As interior designers, we are often asked the question: How long can WPC wall panels last? To be honest, the service life of the material depends not only on its performance, but also on the design, installation, and maintenance procedures. This blog post will systematically answer this question for you from a professional perspective.
First, let's understand what a WPC wall panel is. WPC wall panel is a new type of environmentally friendly decorative material, which is compounded by fiber material, calcium powder, thermoplastic resin, and additives. It retains the natural texture of wood while having the weather resistance and deformation resistance of plastic. WPC wall panel is usually used for indoor walls, ceilings, partitions, and other scene decoration, especially suitable for modern minimalist style interior design.
It is made of multiple materials, including:
Fiber materials: wood chips, bamboo powder, straw, etc.
Calcium powder: used as a filler.
Plastic substrate: HDPE (high-density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene) or recycled plastic.
Additives: flame retardants, antioxidants, masterbatches, etc.
WPC wall panels combine the advantages of wood and plastic, and their unique advantages make them popular in the construction and decoration industries.
The water absorption rate of WPC wall panels is usually less than 0.5%, and it can be applied to highly humid areas such as bathrooms and basements.
It does not contain lignin, and termites and fungi cannot erode it.
It does not contain formaldehyde and heavy metal elements, and will not cause harm to human health. In addition, the discarded materials can be recycled and degraded.
It adopts a modular design and supports snap-on splicing, which can save construction time.
Generally, high-quality WPC wall panels can last for 20 to 30 years at room temperature, and some high-end customized products can even last for 50 years.
However, as we said above, the service life of the product depends not only on the material itself but also on the installation process, use environment, maintenance methods, etc. So you can understand that the actual service life of WPC wall panels will be between 15 and 25 years, which is a relatively reliable answer.
To ensure that the WPC wall panels you purchase can be used for a longer time, we must understand the factors that affect their service life so that they can maintain their exquisite surface treatment for a long time and reduce the cost of frequent replacement. These factors usually include:
Long-term exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet rays will accelerate the aging of plastics, causing the surface of WPC wall panels to fade or become brittle. This is one of the reasons why they are often used indoors.
Secondly, extreme temperature differences or humidity changes may also cause the material itself to expand and contract, resulting in cracks on its surface.
In addition, strong acid and alkali cleaners may also damage the coating on the surface of the wall panels.
Pre-treatment of the wall during installation can extend the service life of the WPC wall panels. If the wall surface is uneven or there is no moisture-proof layer, it may cause the wall panels to deform.
Secondly, when fixing the WPC wallboard, overtightening the screws or misaligning the fasteners may also cause local stress concentration, making the wallboard more susceptible to damage.
In addition, if the expansion joints are not reserved according to the specifications, thermal expansion and contraction may also easily cause the wallboard to warp.
The material ratio will also affect the service life of WPC wallboards. For example, if more than 70% of wood fiber materials are added, the wallboards will be more likely to absorb water and swell, and the overall texture will also deteriorate.
In addition, if the mixing stage or extrusion temperature does not meet the standards, these molded boards are also prone to cracking or color differences.
Most wood-plastic wall panels adopt hollow structures, which are easily damaged when hit by heavy objects from the outside. In addition, sharp objects can also damage the protective layer on its surface. Structural damage can also reduce the service life of the profile.
Of course, if heavy objects are hung on the wall panels, local deformation will also occur due to unbalanced force.
Compared with natural wood, WPC wall panels are relatively easy to maintain and care for. They do not require regular painting or anti-corrosion treatment like wood. However, proper care can still extend their service life and maintain their appearance and functionality. Here are some tips on the maintenance and care of WPC wall panels:
Generally, WPC wall panels need to be cleaned 1-2 times a month to maintain their beauty.
In addition, it is recommended that you use a soft rag and neutral detergent for cleaning. Do not use steel wool or strong acid or alkaline detergents to avoid damaging the surface of the wall panels.
Avoid placing heavy objects around the wall panels, and try not to hang various decorations on their surface.
Secondly, install it in an indoor environment and away from humid areas. At the same time, regularly check the sealing of the wall panel joints. If any abnormality is found, appropriate improvement measures should be taken.
Perform a comprehensive inspection every six months. Check whether the joints are cracked, the screws are loose, and whether there are scratches on the surface.
If there are small scratches on the surface of the WPC wallboard, you can lightly sand it with 800-grit fine sandpaper and then apply a repair paste of the same color.
Secondly, if there is local deformation, you need to remove the wallboard first, soften it with a hot air gun, and then flatten it for repair.
In addition, severely damaged wallboards are impossible to repair or the cost of repair is too high, so it is recommended that you do modular replacement separately.
It can be seen that the service life of WPC wall panels is determined by material performance, design, installation, and proper maintenance.
As a professional interior designer, I suggest giving priority to products from suppliers with brand effects, standardizing the design and installation, and formulating a strict cleaning and maintenance plan, to systematically and comprehensively realize the long-term practicality of WPC wall panels.
CREATEKING is a supplier engaged in the research development and manufacturing of WPC wall panels. Leave your contact information on the consultation page to get more professional purchasing advice!
