Decorative cornices are used to mask the roughly finished top edges of a room where the walls meet the ceiling, adding a pleasant aesthetic to the overall interior.
Cornices can be manufactured from hardwood or decorated/painted plaster, and in recent years moulded polystyrene – the lightweight and versatile expanded polystyrene (EPS), with many other benefits.
Insulation
Expanded polystyrene is an excellent insulator, totally inert and highly resistant to moisture and water damage, as well as damage to the walls sometimes caused by insects known to attack wood and other organic materials.
Thus, cornices manufactured from EPS provide the added advantage of insulation, protecting corners in kitchens and bathrooms susceptible to moisture and mould. Furthermore, EPS is resistant to any impact and denting, keeping its shape and form in place as long as needed.
Isowood produce extruded skirting boards and dado rails, which come in standard 3 meter lengths, for the built environment market. Isowood products have a ‘wood like’ appearance and pose as a viable alternative to hardwood. Isowood is manufactured to a finished shape and colour; therefore, avoiding the use of chemically based stains, paints and solvents – which are typically used to treat hardwood products.
Installation
Builders are more likely to install EPS cornices because the material is lightweight and more comfortable to transport and handle than hardwood, for example, which reduces time and cost with the final application considerably.
Also, polystyrene cornices can be applied easily on any ceiling surface. There is little to no preparation done to the material before installation. If the cornices are too long, builders can easily cut them before the installation begins.
The cornice surface does not need undercoat treatment as hardwood does, for example, and can be painted in any colour before application as desired.
The installation of polystyrene cornices only requires an adhesive glue that works to bind the cornices to the ceiling and wall surface.
In conclusion, expanded polystyrene proves to be a durable and cost-effective option for the manufacturing and installation of decorative cornices.
Isowall produces Isocornice, a wide range of decorative cornices for every style and budget, made from expanded polystyrene. Click here for a short guide to install Isocornice.
We recommend using our special bonding glue, Isoglue, for best results with the Isocornice range. Click here to learn more about Isoglue.
Isowall is the supplier of choice within Africa for Insulated Sandwich Panel, EPS and EPP products. Contact us for more information.
