The Origins of Architectural Wrapping
When you think of refurbishing a workspace, what comes to mint the first thoughts are about the logistics. Dust, noise, disruption, and the cost. However, the world of design and refurbishment has a solution that can avoid all of that— architectural wrapping.
It’s evolvement and development actually came from the automotive industry. Borrowing from the car Industry Wood became popular in the 1930’s as part of the body work on cars which became known as “woodies”. Who remembers the Morris Minor estate car as recently as the 70’s?
Post War Technology
By the 1950s, the car industry started phasing out real wood by introducing plastic films that mimicked its appearance. The introduction of durable, high-grade PVC’s marked the dawn of the faux-wood revolution. This development allowed manufacturers to offer the desired woodgrain look without the aftercare issues of real wood. In the 1990’s wrapping became even more popular as a retro fit application, part of the “pimping up” process among car enthusiasts.
The Light Bulb Moment
Eventually fleet operators and advertisers quickly saw it as a way to swap out branding or change the colour of a vehicle without the need for costly resprays. It wasn’t long before someone had the “lightbulb” idea: If we can wrap cars, why not other things? From Cars to Commercial Interiors Architectural wrapping has really taken off in the last 10 years or so, as businesses and refurbishers looked for more flexible and sustainable ways to upgrade their interiors.
No Need for the Rip Out
Traditional refurbishments often meant ripping out old surfaces and items and replacing them with new and often expensive replacements. Instead, high-performance films were developed that could adhere to surfaces like wood, metal, glass, and plastic, offering an instant facelift. Hotels, leisure facilities retail stores, and offices began adopting this method, to give tired interiors a fresh lease of life without the usual mess and cost and disruption of renovations.
Facade Wrapping
While interior wrapping gained traction, another problem emerged—outdated and worn-out building exteriors such as spandrel panels and cladding. Instead of repainting or recladding entire facades, large-scale exterior films were developed, allowing businesses to change the look of their premises with durable, maintenance free weather-resistant films.
Why Architectural Wrapping Has Become So Popular? There are a few key reasons why architectural wrapping has become the preferred solution for so many companies:
- Speed & Convenience – Unlike traditional refurbishment, façade wrapping can be applied in a matter of hours or days, with minimal disruption.
- Cost-Effective – At a fraction of the cost of replacing surfaces, such as reception desks, office doors, or an entire building facade.
- Sustainability – Wrapping extends the life of existing materials, reducing land fill and supporting environmentally friendly design.
- Versatility – Available in a vast range of finishes and effects, such as wood grain, marble, concrete and brushed metal, allowing businesses to create stunning aesthetics without high cost.
Why Choose Lustalux?
At Lustalux, we specialise in providing tailored solutions that protect and enhance any building. Whether it’s safety, security, privacy, or energy efficiency, our thirty plus years of experience ensures the right fit for each and every project. If your premises face similar risks, please get in touch—we’d be pleased to help.
Need a safety, security, privacy or solar control upgrade for your building? Contact us today to discuss your options!
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