Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Cladding or paneling has become an integral part of interior designing, serving to give a complete new dimension to the styling of a room. Every cladding material has its unique Look, feel and purpose Wooden panels add a touch of tradition, while ceramic tiles give a clean, colorful look, polished granite slabs provide a rich look while being hassle-free, veneer on ply or paintings on ply give an impression of sophistication and versatility.
Wooden paneling:
Wooden paneling have been popular and widely used for a long time now, but now the cost factor, caused by sparse availability of quality wood are making them a rare and expensive option.
Wooden panels are normally used in 14 inch, 12 inch, 34-inch thickness. They provide excellent sound-and-heat insulation. Because of its workability, finish, quality, timelessness and high resistance to termites, teak wood is preferred for paneling.
Ply panel:
It's a cheaper option to wooden paneling. It comes mostly in 14; inch, 12; inch and 34; inch-thickness and different sizes. Ply considerably saves wall paneling construction time and also adapts to the site conditions well. Apart from its weakness against termite, the surface of ply cannot be exposed if one wants easy maintenance and aesthetics. So, finishing the ply surface with laminate, veneer, varnish or paint is a must. For economical and colorful ambience, laminate finish is ideal. But if one wants more sophisticated finishes, the natural or dyed veneer finishes are perfect.
Polished granite:
The advantage of polished granite slabs is clearly its availability in huge sizes, polished surface and almost negligible joints, which naturally offer the option of covering huge wall surfaces. Besides, polished granite is one of the best cladding materials that allows easy cleaning and thus better hygiene.
It comes in tile form with 2'x1' with 14 thickness and also in large slabs of approximately 8'x4' with 34 “ thickness. They come in different colors and patterns. Certain colors and patterns are expensive while others are economical. Granite slabs and slates can be creatively used on the walls of kitchens, toilets, wash areas, utility, courtyards etc. Nevertheless, they are most ideally suited for the walls at places like hospitals, railway stations, airports and so on. They are also useful for large service areas in hotels and restaurants.
Ceramic Tiles:
Ceramic tile has come a long way and has its certain striking advantages over other cladding materials because of the variety in sizes, colors, textures, patterns and shapes. Now we can proudly say Indian ceramic tiles have come of age and are almost on a par with international standards. In addition to enormous collections of Indian tiles, many imported varieties are also available. Ceramic tiles are a designer's delight because they are available in glossy, matt, and satin finishes. Creatively, ceramic tiles can be used anywhere. Yet, they are mainly used for kitchens, toilets, corridors, and service and utility walls. The ceramic surface is excellent for rough use and rough maintenance. Vitrified tiles are relatively less familiar in India, but their usage is fast catching on. It has the advantages of size and polished surface like granite slabs and an impressive range of colors and patterns. Further, like ceramic tiles, vitrified ones are much easier to handle and to install.

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