nine years to create her own process for making panel parts. Today, the company's products are very popular in the world. It produces MDF panels with dimensions:
- Thickness - 6−12 mm.
- Length - 900−4200 mm.
- Width - 168−300 mm.
Kronostar
In Russia, this enterprise was opened 16 years ago. Its basis was the well-known company SWISS KRONO GROUP. All products are manufactured only on foreign equipment and are of high European quality. Wall plates have standard dimensions: 2600×250×7 mm.
Thickness
Depending on the brand of the manufacturer and the chosen model, the thickness of MDF varies from 3 to 30 mm. In addition, some enterprises produce veneered modifications, the thickness of which reaches 60 mm.
Thanks to this variety, each consumer can always choose the best option taking into account the dimensions of their room.
By the way, the thickness of the panel is quite important when choosing a suitable finishing material: the weight of the product and the load that it can withstand depend on it.
Standard panels weigh:
- with a thickness of 3 mm – 16 kg;
- 6 mm – 31 kg;
- 12 mm – 60 kg;
- 22 mm – 106 kg;
- 28 mm – 142 kg.
Recommendations for working with plastic when finishing
If the wall is flat, then the material can be attached directly to it. It makes sense to make a frame when you need to cover up old finishes (wallpaper, paint, tiles) or level a wall without plaster.
In addition, the lathing improves sound insulation, helps retain heat, and leaves space for ventilation behind the plastic.
It is economical and easy to make a base from wood. Modern antibacterial compounds contribute to the long service life of wood structures. The bars are installed parallel to the direction of the PVC panels, every 50-60 cm.
The frame is also made from U-shaped plastic profiles. Its advantage is that it is insensitive to moisture, lightweight, does not deform due to temperature changes, and is not electrically conductive.
The profile must be secured in increments of no more than 30 cm, with self-tapping screws or dowels every 0.5-1 m. To join the U-shaped parts together, cuts are made at 90˚, 45˚, 30˚. To secure the plastic, you will need clamps.
To work with panels you will need moldings:
- internal and external corners;
- joints;
- the edges; baseboards;
- finishing elements;
- F-profiles.
Living rooms
If treated with an antiseptic, then the frame in the living room can be made from wooden beams.
The premises are decorated with wood, stone, and white brick. Use decorative, laminated or mirror plastic.
One of the walls can be decorated with PVC material of other shapes. Use rectangular or square structures measuring 0.3-0.98 m, highlight the seams.
Bathroom and toilet
For a bathroom, it is better to make a frame from a galvanized profile or plastic. The material is more suitable without a relief - high humidity can cause mold or mildew, and the textured surface is difficult to clean.
Bathroom panels go well with ceramic tiles, textured plaster, or paint. The main thing is to choose the right shades. It will work out well if you alternate the width and contrast of the elements.
Prints and patterns of different colors will help you create an original design. PVC panels for the bathroom go well with a slatted ceiling, into which mirror inserts can be made.
Kitchens
Economy panels (panels at low prices) can be an inexpensive alternative to ceramics for kitchen decoration.
You can choose combinations of brick and natural stone, mosaic, pattern or ornament.
There are tiled modular options from which images are made; patterns can be combined to decorate the entire kitchen or its individual zones.
A few additional tips:
When purchasing plastic material, you should pay attention to the absence of surface flaws and crumpled joints. There should be no translucency at the stiffeners. Tears and cracks should not form if you lightly press the product. Select the width of the panels so that there is less waste
For small apartments, using a panel with a width of 500-600 mm is impractical. The quality of the material can be checked by bending it. There should be no breaks or cracks. In most cases, the more expensive the material, the better it works. Leave ventilation holes (from fungus and mold).
If you want to make lighting on the ceiling from PVC panels or lamps built into it, it won’t hurt to mark and prepare the holes in advance.
Weight
The external dimensions and thickness of the panel play a key role. Weight according to dimensions is given in the tables above.
Let's see how the weight of an MDF panel measuring 2,800*2,050 mm (the maximum value on the market) will change, depending on the thickness of the product:
- 3 mm – 16 kg.
- 6 mm – 31 kg.
- 12 mm – 60 kg.
- 22 mm – 106 kg.
- 28 mm – 142 kg.
It is worth noting that the weight of the decorated panels will vary slightly upward.
MDF and walls
MDF panels are an absolutely natural material: the boards are made from wood shavings and sawdust, crushed, dried and tightly pressed together using paraffin and lignin as a connecting compound. Thanks to the melamine film, the panels can imitate any surface, but most often they are given maximum resemblance to natural wood. The shades of the material can be very different.
The following also speaks in favor of MDF on walls:
- material strength,
- ease of installation
- the ability to implement almost any design ideas with the help of such slabs
At the same time, the surface of MDF - the laminating layer - is easily restored, which not every building material can boast of. The panels are as natural as possible, so they can even be used in children's rooms. In addition, MDF on the walls improves heat and sound insulation in the room.
The disadvantages of panels made from fine particles include:
- The need to mount them on a frame, which hides several centimeters from the area of the room.
- Also, the material should be kept away from potential sources of ignition and moisture - like any wood, MDF is afraid of water and fires.
Dimensions depending on application
Depending on the area of application of MDF, the dimensions of the facing material also change.
Here you can derive the following standards:
Wall panels
The standard length of a wall panel is 2.6 meters, however, some manufacturers produce products with a length of 2.44 and 2.7 m. The width can vary between 150-900 mm.
Depending on the width, panels are divided into types P-1, P-2, P-3, P-4, P-5 (100, 125, 150, 175, 250). With panel thickness 3-30 mm. The thickness of veneered MDF can reach 60 mm.
Material advantages
MDF sheets have the properties of wood. They are made from chips with a fine structure. Using special equipment, the chips are heated. Binders are added to it. Then high pressure is created and pressing occurs.
The result is a dense fibreboard, which is constantly used in the creation of furniture, as well as in the construction industry. Wall panels have several positive qualities:
- Uniformity.
- Excellent sound insulation.
- High-quality thermal insulation.
- Beautiful appearance.
- Versatility.
- Easy installation.
After installing the MDF panels, the walls become absolutely smooth. The interior of the room is completely changed. The sheets are easy to clean and do not require the use of special chemical compounds. The panels can be installed in any direction, maintaining various combinations. The free space that appears between the wall frame and the sheet makes it possible to make hidden wiring, as well as lay utility lines. The dimensions of MDF panels affect their shape:
- Rack and pinion. They are distinguished by their long length and small width.
- Tiled. Available in rectangular or square shapes.
- Leafy. Available in large sizes only.
Characteristic
MDF, what kind of material is it? This material owes its name to the British. It was they who came up with MEDIUM DENSITY FIBERBOARD - MDF.
The use of MDF panels, the wall dimensions of which are quite varied, is to perform finishing finishing work using this building material.
No renovation of an apartment or office can be done without them. Public institutions also widely use MDF, which is easy to use and easy to cut and install. It also reacts neutrally to temperature changes and the influence of direct sunlight.
The composition of the material is also beyond doubt. What is better for furniture, MDF or chipboard? Unlike chipboard, which contains more chemical components, MDF is produced using materials that are harmless to human health. The basis of MDF is crushed wood.
Types of wood panels
According to external characteristics, slabs are divided into the following types:
- Veneered: covered with wood veneer, creating a surface almost indistinguishable from natural wood, but at the same time costing several times less.
- Painted: are produced by applying paint that spreads over the surface of the slab, which guarantees the absence of streaks, stains, and bald spots.
- Laminated covered with a durable film that adheres very tightly to the surface of the panel, providing additional protection from moisture and dirt. This coating can be either matte or glossy.
- With 3D effect: the latest word in MDF surface design, allowing you to create three-dimensional designs.
The use of ceiling panels is much cheaper than suspended ceilings, and their installation creates less dust and dirt than when installing plasterboard. If you plan to install electrical wiring with open areas under the slabs, then the cable must be hidden in an insulating corrugation.
Brick wall panels can be used to varying degrees, and you can find out how to do it correctly in this article.
