What’s wallcovering?

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Wallcovering is a type of decorative covering intended to make a wall made of a different type of material appear than it actually is. Some of the more common examples are on the outside of buildings, but cladding can also be an artistic element in interior decoration. It is usually non-structural, meaning that it does not affect the stability or integrity of a building’s architectural core. In most cases it is designed to be permanent and can provide benefits such as insulation and waterproofing. It can be made from almost anything, but the most common are various metals, stones, and composite materials.

Main function

Upholstery is almost always meant to be stylistic rather than functional and is usually designed to help accent a particular feature or room. While it could conceivably cover every surface area of ​​a home or building, it is more common to find it in only one or two key areas. For example, a single wall in the bathroom could be clad in wood paneling, which could give the illusion of depth and warmth, or a single corner or side of an office building could be clad in intricate stonework. The idea is usually to add interest and vibrancy without the expense of actually rebuilding a wall or partition. Therefore, the various materials and textures are usually affixed on top of an existing structure.

Metal cladding
Metal is a popular and versatile type of wall cladding, particularly for building exteriors. Copper and its alloys, brass and bronze are some of the more popular choices. Other metals, such as aluminum, can also be used to achieve greater durability and are typically available in a wider range of finishes and colors as well. Sometimes the finished product is smooth and shiny, but it can also be textured, seasoned, or molded. A lot depends on the owner, the designer and the overall vision they are trying to achieve.

Masonry
It is also common to see carved stone or brick affixed to the facade of a building or incorporated into an interior wall. In these cases the intent is usually to mimic the look and feel of an exposed wall in a more modernly built structure. Stone is typically very durable but, depending on the particular design, may not be waterproof. Some types of stone can allow moisture to seep into the underlying surface, which can be especially problematic if that surface is made of wood or other material that is prone to rot.

Composite materials
In addition to actual bricks and stones, there are also various types of faux siding made from composite materials designed to look like other, more expensive substances. These may look like bricks, for example, but are actually made from asphalt, fiber cement, or other building products; plywood can be stained and stained to look like rich cherry or birch wood as well.

Cost is usually a factor in these decisions as composites are usually much less expensive to manufacture and install. There may also be structural advantages, particularly indoors. A homeowner might want a stone wall above a fireplace, for example, and brick walls can give a great feel to an urban restaurant or café, but unless the building was designed from the outset with With these features in mind, the weight of this sort of cladding could cause significant strain on the building’s foundation. Creating lighter imitations can create the same overall feel without the stress of reevaluating the integrity of the building.
Potential drawbacks
Care and cleaning can pose difficulties, particularly in heavily textured models which could collect dust. Even copper and other alloys can be subject to oxidation and discoloration if left untreated on external or visible walls; sometimes this is a “natural” look which is desirable, but not always. It is usually important for homeowners to learn how to maintain the appearance of siding the moment it is installed to avoid instances of fading, discoloration or deterioration.

Although the coating is usually quite easy to install, removing it is sometimes difficult. In most cases the wall structure and larger building are not affected but often the aesthetics are. It is usually necessary for the people who are removing these types of siding to have something else in mind for the wall. In most cases it’s bare and stripped underneath the trim, and depending on how things were fixed, can have a number of surface blemishes that will take more than a coat of paint to restore.

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