Basement Wall Panels

For some people basement is a place to dump the clutter in the house, while for some it is a relaxing getaway, where they entertain their guests or invite their friends for a game of pool. If you belong to the first category, then you obviously wouldn't bother with the decoration of your basement walls. However, those of you looking for good and economical options of basement wall treatment, should indeed consider wall panels for decorating your basement walls.

What are Basement Wall Panels
Decorative wall panels are prefabricated sheets of PVC or wood which are fitted upon existing wall surface. The sheets come in standard sizes, hence the installation becomes pretty easy. Thus, doing them yourself is definitely the way to go. Wall panels are a decorative way of donning your basement walls. They indeed add a lot of color and glamor to your otherwise boring basement. There are various aspects in which wall panels are better than conventional wall treatments, such as paint, tiles, wallpaper etc.

Advantages
Basements are often moist, clammy with no 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 absolutely ugly after getting 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 growth and gets torn easily. Hence, these options may not be the best for your basement. On the other hand, wall panels are especially manufactured to withstand all sorts of climatic conditions. Hence, they are better equipped with handling the problem of mold and mildew infestation. Another advantage of wall panels is that you get unlimited choice in terms of style, design and color.

Materials
Currently, wood and PVC are preferred choices for basement wall 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 for walls also protects your basement walls from mold, since it undergoes a pretreatment during manufacturing process. Both these options serve the purpose very well, hence the end choice would be yours. However, the best basement wall 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 paneling designs are available in various patterns and colors. PVC wall 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 etc. Wood panels are available in varying sizes to give an elegant touch to your basement walls. You have three options for donning your basement walls, full wall paneling, wainscoting and library. Full wall paneling, as the name suggests include covering up an entire wall with panels. Wainscoting style refers to a style in which only bottom half of the wall is covered in panels, while the rest is painted. While in library style, a checkerboard like pattern in created with panels.

Thus, basement wall panels are indeed very much in demand for their impeccable style and durability. Hence, do not hesitate to ditch paint or tiles and go for this cool option.