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

  • Rhode Island Boarding School Completes Student Dorm Renovations

    St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., recently announced the completion of a $26-million renovation project on Arden-Diman-Eccles Dormitory, according to a news release. The school partnered with Voith & Mactavish Architects (VMA) on the new space, which places a new focus on collaborative community spaces open to both boarding students and day students.

  • Countway Library at Harvard Medical School

    From Shadows to Sanctuary: The Transformation of Light at Countway Library

    The renovation of Countway Library at Harvard Medical School demonstrates how biophilic design and advanced lighting strategies transformed a formerly dark, insular space into a vibrant, welcoming hub that supports wellness, learning, and community engagement.

  • Photo credit - Chuck Coates

    Florida District Modernizes Central Energy Plants at Two High Schools

    Flagler Schools, a public school district in Flagler County, Fla., recently partnered with Matern Professional Engineering to modernize the central energy plants at two of its high schools, according to a news release. The project is part of a larger, district-wide effort to reduce energy costs and operational expenses.

  • Houston K–12 District Opens New Elementary School

    The Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (Lamar CISD) recently announced the completion of a new elementary school in a western suburb of Houston, Texas, according to a news release. Haygood Elementary School measures in at 110,000 square feet, has the capacity for 854 students, and is the first of three new schools scheduled to be built in the Cross Creek West community.