The Ultimate Guide to Types of Wallpaper

In recent years, wallpaper has surged in popularity and shows no signs of slowing down. With a plethora of designs, materials, and applications available, this guide is designed to help you navigate the selection process.

Vinyl Wallpaper

Vinyl wallpaper is one of the most versatile wallcoverings available today, making it an excellent choice for growing families. It is easy to install and can be cleaned with a damp sponge. Made from PVC, vinyl wallpaper is extremely durable, making it ideal for children’s rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. It comes in various styles, including pre-pasted, peel and stick, and textured, offering endless decorating options for your home. Non-self-adhesive varieties can be installed with quality clear wallpaper adhesive after prepping the wall with a wallpaper primer.

In addition to being perfect for residential use, vinyl wallpaper is also great for commercial properties. Many commercial vinyl wallcoverings come with a Class A fire rating, ensuring your building stays within code while enhancing its appearance. Additionally, some heavyweight commercial wallcoverings are designed to be impact and stain resistant, making them an ideal choice for high-traffic areas.

Know more About Vinyl Wallpaper

Grasscloth

There’s nothing more beautiful than nature adorning your walls. Grasscloth wallpaper is commonly made from natural materials like arrowroot, raw jute, hemp, sisal, cork, reed, and triangle grass. These grass fibers are held together with fine thread and are usually hand-woven in Asia, contributing to the higher cost compared to average wallpaper.

Grasscloth is durable but can be easily damaged if not handled and installed correctly, making it unsuitable for high-traffic areas such as hallways. While it requires occasional vacuuming to remove dust, its organic appeal and wide range of colors make it an excellent choice for accent walls. However, keep in mind that grasscloth cannot be matched at the seams, so each row will have a unique appearance. Additionally, grasscloth typically comes in 36-inch widths, compared to the standard wallpaper widths of 27 inches and 21 inches.

Installation of grasscloth wallpaper is different from standard wallpaper. It does not come in a pre-pasted option, so you will need a specialty adhesive, such as a starch-based product like Vision Reflection Wallpaper.

Important Installation Points:

Expansion: Grasscloth expands when wet, which can cause issues if installed dry. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, which may include soaking the wallpaper before installation.
Adhesive Application: Avoid getting glue on the face of the wallpaper, as it will show and can be difficult to clean. Using the “paste the wall” method is the best way to prevent this.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure a successful and beautiful installation of grasscloth wallpaper.

Know more About Grasscloth Wallpaper

Peel And Stick

Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Peel and stick wallpaper installs just as the name implies—peel off the backing and hang it where you want it. For the best results, follow these preparation steps:

Surface Preparation: Apply to a smooth, clean, and dry wall surface.
Primer: Use a wallpaper primer before hanging the paper. This will ensure the wallpaper is easy to remove when the time comes.
Installation Aid: Use E-Z Hang Peel & Stick Helper. This solution allows the wallcovering to move more freely during placement before it gets too tacky to move.

Typically made as a vinyl wallcovering, peel and stick wallpaper is durable and washable, making it ideal for dressing up the walls of a rental apartment. It’s great for high-traffic areas and can handle some wear and tear. One of the main benefits of peel and stick wallpaper is its removability. When it’s time to relocate, you can remove it with minimal damage to the wall surface.

How to Apply Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

Flock Wallpaper

Sometimes referred to as embossed, flock wallpaper is a textured wallpaper that offers a luxurious appearance. Originally, “flock” was made from leftover fuzz from the woolen cloth industry, designed to mimic crushed velvet. Today, the fibers used in flock wallpaper are made from polyester, nylon, or rayon combined with an adhesive.

Installation Tips:

Paste the Wall: Use the “paste the wall” method for installation. Applying glue directly to the wallpaper can damage the flocking. Allow the adhesive to tack up before hanging the panel to prevent it from oozing out while positioning the paper.
Smoothing: Use a roller to flatten the paper instead of a smoothing tool to avoid over-manipulating and potentially damaging the flocking.

Considerations:

Flock wallpaper is best suited for low-traffic areas. Its delicate texture can be easily bruised, and repairing any damage can be challenging.

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Application/Installation Types

Paintable

Paintable wallpaper allows you to add texture to your walls while maintaining control over the color. The repeating pattern adds a nice visual touch to any room. It can be used on an entire wall or as a backsplash in the kitchen. This heavy vinyl paper can be painted with flat or glossy paint, and the textured finish adds dimension to the room.

Paintable wallpaper installs like any other wallpaper, with no special instructions needed. It is available in pasted, unpasted, or peel and stick options. For rental housing, the peel and stick variety offers a stylish dimension that tenants can paint and easily remove between rentals.

Ensure the wallpaper adheres properly by leaving it on the wall for 36 hours before painting. This allows the adhesive to fully dry.

What to Know About Paintable Wallpaper

Washable

Know more About Washable Wallpaper

Life can get messy, and that means walls can get dirty too. For wallcoverings in the living room, family room, and bathroom to be effective, they need to be washable. Some types of wallpaper are more moisture-resistant than others, so it’s important to read the manufacturer’s recommendations before making a final selection.

Most washable wallpaper is made of vinyl and is available in peel and stick, pre-pasted, and un-pasted options. Because it is washable, it is also durable and suitable for high-traffic areas.

Strippable

Strippable wallpapers include everything except peel and stick options. They adhere to the wall with glue that must be loosened to remove the wallpaper. While stripping wallpaper can be a hassle, this option offers the greatest selection of designs and materials.

The good news is that if the wall was properly prepared with a wallpaper primer and a strippable adhesive, removing the wallpaper can be much easier. This preparation ensures that the wallpaper comes off more smoothly, making the task less daunting.

Paste The Paper/Paste The Wall

Many DIY enthusiasts opt for self-adhesive or peel and stick wallpaper to avoid dealing with glue. While this method is convenient, spending a bit more time pasting the paper or the wall yourself provides a wider range of design options and styles. If you plan to have the wallpaper in your home for years, traditional pasting can offer a more permanent solution compared to peel and stick.

The traditional method, known as “paste the paper,” involves spreading glue on long tables covered with wallpaper, which can be cumbersome and difficult to manage. However, savvy DIYers now prefer the “paste the wall” method. This straightforward approach involves applying wallpaper adhesive directly to the wall with a paint roller. After applying the adhesive, simply affix the clean, dry wallpaper panel to the wall. This type of wallpaper is often referred to as non-woven.

Design Styles

Brick-Look Wallpaper

Many designers are embracing an industrial aesthetic, and faux brick vinyl wallpaper offers a stylish way to achieve the look of historic buildings or modern masonry. These wallcoverings are durable and scrubbable, making them suitable for both family homes and commercial spaces with high traffic.

Available in pre-pasted, peel and stick, and unpasted options, faux brick vinyl wallpaper is easy to install and provides a cost-effective way to add visual interest to any wall.

Murals

Murals offer a quick and impactful solution for creating a statement wall. They come in numbered panels, and the installation instructions will guide you on the correct order to apply them. With a wide range of design options and colors, you can easily find a mural that complements your room.

Before installation, ensure that the mural will fit the selected wall and check for any doors or windows that might cut through important parts of the design. For flexibility and ease of removal, consider using peel and stick materials, which allow you to update the look whenever you want a change.

Vintage Wallpaper

Vintage wallpaper patterns, often known today as retro or grandmillennial designs, evoke traditionalism with their rich, classic aesthetics. These designs include floral prints, bold patterns, and even antique styles from the Victorian era in England.

From the 60s and 70s, you’ll find geometrics, paisley shapes, and vibrant colors. Patterns from the 1800s might feature darker hues reminiscent of stately libraries and meeting rooms. Despite the antique appearance, the materials used are modern, and the installation follows standard procedures based on the type of wallpaper you choose.

Metallic Wallpaper

Metallic wallpaper is perfect for making a bold statement. The interplay between shiny and matte elements creates a striking contrast within the same design. You can hang these rolls in a matched pattern for a cohesive look or mix and match them to craft a unique feature wall.

For flexibility and ease of replacement, consider using peel and stick metallic wallpaper, especially if your tastes may evolve over time. This style typically starts around 1500 per roll.

Patterned Wallpaper

Patterned wallpaper encompasses a variety of designs, including repeat patterns, drop patterns, and random patterns:

Repeat Pattern: This design follows a specific interval between elements, and adjacent panels must be matched precisely to maintain continuity.
Drop Pattern: Similar to repeat patterns, but the design does not repeat at regular intervals. Panels are not matched side by side, allowing for a more staggered appearance.
Random Pattern: Features designs that do not need to be matched at all. The pattern is intentionally irregular, offering a more spontaneous and varied look.

Each type of pattern provides a unique aesthetic and requires different installation techniques.

Wood-Look Wallpaper

Wood-look wallpaper replicates the appearance of real wooden walls, offering a cost-effective and low-maintenance alternative to actual wood. It can mimic various styles, including paneling, barn wood, tongue and groove, or shiplap. Whether you prefer a rustic, weathered appearance or a freshly painted wood look, wood-look wallpaper can achieve the aesthetic you desire.

This wallpaper provides the luxurious appearance of wood without the high cost and effort of installation, making it an ideal choice for adding warmth and texture to any space.

Tile-Look Wallpaper

Tile-look wallpaper is a practical choice for bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes. It offers the appearance of real tile but is much easier to install. A high-quality print can convincingly mimic the look of actual tile from a short distance.

To prevent mold and mildew, use a mold-resistant wallpaper primer and adhesive. For full bathrooms, ensure the ventilating fan is running to reduce humidity and keep the area dry.

Vision Reflection: The Ultimate Supplier of Quality Wallpaper Installation Solutions

Vision Reflection is a wholesale dealer located in Begumbazar, Hyderabad. We offer premium wallpapers, PVC sheets, foam panels, wall stickers, kitchen stickers, customized wallpapers, and provide a 2-year warranty on our wallpaper installation services.

This Article is updated on 27-07-2024