
Washable wallpaper became an absolute hit when it first appeared on the market - and now the situation has not changed. They are comfortable, versatile and practical. Compared to others, they have many advantages that really look better than others.
Content of this article:
Design of synthetic wallpaper designs is extremely versatile. Simulation materials under a rock, tree, tile, skin create a realistic atmosphere, injected into the room structure. This unusual wall decor provides many advantages, can be used in different environments.
PVC is suitable for rooms with high humidity, for example, for kitchens and bathroom rooms But it is also suitable for intensive use, in places like corridors, stairs or children rooms It can even be used in dry basements. In commercial, business, or public places, bright vinyl replaced fiberglass, which was ubiquitous before.
Trend history
The design of the 70s was rich in plastic and synthetic materials, like no other decade in history. Today, the original vinyl wallpaper of the 70s - with bright colors and vintage patterns - are in demand by many collectors.
People soon discovered the practical aspects of artificial treatments on the walls and used them enthusiastically in their homes. They opened hitherto unknown possibilities: the bathroom, the kitchen, the corridors have now become luxurious designer rooms, with the help of a washable and durable synthetic material.
Decades have passed, but the washable wallpaper has remained. Continuous development of new designs and ideas on patterns still increase the popularity of this timeless classic. Among their characteristics are also resistance to wear and scratches.. Decorating walls with this material will still be popular in places that are prone to dampness and dirt.
return to menu ↑Fiberglass
Glass fabric wallpaper is an environmentally friendly product. They are woven using glass yarns of varying thickness and density, and then impregnated to keep the shape. The final pattern can imitate different types of knitwear.
Such walls, in addition to environmental friendliness, also have a number of other useful characteristics:
- breathable;
- hygienic;
- do not burn, do not support the fire;
- strong, shockproof;
- the possibility of repainting.
The main advantage of fiberglass is its safety, which distinguishes it from PVC, which gives off poisonous gas during combustion. Glass does not contain flammable substances. It also maintains a good indoor microclimate, as it can “breathe”, contains clay, sand, quartz and other natural ingredients.
The main disadvantage of such wallpapers is their relatively low moisture resistance - they can be washed, but they are not suitable for wet rooms.
return to menu ↑Two kinds of vinyl wallpaper
Polyvinyl chloride wallpaper (the same slang "vinyl") are solid and vinyl coated. The latter is often called acrylic. The first ones are made entirely of PVC, and coated are made from recycled paper or a combination of cellulose and textile fibers. And PVC is applied only as an additional protective coating.
Paper are available with the following characteristics:
- "Remove after soaking."
- "Remove dry."
Nonwovens have additional functional features: they retain their shape, regulate moisture, and correct minor irregularities. PVC coated paper is less moisture resistant, but the hermetic vinyl surface in any case does not let any moisture through.
Regardless of the base material, vinyl is inherently water repellent. Synthetic surface for decoration comes in many versions, for example, smooth, structural or embossed.
return to menu ↑Polyvinyl chloride and other synthetic materials
The surface material of vinyl wallpaper is polyvinyl chloride, PVC. Often several similar terms are used interchangeably:
- vinyl;
- PVC;
- synthetic.
However, there are some technical differences.
Synthetic materials can be divided into three main groups:
- thermoplastic;
- duroplastic (or ractoplast);
- elastomer.
For bathroom and toilet
Until recently, many bathrooms were tiled from floor to ceiling. It was considered a beautiful and practically justified decision. Tiled walls are really easy to clean. Any moisture remained on top of the tile and did not cause mold on the walls.
The wallpapers then were not of the same quality as today, which basically made them unsuitable for wet rooms. But today, the trend is moving away from cold tiles to brighter, more stylish solutions.. With patterned motifs, you can create a more expressive atmosphere - from the ocean to the spa of ancient Egypt.
In fact, you can create any mood by choosing the right pattern or pattern. We illustrate this idea in the following example.
return to menu ↑Sea mood
Due to sea and water blue color gets deep shades, often with an admixture:
- green;
- blue;
- azure;
- turquoise;
- aquamarine;
- sapphire.
It does not have to be a well-defined pattern. An abstract motif or embossed texture in violent blue and green tones is also suitable for an ocean-style bathroom. On the market today you can find, for example, turquoise wallpaper under the skin with realistic embossing, reminiscent of fish scales; Baroque and retro patterns in nautical colors.
Motion wallpapers depicting lines, waves or bubbles of water create gentle or strong dynamic effects.
return to menu ↑Specific characteristics
Application in the toilet or bathroom means that there will be high levels of condensation. As a result, the wallpaper used must have certain characteristics in terms of adhesion, water resistance and detergency.
Both types of PVC coated wallpapers prevent the penetration of moisture and are suitable for bathrooms. However, non-woven bathroom walls are often the preferred choice because of their ability to retain their shape and water resistance.
Alternatives to vinyl
When choosing a different surface material, you need to take into account that all wallpapers used in bathrooms should be treated with sealant to protect against moisture and condensation. This can be achieved by applying a special latex paint.
The application of paint should be done with jewelery accuracy so as not to miss a single part of the wall. Even the smallest unprocessed spot can have some effect on the appearance of the walls.. In this case, delicate surface materials are not suitable for the process of sealing with latex paint.
return to menu ↑The use of wallpaper in the bathrooms
Patterned wallpaper can be used for one or all of the walls of the bathroom. In all areas that are in direct contact with water or exposed to moisture / condensation (shower, sink, toilet, etc.), protection must be established, since even water-repellent wallpaper does not withstand this effect. The modern facing tile for protection against splashes is applied in limited areas and does not take up much space.. Consequently, there is a lot of free space for applying wall designs.
Kitchen - delicious wallpaper recipe
Modern kitchens have long lost their reputation as a purely functional area, so they are often decorated with wallpapers that can emphasize the individual taste of their owners. But here, too, must take into account several basic characteristics and design rules.
return to menu ↑Color selection
Colors are tools for creating a certain mood, atmosphere in a room. As a rule, kitchens require brighter and more stimulating colors. Darker shades should only be used sparingly. However, the decoration of the wall with a black headset as the main one can provide excellent visual contrast with the white walls. The effect will be modern and stylish.
Wallpaper for the kitchen with cool light shades of blue, gray or silver metallic color create a subtle effect. living room, especially in combination with modern kitchen furniture, equipment. The green decor of the kitchen walls gives freshness to the room.
Green is known to have a balancing, soothing effect that relieves stress. The various light or dark shades of brown remind us of coffee, chocolate or nuts - which are used in the kitchen and stimulate our senses. Brown kitchen walls are also suitable for a variety of classic and contemporary interior styles.
Just make sure the patterns and colors improve the location, atmosphere of the room. They have a significant impact on the visual impression of the height, size, brightness, mood of the room.
return to menu ↑What else to pay attention to?
Small kitchens benefit most from:
- light wallpaper with small or delicate patterns / motifs;
- with glitter or metallic effects;
- 3D patterns that increase space;
- with thin horizontal stripes, small classical patterns, with small peas.
Larger or brighter designs should be limited to only one wall or part of a wall.
For low ceilings, structural patterns such as horizontal stripes or diagonal patterns are preferred. Apply wallpaper to ceilingto achieve the effect that the drawing goes on endlessly. Gentle or thin lines are suitable for small rooms with low ceilings.
For high ceilings, use monochrome wallpaper at the bottom of the wall, then with a pattern near the ceiling.
return to menu ↑Wall tiles for the kitchen
Modern kitchens often have tiles only on the floor, since even an apron on the wall is often replaced with modern materials that are easy to maintain, which have the added advantage of being simple to install. Nevertheless, the walls that mimic tile, remain a popular choice for the kitchen, which is confirmed by striking examples from designers. This latest trend is reflected in the Spanish-style Maiolica tile patterns, inspired by world-renowned master architect Antoni Gaudi.
return to menu ↑Practical features and surface materials
Of course, they have to wash well, since getting food on them while cooking is inevitable. In addition, you need to consider whether the wallpaper for the kitchen will be near the source of fire, for example, near the stove or table. The kitchen has many spills and stains, many of which can be quite complex.
Depending on the type of potential stains and cleaning requirements, washable kitchen wallpapers are divided into the following categories:
- water resistance;
- high water resistance;
- scratch resistance;
- high scratch resistance.
For kitchen walls that need to be washed, both types of vinyl are most suitable. Some surface materials are not recommended for use in the kitchen, as they are exposed to moisture / steam - in addition to natural and textile, fiberglass is also on this list.. In terms of sophistication and ease of care, a stunning solution for kitchens will be leather imitation vinyl.
As each kitchen contains a stove and oven, this is the room with the highest risk for the home.. As a consequence, the preference in the kitchen should have a fire-resistant wallpaper and the choice of fiberglass is justified here, the main thing is that it should not be near condensate.
Hallway - how to create an entrance area
Did you have any unpleasant or even frightening experience of passing through a dark narrow corridor when visiting friends, acquaintances or relatives? If so, then you probably remember the oppressive feeling of claustrophobia and the desire to reach the other end as quickly as possible. Forget about this narrow, dark, frightening corridor.
Entrance hall It looks like a business card of your house, and it is first perceived by visitors at the moment when you open the door. The one who comes to visit you will see the design of your corridor first. And guests will instinctively base their expectations on the rest of the house — or even on the identity of its inhabitants — on this first impression.
There are wallpapers that visually improve and emphasize the layout, or even correct it, which are pleasing to the eye and cause positive associations.
return to menu ↑Specific characteristics of the wallpaper for the hallway
A corridor is an area with high traffic, a passing room. This means that usually the decor here has to be changed quite often. As a result, you might think that the wallpaper in these areas should not have any specific characteristics. However, the opposite is true. For example, the area at the door will be exposed to more dirt than any other part of the house. Children put their hands to the walls, taking off their shoes. And when repairing any other room, workers will have to walk along corridors and stairs, carrying dust and other pollutants.
Therefore, for the walls in the hallway, the following characteristics and features are useful:
- washable surface (vinyl);
- durability;
- higher grammar.
Wallpapers with good lightfastness are important on entrance platforms and stairs with windows and glass by the doors and, therefore, with an excess of sunlight and daylight.
return to menu ↑Layout adjustment
The color, type, order, size of the pattern, as well as the structure, effects can have a balancing and corrective effect in unfavorable layout. Add light and space to a narrow, dark corridor, add large three-dimensional patterns to a large and spacious one. Here are the recommendations for various corrective measures for different rooms using vinyl:
- Short, narrow entrance hall without daylight. Stretch, expand, brighten with the background color. The colors of the base and pattern should not be too contrasted, but belong to the same color family. Small patterns are more suitable than large or three-dimensional. Metallic, foil or fiberglass play with light - thus adding light to the area.
- If you want to add a very natural, warm touch to the hall or corridor, you can use bamboo or cork wallpaper. The ceiling should always be of the same color and lighter tone than the main color of the pattern.
- A long, narrow corridor with little or no daylight. Again, light walls with matte / glossy or metallic effects are best. Silky surface, intertwined patterns or artfully folded photo-motives, typographic patterns distract from the length. Clear geometric patterns on a light background and contrasting color patterns visually shorten the room. A wall with an accent will also go here. This is usually a wall that attracts a direct look when entering a house. Choose wallpapers that look good with doors (for example, with an intermittent pattern) and a pattern that is balanced in proportion to the size of the wall surface. The ceiling should be only one color, it should fit the walls, but be a little lighter.
- Large entrance hall. The large lobby provides plenty of space for massive patterns and interesting motifs that need attention. The bravest can mix two types of wallpaper with a different pattern. Multi-colored or bright, contrasting or dark colors with lighter details are also great for large hallways.
- High ceilings in the hallway. They can make walls look intrusive, "endless." A good solution would be to create separate areas. For example, an area near the floor can have monochrome wallpaper with a structure, while the rest of the wall can be decorated with beautiful patterns.
Low ceilings require ingenious techniques to look taller. Use wallpaper that is positioned vertically, for example, vertical stripes that become less visible in the upper area, under the ceiling.
return to menu ↑Surface structure: smooth and structural
Vinyl surfaces can be smooth or have varying degrees of structure and tactile relief. Consequently, there are various ways to cover PVC. The carrier layer can be laminated (covered with a thin plastic film), pushed aside by a print or in relief. Another method is the application of pre-primed PVC layer and subsequent hot stamping. Also known as vinyl so-called foam wallpaper.This is when the carrier material is processed by PVC foam to create a multidimensional structure of the pattern.In addition to vinyl foam wallpaper, embossed vinyl wallpaper also provides tangible relief. Both versions of vinyl embossed wallpaper are generally referred to as structural.
return to menu ↑Pattern Design
On vinyl wallpapers are popular:
- baroque patterns;
- flower;
- geometric;
- striped or gradient;
- imitation wood or stone;
- tile design;
- leather look;
- beautiful landscapes and landscape motifs;
- comic heroes;
- cult figures;
- people;
- animals;
- objects;
- abstract, authentic or figurative images.
Cleaning Vinyl Wallpaper
Most deserves the name of a washable grade of vinyl or synthetic wallpaper. This is one of the main reasons for their popularity.Processing PVC wallpaper is classified as follows:
- Water resistant: dirt and water soluble stains and stains can be removed with a damp cloth and a small soap solution. Oil and grease stains do not wash off. Never use degreasing agents on this vinyl decor.
- High resistance to water: even large or greasy stains can be removed. However, degreasing agents should still not be used.
- Scratch-resistant: for vinyl wallpaper in this category, you can use a sponge or a soft brush and mild cleaning products for cleaning.
- High scratch resistance: similar to the previous look, but with a stronger surface that is easier to clean.
Results
Read the information label on each roll. It contains instructions for using wallpaper paste or glue.Depending on the thickness, type and surface structure, dispersion glue or a mixture of special paste and dispersion glue may be required.
Video on the choice of washable wallpaper
A selection of washable wallpaper
How to choose?