In many refurbishment or renovation projects, one of the biggest challenges is dealing with walls that aren’t perfectly flat. But with the right system and approach, you can still deliver a high-quality finish using Multipanel wall panels. Installer spoke to Multipanel, to find out more:
Why panels, not tiles, even on uneven surfaces
Multipanel gives installers the flexibility they want. Its Hydrolock® tongue-and-groove joint is engineered to click into place even if the wall has a bow or deviation of up to 6 mm. That tolerance means less rework on surfaces that haven’t been over-plastered or completely flattened.
Moreover, Multipanel panels can be fixed over existing substrates (such as old tiles, plasterboard, chipboard, or plywood) when appropriately prepared. This reduces demolition or leveling work and speeds up turnaround time.
Preparatory steps: the foundation of a quality install
Even though Multipanel tolerates unevenness, preparation is still key. Start by ensuring the wall is dry, rigid, and clean. Remove any loose finishes such as old paint, wallpaper, tile adhesive, or flaking plaster.
Next, locate and mark studs or solid backing behind the wall. Where hollows or depressions remain, use a suitable filler or battens to level locally. In severe cases, a batten frame may be the best option: it brings the surface back to plumb and can also allow you to hide pipework behind the panels.
Take precise measurements. A consistent height and width plan helps you establish your first panel as a plumb reference, controlling alignment for subsequent panels. Allow panels to acclimatise flat in the room for at least 48 hours before installation, as recommended in Multipanel’s installation literature.
Installation: aligning precision and performance
Begin from a plumb edge (for instance, an adjacent wall or partition) rather than trying to follow every flaw in the existing wall. Because the Hydrolock system can absorb variation, your first panel sets the visual plane.
Adhesive is critical. Use Multipanel’s High Grab Panel Adhesive (or equivalent specification) to achieve strong bonding even where surfaces are not completely uniform.
When you click in the panels with the Hydrolock system, the joint remains watertight while accommodating small variances in alignment.
For deeper irregularities (beyond 6 mm), use adjustment methods – shims, packers behind the panel, or partial batten supports to bring those areas into tolerance.
Seal all joints and edges with appropriate silicone sealant as per Multipanel guidelines to maintain the 30-year warranty.
Dealing with common problem zones
Corners or recesses: Use internal or external corner profiles to maintain clean and watertight transitions.
Over pipes or protrusions: Create rebates or cutouts in the panel backing to pass around pipes, then pack behind these locally to ensure flush alignment.
Large deviations: If a wall is wildly out of plane, a full battens-and-furring approach may be more reliable than attempting to overcompensate with adhesive or packers.
Transitions to other surfaces: Use end caps, profiles, and joint trims to mask minor misalignments at junctions with ceilings, windows, or edges.
Quality, warranty, and certification
When installed correctly and sealed, Multipanel’s system carries a 30-year product warranty against cracking, delamination, blistering, and loss of watertightness.
The panels are made from FSC®-certified exterior grade MDF, with a durable, water-resistant core designed to perform in wet-room conditions.
Warranty coverage depends on proper installation, use of specified adhesive and sealant, and ongoing maintenance.
Summary: why installers trust Multipanel for imperfect walls
Even where walls are less than ideal, Multipanel offers a system that accommodates real-world variation without compromising finish or integrity. With proper prep, the Hydrolock system, and the right adhesive techniques, you can deliver fully waterproof, visually seamless results.
Even if a plastic packer is used to create a 6mm bow in the wall to simulate an un-even wall surface, the hydrolock panel will still lock into place.
