The popularity of plastic wall cladding grows a little each year in new construction and remodeling projects because of its durability, smooth finish and low-maintenance care. The uses for plastic wall clad include bathrooms, kitchens, food prep areas, wash rooms, ceilings and exteriors. When compared to other finishings, such as brick, stucco, tile and wood, plastic wall systems are the most cost efficient.

Budgeting for plastic cladding includes budgeting for the materials and labor. If you're a real estate developer or homeowner, you'll need plastic wall cladding contractors and suppliers, which increases the budget. When comparing the costs of plastic wall panels, consider the following:

1. Plastic wall cladding with faux designs and textures may cost more than traditional, solid colored cladding.

2. Negotiations on the pricing of wall cladding is possible if the supplier is giving you the materials and contractor for the work.

3. External plastic cladding doesn't differ from interior cladding too much, so you can use the cost of interior cladding to help budget for exterior cladding.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use online estimates from plastic wall cladding providers

Certain suppliers offer online estimates that take into consideration the square footage and type of siding needed. While these estimates aren't exact costs of plastic cladding, they give buyers a ballpark figure and help with budgeting. For example, one estimation calculator quotes a range of $7,700 to $11,000 as a good deal for 2,200 square feet of exterior, while also warning buyers to ask lots of questions for prices over the $16,000 range.

I recommend: Siding4U.com offers an online estimation calculator that gives homeowners and real estate professionals general estimates before shopping for cladding. Ginter Siding and Windows offers three different explanations on how to determine the amount of plastic wall clad you need to help figure out costs.

Compare the pricing of plastic wall paneling

Cost comparison is very important when shopping for vinyl wall cladding. There are suppliers who quote outrageous prices for cladding sold at a number of retailers. There are also providers that have low prices, but don't work with high quality materials. On average, the range for vinyl siding is $5 to $8.50 per square foot.

I recommend: Visit different sites like The Vinyl Siding Zone and QualitySmith for cost comparisons. The Vinyl Siding Zone even gives a price breakdown that includes installation costs.

Remember that local home improvement stores also offer plastic cladding

Large chain stores, while occassionally higher priced than average, are sometimes the best place for finding a product quickly. Contractors and redesigners can use online services for a number of large home improvement stores, including checking the current cost.

I recommend: The Home Depot lists costs for vinyl siding and accesorries with a range from $6 to over $120. Lowe's is another large store that offers plastic cladding with price ranges from $9 to $15 per piece.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When creating a budget and pricing plastic wall cladding, get all the warranty information. The terms and conditions of the warranty are just as important as the type of cladding purchased.

Plastic wall cladding is a popular product for home and business owners. These plastic wall panels are easy to clean, smooth to the touch, easily disinfected, durable and available in a variety of colors and faux textures. External wall plastic cladding also is popular with those who want a low-maintenance exterior.

If you're an independent contractor or own a construction firm, offering plastic wall construction will improve your business. If you're a Realtor, knowing a contractor who specializes in plastic wall clad helps increase your number of future clients. You will find that both business and residential clients desire plastic wall paneling.

When offering plastic wall systems, consider the following:

1. Offer plastic cladding in a variety of colors and faux finishes.

2. Tell clients that plastic wall cladding molds fit over tile and other previous finishings, which reduces the amount of reconstruction costs and time.

3. Have a selection of vinyl wall cladding for the exterior of homes, too.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Create a plastic wall panel portfolio for clients

Selling the benefits of plastic wall construction to clients is easier if you have a book full of different samples. Plastic wall cladding suppliers offer different samples to contractors and businesses for free. Diversify your sample portfolio by providing cladding squares of different colors, textures and sizes. Clients will appreciate samples with a large surface area that they can hold up to the wall and see if they like it.

I recommend: Find plastic wall cladding at American Floor Products Company, Inc. Get a free Parqwall sample from Kenmark Incorporated.

Offer plastic cladding options for both residential and business clients

Homeowners want decorative plastic wall systems for their bathrooms, showers and utility rooms. However, business owners want options for ceilings, meeting room walls and commercial food preparation.

I recommend: Visit EC Plaza Network, Inc. for business appropriate cladding. Extrutech Plastics, Inc. offers professional plastic wall clad.

Select external plastic cladding based on appearance and durability

When working with external cladding, take into consideration your clients needs and desires. External cladding is either solid or hollow, with solid cladding being stronger and more durable. Hollow cladding is more cost effective, but won't hold up to the wear and tear of environmental factors like solid cladding.

I recommend: Look over a selection of solid and hollow external cladding at H & F Manufacturing Corporation. Find external cladding and plastic cladding components at PermaTherm.net.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When searching for plastic wall cladding contractors to add to your referral network, look for contractors with a few years experience, a portfolio of previous work and written references.

Plastic wall cladding has taken a place alongside of wood, stone, brick and stucco, for providing stylish building exteriors. Industrial and residential settings utilize plastic wall clad interiors, especially for bathrooms and kitchens where sanitation is an issue. Advantages of plastic wall construction include ready availability, sanitation, weatherproofing, and cost. Plastic wall panels are lightweight and easy to install. Maintenance of plastic wall panels compares favorably with higher cost methods of wall cladding, particularly where high moisture conditions exist.

Competing in the construction market today means considering plastic wall systems. Often, plastic wall cladding is the most economical method of facing for both interior and exterior walls. Typically, contractors used plastic wall cladding for updating older buildings, but increasingly, they use it for new construction as well. As traditional wood, stone, and metal systems become more expensive, plastic systems will increase in popularity.

When considering vinyl wall cladding, a contractor should take into account:

1. Quality of the plastic wall systems you want to handle.

2. Correct methods of installing plastic wall panels.

3. Versatility of plastic wall cladding.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about plastic wall cladding available to create stylish interiors and exteriors

Plastic wall cladding providers supply a wealth of information on all aspects of plastic wall construction. Manufacturers and suppliers are eager to help you with sales, installation, maintenance and service of plastic wall systems.

I recommend: Dumaplast Extrusion demonstrates a number of uses for plastic wall paneling and includes installation instructions. Hygienic Plastics Limited includes selecting material, figuring correct amounts of plastic wall panel, costs, and installation of plastic panels.

Learn the latest techniques used for installation of plastic wall systems

Plastic wall cladding suppliers provide detailed installation instructions for both interior and exterior wall plastic cladding. Instructions include measuring, fitting, cutting and fastening.

I recommend: K P Building Products is a very good source for learning the best methods of installing exterior wall plastic cladding, including examples of how-to and how-not-to cut and fasten siding. Partwell Group typifies manufacturers' instructions for installing interior plastic wall panels, relying on adhesives for fastening.

Take advantage of plastic wall cladding education and training

Manufacturers and wholesalers furnish assistance with selling the appropriate plastic wall panel to your customer. Their information includes help with selecting thickness, color and size of product, as well as information to contact plastic wall cladding providers and contractors.

I recommend: 4 Specs.com directs you to a variety of sites that demonstrate the many uses of plastic wall paneling. Consumer Reports approaches the selection of vinyl siding from the customer's viewpoint, focusing on quality and durability of the material, and should be very helpful to the contractor who wants to deal with an informed, satisfied customer.