Wallpapers known for its aesthetic appearance, are also beneficial in terms to the longevity and durability of your walls. Even when working with solid colours wallpaper is most beneficial, durable, and cost efficient since it adds a protective layer to the wall that is cleanable and washable. It further can add very subtle texture and depth for more visual interest which cannot be achieved with just a simple flat coat of paint.
Manufacturers have recently been recreating wallpaper with some advantageous characteristics like blocking WiFi waves, protecting walls from falling during earthquakes, or for lighting purposes by incorporating LEDs.
Types of Wallpaper
1. Liner Wallpaper
Also known as lining paper, this type of wallpaper is made from paper or fiberglass. It is effective for hiding wall defects and minimizing repairs, and it can be a base for more delicate wallpaper types. It can be used alone, and maybe even painted. Moreover, it is easy to apply and remove.
2. Traditional Wallpaper
One of the most popular type. Can be single (simplex) or double (duplex) layered. Cellulose is the main component of the product. They are very ecological, they let walls breathe, therefore they are widely used for bedrooms (children bedrooms especially) and dining rooms. They are very affordable and accessible, can be literary found in any design store. However, the colors fade away in the sun, and they are not washable.
3. Vinyl Wallpaper
This type of wallpaper is composed printed paper coated with a layer vinyl. It is the most commonly used type of wallpaper, currently, because of its high durability. The thicker the vinyl coating layer is, the more durable the wallpaper will be. Vinyl paper can be used in kitchens and bathrooms, as it can of withstanding steam. It is can also be washed, making for easy maintenance.
4. Liquid Wallpaper
They consist of cellulose and cotton fibre. Have to be applied in a liquid form with the help of a special pallet. Such wallpaper have a high level from the clutch surface that allows their use even in rooms with uneven walls, defects and cracks on the surface. It is ecological and easy to use. It has a good thermal and sound insulation. It is composed of natural materials, nontoxic. Allows the wall “to breathe” and controls the amount of moisture in the room. Does not have connecting seams. In a way, it is similar to paint.
5. Bamboo Wallpaper
This type is handcrafted from natural bamboo and glued to paper. It is environmentally friendly, and its hue varies from one roll to another owing to its natural base. However, it requires delicate treatment when gluing and installing as the adhesives can ruin its appearance, and it is not washable.
6. Fibre glass Wallpaper
They are made of glass fibres woven and bonded together to form a sheet material. Due to the way wallpaper is produced they are incredibly strong and provide a great reinforcement to any wall or ceiling. Made from natural non-toxic materials like quartz, soda, lime and dolomite they are considered to be a green product too. They are flame resistant and prevent flames from spreading, a key benefit in fire-safety. After professional application they can be over-painted many times without peeling or even plastered over. Disadvantages of using it are: high price, low flexibility.
CHOICE OF WALLPAPER
The choice of wallpaper comes down to what the purpose of the room will be, how clean can you maintain it and how long will it last based on room usage.
Kitchens, hallways and children’s rooms need water-resistant wallpaper and something that can be cleaned frequently.
Bathrooms can do with moisture-resistant wallpapers but some amount of water destruction is inevitable. Choose the material depending on how long you wish the wallpaper to last.
If you are looking for a long lasting and durable option, the clear winner is solid vinyl wallpaper.
How to install wallpaper: Map out the room
A. Use a roll to lay out the wall Use a full roll of paper as a guide to lay out the room. Butt a roll into the corner where you plan to start, and make a pencil mark on the wall at the edge of the roll. Slide the roll down to that mark, and make another pencil mark at the other edge of the roll. Keep doing this until you know where every seam is going to fall. You may have to cut down the first panel to avoid hanging small strips (3 in. or less) near doors and corners.
B. Work away from the door you enter Wallpaper seams on straight walls are butted, not overlapped, but seams are less visible if you place them at the point farthest from where the first panel was installed. Minimize the visibility of seams by starting in the area opposite the most-used entrance to the room.
C. Start with a plumb line Don’t assume the corner you’re starting in is plumb. Use a level and draw a straight plumb line about 1/4 in. past where you want the first panel of paper to end. Take into account that inside corner seams need to be overlapped at least 1/8 in. For more information, see “Seam Inside Corners” below.
D. Hide the last seam If you’re hanging paper that has a repeatable pattern, the pattern on the last seam is not going to line up, so try to hide it in a low-visibility area. The corner just above the entry is usually the best spot.
TIPS
· Wallpapers fade when exposed to direct sunlight. Therefore, avoid wallpapers on walls that face the sun.
· Moisture-prone walls (like those in the kitchen, bathroom or outside the house) are not ideal for wallpapers.
· Wallpapers are not only for walls. Use it to clad ceilings or even furniture pieces for an impressive detail in the house.
· Working on a tight budget? Use good quality wallpaper to highlight only a column or a niche in the wall.
PICTURE CREDITS - INTERNET
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