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Everything You Wished to Know About Basement Wall Panels

Ashwini Kulkarni Sule
A basement wall treatment has to be done carefully, owing to extreme temperature conditions that can harm the basement. Wall panels provide a pleasant variation from the usual painted walls. Let's see what they are, their advantages, and materials used to make them.
For some people, the basement is a place to dump the clutter in the house, while for others it is a relaxing getaway where they can entertain their guests or invite their friends for a game of pool. If you belong to the second category, then you want your basement to look nice. A good and economical treatment option is wall panels to decorate your basement.

What are they?

Decorative wall panels are prefabricated sheets of PVC or wood which are fitted on the existing wall surface. The sheets come in standard sizes, hence the installation process becomes pretty easy.
Thus, doing it yourself is definitely the way to go. These panels are decorative, add a lot of color and glamor to your otherwise boring basement. There are various aspects in which they are better than conventional wall treatments such as paint tiles or wallpapers.

Advantages

Basements are often moist, clammy, and without ventilation. Basement waterproofing does not always assure that your basement will be free from mold and mildew growth.
The moisture seeps through the paint and becomes a thriving place for mold and mildew. Similarly, the grout between tiles is known to be a house for all sorts of parasites. Paint and ceramic tiles look very unattractive after becoming infested with mold. Besides, the paint peels off and gets chipped, creating an unsightly look for your basement.
Similarly, wallpaper is also prone to mold and gets torn easily. So, these options may not be the best. Also, wall panels are specially manufactured to withstand all sorts of climatic conditions. So, they are better equipped to handle the problem of mold and mildew infestation. Another advantage is that you get an unlimited choice in style, design and color.

Materials

Currently, wood and PVC are preferred choices for basement panels. PVC is extremely light in weight and is resistant to mold and mildew. Besides, it can also tolerate most of the harsh cleaning agents.
Wood paneling also protects your walls from mold, since it undergoes a pretreatment during the manufacturing process.
However, the best type of paneling comes in the form of insulated foam panels. These panels come with a barrier material to maintain desired ambient temperature in your basement throughout the year. Cost is dependent upon the material used and often runs high for insulated foam and wood panels.

Styles and Designs

Wall panels are available in various patterns and colors. PVC panels come in an array of solid colors to create a seamless look. They are also available in patterns of natural stone, mosaic, and ceramic tiles.
Wood panels are available in varying sizes to give an elegant touch to your basement. You have three options: full paneling, wainscoting, and library. Full paneling includes covering up an entire wall with panels.
Wainscoting refers to a style in which only the bottom half of the wall is covered in panels, while the rest is painted. While in the library style, a checkerboard like pattern is created with panels.
Thus, basement panels are indeed very much in demand for their impeccable style and durability. So, do not hesitate to ditch paint or tiles and go for this cool option.