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Description, composition and characteristics
Wallpaper is sold in rolls 0.53 - 1.06 meters wide, 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 lends itself to wet cleaning.
Each roll is enclosed with a label with the technical characteristics of this type of vinyl wallpaper, on 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 roll of wallpaper. You can also find rolls of 15 or 25 meters long on the counter. |
| Weight | Varies from 0.9 to 4.0 kg. Roll weight depends on length, width, base layer and vinyl quality. |
| Density | From 250 to 320 grams per 1 square meter of cloth. |
| Life time | Quality vinyl material can last up to 15 years. |
Pros and cons
| pros | Minuses |
|---|---|
| Suitable for pasting 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. |
| Embossed vinyl wallpaper will help hide minor wall imperfections. | |
| Suitable for any premises. | Low-quality vinyl can have a specific scent that resembles the smell of plastic. |
| You can choose canvases for any interior design. | Do not allow air to pass through. A common problem with vinyl wallpaper is that it does not "breathe" because it is moisture resistant. However, for bathrooms or kitchens, this is more a plus than a minus. |
| A wide range of prices - from the most budgetary to the elite. | |
| Due to the multi-layer, they do not shine through, they have sound insulating properties. | The toxicity of cheap wallpaper options. The composition may include formaldehydes, they can be dangerous in case of allergies. To avoid this drawback, it is enough to find an environmental safety mark on the label. |
| Coating strength. Vinyl wallpaper is a durable wallpaper. |
Base options and their features
As mentioned above, vinyl wallpaper consists of several layers. The basis of the material can be non-woven, paper or fabric.
Non-woven base
Such a base does not absorb water at all, therefore, when gluing such canvases, glue is applied to the wall, which greatly simplifies the gluing process.Also, due to their high density, such vinyl canvases can imitate the texture of stone, wood or any kind of fabric. Non-woven fabrics are suitable for painting.
Paper base
It is thinner than non-woven and has less wear-resistant characteristics, but such material will also cost less.
Fabric base
It is quite rare - in premium class wallpapers. Such canvases are resistant to deformation and keep their shape well for many years.
What is the best base to choose?
Each consumer must decide for himself what characteristics the wall covering in his interior should have. Below is a table with the comparative characteristics of different types of vinyl wallpaper bases.
| Non-woven base | Paper base | Fabric base |
|---|---|---|
| Does not absorb moisture, is suitable for painting up to 7 times, which will allow you to change the interior without re-gluing the room. | It gets wet, therefore, when painting such material, there is a high probability that the seams will open. | Has a special impregnation, suitable for coloring. |
| They do not expand when wet, which means they will not shrink when dried and the seams glued end-to-end will not disperse. | Expands under the action of the glue applied to it, and shrinks when dry. 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, and accordingly, the price for such repairs will be high. |
From the price-quality ratio, we can conclude that the best option is the choice of wallpaper on a non-woven basis, but the final choice remains with the buyer.
Types of vinyl wallpaper
Modern manufacturers offer a large selection of topcoats to choose from, that is, the vinyl itself.
Structural Foam Vinyl Wallpaper
They can imitate abstract patterns, the texture of fabric, raw stone and even wood. Designed for painting.
The photo shows a light wallpaper with a relief pattern.
Hot stamping
The production process of such wallpaper is highly technological. First, foamed polyvinyl chloride is applied to the base, and then it is processed with special rollers.
Compact vinyl (also smooth or flat)
These vinyl canvases are ideal for the kitchen, as the compact vinyl flooring is not afraid of even brushing.
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 with no experience to stick such vinyl canvases due to their heavy weight, but such canvases can mask deep irregularities in the walls.
Chemically embossed (inhibition)
Such material is resistant to ultraviolet light, that is, it does not fade and is not afraid of moisture.
Silkscreen
When exposed to light from different angles, imitate a shiny silk fabric. Most often, this type of vinyl material is chosen for classic interiors.
For painting
Suitable for people who like to change their environment frequently. After all, repainting the walls in a different color is much easier than re-gluing them.
The photo shows a plain wallpaper for painting.
Washable
Suitable for use in a bathroom or kitchen. Even small abrasives can withstand, but it is better to refrain from using too caustic chemicals when washing such walls.
In the photo, the walls in the kitchen are decorated with meter-long wallpaper with a washing surface.
Design options and drawings
Everyone will be able to choose a pattern to taste and color, because currently manufacturers follow fashion trends and offer a choice of vinyl canvases with a variety of ornaments, patterns, geometric patterns (geometry looks best in a large version), floral and animal prints, attractions world capitals, popular fairy tale heroes and so on.
In addition, textured vinyl wallpaper imitating stone, brick, plaster, wood, snake or crocodile skin is gaining the greatest popularity. With taste and experience, you can successfully combine different types of vinyl wallpaper and create a unique interior.
Presentation in various styles
Vinyl wallpaper is a versatile modern material that suits any interior style.
- For the increasingly popular loft style, vinyl wallpaper imitating masonry or plaster is suitable.
- In a modern or Scandinavian style, you can use wood imitation.
- For the Provence style, you can pick up a drawing in a small flower.
The photo shows a textured wallpaper for concrete.
In the photo there is a bathroom in a nautical style. The walls are decorated with dark vinyl themed wallpaper.
Color palette
Includes the entire rainbow spectrum and more. In addition to red, yellow, green, beige shades, you can find pearl, silver, golden, copper overflows that change color depending on the angle of refraction of light on them.
In the photo, the design of the living room in pastel colors with mural pale green wallpaper with a gold pattern.
Examples of photos in the interiors of rooms
Below is a selection of photo illustrations of vinyl wallpaper in the interior of the apartment: in the living room, kitchen, bedroom, nursery, bathroom and hallway.
Selection rules
It is not without reason that vinyl wallpapers have received a wide variety. The fact is that for each room you should choose a certain type of wallpaper:
- Washable on a non-woven basis are suitable for the kitchen.
- For the living room, you can use any kind of wallpaper.
- For the bathroom, you should give preference to wallpaper made of smooth vinyl, which is quite capable of replacing ceramic tiles.
- For the corridor, you can use any kind of vandal-resistant vinyl wallpaper.
How to glue correctly?
It is quite easy to glue vinyl wallpaper. Due to their high density, it is quite difficult to break them, high-quality material does not shrink when dry and does not deform. Anyone can glue such wallpapers on their own, even without experience. You should start by preparing the walls. It is necessary to remove the old covering of the walls, if there is bare plaster under them - you need to putty the walls, then prime the surface to be pasted.
It is not advisable to glue vinyl wallpaper and silk-screen printing with an overlap. You should always start pasting the room from the window. And then you should follow the instructions on the roll liner, where 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 as they are made up 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 off the floor.
- Then carefully detach the upper layer of wallpaper from the lower one 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 with a spatula it can be easily removed in large layers.
- If the canvases were on a non-woven base, there is no need to remove its remnants. This layer will be a good base for new wallpapers.
Video tutorial
Features of painting
Can you paint?
The answer to this question is yes, if the vinyl material is intended for this. This information can be found on the manufacturer's package insert.
How to paint correctly?
Here are some tips for 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 scheme, it is necessary to dilute it at once for the entire volume, otherwise it will not be possible to achieve exactly the same batch. Sections of the walls painted with different mixes will differ in shades.
- It is necessary to clean the glued canvases from dust and dirt before painting.
- You need to start painting the walls from the bottom, moving up.
Care and cleaning rules
From time to time you need to wipe them from dust and cobwebs with a dry cloth or vacuum. They should be washed at least once a year. How to do it correctly without damaging the material, we will consider below:
- Use clean water or a slightly diluted soap solution for washing.
- Remove excess moisture and soap as you wash.
- Immediately after washing, wipe the walls dry with a cotton cloth.
- The walls are washed from bottom to top, and it is necessary to wipe from top to bottom so that no streaks remain.
- In no case should you use products that contain acetone when washing.
Photo gallery
Vinyl wallpaper looks very stylish and original, resistant to fading, unlike other types of wallpaper.
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