Which wallpaper is better to choose for your home: a comparison of vinyl, non-woven and paper wallpapers


The store offers a large number of wallpapers. It is difficult to choose from them the ones that are suitable for home. We will analyze and compare the main types of decorative material, determine which wallpapers are best for different rooms.

Types of wallpapers

Most wallpapers belong to one of three groups.

Paper

The basis of the material is pure cellulose. This determines its properties. It is environmentally friendly, vapor-permeable, but at the same time vulnerable to moisture, not wear-resistant and short-lived. There are two types of paper sheets: single-layer, or simplex, and two-layer, also known as duplex. The double finish is denser, lasts longer, and easier to paste. The simplex is very short-lived and difficult to glue. They produce duplex and simplex with a moisture-resistant protective layer, such models are called “washable”. However, they cannot be fully washed; only easy cleaning with a damp cloth is possible.



Non-woven

The raw materials for the production of non-woven fabric are cellulose and polyester. The fibers are pressed into a non-woven fabric, which retains all the advantages of paper, but is devoid of most of its drawbacks. It is vapor-permeable, environmentally friendly, does not deform when moistened, retains its shape for a long time, and is durable. Non-woven wallpapers do not have a very wide range of colors, this is due to the peculiarities of the material. Therefore, most of them are intended for subsequent painting. In addition, they produce a wide range of non-woven fabrics.



Vinyl

The common name for two-layer fabrics with a protective layer of polyvinyl chloride. It is applied to non-woven fabric or paper – they are “responsible” for keeping the finish on the wall. The PVC film gives the material moisture resistance, resistance to aggressive chemicals, high wear resistance and low sensitivity to UV radiation. At the same time, the finish loses its vapor permeability. There are two types of vinyl.

Foamed. During the production process, the polyvinyl chloride applied to the substrate is foamed. Due to this, a high-thickness relief coating is obtained. It hides bumps well, is soft, rather loose. Therefore, it is quite difficult to clean it.

Flat or hot stamping. The technological process involves drawing a pattern on a pre-laid layer of polyvinyl chloride. At the next stage, the pattern is hot-stamped. The result is a moisture and wear-resistant cloth that can be washed with a brush. The choice of colors and textures of flat vinyl is very large. This is not only a finish with a wide variety of patterns, but also a high-quality imitation of fabrics, concrete, wood, and other materials.



We compare which wallpapers are better: vinyl, non-woven or paper

In order not to be mistaken in choosing which wallpapers are best to paste in the room, you need to know their properties. Let us compare the main characteristics of all types of decorative material.

Wear resistance and service life

No one wants to make repairs too often, so special attention should be paid to the durability and durability of the canvases. The most “gentle” and short-lived ones are paper wallpapers, especially simplex. They will last no more than four to five years. The paper burns out, becomes covered with non-removable stains, and breaks. Non-woven fabric will last longer, about eight to ten years. Its weakest points are its photosensitivity and vulnerability to mechanical damage. Therefore, do not subject the material to severe abrasion or stick it on the sunny side. The most resistant to all types of impact is vinyl, especially flat vinyl. It has almost no restrictions on operating conditions and lasts more than 12-15 years.

Sustainability

Paper and non-woven fabric are recognized as completely safe for humans and pets. They are based on natural fiber. Vinyl is made from artificial compounds, so its hazard potential is higher. High-quality polyvinyl chloride is absolutely safe for humans, but it is not always possible to say that this was the one used to make the canvas. Given that the area covered with the material is quite large, even if you have a certificate of conformity, it is better to refrain from covering children’s rooms and bedrooms with vinyl.



Moisture resistance

The ability of the material to absorb and release moisture determines its hygroscopicity and moisture resistance. Paper and non-woven fabric are hygroscopic. They are easily soaked in water, which spoils them over time. This is mostly typical for paper canvases, but non-woven ones also suffer from excess moisture. Therefore, they can only be applied in dry rooms. Even if the material is marked “washable”, they should not be placed near a sink, shower, etc. Only vinyl, especially embossed vinyl, is considered completely moisture resistant and non-hygroscopic. It can be applied in rooms with high humidity.

Susceptibility to dirt and cleaning

It is easy to stain and the most difficult thing to clean is the porous surface. This is exactly what paper and non-woven fabrics have. Given their high hygroscopicity and sensitivity to moisture, they can only be cleaned by dry methods. Therefore, it is best to stick them where the risk of severe contamination is minimal. Foamed vinyl is also porous, but it is moisture resistant and dirt can be washed off gently. The most impervious to dirt is embossed vinyl. But even if it gets dirty, you can wash it, brush it, use household chemicals.

The ability to mask minor defects

Ideally, the surfaces for gluing are leveled, but this is not always the case. Thick embossed wallpapers best mask minor defects in the form of irregularities or dark spots. Foamed vinyl is the leader here. A textured dense duplex will do a little worse. It’s important. The canvas must be matte, by no means glossy. Otherwise, you will not be able to hide the shortcomings. Non-woven fabric for painting will help to mask stains on the base. You need to know that the material itself is thin and almost transparent, but a layer of paint will hide stains.



The complexity of gluing

Often, the finish is glued independently, so it is important that this is not difficult. The easiest way is to paste non-woven fabric. The glue is applied only to the wall, the wet material stretches a little and does not shrink. The main difficulty is the meter-wide strip, which some people find inconvenient. The most difficult thing is to glue the simplex. It soaks, breaks, and sits on the wall after drying. The duplex is denser, so for high-quality gluing, its lower layer must be soaked. It is also prone to shrinkage, joints can diverge. The complexity of gluing vinyl depends on its base. The easiest way is to stick the material on the non-woven fabric.

Price

In any price segment, there are coatings on different bases. However, most often you can find a simplex, and sometimes a duplex, among the most inexpensive materials. Washable paper and duplex are slightly more expensive. Traditionally, non-woven fabric for painting or with a pattern is more expensive. Almost as much or a little more will have to be paid for foamed vinyl on paper or non-woven fabric. The most expensive is embossed vinyl flooring.



Which wallpapers are better to choose for the kitchen, bedroom, other rooms

When choosing a finishing material, they focus not only on its appearance, but also on the purpose of the room in which it will be glued. Let’s figure out which wallpaper is best for different rooms.

Sala

There are no difficult operating conditions, but the appearance is very important — the living room is considered the “face” of the house. Embossed vinyl canvases of any design, for example, silkscreen printing or other imitation, are suitable, and foamed vinyl is also suitable. A budget, but no less attractive option would be paper. If you do not want to re-glue the finish, choose non-woven fabric for painting.



Children’s room

The main requirement for this room is complete safety. It is important to choose a finish that will not release toxins or allergens. Paper will be the leader here. In the budget version, this is a simplex. True, it will last for two or three years, but then it is easy to replace it with a new finish. Duplex or non-woven fabric is also suitable for children’s rooms. But it is not desirable to paste vinyl. It should be understood that children often spoil the finish, so you need to be prepared to replace it frequently.



The bedroom

The room is designed for rest and relaxation. The environmental friendliness of the material is important here. All types of paper are optimal, they are also the cheapest. You can paste non-woven fabric: colored or paintable. Vinyl canvases should not be glued.



Cuisine

A “problem” room with sudden changes in temperature and a periodic increase in humidity. Moreover, people constantly gather here, so abrasion or damage to the finish is possible. Many people doubt which wallpaper is better for the kitchen: vinyl or non-woven. The answer is unequivocal: embossed vinyl. Under such conditions, it will be able to preserve its properties and attractive appearance. Non-woven, foamed vinyl and paper coverings should not be glued here.



Hallway

The main threat to decoration in the hallway is abrasion and dirt. It is best to glue abrasion-resistant, durable wallpapers that can be washed here. Embossed vinyl is best suited for this. As a budget option, you can consider a dense duplex; it will also do a good job. Only in case of contamination will it have to be cleaned with a damp sponge, which may not be very effective. It is better not to stick paper and non-woven fabric here.

Source: https://dzen.ru/

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