Description, composition and characteristics
Wallpaper is sold in rolls 0.53 - 1.06 meters wide and 10 to 25 meters long.
They consist of several layers: the base can be paper, non-woven or fabric, then there is an opaque layer that masks small irregularities in the walls and on top there is a decorative layer of vinyl (polyvinyl chloride), which can be wet cleaned. Each roll contains a label with the technical characteristics of this type of vinyl wallpaper, which, using symbols (marking), contains instructions on gluing, technical characteristics, environmental friendliness of the material, vapor permeability, and so on.
Specifications
| Characteristics of a roll of vinyl wallpaper | Description |
| Properties of vinyl wallpaper |
|
| Width | The most common sizes are 0.53 and 1.06 meters. European manufacturers have rolls with a width of 0.75 m. |
| Length | 10.05 meters is the standard length of a wallpaper roll. You can also find rolls 15 or 25 meters long on the counter. |
| Weight | Varies from 0.9 to 4.0 kg. The weight of the roll depends on the length, width, base layer and quality of the vinyl. |
| Density | From 250 to 320 grams per 1 square meter of canvas. |
| Life time | High-quality vinyl material can last up to 15 years. |
What is the difference between vinyl wallpaper and paper wallpaper?
The main difference is the material of the top decorative layer. Vinyl in this capacity is more durable and practical than paper. But more traditional paper wallpapers also have their advantages. They allow air to pass through, which reduces the likelihood of mold and mildew. And they are cheaper.
Vinyl wallpaper looks very stylish and original, and is resistant to fading, unlike other types of wallpaper.
Having an idea about the features of different finishing materials, it is easier to make an informed choice. So that the result of the renovation is a fresh and updated home, in which it is comfortable and pleasant to stay. Such things determine the quality of life.
Advantages and disadvantages
| pros | Minuses |
| Suitable for gluing any surfaces (plaster, concrete, putty, drywall). | They do not tolerate large changes in temperature or humidity very well, but with sufficient ventilation and the use of a primer with an antiseptic, the formation of fungus can be avoided. |
| Vinyl wallpaper with relief will help hide small defects in the walls. | |
| Suitable for any premises. | Low-quality vinyl may have a specific aroma, reminiscent of the smell of plastic. |
| You can choose canvases to suit any interior design. | They do not allow air to pass through. A common problem with vinyl wallpaper is that it does not “breathe”, as it is moisture resistant. However, for bathrooms or kitchens this is more of a plus than a minus. |
| A wide range of prices - from budget to luxury. | |
| Thanks to the multi-layer structure, they are not translucent and have soundproofing properties. | Toxicity of cheap wallpaper options. The composition may contain formaldehyde, they can be dangerous for allergies. To avoid this drawback, it is enough to look for an environmental safety sign on the label. |
| Durability of the coating. Vinyl wallpaper is a wear-resistant wallpaper. |
Foam paper wallpaper: characteristics
So, what is paper-based foam wallpaper? As the name suggests, they are made on a backing made of paper. Thus, they have two layers - outer and inner.
Foam wallpaper
These canvases are produced using the screen printing method. Here's how it works. Heating occurs inside the oven, reaching a high temperature. This, in turn, starts the process of evaporation of special substances that are part of the composition of the vinyl layer.
Give the home a mysterious look
Accordingly, small cavities, also known as pores, are formed inside. It turns out that due to their formation, the vinyl layer becomes “foamed”.
Helpful information! Due to the fact that the vinyl layer (PVC) has an increased density, it resists the evaporation of atmospheric moisture. This has a positive effect on the characteristics of the canvases, since they prevent the formation and spread of mold and mildew.
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Profile foam wallpaper
In addition, such canvases are also known as “foam profile wallpaper”. As for their surface, it is quite soft and pleasant to the touch.
Here is what is typical for this surface:
- Being slightly rough, it may have a clearly defined relief or pattern.
- Perfectly hides minor damage, chips and scratches on the working surface of the room walls.
- It is characterized by a wide variety of colors and shades, which has a positive effect on the possibilities of designing interior design in various styles.
- Such a voluminous texture of the wallpaper can create the feeling of using attractive relief plaster to decorate the walls of the room.
Base options and their features
As mentioned above, vinyl wallpaper consists of several layers. The base material can be non-woven, paper or fabric.
Non-woven base
This base does not absorb water at all, so when gluing such canvases, glue is applied to the wall, which greatly simplifies the gluing process. Also, due to their high density, such vinyl sheets can imitate the texture of stone, wood or any type of fabric. Non-woven fabrics are suitable for painting.
Paper base
Thinner than non-woven fabric and has less wear-resistant characteristics, but such material will also cost less.
Fabric base
It is quite rare - in premium wallpapers. Such fabrics are resistant to deformation and hold their shape well for many years.
Which foundation is better to choose?
Each consumer must decide for himself what characteristics the wall covering in his interior should have. Below is a table with comparative characteristics of different types of vinyl wallpaper bases.
| Non-woven base | Paper base | Fabric base |
| It does not absorb moisture and is suitable for painting up to 7 times, which will allow you to change the interior without re-painting the room. | It gets wet, so when painting such material there is a high probability that the seams will open. | It has a special impregnation and is suitable for painting. |
| They do not expand when wet, which means they will not shrink when drying and seams glued end-to-end will not come apart. | It expands under the influence of glue applied to it, and contracts when it dries. Therefore, pasting walls with such material can become problematic. | Does not deform after drying. |
| The price per roll is quite reasonable. | They belong to the budget price category. | It is used on premium wallpaper, so the price for such repairs will be high. |
From the price-quality ratio we can conclude that the best option is to choose non-woven wallpaper, but the final choice remains with the buyer.
The nuances of gluing
There are general recommendations for all types of wallpaper. Better adhesion of the substrate to the base is facilitated by evenness, smoothness, solidity, cleanliness and the absence of oily stains, foci of biological or corrosive damage. Before gluing the canvases, it is also necessary to treat the working surface with a primer, a solution of PVA or wallpaper glue. Combined options are acceptable.
In relation to the decorative decoration of walls with foam wallpaper on a non-woven or paper base, it is worth using glue for heavy types of materials. The same can be said for primers. This is explained by the high density of modified PVC, which is reflected in an increase in the total weight of the material. The recommended adhesive differs from universal or highly specialized adhesives in that they contain additives to improve adhesion and tensile or peel strength.
According to the technology, paper wallpaper must be pre-lubricated with an adhesive solution. Next, the fabric is folded with the treated wrong side inward and kept in this state for 2-3 minutes. With vinyl samples it often takes longer. As a rule, 5 minutes is enough. But it is better to familiarize yourself with the specific period from the instructions from the manufacturer on the packaging or insert from the finishing sample.
It is generally accepted that the non-woven base is always laid on a working base coated with glue. When choosing foam wallpaper with a similar backing, it is necessary to apply the solution both to the walls and to the underside of the decorative canvas.
To impregnate the substrate with glue, you cannot fold the canvases as is the case with classic paper wallpaper. This increases the risk of damage to the soft decorative coating.
Despite the high tensile strength of materials after getting wet, they can still become deformed. Therefore, to form joints, it is unacceptable to violate the shape of the canvas. During drying, the decorative coating will be restored to one degree or another, causing the seams to separate. It will be impossible to correct them later.
The final point concerns the choice of smoothing tool. Here the main criterion is the low resistance of the coating to mechanical load, which is inevitable when gluing wallpaper. On trading floors you can find special rubberized or plastic rollers and spatulas with varying degrees of rigidity (plastic “wings”). Before their appearance and often today, moistened or dry rags are used. In order not to damage the drawing, we only allow one tool option - a roller with a rubber roller. If the vinyl flooring cannot be painted, it is important to choose an expensive, quality attachment with a relatively soft material. Cheap analogues leave a pigmented mark, while hard ones deform the texture. If you plan to paint, paint and paint materials slightly smooth out the texture of the wallpaper and cover up the marks left by an inexpensive roller.
It is better to remove glue from joints using a sponge by blotting. This way the paint and texture will remain intact.
Wallpaper to be painted should be pre-primed before finishing. This will cover any traces of excess glue squeezed out. The primer must be selected based on its binding component. It must match the base of the planned paint.
Types of vinyl wallpaper
Modern manufacturers offer a large selection of the top layer, that is, the vinyl itself, to choose from.
Textured vinyl foam wallpaper
They can imitate abstract drawings, the texture of fabric, raw stone and even wood. Designed for painting.
The photo shows light wallpaper with a relief pattern.
Hot stamping
The production process of such wallpaper is high-tech. First, foamed polyvinyl chloride is applied to the base, and then it is processed with special rollers.
Compact vinyl (also smooth or flat)
Such vinyl sheets are ideal for the kitchen, since the compact vinyl coating is not afraid even of cleaning with brushes.
Polyplen
Suitable for use not only in the kitchen, but also in the children's room and even the bathroom. You can wash such walls an infinite number of times.
Heavy vinyl
It will be a little problematic for people without experience to stick such vinyl sheets because of their heavy weight, but such sheets can be used to mask deep unevenness in the walls.
With chemical embossing (inhibition)
This material is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, that is, it does not fade and is not afraid of moisture.
Silkscreen printing
Care Tips
Before wiping the wallpaper with a damp cloth, you need to make sure that it is resistant to moisture. Typically this property is indicated on the packaging of the building material. One wave means that they will withstand wet cleaning with a well-wrung out cloth. Three waves indicate the surface's addiction to water procedures. Such wallpaper can be wiped with a brush and cleaning agents.
Vinyl wallpaper catalogs from various stores are replete with a wide selection of products with embossed patterns. Over time, dust accumulates on them, which needs to be brushed off periodically. If this procedure is not done, subsequent wet cleaning may leave streaks.
The final stage of cleaning is treating with clean water and wiping the surface with a dry cotton cloth. Proper care will preserve its original appearance for many years.
It is up to the buyer to decide which wallpaper is better: paper or vinyl. However, modern building materials are gradually replacing impractical and inconvenient methods of gluing surfaces. Therefore, non-woven fabric and vinyl are ahead of cheap cellulose in their obvious positive characteristics.
Design options and drawings
Everyone will be able to choose a design to suit their taste and color, because currently manufacturers follow fashion trends and offer a choice of vinyl canvases with a variety of ornaments, patterns, geometric designs (geometry looks best in a large version), floral and animal prints, and landmarks world capitals, popular fairy-tale characters and so on.
In addition, textured vinyl wallpapers that imitate stone, brick, plaster, wood, snake or crocodile skin are becoming increasingly popular. If you have taste and experience, you can successfully combine different types of vinyl wallpaper and create a unique interior.
Presentation in different styles
Vinyl wallpaper is a universal modern material that is suitable for any interior style.
- For the increasingly popular loft style, vinyl wallpaper that imitates masonry or plaster is suitable.
- In a modern or Scandinavian style, you can use imitation wood.
- For the Provence style, you can choose a pattern with a small flower.
The photo shows concrete textured wallpaper.
The photo shows a marine-style bathroom. The walls are decorated with dark vinyl wallpaper with a themed print.
Color palette
Includes the entire rainbow spectrum and more. In addition to red, yellow, green, beige shades, you can find pearl, silver, golden, copper tints that change color depending on the angle of refraction of light on them.
The photo shows a living room design in pastel colors with soft green wallpaper with a gold pattern.
How to care
Due to its textured structure, wallpaper accumulates a lot of dust. There are two ways to fight it: dry and wet. Please note when purchasing that there are instructions on the roll where moisture resistance and wear resistance are indicated in the form of wavy lines. Depending on the number of lines, focus on the type of cleaning.
As a rule, it is better to clean moisture-resistant ones with a vacuum cleaner or a dry cloth. Washable - cleaning with a damp cloth is acceptable. Next are recommendations for cleaning with detergents and the possibility of using a brush.
Never use bleach or other harsh cleaning agents. If the contamination is strong enough, and the recommendations allow, then treat the surface with a natural sponge and soap solution.
Now you know all the intricacies of choosing and hanging wallpaper. It's time to go shopping, especially since there are a lot of stores with such an assortment. For example, you can choose Leroy Merlin vinyl wallpaper - here you will definitely find something that will appeal to all household members.
Examples of photos in room interiors
Below is a selection of photo illustrations of vinyl wallpaper in the interior of an apartment: in the living room, kitchen, bedroom, nursery, bathroom and hallway.
Selection rules
Vinyl wallpapers have received a wide variety for a reason. The fact is that for each room you should choose a certain type of wallpaper:
- Washable ones with non-woven backing are suitable for the kitchen.
- For the living room you can use any type of wallpaper.
- For the bathroom, you should give preference to smooth vinyl wallpaper, which can easily replace ceramic tiles.
- For the corridor, you can use any type of vinyl wallpaper with anti-vandal coating.
Cleaning and care
Most reliable and trusted manufacturers provide their customers with all the necessary information regarding the care and cleaning capabilities of foam wallpaper. Usually, either on the packaging or on the accompanying instructions, it is indicated how to wash such wallpaper and how to properly care for it. This is done in order to extend their service life. Information is usually marked using special symbols. As a rule, these are small “waves”:
- One means that they can be cleaned with a slightly damp soft sponge or cloth.
- Two or three - that you can carry out a full wash without the slightest hesitation.
- Wave with a comb image - can be safely washed using a sponge.
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Foam wallpaper on a paper or non-woven basis is an excellent material. Despite some shortcomings, it is gaining increasing popularity in the market of construction and finishing materials in Russia and other CIS countries. There are many more advantages and positive characteristics of such a coating. Therefore, taking into account that you can choose a product based on the price level and its consumer characteristics, we can safely say that this finishing material is one of the optimal choices for carrying out decorative renovations in a room.
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How to glue correctly?
Installing vinyl wallpaper is quite simple. Due to their high density, they are quite difficult to tear; high-quality material does not shrink when dried and is not deformed. Anyone can hang such wallpaper on their own, even without experience. You should start by preparing the walls. It is necessary to remove the old wall covering; if there is bare plaster underneath, you need to putty the walls, then prime the surface to be pasted.
It is not advisable to overlap vinyl wallpaper and silk-screen printing. You should always start pasting the room from the window. And then you should follow the instructions on the roll insert, there you can find information whether you need to apply glue to vinyl wallpaper, how long they should be soaked in glue if necessary, and so on.
How to remove vinyl wallpaper?
This process is not easy, since they consist of several layers.
Step-by-step instruction
- First you need to peel off the top layer of vinyl with a spatula or knife. It is advisable to do this from the floor.
- Next, carefully detach the top layer of wallpaper from the bottom layer with a pulling motion.
- If the bottom layer was paper, you need to thoroughly moisten it with water and leave for 5 minutes, and then using a spatula it can be easily removed in large layers.
- If the canvases were on a non-woven basis, there is no need to remove its remains. This layer will be a good basis for gluing new wallpaper.
Video guide
Painting features
Can it be painted?
The answer to this question is yes, if the vinyl material is intended for this purpose. This information can be found on the manufacturer's roll insert.
How to paint correctly?
Here are a few subtleties of painting vinyl wallpaper:
- Start painting the walls at least three days after wallpapering, that is, when the glue is completely dry.
- The paint must be water-based (preferably acrylic or latex).
- When using a color, it is necessary to dilute it to the entire volume at once, otherwise it will not be possible to achieve an absolutely identical batch. Sections of walls painted with different mixtures will have different shades.
- The glued canvases should be cleaned of dust and dirt before painting.
- You need to start painting the walls from the bottom, moving upward.
