Is wall panelling becoming more famous in Indian Homes?
Perfect interiors complete your dream home. In order to achieve this, people have started focusing more on the interior architecture and are spending significant cost for the best designs. Wall panelling is one of the architectural elements that are used to improve the aesthetic look of the house. They are usually light in weight, easy to install and are available in various textures to choose from. These wall panels are used to cover your plain looking walls that are poor in condition. It is mainly used to give a new look to the room.
Advantages of Wall panelling
- Wall panels are cost effective. You can avoid painting and use wall panels instead, which are light-weighted and demand low installation charges when compared to other decorative options that are available.
- Wall panels are widely used for their durability and long lasting quality. The additives added to the material make it tough and enduring.
- Easy maintenance is a key feature. These panels can be washed with soap and water unlike paints which require that extra care.
- Removing and recycling of wall panels prove to be effortless.
- Wall panels cover the flawed walls with a variety of designs to choose from.
- These panels are also waterproof, fire and termite resistant, thus keeping you free of maintenance charges.
Disadvantages of Wall panelling
- If there is water damage in your walls, it leaves a stain on the panels. Also, once panelled, it is difficult to trace the damaged part of wall that was concealed.
- Such moisture problems in your walls can cause hidden moulds, which might sometimes be seen through the wall panels.
- Also, regular wear and tear may loosen the plaster panels. This needs fixing to avoid the plaster from falling apart.
- Plastic wall panels are not eco-friendly and hence add up to non-degradable pollution.
Types of Wall Panels
The wall panels are of various types based on their design, texture and usage, as explained below:
Wooden Panels
Wood panels are the widely opted material owing to its durability and various design patterns.. The wainscot oak is a type of wood that is used traditionally on the lower portion of a wall to give it an alluring effect. The wainscot panelling includes flat, raised and bead board panels and can be chosen according to one’s interest. These panels are also available in engineered wood which are less expensive than the solid wood.
A plywood is a thin sheet of wood veneer glued together to form panels. It is light in weight and cost effective, making it a perfect choice for low budgeted wall panelling. It lasts long than the solid wood panels. However, Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF)panels are a popular choice for wooden panelling due to their UV-resistance, non-fading, easy maintenance and recycling nature.
Stained Glass Panels
A variety of stained glass panels are gaining popularity among home interiors these days. These glass panels come in a multitude of colours and textures. You can choose clear cathedral glasses, opaque or bevelled glass patterns; all depending on your taste for panels.
Faux Panels
In most homes, faux finishes are preferred for wall panelling. The faux panelling gives the look of bricks, stones or fabrics. Also, they are comparatively less expensive than the other panels. The faux material is a mixture of polyurethane, vinyl and wooden particles that contribute to the look of real stones or bricks. These panels are preferred for their light weight easy to install options and cost.
Wall Panelling Expense
Wall panelling charges vary according to the material used, size, colour and design. Generally in India, the prices range from between Rs 150 and 500 per sq. ft., based on the choice of your wall panel. You can get the price estimate and then choose the panel to best suit your budget.
Current Trend in the Indian Market
Wall panelling is not new for the Indian market. It is widely used in offices and business centres for its decorative quality. Until few years back, wall panelling was only used for commercial buildings, but as trends changed, even Indian homes have started adapting to such decorative wall panels.
In metro cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru etc. people always opt for affordable designing ideas, which led to the development of prefabricated housing solutions. Prefab materials like steel frames, panels for walls, ceilings and floors, factory made doors and windows are widely used today.
To conclude, it seems like the housing architecture in India is moving towards prefab materials. In the near future, we are very likely to witness many more Indian homes opting for this less expensive and easy to use wall panels.
Author Bio:
Shanta Narayan writes on behalf of property.sulekha.com, one of India’s Top 3 leading property portals. Offering more than 1 lakh properties across India, it is a one stop real estate destination, to rent, buy or sell property.
Sanju kmr