Cladding panels from BePlas give commercial interiors a hygienic, durable and easy to clean finish. If you manage food production, healthcare, labs ora busy washroom space, the wall surface is doing more than looking tidy. It protects processes, speeds cleaning and supports audits.
What to know in 30 seconds
- Hygienic cladding stops moisture ingress and bacterial harbourage.
- BePlas panels are reliable, proven and backed by strong technical support.
- The right fixing method and joint detail are as important as the sheet.
- Get the substrate flat, select food safe sealants, and plan cleanable junctions.
- Octego designs, supplies and installs complete systems that work with floors, ceilings, doors and cold rooms.
Where cladding panels make sense
Hygiene critical rooms. High splash zones. Corridors that take knocks. Anywhere you want fast, clean downs and a consistent finish. Typical areas include production lines, commercial kitchens, prep rooms, laboratories, clinical spaces, chilled rooms and staff welfare areas that see heavy use.
Internal cladding options at a glance
| Panel option | Hygiene performance | Impact resistance | Heat and moisture tolerance | Typical uses | Notes |
| PVC hygienic sheets | Excellent when sealed | Good with backing | High moisture tolerance | Food prep, kitchens, washrooms | Smooth, non porous, quick to clean |
| uPVC planking systems | Very good | Good | Good in wet areas | Back corridors, staff areas | Faster to install on large runs |
| GRP laminate sheets | Very good | Very good | Good | Heavy duty production | Tough in high traffic routes |
| Stainless steel sheets | Excellent surface | Excellent | Excellent for heat | Cooklines, hot zones | Handles thermal shock and aggressive cleaning |
| Polypropylene or HDPE | Good | Very good | Good | Impact prone areas | Useful behind trolleys and bins |
PVC, GRP, or stainless
Pick by risk, traffic and cleaning chemistry. PVC gives a smooth, cost effective, food safe face. GRP absorbs more impact in forklift or trolley routes. Stainless suits hot cooklines and harsh detergents. In mixed use sites, combine options by zone to balance cost and performance.
Details that make hygienic cladding last
Substrate preparation
We start by making the substrate flat, dry, and sound. We line with ply, cement board, or prepared masonry, then level and control vapour where needed so sheets sit true and bonds last.
Joints and trims
We match the joint to the hygiene risk. In standard zones, we use neat trims; in high risk areas we weld or thermoform corners for continuous wipe clean lines, and we seal every penetration with movement allowance to avoid gaps.
Adhesives and sealants
We only use manufacturer approved, food safe adhesives and sealants, selected for the substrate and room conditions. We check compatibility with your cleaning chemicals and hot washdowns, apply even beads, bed the sheets correctly, and allow full cure before sign off.
Services and penetrations
We coordinate services before set out. We box out pipework, fit gaskets or sleeves, add discreet access panels, and keep edges visible and smooth so inspections are quick and cleaning is simple.
Floors, ceilings and doors
We treat the room as one system. Floors turn up into the cladding, skirtings are capped, ceilings are hygienic, and vulnerable corners and reveals are protected with stainless steel. At cold room thresholds, we add falls and thermal breaks so meltwater drains away.
Our trusted supplier: BePlas
We specify BePlas for premium hygienic cladding panels and profiles. The range is wide, the accessories are comprehensive and technical data is clear. That support matters on complex projects. It means faster approvals and fewer surprises during install.
How Octego delivers end to end
We coordinate the whole envelope so that installations perform on day one and year five.
Survey and design
We start on site, walking every space with you. We note processes, temperatures, cleaning methods and traffic routes. Substrates are checked, services are mapped and risk zones are agreed. From that, we select the right BePlas panel grade and thickness, plus corner, trim and termination details. You receive drawings, a specification and a compliance pack covering hygiene, fire and maintenance.
Supply and install
Materials arrive in a planned sequence, so areas are always ready. Our manufacturer approved installers set out with lasers, prepare substrates and fix panels to the agreed pattern. Dust is controlled, access is managed and the site stays clean. We can phase works to reduce disruption. Every stage is checked for bond strength, alignment and seal quality before we hand over.
Integrate the room
Cladding is only one part of a hygienic envelope. We coordinate floors that turn up into the walls, hygienic ceilings, doors and protections so there are no dirt traps. Cold rooms, thresholds and drainage are detailed with falls, coves and thermal breaks so water goes where it should and finishes remain stable. Penetrations are sealed with gaskets and flush access where maintenance is needed.
Maintain and improve
At completion, you receive cleaning guides, a list of compatible chemicals and warranties. We offer planned inspections to keep seals sound and panels secure. If your process changes, we can extend the system, add stainless guards or refresh high impact zones so the room stays compliant and easy to clean.
Quick answers
Are cladding panels better than tiles for hygiene?
Yes. No grout lines. Fewer ledges. Faster cleaning. Better moisture control when correctly sealed.
Can you retrofit over damaged plaster?
Often yes. We can line out first to create a flat face, then bond and mechanically fix new panels.
Do you work in live facilities?
We can phase works to reduce disruption, with dust control and clean handovers for audited spaces.
What about fire and compliance?
We align specifications to the intended use and building regulations, and provide documentation for sign-off.
Why choose Octego
Experience across food, drink, healthcare and industrial settings. Designers who think about cleaning realities. Installers who understand junctions. Project managers who keep programmes on track. One team that delivers a hygienic interior that is easy to live with.
Ready to upgrade your walls?
Talk to us about BePlas cladding panels that suit your space, budget and cleaning regime. We will design it right, install it cleanly and support you long term.
Take a look at our Hygienic Cladding services, or call us on 01444 405269.
And, if you’re looking for another great read, try our recent blog on what exactly Project Managers do!
FAQs
What Are Hygienic Cladding Panels?
Hygienic cladding panels are non porous wall sheets that seal out moisture and dirt. They create smooth, easy to clean surfaces for food, healthcare, labs and washrooms, reducing bacterial harbourage and cleaning time.
Why Specify BePlas For Cladding Panels?
BePlas offers proven hygiene performance, robust accessories and clear technical data. The range covers PVC, profiles, trims and sealants, so we can deliver compliant, consistent finishes across mixed risk zones.
Can You Retrofit Over Tiles Or Damaged Plaster?
Often yes. We level the substrate or line with ply or cement board, then bond and mechanically fix new BePlas cladding panels. This avoids full strip out and reduces downtime.
How Do You Ensure Hygiene And Compliance?
We design junctions, corners and penetrations to be fully sealed and cleanable. Specifications align to the room use and regulations, with documented fire, hygiene and maintenance data for sign off.
Are Cladding Panels Suitable Near Heat And Steam?
Yes with the right material and detailing. PVC suits general wet areas. Stainless steel or GRP can be used near cooklines or aggressive cleaning. We zone the space and specify accordingly.
What Cleaning Chemicals Are Compatible?
Use BePlas approved, food safe cleaners. Avoid harsh solvents not listed in the data sheet.
How Long Does Installation Take In A Live Facility?
Timelines depend on area size and substrate condition. We can phase works to limit disruption and keep audited spaces operational, with clean handovers for each section.
Do You Coordinate Floors, Ceilings And Doors With The Cladding?
Yes. We turn resin or vinyl floors up into the cladding, use hygienic ceilings and cap skirtings, and protect door reveals. This removes dirt traps and speeds cleaning across the whole room.