Paper wallpapers: types and characteristics

All kinds of spectral series, along with a different combination of materials, in most cases, differ little in appearance, make it difficult to choose a suitable version of the finishing material. At the same time, information printed on the labels of the wallpaper carries little information, which makes it necessary to obtain the most comprehensive information, especially before purchasing the chosen option.

Paper wallpaper

Among the great splendor of various kinds of wallpaper with the optimal ratio of price and quality,paper still remain on top. The environmental friendliness of the material, along with the low price, a wide range of colors, which opens up all sorts of decorations for the room, and other characteristics make paper wallpaper an indispensable finishing material in some situations, for example, for people who are allergic to polymers in the face of most wallpapers.

These and other reasons encourage manufacturers to improve the quality properties of this category of wallpaper, developing new varieties. At the moment, there are 2 main types of paper wallpaper, including several subspecies.

Simplex

Simplex is a single-layer version of the wallpaper made of paper, playing on the one hand the role of the substrate, and on the other hand, the front side, covered with a drawing in a typographical way. This type of wallpaper refers to a two-layer simplex, when the pattern is applied to a two-layer sheet. Simplex wallpapers are distinguished by a smooth surface and very small thickness.

Advantages:

• wide color gamut;
• is remarkable for steam, moisture permeability;
• is the cheapest paper wallpaper.

Disadvantages:

• impossibility of wet cleaning;
• susceptibility to mechanical damage during the pasting, operation;
• quickly lose the original shade;
• needs a perfectly smooth base;
• small service life.

There are no significant shortcomings of simplex wallpaper in duplex paper version.

Duplex

Duplex - wallpaper consisting of two layers of paper, where one layer is the substrate and the other is the outer coating. The process of producing such wallpapers consists in creating a picture on the front sheet, which is then glued to the substrate, significantly increasing the strength of the wallpaper sheet. Duplex wallpaper has both a smooth and a relief surface.

Advantages of duplex wallpaper relative to simplex:

• is more resistant to sunlight, due to the application of special compositions that slow down the loss of color;
• mask unobtrusive unevenness;
• are more durable.

Disadvantages:

• under the influence of the adhesive composition, there may be a breach of the relief;
• lack of resistance to damage;
• low wear resistance;
• higher price.

A variety of duplex wallpaper are paper wallpapers designed for painting. They are highlighted by the white color of the canvas and rather pronounced texture, but after repeated staining, the surface relief is somewhat disturbed.

There are 3 types of wallpaper for painting:

• Structural wallpaper - made by embossing with the use of binding polymers, resulting in a combination of a smooth and a relief surface.

• Coarse-fibrous wallpaper - characterized by the placement of different sizes of wood chips in the space between the sheets, resulting in an original texture, pressed through a complex process. This version of the wallpaper reliably disguises the small irregularities of the base.

• Moisture-resistant wallpaper - are treated with water, dirt repellent, allowing you to wash wallpaper in the process of use and use for pasting surfaces in high humidity.

Thus, paper wallpaper, the price of which depends on the number of layers, the method of production and the quality of the materials used, varies in a fairly wide range and, in most cases, corresponds to the quality and purpose of a certain type of wallpaper.

Paper-based wallpaper

Paper-based wallpaper includes various types, among which wallpaper, wood veneer wallpaper, linkcrust, paper, vinyl, textile, metal wallpaper, etc., are the most common. In this case, to the category of wallpaper paper, non-woven fabrics have a rather vague relationship. The fact is that non-woven fabric is a fabric that is 70% similar to paper in terms of constituent components. With respect to other properties, non-woven wallpaper is quite different from paper.

Vinyl wallpaper

The huge variety of vinyl wallpaper is due to the combination of quality and affordable price. Vinyl wallpaper is characterized by the presence of a paper or non-woven base, which is subsequently coated with polyvinyl chloride, providing not only aesthetic appeal to the finished finishing material, but also preventing it from damage. At the same time, a picture on wallpaper appears by foaming polyvinyl chloride or using the method of hot or chemical embossing.

Based on the method of drawing the picture, the front side of the wallpaper gets different relief and thickness, resulting in vinyl wallpapers are divided:

1. The wallpaper on the foamed substrate - is highlighted with a clearly marked texture, achieved by screen printing with subsequent foaming of vinyl at high temperatures, previously applied tobasis.

Pros of vinyl wallpaper:

• hide minor unevenness of the surface to be glued;
• possibility of wet cleaning;
• low cost.

Cons:

• relative resistance to damage;
• lose their original shade under the ultraviolet rays;
• high probability of abrasion in places of contact with interior objects.

2. The wallpaper produced by the method of chemical embossing includes inhibited vinyl, which is distinguished by a glossy surface, which facilitates unimpeded removal of complex contaminants. In the process of production of inhibited wallpaper, special substances are applied on the picture. Under the influence of high temperatures, vinyl areas not covered with substances are subject to uniform foaming, creating a harmonious combination of foam with silk screen elements.

Pros:

• original design;
• high resistance to repeated cleaning;
• not exposure to ultraviolet rays;
• significant mechanical resistance;
• long service life( 10-15 years).

Cons:

• poorly hide small surface defects;
• high cost.

3. Hot stamping wallpapers, with regard to foamed polyvinyl chloride, have improved resistance to various mechanical damages, do not fade, they can be washed. Vinyl wallpaper, in the production of which hot stamping is used, differ in quality characteristics, thickness and other properties.

There are 3 types of wallpaper produced by hot stamping:

1. Silkscreen or flat vinyl differs relative fineness of the fabric, as well as a shiny and fairly smooth surface. Thanks to the embossing method used, a completely authentic imitation of the inclusion of silk threads into the fabric is created.

Pros:

• is a unique design, achieved by playing light with shiny elements;
• high strength of the material, despite the thickness of the finishing material;
• can easily remove any dirt from the fabric;
• the possibility of using a medium-hard brush for wet cleaning.

Cons:

• does not hide even the slightest roughness of the walls, therefore thorough preparation of the substrate is required;
• high cost.

2. Compact vinyl is characterized by a high density of material, simulating brick, masonry, textiles, leather, volumetric embroidery. The surface of the wallpaper has a rather noticeable relief.

Pros:

• mask small irregularities;
• excellent resistance to detergents and mechanical damage;
• does not lose its original coloration for many years;
• ease of pasting.

Cons:

• the need to apply an antifungal primer to the walls;
• possibility of shrinkage during glue drying;
• high cost.

3. Heavy vinyl is characterized by a three-layer paper base, which prevents penetration of moisture deep into the structure. The surface of the wallpaper is represented by considerable relief, although the pattern is applied by hot stamping. The environmental friendliness of the material is ensured by the removal of unsafe compounds during the evaporation of vinyl at high temperatures.

Pros:

• does not fade;
• have high strength;
• possibility of cleaning with detergent and medium hardness of the brush;
• mask the defectiveness of the walls.

Cons:

• difficulty in gluing;
• because of the high weight it is required to pre-coat the primer before gluing, for better adhesion of materials;
• high cost relative to other varieties of vinyl wallpaper.

Huge selection of colors, along with certain conditions for the use of a type of vinyl wallpaper allows you to choose the most appropriate type for a particular place of use.

Textile wallpaper

The structure of textile wallpaper includes a paper or nonwoven substrate and a finishing layer represented by artificial or natural threads, fibers. Despite the ecological purity of materials used in production and aesthetic appeal, the choice of textile wallpaper should be made taking into account a number of features, concluded in the merits and demerits of the material.

Advantages:

• have sound-, heat-insulating qualities;
• excellent wear resistance;
• are not exposed to ultraviolet radiation;
• mechanical resistance directly depends on the material used for the finishing layer.

Disadvantages:

• possibility of abrasion in places of frequent contact, for example, near outlets, switches;
• the difficulty of sticking;
• high ability to accumulate dust;
• possibility of using only dry cleaning;
• high cost.

Currently, textile wallpaper is divided into the following types, based on the material used to create wallpaper:

• Silk wallpaper, because of the substantial high cost of this silk are made, mainly from viscose in combination with natural threads. At the same time, silk wallpaper is resistant to dry cleaning, mechanical impact, but eventually fade.

• Jute wallpaper is highlighted with a relief texture, which helps to mask the unevenness of the surface to be glued. In addition, the jute wallpaper does not fade, it is well tolerated cleaning with a damp cloth.

• Linen wallpaper is characterized by durability, fade resistance and antiseptic effect.

• Velor wallpaper is made by applying a pile to the paper base, so poorly tolerate not only wet, but also dry cleaning. In addition, velor wallpapers have a high ability to accumulate dust, resulting in quickly becoming unusable.

• Felt wallpaper is produced both from natural fabrics, and its analogues. These wallpapers are particularly strong, resistant to wet cleaning with the use of non-aggressive detergent compositions, the complexity of gluing.

Of course, the high cost of wallpaper, despite a lot of positive properties, contributes to the inaccessibility of textile wallpaper to the majority of the middle class of the population.

Photo Wall Mural

Single-layer or two-ply paper is the main material for photo wallpapers, followed by the application of a photo image. At the same time, paper photo wallpapers are subject to mechanical damage, various kinds of dirt, shade changes under the influence of sunlight. To improve performance, an additional layer of acrylic, varnish and other similar compositions is applied on top of the photo image.

Pros:

• offers great prospects for interior decoration;
• low cost.

Cons:

• does not hide even the slightest irregularities;
• the complexity of sticking.

Cost and extensive design opportunities open the right way to change the boring interior by adding bright colors, emotions, applied to wallpapers.

Lincruste

Lincruste is a combination of elegant refinement with remarkable decorative characteristics. The wallpaper is produced by applying to the paper base a different composition of elastic mastics, allowing to obtain an ornament of any complexity. Lincrust - meets with a smooth and relief surface, which allows you to create unique masterpieces from one type of wallpaper.

Pros:

• possibility of repeated repainting;
• duration of use;
• is light and easy to care for.

Cons:

• presence of a flat surface;
• the complexity of gluing;
• high cost.

Lincrust, despite its high cost, has a long period of use with minimal and unpretentious care, which significantly increases the demand for this finishing material.

Woody Veneer Wallpaper

A fairly new material consisting of environmentally friendly components. Wallpaper from wood veneer is produced by applying a veneer of valuable wood on a paper base, excluding the manifestation of allergies to this finishing material.

Advantages:

• good noise-, heat-insulating qualities;
• slight change in the original color over time;
• contribute to the creation of a good indoor microclimate;
• resistance to mechanical damage;
• possibility of coating an additional layer of varnish, wax to extend the service life.

Disadvantages:

• the complexity of surface bonding;
• high cost.

Thus, wallpaper from wood veneer have better performance than duplex paper, and they look much more spectacular.

Metal wallpapers

Compared with other types of wallpaper, metal wallpaper is less known as a finishing material, although the originality of the design of the room with such wallpaper amazes with refinement and uniqueness, since metal wallpapers with gold, bronze, silver coating are made. The wallpaper is produced by applying a thin foil on the paper base, which is subsequently embossed or applied to a decorative pattern.

Advantages:

• good thermal insulation qualities;
• does not fade;
• does not transmit radio waves;
• refer to washing wallpaper;
• ease of sticking.

Disadvantages:

• lightness of damage by sharp objects;
• presence of a flat base;
• is an expensive finishing material.

Metal wallpaper, being a moisture-resistant material, is suitable for use in rooms even with high humidity, but it is worth considering the high probability of their mechanical damage.

Thus, a huge assortment of all kinds of wallpaper, including not less than their number of varieties, allows you to choose the right option, based on operating conditions and financial capabilities. At the same time, paper wallpapers can be bought in any specialized store without worrying about the discrepancy between the price and quality claimed by the manufacturer.