Create Visual Interest With Wall Protection

Wall protection is often considered a necessity for busy environments, preserving the look of a building and reducing continuous maintenance and repair costs. Explore the many options you have to make your wall protection the feature wall, rather than an eyesore.

Contrast. With the use of so many different materials and finishes in building environments, make wall protection stand out. Don’t try to blend it into the wall; rather, use color to make feature elements more striking. Contrasting colors can help the visually impaired — try bright colors like yellows, blues and greens.

Continuity. Create color continuity by color-coding the wall protection in different areas of your buildings. This will not only make the environment look more inviting, but it will also help with wayfinding.

Simulate. If concrete, brick or natural woods won’t work with the requirements of the facility, wall protection products can simulate woods and metals while still remaining durable. This allows for a classic, upscale design without the concern of scratches or chips. Some materials produce a 3D effect on a 2D surface, creating visual intrigue but maintaining walls that are easy to clean.

Customize. For years, protective wall covering meant single-color sheets. Now there are many different options, combinations or customizations to make your buildings unique. Products that incorporate images and custom designs or patterns create fully protected feature walls full of vibrant imagery and artwork. This is ideal for emphasizing branding while keeping the walls free from damage.

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management September 2016 issue of Spaces4Learning.

About the Author

David Bronovicki is senior product marketing manager for interior wall protection, including Acrovyn®, Acrovyn by Design® and the award-winning Acrovyn Wall Panel System, at Construction Specialties. To learn more visit www.c-sgroup.com, call 800/233-8493 or email Dave at [email protected].

Featured

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.

  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Launches New Emergency Communications System

    The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) recently deployed a new emergency notification and incident management system for its campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with 911Cellular to launch Safe@UTC, a smartphone app allowing university officials to communicate and respond during emergency situations.

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.

  • Photo credit: Elkus Manfredi Architects

    University of Virginia Selects Design-Build Team for New Residential Complex

    The University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., recently announced that it has selected a design-build team for a new upper-class residential development on campus, according to a news release. Capstone Development Partners—in partnership with Elkus Manfredi Architects and the Hoar Construction/Hourigan construction team—will move forward with the three-building, 310,000-square-foot housing facility.