Wallpaper is a popular covering used for wall decoration. The variety of this coating allows it to be used for finishing, as in expensive interiors, and budget rooms. However, when it comes to choosing them, many simply buy at random, focusing only on external characteristics. And below you will find out what types of wallpaper there are for walls, look at their photos. We will also reveal the features of their choice and compare different types wallpaper to each other.

Modern technologies, which are used in the production of different types of wallpaper, have significantly improved them performance characteristics. So, for example, wallpaper appeared that is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, humidity, and you can even care for them using detergents. Such properties make it possible to use coatings for finishing kitchens, corridors, bathrooms and bathrooms.

What types of wallpaper are there for walls: photos, characteristics

• Paper.

• Vinyl.

• Non-woven.

• Acrylic.

• Fiberglass.

• Natural.

• Textile.

• Liquid.

• Metal.

Moreover, many types can be used as a base for painting. They can be vinyl with a non-woven base, paper or glass wallpaper.

Each type is distinguished by a rich selection of designs, many colors and patterns. To enhance the effect, we recommend combining several various types. Now let's look at each of them in more detail.

Attention! When choosing wallpaper, you need to buy rolls from the same batch. The shades of colors in different batches may differ slightly, and this should not be forgotten.

Different types of wallpaper for walls, their photos, advantages and disadvantages

1. Paper.

The most common and a budget option wallpaper that consists entirely of paper. They can be either double-layer or single-layer. Typically there are smooth types, although in some cases paper wallpaper are produced with relief.

Advantages

• Environmentally friendly - can be used in the bedroom and nursery.
• Low cost.
• They allow air to pass through, the walls can “breathe”.
• Simple gluing process.

Flaws

• Fragility: maximum service life is five years, light spots appear quickly.
• The drawings fade in the sun.
• Fear of moisture.
• Do not wash stains.
• Absorbs odors.

The quality of a paper roll directly depends on the density of the material. High-quality wallpaper should weigh about 110-140 g per 1m2.

1. Flesilinovye.

They represent roll wallpaper with a non-woven base (high-density material). Essentially, it is paper, but with the addition of fabric fibers.

Advantages

• High strength compared to paper types.
• Does not shrink after drying.
• Lets air through.
• Do not swell when wet.
• Durable, environmentally friendly and wear-resistant.
• Hides minor cracks on the surface.
• Easy to apply: you only need to apply the wall itself.
• Perfect for finishing ceilings and walls.

If there is foam vinyl on the non-woven base, then they can be used for painting.

1. Vinyl wallpapers.

This is a type of wallpaper for walls covered with foam vinyl. For their base, non-woven fabric or paper is used. They can be embossed and smooth, and also made in silk-screen printing style.

Advantages

• They practically do not fade and retain their original color for a long time.
• They are moisture resistant and can be cleaned and washed. This wallpaper is best suited for the hallway and kitchen.
• People often prefer embossed designs to hide minor irregularities walls
• Types for painting are offered that can withstand it up to 10 times.

The disadvantages include airtightness. Therefore, it is not recommended to use them in the bedroom or children's room.

1. Acrylic wallpaper.

Outwardly they resemble vinyl types. Foamed acrylic acts as the front layer here. As for their characteristics, due to the fact that a thinner acrylic layer is used, they have less durability. As for acrylic spraying, it is carried out in a point-by-point manner, so these types can allow air to pass through, which means your walls will “breathe”.

1. Natural wallpaper.

Elite types of wallpaper are made from natural materials. The following can be used as the top layer: jute, cork, veneer, straw, reed, bamboo, seaweed. Most often, paper is used as a base. Many styles (usually those with leaf designs and natural fiber trim) have a non-woven backing.

Usually rolls from natural material have a length of 5.5 cm and a width of 91 cm or 1 m.

For this type of gluing they use common species glue, depending on the base. Glue for a paper base is applied only to the canvas, for a non-woven base - to the wall. If the canvases are heavy, then glue is applied both here and there.

Advantages

• Natural materials bring comfort to the interior; they are warm to the touch.
• Eco-friendly material.
• Special impregnations are used to protect against dust.

Flaws

• Complex gluing process.
• Fear of moisture. The paint is made on water based, and if wet they can easily lose color.
• Difficult gluing process.
• If there are cats and children in the apartment, you need to protect the expensive finishes.
• Due to the high cost of this material, they are, as a rule, used to decorate some kind of wall or used as an accent, zoning the space.
• Due to the nature of the natural material, the joints between the canvases remain visible.
• Bright colors will lose color under the influence of the sun in just one season.

For removing dust from natural wallpaper Do not resort to wet cleaning. It is acceptable to brush away dust with a long-bristled brush or use a vacuum cleaner.

1. Glass wallpaper.

Fiberglass wallpaper is well suited for use in new construction that shrinks. They are also often used in offices.

They are made from glass fibers using the weaving method, so they are environmentally friendly and have increased strength. They do not prick when touched, unlike glass wool. After gluing them, it is recommended to paint the walls with water- or latex-based paints.

Advantages

• They have great wear resistance and durability.
• The service life is about 30 years, and if necessary, the top layer can be repainted up to fifteen times.
• Fiberglass fabric does not burn, is not afraid of smoke or water.
• Crack protection.
• The material does not create a breeding ground for mold, mildew, or microorganisms, so it eliminates the most common causes of allergies.

The disadvantages include a small selection of designs, the most popular of which are diamond, herringbone, and matting. But the steles look quite cold.

1. Textile wallpaper.

The front part of fabric wallpaper consists of natural materials: velor, jute, cotton, linen, silk. The base consists of non-woven fabric or paper. In production, they are treated with a fire-fighting and antiseptic solution. In some cases, coatings are made from synthetic fabrics. This material is easier to care for and can be vacuumed if necessary.

Advantages

• Fabric decoration on the wall looks expensive, chic and original.
• Environmentally friendly material.
• Many flax-based varieties have antiseptic properties.
• They are resistant to sun exposure, have sound and heat insulation.
• Unique appearance. The wall decoration looks luxurious. This material is often used in oriental-style interiors.
• If the types have an increased roll width, then a seamless coating can be made.

Their disadvantages include poor resistance to dirt, dust, moisture, odors and exposure to pets. It is also worth noting that this material has a high price, as it is a designer type of finish. To glue this type you will need the help of an experienced specialist.

1. Metal wallpaper.

They are perfect for furnishing a high-tech interior. They produce beautiful reflections in the sun, and lighting will only embellish and demonstrate all their advantages. The interior will be filled with silver, gold or bronze sparkles.

Advantages

• Metallic wallpaper is bought by most owners only for its attractive appearance.
• Easy to clean.
• The decorative layer consists of thin aluminum foil, so they are highly wear-resistant.
• They have good sound insulation.
• They are not afraid of exposure to the sun's rays and do not lose their color over time.

Due to the high cost of production and their original appearance, the price per roll remains consistently high. Before gluing, you need to perfectly align the walls, otherwise the foil will wrinkle.

1. Liquid wallpaper.

One of the most original types can be called liquid wallpaper. They unite best qualities roll coverings, painting walls and decorative plaster.

Without experience, they can be confused with structural plaster. But their composition can differ greatly: when creating liquid wallpaper, sand is not used, but cellulose is used as the main component. To give a beautiful appearance, they contain sparkles, decorative fibers, and natural dyes.

They are supplied as a dry powder, which must be diluted with water before use. As a rule, the price directly depends on the number of decorative particles included in the mixture; the brighter it is, the correspondingly more expensive.

Advantages:

• there are no joints during application;
• create an original relief structure;
• can level walls, which reduces finishing time;
• service life is about 6-8 years;
• environmentally friendly material;
• do not attract dust and have antistatic properties.

Drying time of the mixture is up to 48 hours. Liquid wallpaper is not recommended for use in damp rooms due to its high hygroscopicity.

Photo wallpaper

It is worth special mentioning photo wallpapers, which allow you to get almost any picture on the wall: cities, flowers, ocean, nature. Most often, a self-adhesive base is used for their application.

conclusions

We have looked at almost all types of wallpaper used for walls. You can choose best option for a room, depending on environmental requirements, conditions, durability and price.

Gone are the days when renovations were completed by gluing paper wallpaper, which did not please with the variety of patterns and quality of workmanship. But the choice was small, and it was not always possible to “get” decent wall coverings.

Today, any specialized store is a kingdom of diversity in color, texture, pattern and material from which they are made. But now another problem arises: how not to drown in the “wallpaper” sea and choose those that will not only decorate your home, but will be durable, easy to care for and inexpensive.

Wallpaper is very often used for wall decoration.

What types of wallpaper are there, and where is it best to use them?

To choose the most suitable products, you first need to decide:

• in which room, from a functional point of view, they will be glued;
• will it be necessary to completely cover the walls and ceiling, or will they be used in fragments;
• Is it important that they are washable;
• what should the price be?

If an understanding has been achieved in these matters, you can consider the products in more detail, paying attention to the following features:

• material;
• gluing methods;
• color and texture;
• applied ornament.

1. The choice of material will depend on where they are intended to be glued. In the bathroom, kitchen, and hallway, vinyl wallpapers that “accept” wet care are more appropriate. Not long ago, a type of wall covering with the addition of an antibacterial composition appeared, which helps protect walls from fungus in the kitchen or bathroom.

Wallpaper material should be chosen based on the location where it will be glued.

Fabric is a more difficult material to care for; gluing them is also not easy, since constant stretching is required. However, the “torment of creativity” will pay off handsomely: it is perfect for bedrooms or living rooms, creating a special atmosphere of warmth and comfort.

You can also use traditional paper wallpaper, which captivates with its variety of colors. They have not lost their relevance today: they are quite durable and are not difficult to glue. Well chosen, they will decorate the dining room and living room, bedroom and study.

Interesting embossed wallpaper, which creates a velvet effect and allows for careful wet cleaning. They need to be cleaned before gluing.

Embossed wallpaper creates a velvet effect and allows for gentle wet cleaning

There are other types of wall coverings made from rare and sometimes exotic materials.

2. Methods of gluing

Today there are wallpapers that can be pasted in one of three ways:

• buy material with adhesive impregnation;
• glue in the traditional way;
• use self-adhesive wallpaper.

3. Color and texture

The right choice of color will help you create comfort and coziness in your home using interesting design solutions. It’s good if it harmonizes with the furniture, taking into account the size and lighting of the room.

Wallpaper can be plain-painted and with a variety of patterns. When choosing an ornament you need to consider:

• the size of the room and its relationship with the size of the ornament;
• daylight illumination;
• functional purpose of the room.

Wallpaper can be plain-painted and with a variety of patterns

Classification by characteristics

From the right choice wallpaper depends not only on the beauty of the room, but also on the mood and comfort of those who live or work in it. On this moment they are classified according to the following parameters.

1. Attitude to wet care

   Regular (paper) or acrylic ones require especially careful handling: it is better to clean them with a vacuum cleaner with a soft attachment.

   Waterproof ones can be cleaned with a wet cloth or sponge.

   Washable ones can be cared for using soft brushes and soapy water.

   Super washable and withstands light friction; These include vinyl coverings.

Resistant to fading
The extent to which the selected wallpaper has this property will be shown by the icon on the packaging. When purchasing, you need to take into account: if the room is sunny all day long, the process of fading will be very active, so resistance to color loss from exposure to the sun will be an important condition for long-term use of the products.

Possibility of customizing the pattern

Not all types of wallpaper require this, but it is important to pay attention to this characteristic, otherwise you will need more material than is required for gluing.

Not only the beauty of the room, but also the mood and comfort depends on the correct choice of wallpaper.

Another characteristic is the material, and its choice is quite wide.

Type of coverage		Peculiarities
Paper		Cheapest environmentally friendly afraid of moisture have low strength
Non-woven	Nonwovens	Good air and moisture conductivity different density levels
Acrylic	Acrylic foam coated paper	"Breathable" various colors slightly heavier than paper, but lighter than vinyl gluing method - traditional
Textile	Paper with fabric pasted	Different texture Natural and artificial textiles are used
Glass wallpaper		Used in rooms with high humidity can be painted and repainted many times serve up to 30 years;

There are other, rarer and more exotic types of wall coverings made from natural fabrics.

There are other, rarer and more exotic types of wall coverings made from natural fabrics.

Decorative wallpaper: basic selection options

Decorativeness is an indicator that plays an important role in the selection of material. Its main indicators are:

• wallpaper color;
• drawing;
• texture (relief, three-dimensional ornament, etc.);
• functionality (where used: for pasting walls, ceilings, individual parts of the room).

If they are correctly selected and matched, it is possible to realize the most daring design ideas, giving the room an original, unique look and creating an atmosphere of coziness and comfort.

Acrylic wallpaper: beauty and durability

This type of wall covering is quite durable, so it will last for quite a long time. In addition, a variety of colors allows you to use acrylic for interior decoration. various sizes, illumination, functionality. The wallpaper uses a foamed acrylic component, which is applied to paper base.

Among the undeniable advantages are:

• breathability of the material;
• the ability to hide surface unevenness;
• variety of colors and patterns;
• the ability to use when implementing various design solutions;
• relatively low price.

Disadvantages include:

• short service life (within 5-6 years);
• low strength;
• greater labor intensity of gluing compared to paper ones;
• lack of versatility of use.

Acrylic wallpaper is distinguished by high aesthetics, bringing freshness, beauty, and novelty to the design.

This type of wall covering is quite durable, so it will last for quite a long time.

What is the difference between acrylic wallpaper and paper wallpaper?

Paper and acrylic wallpaper. Both types are environmentally friendly, “breathable”, they are characterized by a variety of colors and patterns, and they are also united traditional way gluing and “dry” method of care. This is where the “commonality” of these types of wall coverings ends.

Acrylic material differs from paper:

• its foam coating allows you to hide small surface irregularities, which is not possible with paper wallpaper;
• much more time spent on pasting: this type of wall covering requires careful handling, as it is heavier than paper;
• their cost is slightly higher.

They are in demand, but if you do not have much experience in installation, it is better to invite a specialist to glue them.

Acrylic and paper wallpapers are very similar

Non-woven

This type of wallpaper, having appeared on the market, immediately found its fans and very quickly gained popularity. There are several reasons for this:

• based on non-woven material, they have increased strength and density;
• are environmentally friendly;
• do not shrink or stretch, as they do not get wet;
• practically not subject to burnout;
• have sufficient thickness to hide surface unevenness, which eliminates the need for putty before gluing;
• fire resistant.

The main disadvantages, of which there are few, are:

• some difficulty in maintenance, since dust is difficult to remove from reliefs;
• the relief structure can be easily damaged by careless handling of piercing and cutting objects.

This type of wallpaper, having appeared on the market, immediately found its fans and very quickly gained popularity

Photo wallpaper

This is an interesting and low-labor way to solve the design in different styles; their range is truly limitless. It is possible to produce photo wallpapers to order. Their use makes it possible to:

• “revive” the interior with paintings of nature;
• design them as a perspective observed from a false window;
• order a company logo or depict new products.

They also have advantages during installation:

• gluing occurs very quickly;
• the colors in the images do not lose their brightness for a long time;
• You can choose the installation method yourself: self-adhesive or using glue.

To the disadvantages, but rather, prerequisite, is the requirement for an absolutely smooth surface, otherwise the natural effect disappears. Inexpensive material Over time it can come off, so it makes sense to buy a more expensive one - it will be less hassle.

Photo wallpaper can be made to order according to your design

Liquid wallpaper

This unusual material combines the properties of wallpaper and decorative plaster, which allows you to add various components to the dry mixture: mint chips, mica, mother-of-pearl and other materials.

They include:

• cellulose;
• cotton fibers;
• silk;
• glue,

The advantages of this type of material are:

• environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic;
• breathability;
• high aesthetics;
• simplicity and ease of application: does not form seams or joints, can be applied in several steps;
• ease of care: washing is not difficult.

The material is non-flammable and has high heat-saving and sound-proofing characteristics.

As for the disadvantages, the main one is the high price. In addition, such wallpaper takes a long time to dry: in some cases, the drying time can reach a week, and on average from 12 to 36 hours, and is easily damaged: scratches, chips, etc. are visible on it.

The material is non-flammable, has high heat-saving and sound-proofing characteristics

Rare and exotic coatings

In addition to well-known types of wallpaper, there are rare and unusual ones. This group is represented by:

• wallpaper made from dry Japanese grass and bamboo is original, fashionable, but may not last long in homes with curious small children and pets;
• genuine leather, which are harmless to health, have high sound insulation, and demonstrate luxury and prosperity;
• metal, created using modern unique technology, creating unusual interiors
• wood, giving the interior sophistication and chic.

All of these are natural and safe materials, expensive and creating an equally expensive and luxurious interior.

Wallpaper made from dry Japanese grass and bamboo is original, fashionable, but may not last long

What do the icons on the wallpaper mean and how to decipher the marking symbols

To find out about the properties and consumer characteristics of the wallpaper you are purchasing, you can ask questions to the sales consultant. Or you can find out about them yourself by “reading” all the information on the icons and markings on the packaging. Correct “reading” gives information that the wallpaper:

Usually there are icons on the wallpaper that indicate their characteristics.

• waterproof,
• washable,
• super washable,
• wear-resistant,
• lightfast,
• very lightfast,
• completely removable,
• not completely removed,
• self-adhesive

This knowledge will help you choose the “right” wallpaper that will decorate the room for many years.

Video: What types of wallpaper are there?

Video: Selecting wallpaper

Hello))

Although it’s not summer now - it’s time for vacations, during which we usually all “love” to do renovations)) nevertheless, I would like to talk about one of the types of decorating houses and apartments - wallpaper.

Wall decoration is one of the first things we think about when carrying out repair work and transforming your home.

Today, wall decor can be very diverse and many, keeping up with the times, choose something new, progressive. Nevertheless, we have not stopped covering the walls of our apartments with the usual and time-tested wallpaper.

Wallpaper, as many years ago, is a leader among other decor as it is the most convenient and affordable construction material Moreover, the huge selection on store shelves pleases the eye with a variety of shades, making it impossible to pass by.

Despite the fact that they entered our lives relatively long ago, the question still arises periodically: “what kind of wallpaper are there for walls?”

Its relevance is growing every day, along with the range construction stores. Having crossed the line of the Soviet period, when there was practically only paper wallpaper in stores, we learned that wall coverings can have different variants, and sometimes those that can not only radically transform a room, but also create sound and heat insulation, and that’s not all.

Therefore, I propose to understand the most popular today and try to understand what is the best choice?

Paper wallpaper

Paper wallpapers are one of the first that we learned about and were glad to decorate the walls with them, without particularly thinking about the shortcomings; there was nothing to compare with)) But in the era of the “problem of choice,” everything is changing and, before purchasing paper wallpaper, It doesn’t hurt to take the pros and cons into account.

Types of paper wallpaper

They are divided into two subspecies - simplex and duplex.

Wallpaper simplex, what is it

These wall coverings are considered pioneers and therefore everyone who has done renovations at least once in their life has come across them in stores.

Simplex can be smooth and embossed, but their distinctive feature– the paper base of the wallpaper consists of one layer.

Once upon a time, many people preferred simplex wallpaper because of its simplicity and affordable cost, but these advantages are not able to overcome the disadvantages, expressed in fragility and poor concealment of flaws, if they are present on the walls.

Simplex is afraid of mechanical damage, and even more so of fire and water; it’s not for nothing that Europe has long abandoned the use of simplex wallpaper.

There is another subtype of paper wall coverings:

Duplex wallpaper, what is it and how do they differ from simplex?

For the manufacture of duplex wallpaper, more complex technologies were used, which made it more durable and durable. They consist of two layers of paper, which means the design is printed on the top layer. This little trick creates the effect of a living drawing without deformation.

You shouldn’t completely discount the use of paper wallpaper, due to the fact that paper allows air to pass through well and wallpaper “breathes”, they are the most environmentally friendly and are what designers recommend for covering children’s rooms and bedrooms.

From my own experience I will say that paper wallpaper is good for a summer residence, if, of course, country house interior without any special complaints)) This is a very cheap option, it was not difficult for us to glue them, the assortment includes a huge number of just “dacha” colors, and, most importantly, they do not spoil the overall eco-friendly dacha atmosphere. Just keep in mind that paper wallpaper absorbs odors more than others and fades in the sun, so do not use them on the sunny side.

Vinyl wallpaper - pros and cons

Vinyl wallpapers are quite popular, and precisely because of their popularity and diversity, many questions arise about which vinyl option is better to choose, what is the difference and where to look for the pros and cons. Vinyl wallpaper has its own characteristics, which you should learn about before starting repairs.

Vinyl wall coverings are made on a paper or non-woven backing made of polyvinyl chloride - PVC. Vinyl is durable, reliable and does not fade.

But! If on tubes vinyl wallpaper If they are not labeled with an environmental safety symbol, it is better to leave them in the store.

There are several types of vinyl wallpaper.

Compact vinyl

What is this, compact vinyl wallpaper, and how can you visually distinguish it from others on the building materials market?

Compact vinyl, or hard vinyl, has a texture that imitates stone, plaster, ceramic tiles etc.

This option is so unpretentious that you can use brushes and detergents based on alkali and alcohol.

Wallpaper silkscreen, what is it

It won’t be difficult to recognize them on store shelves: they have a smooth surface, similar to silk, and a thin but dense structure resulting from heating and embossing.

Smooth vinyl, better known as silkscreen, gives walls a special charm and grace.

Walls to be covered with silk require special preparation; they must be perfectly smooth; the impeccable texture of this type of wallpaper will reveal even small flaws.

Washable vinyl wallpaper

But they, unlike silk-screen printing, are heavy and smooth out the unevenness of the walls well.

From the name it is clear that the wallpaper has increased moisture resistance, so it can decorate not only the kitchen, but also the bathroom.

Foamed vinyl, what is it?

The next type of vinyl wallpaper is foamed vinyl; this is wallpaper that is much thicker than, for example, silk-screen printing. Pleasant to the touch, soft, with a rough, structural surface sometimes decorated with sparkles, foamed vinyl is a kind of analogue of relief plaster and perfectly hides any unevenness or defects in the walls.

The disadvantages of foamed vinyl include instability to external influences: it does not tolerate being too close to the headboards of beds and chairs, and is not resistant to external influences, for example, to cat claws.

Non-woven wallpaper - pros and cons

Non-woven wallpaper is a velvety innovation that has replaced paper wall coverings. It is not for nothing that they have won the respect of customers and popularity, since if you take into account the pros and cons of non-woven wallpaper, then there will be many more advantages.

Pros.

Since they are made of cellulose and synthetic fibers, they easily allow steam and moisture to pass through and the walls can “breathe”.

They are durable, can reinforce small cracks and even contribute to some degree of sound insulation.

Those who are renovating a new building should pay attention to them.

Non-woven wallpaper does not stretch and practically does not burst when the house shrinks.

Minuses.

The disadvantages of this wallpaper appear when a layer of vinyl is applied to the non-woven base, and although the non-woven material in this case becomes much stronger, it loses its environmental benefits. Most often, this option is used for painting.

Wallpaper is clothing for the walls in which we live our lives, and each of us is concerned about our own health and that of our loved ones, so the question: are non-woven wallpaper harmful or not has its relevance. The answer in this case is ambiguous, since it all depends on the manufacturer. High-quality and real non-woven wallpaper cannot be harmful due to the absence of artificial substitutes.

In turn, if, as has already been written, vinyl coating is applied to the top layer, and there is no safety symbol on the tube, then we can say that non-woven wallpaper is harmful. Although, if you look at it, we are no longer talking about 100% non-woven fabric here.

Which wallpaper is better: vinyl or non-woven or paper?

From the above, we can draw an unambiguous conclusion - it all depends on where you need to glue the wallpaper and what operational requirements you place on it.

For rooms where we spend less time, and the wall covering is preferably wear-resistant (corridor, bathroom, kitchen), vinyl wallpaper is suitable.

But despite the significant advantages, all vinyl wallpapers have the same disadvantages: synthetic material, lack of breathability and a pronounced odor, which, however, disappears over time. Therefore, when wondering which wallpapers are safe for health, think about something more natural: paper or non-woven, and prefer them for children's rooms and bedrooms.

Other types of wallpaper

Textile wallpaper, what is it?

If you are looking for something beautiful and natural coating for walls, then textile (fabric) wallpaper is exactly what you need. They can be: viscose, linen, cotton, silk, velor, felt and jute.

To produce such wallpaper, natural threads are used, which are glued to a non-woven or paper base, and the top is treated with antistatic agents and compounds that resist fading, dust settling, and getting wet.

Besides environmentally friendly material, they also have a very attractive appearance: a variety of colors, shapes and textures.

Fabric wallpaper, pros and cons

Fabric wallpaper undoubtedly has a lot of advantages; all of the above qualities can be added to it. A downside may be the price, which will naturally be an order of magnitude higher than that of non-natural analogues.

Eco wallpaper for walls

Today, a lot of attention is paid to natural products and materials, so many people prefer eco-coatings and wallpaper made from natural environmental substances.

The basis of eco-wallpaper is non-woven or very thick paper. The wallpaper itself is heavy, since it is made from plant materials such as: bamboo, reed, seaweed, rattan, sisal, race paper, veneer valuable species trees: cherry, sandalwood, apricot and have clear advantages - natural ingredients, breathable structure, sound absorption.

Disadvantages - they lose color over time, and can become deformed from frequent wet cleaning.

Cork wallpapers are very popular now, the pros and cons of which boil down to the fact that made from cork oak and cork chips, they are very beautiful. They have an undeniable advantage - the natural wax coating significantly adds strength to them.

But they also don't like frequent wet cleaning, so cork wallpaper should not be used in the kitchen and bathroom.

Fiberglass wallpaper

A wall covering that differs from the wallpaper we are used to. In appearance they look like fabric with glass fibers, a kind of textured decorative weaving, and applied to the walls they make them look like strict plaster.

Pros.

Fiberglass wallpaper is so durable that it will last at least 30 years!

The strength is explained by the composition of fiberglass: threads are drawn from dolomite, quartz sand, and lime at an enormous temperature of 1200 degrees and “yarn is made.” Since the wallpaper components are exclusively natural, there are no harmful chemicals in their composition.

Wallpaper made of fiberglass has enormous wear resistance - it does not scratch, does not tear, can withstand washing with a hard brush and does not even burn.

When painting, up to 20 layers of waterproof paint can be used.

Minuses.

Naturally, when purchasing such an unusual wall covering, the question arises, how to glue fiberglass wallpaper? This process is very complex and quite labor-intensive, requiring special knowledge and skills, so it is better if it is done by professionals.

Metallic wallpaper, what is it?

Another new word, or a real breakthrough in wall decoration? In fact, metallic wallpaper is distinguished by its external gloss, but if you look deeper, you can understand that the same non-woven material or paper is used as a basis.

But the aluminum foil framing the front layer of the material adds an unusual, one might even say luxurious, look to them, as well as their moisture resistance and reflection of electromagnetic radiation, which can be considered a definite plus and an indicator of quality.

Considering such a huge assortment of wallpaper, you might think that it is easy to get confused in all this variety, but there is no need to be afraid, because the manufacturers took care of us, the customers, and put signs on the wallpaper, the meaning of which is easy to decipher.

What do the icons on the wallpaper mean and how to decipher the marking symbols

Because the different wallpapers can be marked in different ways; see several options for decoding the marking symbols.

Beauty and bright mood for your home :)

Wallpaper is by far the most common type wall covering in the world. Today there are many varieties: paper, textile, vinyl, made from different natural materials, inlaid with rhinestones, crystals, etc., non-woven, high-tech and many, many other wallpapers, which are produced annually in millions of tons and billions of kilometers.

In all countries and on all continents, wallpaper is valued for the invisible warmth it imparts. home interior, and, of course, for its aesthetic appeal. But how did all this happen?

The appearance of paper

The history of wallpaper began around 4000 BC, when the earliest form of paper, Egyptian papyrus, was born. However, the birthplace of paper wall coverings was not Egypt at all, but Ancient China. It was the Chinese who invented rice paper, and it was they who invented it in 200 BC. were the first to use it as a wall covering.

In 105 AD, the Chinese courtier Cai Lun invented the technology for producing paper from textile waste (rags). This was the birth of paper as we know it today. By the way, it was thanks to this invention that China was able to develop its civilization much faster than others - the advent of paper contributed to the widespread spread of literacy and literature. It is not surprising that this fact aroused the interest and envy of many rulers of ancient states, and the “recipe” for paper was hunted no less diligently and insidiously than the secret of making silk.

In 751, at the Battle of the Talas River, Arab troops captured several Chinese paper manufacturers. The secrets and skills of its production were revealed. The paper began to spread throughout the Middle East and beyond.

Paper came to Europe only in the 12th century, where until then the walls were decorated with various fabrics. By that time she had already become thin and had reached quite high level quality is largely due to the fact that the Arabs replaced flax fibers in its composition with veneer and bamboo.

History of wallpaper development

The first European examples of block printing were religious memorials called "helgen". The oldest known such drawing, the Presentation of the Virgin (1418), is kept today in the Royal Library of Brussels. In China, a similar printing method was used back in the 5th century.

Jean Bourdichon, "The Kiss of Judas"

In 1481, French artist Jean Bourdichon painted 50 rolls of paper for King Louis XI with beautiful angels on a blue background. King Louis ordered him to make such portable wallpaper because he often moved from castle to castle. After this, many wealthy Europeans had artists paint paper to decorate their walls for decades, but it can hardly be said that real paper wallpaper existed before the advent of the printing press.

Earliest fragment European wallpaper, which was discovered and which has survived until today, was found on the beams of Christ's College in Cambridge, England and dated 1509. The design of this wallpaper is a print of a garnet woodcut on the back of a proclamation issued by Henry VIII. The author of this work was recognized as a typographer from York, Hugo Goes.

Later, English wallpaper production methods also achieved significant success. Products that appeared in the 18th century best stores London quickly became all the rage. At first, London fashionistas preferred very expensive, hand-painted paper that imitated various architectural elements and materials, such as marble or stucco. But later wallpaper achieved recognition thanks to its own merits. Particularly popular were edgings that resembled braid or a piece of fabric, as well as flock wallpaper that looked like cut velvet.

Wallpaper appeared in America in 1739. From neoclassical designs to random rose patterns, patterned paper wall coverings have quickly become the epitome of fashion. Initially, the colonists copied European style, but after the war independence began to emerge in American craftsmanship. In 1778, King Louis XVI issued a decree that set the required length of a roll of wallpaper to 34 feet (10.36 m). This value remains generally accepted to this day.

In 1785, the Frenchman Christophe Philippe Oberkampf invented the first wallpaper printing machine. At the same time, his compatriot Nicolas Louis Robert found a way to make an endless roll.

The next important contribution to the history of wallpaper development was made by Germany. In 1798, lithography was invented in Solnhofen by Alois Senefelder - new way printing, during which ink was applied to paper under pressure using a flat printing plate.

In 1839, Charles Harold Potter of Darwen invented a 4-color surface printing machine, with cylinders hand-cut into shapes to produce patterns. This English invention made it possible to print up to 400 rolls of wallpaper per day. In 1850, the number of possible shades increased from four to eight, and in 1874 there were already 20.

Intaglio printing was invented in 1879 by Austrian Karl Keitsch. Using this method, paint can be applied to the surface of the paper in a much thicker layer, giving it not only color, but also relief.

Silkscreen printing is said to have originated and developed in Japan and China between 960 and 1280. However, it was first patented in England by Samuel Simon in 1907. The first mechanical silk-screen printing machine was invented in 1920.

In the Victorian era, it was fashionable to decorate the walls of rooms as brightly as possible. The advent of machine production made wallpaper with the most complex patterns available to almost every home. Masters such as Louis Comfort Tiffany and William Morris, with their lyrical interpretation of natural motifs, became symbols of the Art Nouveau style. But despite all this, wallpaper received real recognition only in the 20s. That time became famous as the Golden Age of wallpaper, during which more than 400 million rolls were sold.

After World War II, the entire industry was revolutionized by the advent of plastic resins. With their help, many manufactured products have been given such important properties as resistance to dirt, resistance to washing, strength and durability.

Architectural modernism, which lasted through the 70s and 80s, opposed decorative excess, causing wallpaper to fall out of favor for much of this century. But at the end of the 20th century, many people rediscovered the romance and beauty of patterned walls.

What do we have today?

Latest advances in digital, photographic and other printing technologies allow modern equipment reproduce any historical ornaments and digital materials on a variety of substrates. After high technology has intervened in the matter, what can we expect from further development wallpaper?

Today, global manufacturers offer wonderful wallpaper for walls that can be washed and can last well for more than 15 years, but at the same time their history has been preserved in best traditions worldly art. Design modern wallpaper can reproduce any style of architecture from any period. But, unlike expensive frescoes and tapestries, this type of wall covering is available to everyone today.

Wallpaper history updated: January 16, 2014 by: Margarita Glushko

Wallpaper is the most common finishing material. More than 90% of the walls are finished with wallpaper. There are a wide variety of wallpaper types for walls.

Based on the material from which they are made, wallpapers are divided into:

• paper
• non-woven
• vinyl
• fabric or textile
• fiberglass wallpaper
• liquid wallpaper
• exotic types: quartz, cork, metallized

In relation to humidity, there are 2 types of wallpaper:

• moisture resistant
• non-moisture resistant

In appearance, wallpapers are:

• smooth
• raised or embossed

There are plain and patterned wallpapers; with rapport, i.e. a repeating pattern, or without rapport. There are photo wallpapers, a drawing or photograph on which you can choose from those available or order individually. Wallpaper comes in various colors, and if you wish, you can purchase paintable wallpaper and paint it in desired color on one's own.

With such a variety, how to choose the wallpaper that is right for your apartment? Let's look at different types of wallpaper.

Main types of wallpaper

• Paper

They are made of paper with a print applied to it, i.e., a design. They come in single-layer (simplex) and two-layer (duplex). Most often, the design is applied using a typographic method. For top-class wallpaper, hand printing is used. To prevent the design from fading, some types of paper wallpaper are coated with a primer. Except smooth wallpaper There are paper wallpapers with a relief surface. They come in colored and white, such wallpapers white used for painting. There are also embossed paper wallpapers and even corrugated duplex wallpapers.

Advantages of paper wallpaper:

• they are air and moisture permeable;
• They mask small uneven surfaces of the wall well.

Flaws:

• low strength, especially when gluing;
• they cannot be used in rooms with high humidity

• Non-woven

Non-woven fabric is a material made from a mixture of natural (cellulose) and chemical (polyester) fibers. This material was invented in Germany for use in the clothing industry. Later it was also used for wall decoration. It is stronger than paper and more moisture resistant.

Advantages of non-woven wallpaper:

• they are environmentally friendly, breathable;
• Such wallpaper is easy to paste, since you only need to apply glue to the surface of the wall. There is no need to lubricate the wallpaper with glue;
• if desired, they can be repainted many times;
• non-woven wallpaper masks uneven surfaces of the walls;
• they have good sound insulation;
• non-woven fabric does not deform when the glue dries after gluing the wallpaper to the wall;
• Wallpaper can be easily separated from the wall during subsequent repairs.

Flaws:

• This wallpaper is quite transparent. When pasting light wallpaper you need to prepare the wall so that there are no contrasting spots on it, the wall should be light color. dark wall needs to be primed;
• Non-woven wallpaper is not moisture resistant and cannot be washed.

• Vinyl

This is the most durable type of wallpaper. They have 2 layers and come on a paper or non-woven basis. Upper layer made of polyvinyl chloride. This material is resistant to mechanical stress and contamination. There are vinyl wallpapers embossed or smooth. Hot stamping wallpaper has several varieties:

• compact vinyl imitates various materials– stone, relief plaster or textiles
• Silk-screen printing allows you to realize a wide variety of design ideas. They have a smooth texture and a pleasant shine. Use only on well-leveled walls
• Chemical embossed wallpaper has high UV resistance, excellent durability and water resistance

Advantages of vinyl wallpaper:

• their outstanding strength;
• Can be washed using household detergents;
• resistance to UV rays;
• This wallpaper smooths out wall unevenness well.

Flaws:

• The main disadvantage of vinyl wallpaper is its unsafety. When burned, they release toxic substances containing chlorine compounds. In Europe, this wallpaper is prohibited from being used in public buildings.

• Textile

This coating consists of 2 layers. Bottom is paper or non-woven fabric, top is textile material. It can be silk, linen, viscose or other fabrics. Fabric wallpaper is the most sophisticated type of wall decoration. They can be of various colors, fabric textures, be plain or have a pattern.

Advantages of textile wallpaper:

• environmental friendliness, this wallpaper allows air to pass through well;
• a wide variety of colors and fabric structures will satisfy the most demanding designer;
• The seams between the strips of wallpaper are almost invisible. You can create a “solid wall” effect.

Flaws:

• absorb odors well and attract dust;
• require careful handling and can be easily damaged by children or pets;
• the wall under such wallpaper must be perfectly flat; the pasting process requires special skills. It is advisable to entrust the wallpapering of walls to professionals.

• Fiberglass

This species appeared not so long ago. Wallpaper is made from fiberglass, which is produced on special machines from quartz sand, dolomite, soda and limestone. They are absolutely safe and hypoallergenic. Fiberglass wallpaper should be glued to a cleaned wall using a special, very strong adhesive. They are usually used for painting. These wallpapers have several types of weaving patterns: twill weaving (herringbone), matting, parquet, diamond, jacquard.

Advantages:

• very durable, service life up to 30 years;
• do not burn and do not emit harmful and hazardous substances. Complies with European safety standards;
• moisture resistant - Glass wallpaper can be used even in the bathroom and other rooms with high humidity;
• You can even wash it with a stiff brush.

Flaws:

• low plasticity;
• difficult to separate from the wall;
• are used for painting only.

Liquid wallpaper is called decorative plaster. A special dry mixture is diluted with water and applied to the wall. It turns out solid decorative coating. It can be smooth or structured. Unfortunately, only a small number of colors of such wallpaper are currently produced.

Advantages:

• environmentally friendly, safe;
• do not fade;
• high degree of sound insulation;
• no joints.

Flaws:

• afraid of water;
• damage must be repaired with a special repair compound;
• small variety of colors.

• Quartz

This is a new, unusual type of wallpaper. Quartz sand is applied to a non-woven base and an interesting result is obtained. wall covering. Sand can be of different shades, and if necessary, they can be repainted. This wallpaper contains only natural ingredients. You should not glue quartz wallpaper in damp rooms.

Advantages:

• quartz is a non-flammable material, so the wallpaper has excellent fire resistance;
• wallpaper is easy to paste, forming a continuous canvas on which the joints are invisible;
• this is a very durable and abrasion-resistant wallpaper;
• The environmental friendliness of the material allows them to be used in any room;
• quartz wallpaper does not fade. They are painted to the full depth of the decorative layer, so light scratches and abrasions are invisible on them.

Flaws:

• insufficient moisture resistance does not allow their use in damp rooms;
• they have a rough surface, which not everyone likes.

With such a variety of types, how to choose wallpaper that is suitable for your home or apartment?

How to choose wallpaper

For damp rooms, vinyl or fiberglass wallpaper is suitable. If the room humidity is low, then any type of wallpaper will do.

For a children's room, wallpaper should be safe, easy to clean, and pleasant to the touch. It is best to cover it with non-woven wallpaper. An interesting option is fiberglass wallpaper. They are environmentally friendly and durable. They can be repainted if a child gets them dirty, or if you just want to change the appearance of the walls. Or you can give the teenager the opportunity to paint such walls himself. You can paste over the nursery with paper wallpaper. They breathe and are pleasant to the touch, but you cannot remove traces of paints or felt-tip pens from them.

The bedroom will be very cozy if it is covered with wallpaper textile wallpaper. Non-woven and paper wallpaper would also be appropriate in this room. It’s better to avoid vinyl wallpaper. They do not breathe and may have an unpleasant odor.

Liquid wallpaper can be used to decorate a hall, corridor or kitchen. Quartz wallpaper is usually used in expensive office premises, you can also paste them over some rooms in the apartment, such as an office.

What wallpaper to choose depends on the size of the room. For example, striped wallpaper looks good in small rooms. A horizontal strip will visually expand the room, and a vertical strip will make the ceiling higher. Moreover, wide vertical stripes They will not only raise the ceiling, but also visually increase the area of ​​the room. Large patterns on the walls in such a room will be inappropriate, but a small pattern will make the room more voluminous. Bright hues wallpaper will also visually expand such a room.

After you determine which wallpaper is best suited for each room in the apartment, you need to imagine how these wallpapers will combine with each other. It is advisable that color solutions All rooms were in harmony with each other. Then it will be comfortable to be in any room of the apartment.

According to Finewall.ru