Wallcoverings for Healthcare: Cleanability, Antifungal Layers and Low-VOC Inks

Healthcare interiors are moving away from bare painted walls towards colour, imagery and wayfinding, because they help patients orient, calm and recover. The wall still has to meet clinical demands.

Fire

Corridors and patient areas almost always require a classified material. Specify Fabric Backed FR+ or DuraFlex FR (B-s1,d0 and ASTM Class A).

Cleaning

Vinyl-faced fabric-backed materials tolerate regular wiping with mild detergent. UVgel prints have shown the highest abrasion and scrub resistance in benchmark tests against latex and eco-solvent inks (EN 12956 / EN 259-1).

Indoor air

Occupants include the most chemically sensitive people in any building. UVgel ink is VCL-free and emits no hazardous air pollutants (TNO tested). It is GREENGUARD Gold certified and evaluated odourless, so wards can be reoccupied quickly.

Humidity and mould

Malaysian buildings fight condensation. Prime walls with an alkali-resistant, moisture-preventing primer, use a mould-resistant adhesive, and choose materials with an antifungal layer where the wall is not a fire-rated area.

Imagery

Paediatric wards and waiting rooms benefit most. The Bambino collection is designed for exactly this, and calm botanical scenes from Palmera suit adult wards and lounges.