These days, the hospitality industry is facing various challenges when it comes to maintaining spaces and refreshing their aesthetics. That’s why more and more hotels, resorts, and other hospitality businesses are turning to advanced polymer films. These films are like a magic fix for many issues. They’re extremely resistant to the wear and tear caused by high foot traffic. What’s more, they let designers change the look of a space really quickly without having to make any major structural changes. Facility managers really love using them because they can be thermally formed to create smooth, seamless surfaces. These surfaces can stand up to the frequent cleaning that’s necessary in public areas, as well as different environmental stressors.
Now, modern surface films are designed to meet three important needs of hospitality operators. First, they offer great impact resistance, which is really important for furniture that gets used a lot. Second, they can tolerate various chemicals, making sure they comply with sanitation standards. And third, they’re stable under UV light, so they’re perfect for sunlit areas. These films have a special layered structure. There’s a protective top coating and a decorative layer that can be customized. This means you can give lobbies and guest rooms a new look without having to replace the main furniture. Also, the installation process has become much more efficient. Special adhesives allow the films to be directly applied onto existing surfaces, which helps to minimize the downtime for business operations.
Environmental certifications are becoming a big deal for hotel branding. Polymer films are playing an important role in green building initiatives. They contribute to sustainable design in several ways. For one, they’re made with high material efficiency, and they last a long time. They’re lightweight, which means less transportation emissions compared to traditional renovation materials. And instead of replacing surfaces, we can just refurbish them with these films, which is in line with the principles of the circular economy. Many manufacturers are now producing films with recycled content and solvent-free adhesives. This makes it easier for hotels to meet the requirements for LEED certification.
For hoteliers who are on a tight budget, surface films are a great option. They can create a five-star look without having to spend a fortune on renovations. One of the best things about these films is their versatility. If there’s damage in a certain area, you can just do a localized repair instead of replacing the entire surface. This can significantly cut down on maintenance costs. Lifecycle analyses show that over a seven-year period, using film solutions for high-wear areas like elevator interiors and front desk surfaces can save 40% to 60% of the costs.
With the development of digital printing technology, hospitality brands now have the ability to create fully customized designs on different surfaces. Whether it’s wall panels that look like marble or cabinet finishes with a woodgrain effect, these films can provide a consistent visual experience across multiple locations. At the same time, they can also adapt to regional design preferences. This technology also helps with rapid prototype development. Hotel chains can test new design ideas in some pilot properties first before rolling them out on a large scale.
There are some really exciting emerging film technologies that are going to change the game in the hospitality industry. Some films are being designed with smart surface capabilities, such as antimicrobial properties and interactive touch responsiveness. Developers are also testing self-healing coatings. These coatings can automatically fix minor scratches, which could potentially make the materials last even longer than the current 10 to 15-year standard. With these innovations, polymer films are set to be long-term solutions for hospitality operators. They’ll help hotels adapt to the changing expectations of guests and the evolving operational requirements.