THE WHITE CLADDING GUIDE / 04

PVC or steel?
Let the space
decide.

White PVC and stainless steel can both form practical wall finishes. The useful choice depends on where the material will sit, what happens beside it and how the different surfaces will meet.

Compare the materials
White wall cladding beside stainless steel wall sheets in a commercial kitchen
MATERIAL STUDY / 04 Two surfaces.
One considered room.
01 THE STARTING POINT

The question is
where, not only which.

A room does not always need the same finish on every wall. White PVC can provide a calm, consistent surface across larger areas, while stainless steel may be appropriate around more demanding work zones.

Begin by dividing the room into areas. Look at daily contact, cleaning, equipment, moisture and any heat exposure. Then check which material and product specification suits each location.

MATERIAL BY MATERIAL

Two finishes with
different strengths.

These are broad characteristics. Always check the particular sheet, its grade and the installation requirements for your project.

01 / WHITE PVC

A consistent
white backdrop.

PVC sheets create a smooth, wipe-clean wall finish. They can be planned across large areas and cut around room features, with compatible profiles used to finish joins and edges.

Consider it for General wall areas, washrooms and working spaces.
Plan carefully around Equipment, impact, heat-adjacent areas and joints.
02 / STAINLESS STEEL

A hard-working
metal surface.

Stainless steel offers a durable, cleanable finish for demanding wall areas. Grade, sheet specification and location matter, particularly in commercial kitchens and food preparation spaces.

Consider it for Selected work zones, splashback areas and tougher settings.
Plan carefully around Grade selection, handling, edges and material transitions.
QUESTIONS TO ASK

Compare the job,
not just the sheet.

01 / LOCATION

Where is the wall?

Map the general wall areas separately from cooking, preparation, washing and equipment zones.

02 / CONTACT

What happens beside it?

Consider routine knocks, equipment movement, cleaning and any conditions specified for that particular area.

03 / APPEARANCE

How should it look?

Decide whether you want a consistent white wall, a visible metal work zone or a planned combination of both.

04 / INSTALLATION

How will it finish?

Work out where each material ends and how joins, corners and exposed edges will be detailed.

A ROOM IN ZONES

Sometimes the
answer is both.

In a commercial kitchen, white PVC may form the main wall finish while stainless steel is used in selected work areas. The split should follow the needs and specification of the space, rather than an arbitrary line across the wall.

Measure and plan the transition before ordering. Consider the edge of each sheet, the supporting surface and the cleaning detail where the materials meet.

Revisit the room-by-room guide
BEFORE YOU CHOOSE

Get the details
on the drawing.

A good material choice becomes easier when you can see the whole wall and every change between surfaces.

01

Mark out each zone

Note the areas proposed for PVC and those being considered for stainless steel.

02

Check the specification

Confirm the appropriate PVC sheet, stainless grade and any project-specific material requirements.

03

Plan every edge

Include corners, joins, openings and the transition between the two materials.

04

Check the fitting method

Follow the relevant supplier’s guidance for substrate preparation, adhesive and finishing components.

EXPLORE THE MATERIALS

Review the
product ranges.

Check the current product details against the needs of your project before choosing a sheet or system.

01 / METAL

For stainless steel

Explore grades and sheet options for selected working areas and commercial interiors.

stainless steel sheets
02 / WHITE PVC

For PVC wall sheets

Compare white PVC options for larger wall areas and other parts of the project.

PVC Cladding Sheets
CONTINUE EXPLORING

Return to the
white PVC guide.

Explore white PVC