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

  • abstract illustration of school gym

    How the Gymnasium Can Serve as a Model for Learning Space Design

    Multipurpose gyms work because flexibility was built into the brief from the start, not retrofitted later. The same logic applies to academic spaces.

  • UCF Modernizes College of Hospitality Management

    The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., recently completed a major renovation effort for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, according to a news release. The project modernized 77,600 square feet worth of academic classrooms, teaching labs, and collaborative spaces to support both students and faculty.

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.

  • St. John Fisher University

    Classroom Revitalization – Basil Hall Room 216

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. St. John Fisher University's Basil Hall Room 216 Classroom Revitalization has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of Spaces.