Things to Know About Wall Protection

Wall protection is a necessity in busy environments to preserve the look of a building and reduce continuous maintenance and repair costs. Here are three things to keep in mind when choosing wall protection.

1. Location.
Deciding on the placement of wall protection can be a challenge. Common areas, like gymnasiums and cafeterias, are prone to wall damage from moving furniture and equipment and may be good starting points. Knowing where damaging objects may regularly hit a wall can help determine where the protection should be placed.

2. Levels of impact.
Wall protection products should be chosen based on the amount of impact the wall may encounter. These products include feature rails, crash rails, rigid sheet, and more. Feature rails can withstand lighter impact from objects such as chairs. Crash rails and corner guards are thicker and designed to keep items further from the wall while withstanding more frequent, intense impacts. Rigid sheet wall protection provides significantly more protection from damage than Type II commercial wall covering. Wall panels are an even more durable option for protection from heavier impacts, as they are considerably thicker. Utilizing wall protection will reduce maintenance and labor costs like drywall repairs and repainting.

3. Special conditions and applications.
Curves and radiuses play a large role in architecture. Graphic wall protection can be used around a column to create unique design elements, such as the imitation of a marble column in a highend space. Certain handrails can be specified for wide or tight wall radiuses. They can even be formed at custom angles on a horizontal plane for ramps and transitions, ensuring mobility and stability for those who rely on both.

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management October 2018 issue of Spaces4Learning.

About the Author

Renee Hite is the assistant Business Development manager for interior wall protection at Construction Specialties. To learn more visit www.c-sgroup.com, call 800/233-8493 or email Renee at [email protected].

Featured

  • Rowan University, HPE Partner on New Learning Initiative

    Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., recently announced that it has expanded its partnership with enterprise technology provider HPE to improve research capabilities and hands-on learning opportunities, according to a news release.

  • GeoCam and UCLA: Modernizing Campus Accessibility Mapping

    In early 2025, UCLA partnered with GeoCam to capture and modernize its pedestrian infrastructure data. The goal was ambitious but clear: to produce a high-accuracy, imagery-backed digital map of every sidewalk, pathway, ramp, and ADA-related feature on UCLA’s 419-acre campus.

  • UNH Marks Construction Milestone on Oceanic Exploration Facility

    The University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., recently celebrated a major construction milestone with a beam-signing ceremony for the new Center of Excellence for Operational Ocean and Great Lakes Mapping, according to a news release. The facility’s ultimate goal is to support research, training and technical assistance in ocean mapping.

  • Phoenix School District Breaks Ground on New Prep Academy

    The Creighton Elementary School District near Phoenix, Ariz., recently broke ground on a campus replacement for Biltmore Preparatory Academy, according to a news release. The new space will allow the school to expand its enrollment by 50 percent for K–8 students and accommodate modern, collaborative learning styles.