Walls and wall finishings are an essential part of the structure and aesthetics of building interiors. Depending on the variation of application, walls and their finishings provide unique internal structuring and intrinsic aesthetics for buildings all around us.
However, regardless of application, the incorporation of wall protection prolongs internal space life span and increases the building’s salvage value.
There are different types of protection that you can add to your internal space. Some offer overall protection while others afford protection for target areas.
1. Wall Guards
These are products designed to protect the walls from impact, dents, scratches and chips. There are majorly two kinds:
End wall guards
Otherwise known as end wall caps, protectors or U channels, they provide protection for the wall at the ends (both sides and the floor).
The attachment of these add-ons to your wall finishings provide damage protection from impact force.
Corner wall guards
These products are typically attached to the connection seams of two walls.
They majorly offer anti chip, dent and scratch protection for wall corners in the building. And they come in numerous variants. Plastic, vinyl, metal are corner guards that will give you aesthetically pleasing and durable protection.
2. Crash Rails
Crash Rails are unlike wall guards as they don’t flush with the wall. They are attached to walls to offer streamlined protection via uniform protrusions (usually 1 – 2 Inches).
Plastic crash rail
Plastic crash rails are typically used to provide protection in areas that field high wheel traffic. Their protruded installation allows them to serve as an impact buffer when heavy objects hit the wall.
They find major utility in shipping areas and service corridors. When opting for plastic crash rails, it is advisable to choose the soft plastic variants for hallways and corridors and the hard variant for garages and manufacturing facilities.
Metal crash rails
They can either be made of aluminum or stainless steel. Both materials offer strong anti-rust and corrosion protection with great aesthetic appeal.
Aluminum crash rails are a great choice if you wish to protect your wall against microorganism(bacteria and fungi) growth. They are designed to protect the wall from light to heavy impact.
Stainless steel crash rails afford your walls seamless protection in commercial environments like health facilities and restaurants. They are primarily designed to protect walls from scratch and bumps.
3. Handrails
Handrails enjoy high popularity because of their dual purpose utility. They double as wall guards and movement support for people when they are maneuvering through uneven terrains in the building.
Plastic handrails
Plastic handrails are well known for their durability and low maintenance designs. They are anti-rust and anti-corrosive with smooth and comfortable designs that are easy to maintain.
You can apply plastic handrails inside and outside your building as they are corrosive and rust free.
Stainless steel handrails
These sets of products have a modern feel to them. They feature exterior and interior utility for wall protection.
You can use stainless steel handrails to protect your walls and simultaneously beautify your environment.
Wood handrails
Having the same function of wall protection, wood handrails primarily focus on catalysing the beauty of your building. They can be easily installed and maintained with high durability.
The importance of wall protection cannot be overstated. The incorporation or combination of one or more of the highlighted products will ensure durable protection and beauty for your wall.
Regularly consult a NACE inspector to inspect the integrity of your wall finishings for repairs or maintenance.
