Why Accessories and Adhesives Matter in Hygienic Wall Cladding
In hygienic installations, the role that adhesives and accessories play in ensuring the walls are durable, hygienic and visually seamless is often underestimated. At Hycom, we understand that a complete system - that includes sheets, accessories and adhesive - is what makes a wall truly fit for high-demand environments.
Why Accessories Matter
Accessories may seem like small details, but they are critical for:
Hygiene & Cleanability: Trims reduce dirt traps and prevent bacterial growth, helping maintain a clean and safe environment.
Durability: Accessories protect vulnerable edges and joins from knocks, scrapes, and wear, prolonging the life of your wall cladding.
Aesthetic Finish: Professionally finished walls aren’t just functional. They look sleek and polished too and trims help to create smooth and continuous surfaces that elevate the overall space.
Compliance & Safety: The right accessories help meet hygiene standards and fire safety regulations, giving peace of mind in sensitive environments like healthcare, food preparation, and commercial interiors.
Types of Accessories for Hygienic Wall Cladding
A well-specified system includes a variety of accessories:
Trims: Trims protect edges and provide a clean, finished look. They ensure watertight, hygienic joins that are easy to clean and maintain. Many hygienic wall cladding ranges offer trims in matching colours to blend in perfectly with the sheet. Check out our guide to trims here.
Adhesives: Often overlooked, adhesives are essential for:
- Achieving seamless installation and a smooth wall finish.
- Providing strong bonds suitable for high-traffic areas.
- Maintaining hygienic properties, with non-toxic and chemical-resistant options available.
- Offering ease of application with reliable curing times.
- Helping to ensure that your product has the correct warranty. For example, you can't claim warranty on the product with Altro, unless their full system, including their adhesive, is used.
Selecting the Right Accessories and Adhesive
Choosing the correct accessories and adhesive is as important as selecting the sheets themselves. You should consider:
Sheet type and environment: Different substrates and environments may require specific trims or adhesive types. Two-part adhesives are recommended for any full-sheet installations. A two-part polyurethane adhesive, like AltroFix W139, is suitable for most sound, dry, and stable surfaces (both porous and non-porous), especially in high-humidity areas. For porous surfaces only, single-part high-strength acrylic adhesive like AltroFix W157 is best. Alternatively, AltroFix W639 (a user-friendly MS polymer) is a non-hazardous option also suitable for various dry substrates. Single part adhesives are also recommended for splashbacks of fiddly areas.
It is important to note that when using certain adhesives, adequate training is required before industrial or professional use. You can read more information on that here
Hygiene and durability standards: Always use accessories and adhesives that meet regulatory requirements. Trims must be easy to clean, non-porous, and resistant to bacteria or mold growth. Adhesives used must also be safe, non-toxic, and compatible with cleaning chemicals typically used in these settings. Using substandard products could compromise hygiene and even violate regulatory requirements.
Project planning: It’s wise to include accessory specifications early on in your planning to avoid compatibility issues or delays later down the line.
Availability and Convenience
Most leading wall cladding systems, such as those supplied by Altro and Hycom, offer complete accessory kits. This means you can source trims and adhesives all from one supplier, ensuring full compatibility and simplifying installation. A single source also provides the advantage of warranties, technical support, and peace of mind. However, some colour trims have a longer lead time than the sheets, so you may need to factor this into your project planning.
Conclusion
Accessories and adhesives may not grab the headlines, but they are essential to the performance, hygiene, and aesthetic of your wall cladding. A complete, well-specified system delivers walls that are durable, easy to clean, and built to last in demanding commercial environments.
If you’re planning a project and would like expert advice on choosing the right accessories and adhesives for your hygienic wall cladding, get in touch with the Hycom team today. We’ll help you build a complete solution that looks great and performs even better.
