What are the different types of panels available at Material Depot?

Decorative panels are one of the most-shopped categories at Material Depot, because a well-chosen panel transforms a plain wall into a designed feature - behind a TV, bed, dining table, in foyer entries, on exterior facades, or as a ceiling accent. We stock over 6,500 panel SKUs across 7 sub-categories and 5 material families.

By SUB-CATEGORY (what kind of panel):

1. Louvers - also called fluted panels or rafters (all three terms describe the same product). Vertical-groove panels in continuous strips, used on feature walls, TV unit back panels, bed back walls, dining accent walls, foyer features, ceiling soffits and exterior cladding. By far the largest panel sub-category at MD with 4,600+ SKUs.

2. 3D Wall Panels - sculpted relief surfaces with depth: hexagonal, wave, brick, diamond, organic-curved patterns. Used as hero feature walls in living rooms, behind beds, in foyers and commercial reception areas.

3. Decorative Wall Panels - flat panels with printed, embossed or laminated decorative surfaces. Wood-look, stone-look, marble-look, fabric-look, leather-look and geometric prints. Used for wall cladding and accent walls.

4. Exterior Wall Panels - weather-rated panels designed for outdoor use: facades, compound walls, balcony cladding, exterior columns. Most are WPC or aluminium-composite.

5. PU Stone Panels - lightweight polyurethane panels with realistic stone texture (brick, slate, ledger stone, cobble). Lightweight enough to fix to drywall, look like real stone. Used for feature walls, fireplace surrounds, exterior accents.

6. Acoustic Panels - fabric-wrapped or perforated panels that absorb sound. Used in home theatres, recording rooms, offices, restaurants, classrooms.

7. Alabaster Sheets - translucent natural-look sheets that glow when backlit. Luxury hero installations: pooja unit back panels, premium bar walls, high-end ceiling features.

By MATERIAL (what the panel is made of):

1. Charcoal / Polystyrene - lightweight EPS-based panels, the most affordable, easy DIY installation with adhesive.
2. PVC - fully waterproof, suitable for bathrooms, wet areas and bathroom feature walls.
3. MDF (medium-density fibreboard) - premium interior feel, paintable, dimensionally stable.
4. HDF (high-density fibreboard) - denser and more durable than MDF, used for high-traffic feature walls.
5. WPC (Wood-Plastic Composite) - weather-rated, used for exterior cladding, balconies, soffits and ceiling outdoor applications.

An important clarification: 'louvers', 'rafters' and 'fluted panels' all describe the same product category - vertical-groove decorative panels. Different brands and designers use different terms, but the product is the same.