HG | Surface
HG | Surface
It’s safe to say that wrapping interiors is fast becoming the new phenomenon in the interior design world and in many cases is very much the go-to solution for facilities managers, interior designers and the like.
In this blog we’re going to take you on an Architectural Wrapping journey. We’ll take you way back to start and show you how Architectural Film emerged before discovering exactly and why and where Architectural Film is being used today.
We’ll round things off with predicting the future, and giving on our opinion on what’s next for Architectural Film and how we see this impacting the building industry.
Many of you reading this blog today may be wondering what interior wrapping entails and what is possible. And you might even be starting to think (having read the first two paragraphs) ‘what on earth is an architectural finish?’
Do not worry.
We’ll take a look into what interior wrapping is all about, and where it came from.
So. Let’s address the elephant in the room. What is architectural wrapping?
To put it in simplistic terms architectural wrapping is the process of repurposing existing surfaces within the interior environment with a self-adhesive film. The film is simply applied on top of existing substrates to give them a brand-new look and feel.
No matter the surface, whether that’s flat or even 3D, the architectural films will be able to conform and adhere, making them suitable for a whole host of environments in the interior setting. Not forgetting the products bring the same high-end results a traditional method of refurbishing would deliver.
With over 1500 finishes in the portfolio, from a wide range of pattern groups, the possibilities in interior design are truly endless too.
So, we’ve told you what interior wrapping is. Now we’re going to tell you where it came from.
Believe it or not wrapping is not a new concept, and we’ll let you into a little secret… neither is the concept of interior wrapping. To tell you the truth it’s been around for decades!
So, what’s changed I hear you ask?
In the sign and graphics world we have seen a huge market change over the last 40 years. We have seen a shift from traditional painting on vehicles to where we are today… vehicle wrapping, which boomed in the early 00’s and has continued to blossom to this day.
The ideology of wrapping has definitely transcended into interiors and exteriors, with film products skyrocketing in popularity around the world in recent times, particularly in the Asian, American and Italian markets. It’s safe to say that this trend has now hit the UK market. We are beginning to see this concept of refurbishing used more and more every day.
The products seem to evolve almost as fast as they grow too! With the new technology advancements and new patterns seemingly coming out on the daily, there seems to be no end in the possibilities with architectural film.
Request more info >When asking yourself; where can Architectural Film be applied? You want to actual start thinking about where the product can’t be applied, there you will find yourself a more difficult question to answer.
The beauty of Architectural Film is that it’s a conformable product, meaning that it can apply and adhere to a number of different substrates in the interior and exterior environment. In short, as long as the surface is smooth and proper, it will adhere.
From walls, to tables, to counters, to reception desk, cabinet, cupboards, to facades and much, much more, these products really are the dream product for designers, architects and the like.
However. As illuded to in the introduction of this piece, there are some areas where Architectural Film won’t adhere to, and you really do need to be aware of these. These areas included:
Floors
> Brass, copper and other corrosion-suspectable metals
> Non-sealed concrete and stone
> Non-sealed drywall, including skim-coat
> Fabrics
> Other porous substrates
As established, the conformability of the product allows for this product to be used on a whole host of substrates, which in turn means the films can be used in a whole host of different environments and sectors too.
If the truth be told, we could go on all day about the different sectors and environments we see Architectural Film utilised in but unfortunately, we don’t have all day! So, lets take a look at some of the key ones and also why film is popular in such sectors.
Be inspired >Showrooms? Is what you might be thinking when you see this is the first sector we are talking about in terms of the utilisation of Architectural Film.
But yes, you better believe it, in fact using Architectural Film in the showroom environment is fast becoming our go-to when it comes to projects with these products.
The opportunities in this environment are truly endless, from reception areas, washrooms, meeting rooms and lobbies from an interior perspective then, facades, cladding and window frames from an exterior point of view.
Wrapping is giving a facilities manager the dream one-stop solution for their next refurbishment!
showroom application >Next up is the hotel environment. Trust me when I say, Architectural Film is literally made for this sector. And that’s not even considering the application possibilities.
Hotel refurbishments cost hotels so much money and I’m not just talking about the refurbishment itself. Refurbishment means time wasted, closure and ultimately a lot of money going out when there is no money coming in.
Architectural wrapping can take this stress away.
No mess. No Noise. No closure. Just think about some of the cost savings there. ‘But what about the longevity of the products?’. Architectural film can tick this box too. The products are highly engineered, meaning they are long term (warranty of 12 years) and durable, more than capable to stand up to the rigorous demand of a hotel environment.
hotel applications >The Bar & Restaurant industry is one that has been absolutely decimated over the last two years.
With refurb budget purse strings obviously being tightened over recent times, Architectural Film provides owners with the perfect solution to transform their environment, on a budget! This method of refurbishment can also minimise disruption due to its simplistic application, so likewise to the hotel sector, the bar or restaurant can remain open during the refurbishment period.
Let’s not forget. Architectural Film can bring the same high end finish a traditional method of refurbishing would bring. It really is a no brainer.
Bar applications >Retail is another application that is increasing in terms of the environments being overhauled with Architectural Film opposed to more traditional methods. And when you think about it, it’s quite easy to see why.
Similarly, to the hotel and bar environments, the lack of disruption in this method of refurbishment would be a HUGE win for retailers!
The flexibility the product has too is a great asset in the retail setting. The conformability the film has allows for an application to a whole host of different substrates, from counters, to shop fronts, to feature walls and much, much more.
Design potential is also a big need in this environment as retailers like to create imaginative designs to ‘wow’ their customers. Well, with architectural film you can tick this box too. With 1000’s of patterns at your disposal, you really can do anything with this product. Whatever the design requirement, we can match it.
retail applications >We’ve divulged into the past of Architectural Film and then into the present. The logical next step is to look into the future…. Right?
What is next for Architectural Wrapping?
Let’s take it away…
The popularity of Architectural Film is going only one way and that is up!
As we discussed in recent blogs, we really have only scratched the surface when it comes to the possibilities with these products. We are seeing more and more projects on the daily in more and more different environments. The more cases studies we are seeing the more trust people have in the product to be used in their environment too.
As we like to say here at HG Surface, every surface becomes an opportunity with Architectural Film. And as time goes on, more surfaces become tired or even outdated, providing the perfect opening for film to be utilised.
We predict that the Architectural finishes portfolio is just going to get better and better in the coming years.
Why? I hear you ask. Well. Because it has continued to do so over the recent years, and we have absolutely no reason to believe that this is going to change.
Let’s take 3M DI-NOC range for instance. Over the recent years new patterns like Suedes and Chipboard have come into the portfolio and we have even seen new technology like ‘matte’ films and ‘Abrasion Resistant’ films that have provided us with an offering to our customer like no other product can in the industry. A truly leading-edge solution.
We are certainly keeping our eyes peeled to see what the manufacturers of these films have up their sleeve next!
See the rangeGreen Design. Sustainability. Eco-friendly.
However you want to describe it, it’s here and it’s here to stay.
Of course, the vast majority of our customers see Architectural Film as a product that ticks the sustainability box. For good reason. Wrapping surfaces can extend the life of structurally sound substrates, which ultimately reduces the amount of waste that goes to landfill.
Having said all of that, we can’t get away from the fact the film is a PVC product. But don’t threat! We know that round the corner an e version of architectural film will become readily available in the UK. Helping us provide you with the ultimate sustainable solution in interior and exterior design.
That brings us to the close of our blog all around Architectural Wrapping. We really hope that has broadened your understanding around this brilliant, growing refurbishment solution and has really whet your appetite in terms of what is possible with these products.
Want to find out more? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our team by contacting us on 01977 804714, or you can alternatively email us at hello@teamhg.co.uk.
Have a refurbishment project in mind where you think Architectural Film could be used?
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