Altro's hygienic walls: an alternative to tiles

08 December 2023 | Altro Danmark

• Furniture & Interior

downloadFor editorial use only

Tiles or paint on the kitchen walls have long been the only options in Denmark. Altro Whiterock is a hygienic wall covering with great advantages over wall tiles and paint.

When Altro Nordic participated in the food fair Foodexpo in Herning in March, there were several visitors who became very interested in Altro's sanitary wall system; Altro Whiterock FR .

"God, I've been looking for an alternative to tiles on the walls for a long time, as they are difficult to maintain and keep clean," said one of the visitors and continued: "I have bricklayers running to repair all the time." It is expensive”, he said.

40 years of experience globally

This year Altro Whiterock turns 40 years old. The wall system is well known and widespread both in Great Britain and in the rest of the world. It is widely used in restaurants, cafes, airports, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and everywhere else where high hygiene is important.

In Denmark and the Nordic countries, we do not yet have a tradition of hygienic wall cladding in the form of sheets. But with all the advantages of the wall system, the sanitary walls are becoming more and more popular.

Tiles were the only choice for a long time

"Before Whiterock, in Denmark we only had one option when choosing a wall covering, namely tiles. Because only tiles were fire approved in Denmark. This applies to both wet rooms and kitchens, as only tiles are fire approved in Denmark. Wall covering in bathrooms is another matter, as fire requirements are often not a challenge, here throughout the ages tiles and vinyl have primarily been used on the walls," says Altro's technical consultant Kim Thomsen.

"The Altro Whiterock wall system is fire approved for both wet rooms and kitchens, and it opens up new possibilities at home", says Kim Thomsen.

A sanitary and modern alternative to tiles

The technical consultant goes on to say that the wall covering is particularly suitable for commercial kitchens and is a hygienic alternative to tiles.

"Good quality wall tiles are easy to clean, but you move the dirt into the joints when you mop your walls, which makes it difficult to clean the walls", says Kim Thomsen.

Bacteria and dirt cannot settle

Altro Whiterock is an impact-resistant sanitary sheet which is heat-bent around external and internal corners and welded together in joints. It provides a smooth surface, with no places where the dirt can settle.

The wall panels are dirt-repellent, have a wipe-friendly surface that is waterproof and impermeable, even when installed over tiles. Being a fully bonded system with fully sealed edges, supports and joint systems, not only can liquids not penetrate, but there is also nowhere for bacteria to enter. This means that it can be cleaned easily and efficiently.

The solution is therefore both impact-resistant, joint-free and easy to clean.

Worry-free cleaning

"I thought the wall system sold itself. In Denmark, we have the world's highest requirements for food safety. Why not choose a solution that is the easiest to clean? You are freed from worrying about small cracks, shocks or movements in the building, which wall tiles are often challenged with", says Kim Thomsen

He always gets positive feedback from customers who have chosen the wall solution.

"They are very positive, as Whiterock's surface is easy to clean. I think we'll actually soon be where chefs, among others, will be our best ambassadors for our wall surfaces, somewhat in the same way they are for our ergonomic non-slip floors in kitchens. It is important for their working environment and well-being," says the technical consultant.