Wall panel
{{Short description|Rigid material used as wall covering}}
A wall panel is single piece of material, usually flat and cut into a rectangular shape, that serves as the visible and exposed covering for a wall. Wall panels are functional as well as decorative, providing insulation and soundproofing, combined with uniformity of appearance, along with some measure of durability or ease of replaceability. While there is no set size limit for a piece of material fulfilling these functions, the maximum practical size for wall panels has been suggested to be about {{cvt|0.6|to|2.4|m|ft|sigfig=1}}, to allow for transportation.{{cite book|publisher=Design Methods Institute|title=Design methods and theories: Volume 13|year=1979|pages=76|issn=0147-1147|lccn=77644270}}
Advantages
File:Thorn (top) and groove (bottom) of wall panel.jpg
Use of wall panels can reduce construction costs by providing a consistent appearance to the panelled surface without requiring the application of paint or another finishing material. Wall panels may be finished on only one side, if the other side is going to be against a brick or concrete wall, or a comparable structure.{{cite report|author=Jerry Okey Newman|title=Design, construction, and evaluation of a low-cost panelized house|year=1976|pages= 14|doi=10.22004/ag.econ.158115}} Alternately, the panels may, if assembled to an appropriate framework, substitute for having any other kind of wall at all. Holes may be cut or drilled into a wall panel to accommodate electrical outlets and other devices coming out of the wall.
Installation
Proper installation of prefabricated brick wall panels is crucial, as inadequate sealing presents an enormous risk of mold and water damage to underlying structural materials.{{cite book |last1=Louis |first1=MJ |title=Water Problems in Building Exterior Walls: Evaluation, Prevention |date=1999 |publisher=ASTM International |location=West Conshohocken, PA |pages=215-226 |url=https://www.astm.org/DIGITAL_LIBRARY/STP/PAGES/STP13339S.htm}}
Fire Safety
Fire resistance is an important consideration in wall panel applications, particularly in public, commercial, and industrial buildings. Wall panels made from materials like gypsum board are often selected for their inherent fire-resistant properties. Other materials, such as PVC and WPC panels, can be treated with fire-retardant coatings to meet safety standards. Fire-resistant panels slow down the spread of flames and help contain fires within specific areas, thereby providing valuable time for evacuation and reducing the overall damage caused by fire. The use of these panels is regulated by building codes to ensure compliance with safety standards.{{cite web|url=https://wallpanelsworld.co.uk/wall-panels/|title=Fire-resistant Wall Panels|website=Wall Panels World|access-date=18 October 2024}}
Biodegradble wall panels
Eco friendly wall panels can be made out of the fibrous residue of sugarcane (bagasse). The raw material used for these wall panels is 100% recycled, and 100% biodegradable.{{cite journal|last=Salyer|first=Ival O.|author2=Arthur M. Usmani |year=1982|title=Utilization of bagasse in new composite building materials|journal=Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Product Research and Development|volume=21|issue=1|pages=17–23|issn=0196-4321|doi=10.1021/i300005a004}}
See also
- {{anl|Acoustic panel}}
References
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