Cladding for looks and for wear
Interior cladding comes in many forms: wood boards and slats, veneer panels, high-pressure laminate, metal sheets, composite panels and fibre-cement. Some are chosen for appearance in lobbies, restaurants and boardrooms. Others protect walls in corridors, kitchens, loading areas and washrooms where impacts and cleaning are daily realities.
Each material has its own installation method, from adhesive and concealed clips to screws and reveals. Expansion, panel layout and joint locations should be planned before ordering so the pattern looks deliberate.
Preparing for installation
Cladding depends on a solid, flat backing. Our interior systems crew builds the wall with the right blocking and tolerances for the chosen product, and our carpenters then check the surface before starting.
Lighting, outlets and switches usually sit in or beside cladding, and every cut-out needs to be placed carefully. Our electricians coordinate with carpenters on box locations and device types, so they sit flush and the pattern stays clean. Where lighting is built into a cladding feature, our electrical team installs drivers and controls with access in mind.
- Wood slat and veneer panel cladding
- Laminate and composite panels
- Metal and fibre-cement panels
- Protective cladding for high-traffic corridors
- Cut-outs for power, lighting and devices
What to plan for
Fire performance matters. Wall finishes may be limited by flame-spread requirements depending on the building use, and many wood products need fire-retardant treatment. We check product data against the code and design.
Material variation is another consideration. Natural wood differs from board to board, so we sort and lay out panels for a consistent look. Orders should include extra material for cuts and future repairs.
Finally, think about maintenance. Cladding in corridors takes knocks from carts and chairs, and cladding in kitchens must handle moisture and cleaning products. We help clients choose finishes suited to how the space will be used.