3D wall panels: features, types, and design ideas

Hackrea Team / June 11, 2021

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Volumetric panels are not something new in the construction market. In plaster execution, they have been used for a very long time. Another thing is that modern materials and manufacturing technologies have made them much more interesting, diverse, and better.

The role of volumetric wall panels in the interior: the nuances of choice and design

First of all, 3D wall panels are a fashionable trend in interior design, which is not too widespread yet. Such decoration brings an additional volume to the room, creates interesting visual effects thanks to the play of light on the embossed surface, and always becomes the central object against the background of the overall design.

Modern 3D wall panels in the interior can assist in solving issues of zoning and decoration of any horizontal or vertical surfaces, interior partitions.

Types of decorative 3D wall panels

It is not enough to paste the wall with any panels you like. To achieve the desired result, complement, decorate the interior can only those types of finishes that are correctly selected in size, texture, and material. Before you go to such design delights, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the features of existing options, their advantages, as well as disadvantages.

Gypsum 3D wall panels

Gypsum panels are one of the most common. They are safe, non-toxic, resistant to extremes temperature, provide additional noise insulation, have a long service life. The ability to stain allows a few hours to update the room, bring new notes. During installation, you can achieve a groutless surface.

For their manufacture, it is used building gypsum. The installation of panels is done seamlessly. The joints between them are filled with special putty, and the entire surface of the coating is ground. After that, gypsum 3D panels can be painted in any color. They look great in any interior.

But the material is quite fragile. Therefore, the installation of items must be done carefully, trying not to lean on the corners and avoid screwing in the screws, using the adhesive method. Gypsum panels are not recommended for wall cladding in rooms with high humidity.

The structure of the gypsum panels provides the products with excellent heat and sound insulation qualities.

The material does not burn. Therefore, products can be used for facing fireplaces. On the construction market, gypsum 3D wall panels are presented in a large assortment and variety of design solutions.

Plastic 3D wall panels

In the manufacture of the 3d wall panels, for PVC panels are used technologies that allow you to create an imitation of many natural materials, including decorative stone and wood. Polymers also successfully imitate the texture of fabric or leather, and some collections include panels that are covered in high-quality leather with textile. Plastic panels have no equal in a variety of colors and textures. The depth of the relief depends on the thickness of the material, ranges from 30-120 mm. Plastic tiles are lightweight, waterproof, easy to maintain.

The basis for their manufacture is polymeric materials. Plastic 3D models are similar in their functions to aluminum decorative panels and are presented on the market of finishing materials with a vast assortment. It provides not only a variety of forms but also any color options for products.

High resistance of plastic 3D wall panels to temperature changes and humidity is their undoubted advantage. Moreover, such polymer products are flexible, lightweight, and durable. Plastic allows you to perform intricate patterns on the surface of panels that imitate expensive natural materials.

Decorative plastic boards are unpretentious in maintenance and are easily cleaned of dirt with a soft sponge and detergents.

Glass 3D wall panels

This type of decoration appeared one of the last, has not yet managed to become very popular. Glass 3D wall panels look very beautiful, have excellent quality characteristics, but not everyone can afford them. Furthermore, due to the large weight, they are not suitable for all walls, especially partition walls.

For the manufacture of such panels, is used tempered glass with a thickness of 0.5 cm. It has increased strength, but even in the event of its destruction, the material does not give sharp fragments, increasing its safety.

3D glass panels make the interior light and airy; they look especially beautiful when decorating the walls of pools.

Aluminum 3D wall panels

The finish is not afraid of exposure to temperature or moisture, resistant to ultraviolet and various alkaline environments. Further processing or staining is not required. Manufacturing technology allows you to experiment with texture and color. Due to their lightweight, they can even be mounted on plasterboard partitions, but the panels are attached to the metal profile frame so that they will take away some area from the room.

Such models are preferred by people who, in addition to the decorative properties of the coating, give great importance to the strength, reliability, and safety. Panels are made of aluminum or its alloys. Their surface is decorated with volumetric drawings applied by the perforation method, after which it is covered with a protective polymer film.

A positive aspect of aluminum 3D panels is their corrosion resistance, fire safety, and moisture resistance.

Aluminum panels are mounted on a frame base made of a metal profile. Such models are often used in decorating the walls of museums and exhibition halls. In-home conditions, panels are good for decorating dining rooms, living rooms, and kitchens. Aluminum panels are suitable for wall decor of interiors, made in a minimalist or “high-tech” style.

MDF 3D wall panels

Like the previous options, MDF panels can have a different texture and color. They are made of high-quality components, which provide stability and long service life. However, they are not recommended for use in rooms with high humidity, for bathrooms, saunas, baths. The most popular with designers painted surfaces. A feature of MDF panels is the ability to use them not only as decoration for walls but also for the decoration of partitions, furniture facades, doors.

These are wood fiberboards, which are made of wood chips hotly using individual molds. The adhesive used is lignin. A polymer protective film is applied to the surface of the finished MDF 3D wall panel, which ensures long-term operation of the coating.

The MDF panels have sufficient strength and resistance to temperature fluctuations. The only drawback of this model is the limited possibility of its use in a humid room.

Wood 3D wall panels

3D wall panels made of natural wood are the most expensive of all types listed above. Wooden panels look stylish and have an exquisite design, the complexity of which depends on the quality of the feedstock and the manufacturing technology of the models.

Products have a stable weight, are used for classic design and interior decoration in the modern, Empire, or Baroque styles. To increase durability, wooden 3D wall panels are impregnated with individual preparations.

The same type of panels can be attributed to similar bamboo products.

Bamboo 3D panels are considered environmentally friendly products. You can opt for them if you have doubts about the toxicity of other materials.

Options for using 3D wall panels

Based on the many years of experience of designers, decorators, we can highlight the most successful options for using 3D panels in the interior of rooms for various purposes.

3D wall panels in the living room

It is the living room that is most often decorated with this type of decoration. The original addition of the wall panels will be in the TV zone. Especially interesting are models that simulate waves, the surface of the water, or modern geometric shapes.

The volume on the walls favorably emphasizes the fireplace area. At the same time, it is important to choose the right material so that the style of the home with the style, texture, decoration pattern. For rooms made in the classical style, panels that imitate a caption fabric or a carriage screed are often chosen.

Columns with a straight, square, rectangular, panels will give a special chic, especially if you add them with lighting.

3D wall panels in the kitchen

The second most popular option is the use of 3D wall panels in the kitchen interior or dining room. Here, as a rule, preference is given to plastic or MDF panels, since they are easy to care for and resistant to moisture. If we are talking about the use of gypsum materials, they are also coated with water-repellent varnishes.

Most often, the material is lined with the working wall. Also, in the kitchen, you can successfully highlight the dining area. In spacious rooms, this type of decoration can be used simultaneously in two places, creating a more holistic design.

3D wall panels in the bedroom

In the bedroom, there are usually not many places where the volumetric texture will look profitable. In most cases, this is the wall at the head of the bed. It is important that the selected texture and color of the material successfully complement the overall design.

If the decor is small, sometimes the entire sleeping area is distinguished: the trim along the bed’s width is raised to the entire wall and thrown into the ceiling three quarters. In small rooms, a small decorative panel on the wall will look better.

3D wall panels in the children’s room

Some manufacturers offer a special lineup for children’s rooms. Such panels often have the form of lego cubes, a variety of geometric shapes, colors.

An interesting addition to the nursery will be part of the wall with a wave-like texture, which is painted in rainbow colors. In the children’s room, this decor is recommended to be used only in the play area.

3D wall panels in the bathroom

In bathrooms, volumetric panels are used locally or to highlight a separate zone in combined bathrooms. You can distinguish any zone if you select a material that is not affected by moisture and temperature.

Most often, volumetric make a wall above the bath or a completely free wall. An unusual finish will help highlight the toilet zone and not make a strong emphasis on it if there are lighter shades.

3D wall panels features

Wall relief panels are made using various technologies using several types of materials.

The 3D wall panels are modelled using computer technology. Then a suitable material is selected, and 3D wall panel production begins directly at the factory. At this stage, the panel is formed, giving it volume and the necessary surface topography.

After the foundation has been created, the decorative part of the panel is carried out, which has additional functions, protecting the foundation from moisture, mechanical damage, and even burning out when exposed to sunlight. The board’s surface can be painted, enameled, veneered, glossy, matte, fluorescent, or metalized.

The manufacturing process of 3D wall panels is quite complex, technologically, time-consuming. For this reason, the cost of the product is quite high.

Advantages and disadvantages of 3D wall panels

Like any other modern material, 3D wall panels have their pros and cons.

Benefits:

Huge selection of colour palette, shapes, and textures;
The room visually becomes more voluminous and impressive;
It allows you to hide defects of the wall surface, as well as elements of engineering systems.

Disadvantages:

The disadvantages of various panels vary depending on the source material. For example, gypsum is quite fragile and not suitable for rooms with high humidity;
Not for every room, 3D wall panels would be a good option. They are recommended for use in spacious rooms;
This finish requires additional care, as it contributes to the accumulation of dust;
Excess volume can tire your eyes, as well as make the atmosphere somewhat office-like.

Design tips for using 3D wall panels

Decorating with large volume textures is better for spacious rooms, while small patterns can be used even for small rooms.
The embossed wall itself, even white, is a reasonably noticeable decor. It is not always worth focusing on it, even more, staining it too brightly with exciting colours.
If brightly coloured panels are used, other walls should be as light as possible.
Visually, the 3D effect will be noticeable in any light. In addition, it varies depending on the viewing angle. To make it more visible and exciting, the pattern is often illuminated by wall, floor, strip, or ceiling lights.
If the design involves the use of relief locally, as a separate art object, large panels are perfect. Many manufacturers offer ready-made options, but you can also combine tiles from any collection to your taste.
It is vital to choose the right material by color, shape. Elements can differ in ultramodern design; they will become an excellent complement to the hi-tech, modern, techno styles. Classical motifs are more suitable for historical styles. And almost imperceptibly, light and unobtrusive can be used even for ethnic ones.
Wall panels are not only decoration but also decor itself, so bulky pieces of furniture should not block them, rarely complemented by separate accessories.
Sufficiently deep textures are suitable for decorating living rooms, offices, while delicate, soft, and concise ones look better on the walls of bedrooms or bathrooms.
In addition to a variety of colors, surfaces are matte and glossy, which is also essential to consider when choosing a material. The glossy coating gives more optical effects, visually expands the space. Frosted simply stands out with texture, creating the necessary mood, complementing the atmosphere with coziness, tranquility.

Technology for installing 3D wall panels

Before installing 3D wall panels with your own hands, it is necessary to calculate materials. Its complexity depends on the type of volumetric models chosen since they have individual sizes. Knowing these characteristics and surface area, it is easy to calculate the required number of panels.

After the panels are delivered to the place of work, you can begin mounting them on the walls using one of the following methods:

Fastening panels to the frame. It is made of profiles and installed on the walls before installing the plates. In this case, between their backside and the wall surface, there always remains a gap of 30-50 mm, which can be successfully used for laying hidden communications: electric cables or wires of a low-current network. Such fixture of 3D panels somewhat reduces the volume of the room. This must be taken into account when planning the installation in a small room.
Fastening panels with screws. This method provides the ability to replace a randomly damaged cladding element. On one side of the panel, there is a unique guide. With its help, the plate is mounted on the wall, and then the next cladding element is applied to the previous one and locked in its grooves. This process continues until the required number of panels are installed. Their proper placement must be monitored when creating a cladding pattern if one is intended. The advantage of this method of fastening is the ability to mount 3D panels on uneven walls. Ready facing will reliably hide their defects. Plaster panels in this way are not recommended.
Bonding panels to walls. To fix the panels in this way, the surface of the building envelope must be perfectly flat. With a spatula, the adhesive is evenly applied to the wall, after which a panel is applied to it and held until it adheres firmly to the surface. Excess glue coming through the joints between the panels must be removed on time. The composition for mounting panels is not cheap. So, to reduce its consumption, a flat surface is crucial.

Advice! Given the considerable cost of high-quality 3D panels, you should work with them very carefully. If at least one of the cladding elements is damaged, its entire pattern will be broken. Then, you will have to buy a new panel separately and carefully restore the design.