Homes and businesses come in all shapes and sizes, and not all are suitable for your standard wallpaper or paint. Homes with private saunas and spas or gymnasiums with pools all require careful consideration when it comes to decoration and construction. Otherwise, the nearby materials will quickly degrade under the strain of constant exposure to high humidity. This is where moisture-resistant wall panels can help.
If you have been considering changing your décor or need some ideas before you start construction on a high-humidity area, be sure to factor in how the walls will function. Poor planning at this stage can lead to significant repair costs later. Here are the most important things to know about humidity in constructed environments and how moisture-resistant wall panels tackle this issue.
Can Wall Panels Handle Humidity?
Humidity is the presence of water in the air; the more humid the environment, the more moisture will cling to or infiltrate the items in the room. If the material this water infiltrates does not cope well with being moist, it can start to degrade, come apart, mold, or lose structural integrity.
Wall coverings come in many varieties, some of which are more suitable for humid environments than others:
- Wood: Generally fair at handling humidity because the material can expand and contract based on how moist it is. However, wood can hold dampness, causing problems with rotting or mold buildup.
- MDF: This type of covering is made of resin, which does not automatically guarantee that it’s waterproof. Even water-resistant MDF can swell or warp, requiring installers to leave space between the panels and the walls to allow for this change. This can also produce inconsistent results.
- Paint: Paint might be one of the weakest choices for places with high humidity. Paint can crack, bubble, and peel when consistently exposed to moisture. Even paints that resist humidity can often have a short lifespan.
The answer to humidity when deciding on wall protection comes down to how the material responds to moisture, not just in terms of aesthetic fidelity but also protection for the wall behind it. This means that a breathable covering is non-negotiable.
Understanding the Wet Cup Test
When a material is described as “breathable,” it may be referring to its results in a measurement called the wet cup test. This test examines how much water vapor moves through a specific material.
Most people would assume that the best material for a humid or even totally wet room would be a wall covering that does not allow water vapor to pass through at all. However, this can actually be a big problem.
Whether through temperature differences causing condensation on the other side, non-waterproof seams between panels, or other factors, most rooms will experience some level of humidity behind the wall panels. By selecting décor with a water cup test result of 0 (that is, it does not allow vapor through), the moisture that collects behind the wall has nowhere to escape. This trapped moisture can cause mold and mildew buildup and may require remediation later.
How Custom Moisture-Resistant Wall Panels Can Help
Choosing the right décor for a high-humidity room requires careful planning. Custom moisture-resistant wall panels such as Terralon boast a water cup test result of 14 or greater, allowing vapor to pass through to prevent mold and condensation. Using these panels provides many advantages:
Opens up design possibilities
The custom nature of moisture-resistant panels allows homes and businesses to decorate as they see fit. From specific branding and colors to photo recreations and designs that matter, these wall coverings are highly adjustable.
Keeps the environment safe
Depending on the brand and type, some moisture-resistant wall panels are made of environmentally friendly or recycled materials. This feature allows your redecoration project to reinvent your space at a much lower cost to the planet.
Reduces noise
Humidity resistance isn’t the only benefit of using custom moisture-resistant wall panels. Creating panels with some texture, such as a beaded surface, can cut down on echoes, which are common in areas such as pools and saunas.
Embrace High Humidity with Custom Wall Panels
High humidity doesn’t have to be a recipe for disaster in your home or business. By strategically choosing your wall coverings, you can embrace even the dampest spaces without compromising your design and aesthetic vision. The professionals at Tree Towns can help you understand the many types of custom moisture-resistant wall coverings and how they may fit into your space’s specific use case. Contact Tree Towns to share your vision and get started on a custom project that reflects your preferences and needs.