LEVEY HEALTHY WALL SYSTEMS CASE STUDY
Design for Elders and Environment
Lead Designer Silvana Levey Design Name LEVEY Healthy Wall Systems Client Elderly Long-Term Care Facility in Ontario, Canada Categories Improved Life for Elderly and Improved Quality of Life in Environments
THE CHALLENGE
When replacing an existing wallcovering or wallpaper the removal of old material renders large areas of walls in need of re-spackling and sanding, followed by priming with paint. Prior to Healthy Wall Systems, there were typically four (4) unavoidable construction stages, utilizing multiple trades, in the removal and re-installation of durable, decorative commercial wallcovering.
These multiple construction stages, resulting logistics and working scenarios create an unhealthy indoor environment. This negatively impacts the occupied space and its inhabitants in several different ways as described in the following stage outlines.
THE OLD PROCESS
Stage 1 : Removal and Disposal of Old Wallcovering
Commercial adhesives render wallcoverings very strippable. However, at this stage it is unavoidable to eliminate surface imperfections caused by dry adhesive remnants and uneven drywall or plaster areas, even when done by professional wallcovering installers. This stage has minimal effect on the continued use of a premises for inhabitants unless harmful mold or bacteria is uncovered due to moisture entrapment.Stage 2 : Sanding and Re-Spackling of Imperfections
This is a dusty process that lowers Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), forcing inhabitants to relocate. Inhabitants experience stress because personal and service activities are disrupted for the duration of this early stage construction work. There are also increased costs due to the additional sanding and re-spackling subtrade and the thorough cleaning to remove dust particulates from the interior and HVAC systems.Stage 3 : Priming and Preparation of the Walls
After the surfaces are smooth, clean, and free of imperfections; they require the use of primer paint which has negative implications on humidity levels and IAQ. Inhabitants are stressed again as they need to be moved away from the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions. Inhabitant’s lives are disrupted and negatively impacted again by logistics of this phase of construction.Stage 4 : Installation of Commercial Wallcovering
Even when clean new commercial wallcovering is pasted and then hung to the smooth primed walls it could lead to a negative impact on the indoor environment due to moisture entrapment, if the materials used are not permeable, breathable, ECO friendly and LEED Certified. This stage is executed by the professional wallcovering installer, usually the same people who removed the old wall finish in Stage 1.HWS Case Study Video
THE SOLUTION LEVEY Healthy Wall Systems
LEVEY produces customized health conscious wall and surface treatments that enhance interior spaces to be healthier for the inhabitants while being environmentally friendly. Technically our systems are customizable combinations of high-quality LEED/WELL certified interior surface products and installation processes. Levey’s National team and products make installations of wall and surface designs a safe, healthy, and efficient process for both installers and inhabitants, providing peace of mind.LEVEY HWS PROCESS
CASE STUDY
We customized a Healthy Wall System for an Elderly Long-Term Care Facility in Ontario Canada that had moisture buildup challenges due to the local environment. LEVEY customized an HWS that specified the use of Decoveil Glass Fiber Wall Liner, ECO Permeable Adhesive, and Micro-perforated Vinyl Wallcovering. The inhabitants of the facility were able to continue daily routines without interruption or displacement. Only a single professional wallcovering installer was required to execute the entire process from start to finish.Stage 1 : Removal and Disposal of Old Wallcovering
This stage is unavoidable and remains the same. However, in the future, when the time comes to remove one of our HWS finishes it will be free of moisture, mold, and bacteria due to the breathable and antimicrobial nature of our materials.Stage 2 : Priming and Preparation of the Walls
The Wallcovering Installer can prepare walls with dust free materials and process:- Apply ECO Permeable Adhesive to the wall
- Adhere Decoveil Preprimed Wall Liner to Wall
- Smooth the wall liner
- Cut and trim the wall liner to fit corners and edges
Stage 3 : Installation of Commercial Wallcovering
The Wallcovering Installer will complete the project with the following process:- Apply ECO Permeable Adhesive to the pre-hung surface of the wall liner
- Adhere micro-perforated (micro-vented) wallcovering to the wall liner
- Smooth the wallcovering
- Cut and trim the wallcovering to fit corners and edges
Available Wall and Surface enhancements available with a Healthy Wall System can include the following characteristics:
- Installation Efficiency
- Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)Improvement
- Sustainability
- Breathability
- Antimicrobial Surface
- Antibacterial Cleanser Friendly
- Formaldehyde Entrapping
- Moisture Resistant
- Mold Resistant
- Durable
- Scrubbable
- Reclaimable Products
- Fire Resistant
- Acoustically Absorptive
- Lifecycle Cost Savings
Healthy Wall System can achieve all of these characteristics and be done with an efficient installation process that does not cause dust particulates or harmful off-gassing.
Innovation
DecoVeil is an innovative glass fiber, preprimed, wall liner, which provides dust free installation, does not support growth of mold or mildew and along with micro-perforated vinyl wallcovering, the three-part HWS renders walls smooth and easy to disinfect.Aesthetics
Allows specifiers the use of the full range of decorative vinyl products which includes the hospital and nursing home preferred low textured vinyl commercial wallcovering which is least prone to trap bacteria.Functionality
Functionally superior because it is a dust free method of repairing and preparing walls for decorative vinyl. It is a combination of 3 existing Class A fire tested and fire-resistant commercial products. The system is easy to disinfect with hospital grade products and does not lock-in any moisture.Ergonomics
Removal and re-installation of wallcoverings in occupied spaces can now happen without change to the occupant’s daily activities.Durability
The system is a durable, bleach resistant, impact resistant system that has strong lifecycle cost savings.Impact
Occupants health is protected throughout the installation and lifecycle process.Utility
Proven in our Elderly Long-Term Care facility case study to provide ease of installation, cost savings and superior aesthetic result of perfectly smooth (level 4 or level 5) walls.Ecological Compatibility
Eliminates the need for re-spackling compound and for primer step. The glass fiber product is an eco-friendly product derived of sand.The Reality of Production
This specific Healthy Wall System relies on only 3 components which are in existing mass production, therefore the system can be scaled and sold with relative ease. The economy of reduced numbers of trades (social distancing) necessary on a jobsite makes it a demand system for speed and time savings.Emotional Quotient
Inhabitants experience less stress due to less disruptive renovation process with little to no dust impact on their breathing and belongings. Once inhabitants learn about the positive benefits of their new wall treatments, they feel relieved, safe and can enjoy peace of mind that they have a healthier environment to live in.CONSULTATIONS
To learn more about Healthy Wall Systems please feel free to contact LEVEY for a complimentary expert consultation of the entire process or to get specific information for a current project. We are committed to supporting Interior Designers, Architects and Facility Managers to achieve healthier interiors and installation experiences. Please us our instant booking tool or call us to book your consultation. 1-800-588-3990 Business Hours 8am - 6pm EST
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