The semi-rigid hygienic PVC wall cladding we install has many advantages over traditional ceramic tiles which, although used for many years, were never designed to cope with modern conditions and hygiene requirements. In addition published figures from the Ceramic Tile Federation show that up to 65% of all tile installations are fixed incorrectly.
Some of the advantages of PVC wall cladding are:
- Lower Costs – approximately 20% lower lifetime costs, slightly lower total installation costs
- Easier to install – for less downtime and lower costs, can usually be fixed direct to brick and block work
- Fewer Joints – far less jointing area and no water or other penetration into grouting and behind tiling
- Better impact resistance – in standardised tests (see below)
- Better Stain resistance – no penetration of damaged surfaces (see below) no staining of grout
- Very low water vapour transmission – no penetration of damaged surfaces (see below) or grout
- Better initial appearance – no variations in tile shades to even out
- Better appearance retention – no staining, no grout, no replacement of damaged tiles
- Flexibility to match substrate movement – no expansion joints required
- Fully hygienic, easy clean finish– wipe down, steam or pressure hoseable, low maintenance
- Hygienically sealed finishes – fully bonded, impervious, grout free
- Hygienic rounded corners – easy clean, pencil round corners, thermoformed on-site
- Hygienically sealed transitions – to floors, window/door reveals, fittings, penetrations and inserts.
- Heat Welded joints – for even higher levels of hygiene and smoother finish
- Excellent Fire Rating – Class 1 and Class 0, BS 476; Parts 6 and 7
- Excellent chemical resistance – to all common acids, alkalis, oils & solvents
- Extensive choice – of colours and finishes to complement decorative schemes
- 10-year product warranty – typically at least 25 year useful life under normal conditions
Product comparisons
A major manufacturer has commissioned the following studies from independent bodies, to compare PVC wall cladding with ceramic tiles.
Typical installed costs
*Assuming typical conditions with impervious epoxy grouting, and a sand/cement scrim render over a sound substrate. PVC cladding adhesive is suitable for virtually any sound substrate directly.
Additional costs.
This comparison does not include possible additional installation costs for tiling: drying of render 1 – 2 days; drying of tiling cement prior to grouting. (Application of PVC wall cladding two part adhesive, installation of wall cladding and jointing is one continuous operation).
Life cycle costs
The following chart demonstrates Life Cycle Cost relationship between hygienic PVC wall cladding systems and ceramic tiles.
Impact resistance
In busy locations, impacts are frequent between walls and floors and equipment such as trolleys, knives or dropped loads. Glazed ceramic tiles are easily scratched, chipped and cracked under impact creating surface damage which can be infiltrated by water, stains and bacteria. PVC cladding is highly resistant to impact and does not depend on a glazed surface layer for resistance to moisture penetration or staining.
Impact Tests
These were conducted using a 322g steel ball (BS EN 438) dropped from various heights on to the flat surface, a join, edge and corner. (Minimum height of test was 25mm).
| Height at which damage is first visible on a: | Flat face | Joint | Edge | Corner |
| PVC cladding | 3500mm* | 1500mm | 1250mm | 750mm |
| Ceramic Tile | 25mm | 25mm | 25mm | 25mm |
* Maximum height of test apparatus
Stain resistance
Surface damage is likely to result in penetration of materials and micro-organisms which can cause unsightly staining and act as a breeding ground for contamination. This as often very difficult or practically impossible to eliminate and will severely compromise hygiene. Test to BS EN 438-2 Section 15 involved PVC cladding and ceramic tiles subjected to impact by a 322g steel ball exposed to a natural fruit juice (blackberry) for 24 hours, washed and left for an hour then examined from 400mm. Visual evidence was rated on the standard’s scale from 5 – 1.
| Impact damage | Visual effect | |
| PVC cladding | From 350mm, No damage | Scale rating 5, no visible staining at the point of impact or elsewhere |
| Ceramic Tile | From 50mm, glaze fracture damage | Scale rating 2, marked change of colour & penetration of stain into tile |
Scratch resistance and water ingress
Tests were conducted on samples that were subjected to 5 hairline scratches, 5 point impacts with a dropped small kitchen knife and a combination of 3 scratches and 2 point impacts. Water was then applied to the front face and ingress measured after 24 hours. No damage was visible on PVC cladding after this treatment.
| Scratch Damage | Point Damage | Scratch & Point | |
| PVC cladding | Not Visible | Not Visible | Not Visible |
| Water Ingress | 0.12g/m2/24hrs | 0.14g/m2/24hrs | 0.12g/m2/24hrs |
| Ceramic Tile | Visible | Visible | Visible |
| Water Ingress | 81.4g/m2/24hrs | 97.0g/m2/24hrs | 90.3g/m2/24hrs |
___________________________________ PVC WALLS LTD. mail@pvcwalls.co.uk ___________________________________