Profiles for PVC panels: variations and features

Wall decoration is a mandatory stage of any construction. The main requirements for finishing materials are durability and practicality. These are the qualities that PVC panels possess.

These products can be operated both outside and inside buildings. But in order to serve them long and reliably, they should be mounted correctly. Therefore, for such purposes use a special auxiliary profile. It allows you to securely fasten the canvas, regardless of their direction and place of fixation.

Special features

Decorating PVC wall panels today is practiced quite often. This is due to the fact that the material is well processed and is not afraid of exposure to moisture.Fastening of such products is carried out on the previously prepared frame. This design is supplemented with a special mounting profile. Outwardly, these products look different, depending on the purpose of the structure.

With the help of this profile, several basic tasks are solved at once.

  • Giving extra structural strength. This is important if the systems are mounted outside the house. Properly closed slots will prevent the ingress of large amounts of moisture, and also minimize the risk of wind exposure to the panels themselves.
  • Creating a decorative effect. The joints of the panels can not be rubbed perfectly evenly, which leads to the formation of cracks. Therefore, the profile helps to hide these shortcomings, creating a unique external architecture of the structure.

Profile for PVC panels are made of various materials.

  • Plastic. This type of product is quite common. Differs in durability and simplicity of installation. It should also highlight the low cost of production, which led to its wide distribution. Almost always this profile is used for interior work. Plastic is easy to paint, which allows you to give it different shades.But the most common color is white.
  • Metal. Metal profile is much less common. The material is durable and unique design. Aluminum or steel structures easily withstand external climatic influences. But with plastic panels it is used only to create durable or designer surfaces.

Some manufacturers may add color to the profile according to the customer’s order. Thus, it is easy to complement the basic design of a room or a facade with these building structures.

Kinds

The profile is one of the main elements for the installation of plastic panels. Its use allows you to quickly and accurately align all the elements in the plane you need. But the surface of the walls or ceiling is not always perfectly smooth.

Therefore, for the organization of such systems today use several types of profiles.

  • U-shaped. Also, these structures are called starting. They are installed before installation work on each wall. Products are intended for closing the ends of the panels. Often they are fastened around the perimeter of doorways or window frames.The size of these products can vary over a wide range (10 mm, 12 mm, etc.).
  • F-shaped. Technically, these elements are installed in the same places as in the previous version. But here such a profile can be more called finishing, since its use gives a decorative finish to the structures after their installation.
  • H-shaped. This type of profile is characterized by the presence of two internal grooves on opposite sides. It is connecting and is used when one lamella needs to be supplemented with another. This occurs when the length of the panel is not enough to fully cover the wall of the house. Docking profiles are the most versatile and often in demand.
  • Angles. These elements are installed in the joints of the two panels. Docking corners are of several types: external, internal, decorative and universal. The shape of this profile is completely different. Some products are equipped with several slots, which allows their use in different types of corners.

Angle sizes can vary from 10x10 mm to 50x50 mm. Particular attention should be paid to universal products. To use them in a certain plane, you just need to bend the structure in the direction you want.But at the same time it is impossible to apply them repeatedly to solve various problems.

All corners are also equipped with special grooves where the panels can be placed to a certain depth. With the help of such constructions it is possible to obtain a perfectly flat vertical surface without distortions.

  • Plinths. They are not classic profiles. Use them to close the joints between the panels near the floor. This allows you to create a smooth transition, while decorating the surface. In most cases, they are made of plastic. There are many modifications on the market that differ in design and practicality.
  • Reiki. Structures are used to create support elements. Can be supplemented with various fastening systems. They are not used as often as they are not mandatory elements.

All types of profiles can be plastic or metal. In most cases, use aluminum, but there are other types of products. This allows you to select items according to your design.

How to choose?

Profile for PVC panels is used quite often. Today on the market there are many modifications of such products,but they are all intended to solve a single problem.

When buying this product should consider several factors.

  • Profile view. Here it is important to consider only the place where this product will be used. If you need to veneer only part of the surface without corners and openings, then you only need starting elements that will be located around the perimeter. Sometimes you will need and decorative plates.
  • Design. Particular attention should be paid to the color of the material. Today, many companies produce a white profile that fits different styles of interiors. But if you need colored items, then you can find them in various specialty stores or purchase them on order.
  • Material. Manufacturers do not offer much choice here. In most cases, you need to choose between metal or plastic. It is important to analyze only the quality of the product itself. If you plan to use a plastic profile on the street, then you should give preference to one that is able to withstand cold weather without losing its strength characteristics.
  • Technical specifications. Special attention here is paid only to the width of the groove, which will include a plastic panel. Do not use a too narrow profile, as over time it may become unusable. The width of the groove is almost always standard, since all panels are produced for one size.

If you purchased non-standard modifications of the slats, then you need to check whether the profile is suitable for them.

Installation

Installation of profiles for PVC panels is not a difficult task. Almost anyone can handle it. Before you attach the guides, you should perform several preparatory steps.

  • Surface alignment. Initially, walls or ceilings are analyzed for damage. If the surfaces have large cracks or drops, it is desirable to eliminate them with the help of special mixtures. This is important if the panels in the future plan to mount directly on top of the wall without additional frames.
  • Construction crates. Even a wooden frame that can easily support the weight of these products will be suitable for plastic panels. But you can design it from special metal structures.

Profile mounting algorithm consists of several consecutive steps.

  • Installation of starting elements. They are located around the perimeter of the finishing surface (ceiling, wall). It is important to place the opposite structures in such a position that they are in the same plane. If this is not done, then skew may occur, which will affect the panels themselves and their decorative appearance. Fastening of starting profiles is carried out with the help of brackets or special screws. It is important to correctly set them in the horizontal and vertical. Installation of panels in the future depends on it.
  • Installation of corner elements. In this case, use both internal and external elements. In most cases, they can act as starters. They can be fixed on the same principle as the previous type.
  • Fastening of internal intermediate profiles. Systems of this type are installed on walls that are too long, where it is impossible to find a panel of the desired size.

Plastic panels can expand or contract when the temperature drops. Therefore, it is necessary that when installed in a profile, there is a small gap between the wall and the material.It is desirable to take it into account when designing the entire system. Before mounting all profiles, it is advisable to choose the direction of laying sheets.

During the installation work it is necessary to carefully measure, so as not to get errors. This is especially important for the guide and intermediate profile. If you need to mount several reference lines along the wall with such structures, then it is better to do this consistently. Not every experienced specialist will be able to do it right away.

Please note that you can attach the profile not only with staples, but also stick it to the base. Especially often this is practiced with plastic elements that are easily fixed by various polymeric compositions.

When the frame of the profile is formed, you can proceed to the installation and fastening of the panels. The technology of installation is selected individually and depends only on external conditions. In most cases, you just need to insert the end of the product into the profile groove. After that, the panel is aligned and nailed or glued to the frame.

Profile for PVC panels are universal products that allow not only to speed up the installation, but also to extend the life of the entire system.It is very important to choose them for a specific construction, attached to the ceiling or walls. In addition, in order to obtain a durable and solid surface, it is advisable to trust all the installation work to experienced and proven specialists.

For how to install PVC panels on the ceiling and walls, see the following video.

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Information provided for reference purposes. For construction issues, always consult a specialist.

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