The Panel Hub® | Commercial-Grade Acoustic Wall Panels for Homes

Tag: Contractors

  • Bulk Buy Wall Panels: What Developers and Contractors Need to Know

    Bulk Buy Wall Panels: What Developers and Contractors Need to Know

    Planning to bulk buy wall panels? Volume panel procurement — ordering panels for multiple rooms, multiple units, or multiple sites at once — is a different process to ordering for a single residential project. Lead times, batch consistency, delivery logistics, storage, and pricing all operate differently at scale, and getting the procurement process right saves money, prevents programme delays, and avoids the quality consistency problems that can arise from multiple small orders.

    Why Ordering in Volume Matters

    Batch Consistency

    The most important reason to place a single large order rather than multiple smaller ones is batch consistency. Natural wood products are manufactured in production batches, and colour, grain character, and finish tone can vary between batches — sometimes in ways that are visible when panels from different batches are installed in the same or adjacent spaces. A single large batch order eliminates this risk entirely.

    Volume Pricing

    Volume orders typically attract preferential pricing. The economics of manufacturing, packing, and delivering a large order in a single run are more efficient than multiple smaller orders, and suppliers pass a portion of this saving to the buyer. Contact The Panel Hub trade team to discuss pricing for orders above a specific volume threshold.

    Programme Certainty

    For construction projects with fixed programme dates, having panels confirmed and ordered well in advance of the installation window eliminates the risk of supply delays affecting the programme. Last-minute panel orders are the most common cause of installation delays on commercial projects.

    Lead Times for Volume Orders

    Large-volume orders typically require longer lead times than single-unit quantities. For the most popular products in the GroovePanel®, SoundPanel™, and RockSurface® ranges, stock is maintained for shorter lead times. For high-volume orders or less common finishes, confirm lead time with the supplier before the specification is locked into the construction programme.

    Delivery Logistics for Large Orders

    Large panel orders require careful delivery planning. Key considerations include:

    • Site access: Confirm that the delivery vehicle can access the site and unload safely — panel deliveries on pallets require forklift access or a pump truck, and construction sites vary significantly in their access constraints
    • Storage: Panels must be stored flat, dry, and away from direct sunlight before installation. Confirm that adequate storage space is available on-site before delivery
    • Phased delivery: For large developments, phased delivery — panels delivered to site in quantities aligned with the installation programme — is often more practical than a single large delivery

    Wastage Allowance for Volume Orders

    For volume orders of wood wall panels covering multiple units or rooms, a standard 10% wastage allowance is typically sufficient. For projects with complex geometries, many cuts around doors and windows, or non-standard room sizes, allow 15%. Order the full quantity in a single batch — ordering additional panels later risks colour and finish inconsistency if production batches have changed.

    Volume Procurement from The Panel Hub

    The Panel Hub works with developers, main contractors, and fit-out contractors on volume panel procurement. Contact the trade team to discuss your project’s quantity requirements, lead time, delivery logistics, and pricing.

  • Wall Panel Installation for Contractors: What You Need Before You Start

    Wall Panel Installation for Contractors: What You Need Before You Start

    Wall panel installation for contractors is straightforward — but only if the pre-installation preparation is done correctly. The most common causes of panel installation problems are substrate issues (uneven, damp, or poorly prepared walls), incorrect adhesive selection, inadequate planning for cuts and edge conditions, and insufficient curing time before the space is put back into use.

    This guide is written for contractors installing wall panels in residential, commercial, and hospitality environments. It covers what needs to be confirmed before installation begins, not during it.

    Substrate Assessment: The Make-or-Break Step

    Flatness

    Wall panels require a flat substrate. Use a 2m straight edge or spirit level to check the wall for high and low spots. Any deviation greater than 3mm over 2 metres needs to be addressed before panel installation. Options include: skim coat plaster to flatten high spots, batten out the wall to create a flat fixing surface, or use a flexible adhesive with gap-filling capacity for minor variations.

    Moisture

    Panels should not be fixed to damp substrates. Check moisture content with a moisture meter — the substrate should read below 75% relative humidity before panel installation proceeds. New plaster requires a minimum of 28 days to cure before it’s dry enough for panel installation; check moisture levels rather than relying on the date.

    Structural Integrity

    The substrate must be structurally sound and bonded to the wall behind it. Loose plaster, delaminating plasterboard, and poorly bonded screeds are not suitable substrates for adhesive panel installation. Identify and remedy any structural issues before installing panels.

    Adhesive Selection

    The correct adhesive depends on the panel material and the substrate type. Key considerations:

    • Panel weight — heavier panels require stronger adhesive systems
    • Substrate type — plasterboard, concrete, masonry, and existing tiles all require specific adhesive formulations
    • Environmental conditions — temperature and humidity during installation affect adhesive cure time and initial grab
    • Open time — the working time available after applying adhesive before the panel must be positioned

    Always follow the panel manufacturer’s adhesive recommendations. Using the wrong adhesive type is one of the most common causes of panel bond failure.

    Planning Cuts and Edge Conditions

    Before fixing any panels, complete a full dry-run layout on the floor to plan the placement of every panel and every cut. Identify:

    • Where cut panels fall — avoid very thin cuts at visible edges
    • How corners are handled — internal and external corners need specific details
    • How panels terminate at skirting, architrave, door frames, and ceiling line
    • Where service penetrations (sockets, switches, data points) fall within the panel layout

    Site Conditions During Installation

    Temperature and humidity during installation affect adhesive performance. Most panel adhesives require installation temperatures above 5°C and below 35°C. In cold or damp conditions, allow longer curing times before applying any load to the panels. Keep the space ventilated during and after installation to support adhesive cure.

    Handover and Snagging

    Before handing over a panel installation, inspect the completed work for:

    • Panel alignment — check slats and joints are parallel and consistent across the wall
    • Edge condition quality — sealant beads should be smooth and colour-matched
    • Panel security — check that all panels are fully bonded with no hollow-sounding areas
    • Surface cleanliness — remove adhesive residue from panel faces before it cures

    Contact The Panel Hub for bulk order wood wall panels, or request technical installation data sheets for any product in the range before beginning installation on a new project.