What are paper wallpapers and what are their pros and cons

Paper wallpaper was once the main finishing material for wall decoration. As wallpaper from other materials was invented and entered the market, paper wallpapers lost some popularity, but in the age of combating environmental pollution, their use is very important.

Classic is certainly present in this interesting interior.

Many wallpaper factories, both in Russia and other countries, produce such products. At least there are plenty to choose from.

Varieties

Paper wallpapers are easily classified according to several parameters:

according to the thickness of the web - single-layer (simplex), two-layer (duplex),
on the texture - embossed with obvious embossing, smooth without a pressed ornament,
by color - plain background, with an obvious pattern,
moisture resistance - washable and not washable,
in functionality - for painting, ready-made.

As you can see, paper wallpapers are very diverse, they can ensure the fulfillment of a number of requirements. In one way or another, the choice of paper wallpaper is based on a comparison of the pros and cons of certain types.

Historical retreat

The history of paper wallpapers dates back thousands of centuries. The first mention of such finishing material was recorded in China, it was there that the first wallpapers were made on the basis of rice paper. China's technology went far ahead when it became interested in paper wallpaper in Europe.

Enterprising Englishmen began to supply finishing materials from China around the 18th century, but soon established their own manufacturing factories. Chinese wallpaper for the walls was painted by masters manually, this was a competitive advantage, since the Europeans immediately started screen printing.

Modern European paper wallpapers - this is where progress has come

Luxurious fabric wallpaper lost most of the market to paper, losing to the competitor in many respects, the main of which, of course, was price. The second important quality of paper-based wallpapers is their environmental friendliness, and if this factor had not been given much importance earlier, now it is brought to the fore.

European manufacturers place quality at the forefront, and this is evident in the creation of paper wallpapers.

The market of decorative materials in its modern form allows us to choose wallpapers from a wide variety of materials: from wood and metal, from cork and bamboo, from fabric or fiberglass, from vinyl and non-woven, and in this huge assortment of classic paper wallpaper. Demand for them remains the highest, no matter what.

The bedroom is one of those places where paper wallpapers are just what you need.

Like all of the above materials, paper wallpaper has its pros and cons, which vary depending on the type of canvas. Specialists usually operate with the most basic drawback - a short service life, which includes a tendency to burn out, poor wear resistance, poor moisture resistance, etc.

Choosing paper wallpapers of different types, it is possible to improve some characteristics of the wallpaper.

Considering the advantages and disadvantages of wallpaper made from paper, we begin to consider the minuses in order to be as objective as possible.

Short life

If we consider the simplest and cheapest type of paper wallpaper - a simplex, which is a thin paper web, then this is definitely their most basic drawback. Single-layer paper easily tears, it loses color after repeated mechanical contact.

What explains the constant high demand for such wallpapers? It's simple, rolls of such finishing material are very cheap.

It is no exaggeration to say that it is the cheapest finishing material for walls. It is used in those rooms where there is no question of high decorative standards, the most common application is redecorating an apartment, decorating a country house.

Ukrainian simplex wallpaper, one of the successful colors

Some enterprises make simplex wallpapers from recycled materials. If we look at the inside of such wallpapers, it is usually dark in color. The downside here is that on very light canvases, the substrate can be seen through.

In contrast to the thin single-layer, durable two-layer wallpapers with duplex marking are produced. In this case, we are dealing with dense pressed and embossed paper, many times stronger than single-layer analogues. Duplex looks better, the material is noticeably stronger and obviously more durable, in cost it exceeds the simplex by 1.5-2 times.

Burnout

Exposure to sunlight adversely affects many finishing materials, including paper wallpaper. Under the influence of the sun, paper wallpapers lose their color over time, becoming faded. For the most part, burnout refers to paintings with a bright and saturated color, as well as with the use of dark colors.

It has long been known that light wallpapers are less prone to fading.

Washable paper wallpapers are covered with a layer of decorative varnish, partly this saves the material from burnout.

Wallpaper for painting from paper can be painted several times, thereby updating the color, which is also a solution to the problem. The option is very relevant for a children's room, which may require frequent repairs.

Poor moisture resistance

By itself, the paper does not respond well to moisture, soaks, loses its appearance, becomes covered with mold. Therefore, paper wallpapers are not recommended to be glued in rooms with high humidity, and after gluing to carry out wet cleaning. If we consider all the disadvantages of paper wallpaper, this one is perhaps the most important.

Manufacturers have found a solution to this problem in a special moisture-resistant coating, which is applied to the surface of the wallpaper. This thin layer of decorative varnish gives gloss to the paper and protects it from moisture. Such wallpapers can be washed, so they are called washable or just wash.

Unfortunately, the picture does not feel the quality of the paper web washable wallpaper

The fight against moisture comes to a new level at wallpaper factories every year, more and more moisture-resistant materials and special impregnations for paper wallpapers appear.

Lack of sound insulation

One of the less obvious drawbacks of paper wallpaper is mediocre sound insulation. Paper is not the thickest and most textured material, so it dampens sound waves weakly. To create good sound insulation it is necessary to use a special substrate for the wallpaper, which has the desired properties.

These are the drawbacks that we primarily focused on, since we consider them extremely important. Now let's move on to the merits, of which there are not few.

Cost

The first, most important advantage of paper wallpapers is, of course, their cost. It is this factor that explains the great popularity of this type of finishing material. Not all paper wallpapers are cheap, German and Italian rolls, for example, are comparable in price to vinyl, but the quality of such material is excellent.

Duplex Floral Striped

If we consider the range of paper wallpapers of Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian factories, which have an affordable price, then the choice for buyers is simply huge. Even if you are a very demanding person, you can still choose the right option for yourself.

Range

Continuing to consider the advantages of paper, we dwell on the assortment. The modern selection of paper wallpapers can be described as huge. Wallpaper made of paper produces a large number of both domestic and foreign factories. The shops have a variety of colors, not only in terms of color, but also in pattern.

Choose any paper wallpaper for yourself

It’s easy to choose an option for any room, for any style or direction.

If you are adherents of a certain country of origin, then here you will have many options.

Environmental friendliness

The current trend of environmental friendliness is especially applicable to paper wallpaper. In addition to the most natural cellulose, other natural materials are involved in the manufacturing process, from which glue and coloring pigment are made. Environmental friendliness tops the pros for such wallpapers.

Since all the components of which the wallpaper is made are natural, the wallpaper does not emit any substances harmful to humans, even if they light up. In addition, the paper is breathable, air is able to circulate freely through the wallpaper.

Living interior created with German paper wallpaper

This property protects the walls from moisture accumulation behind the wallpaper, and as a result - from the appearance of fungus or mold. In rooms covered with paper wallpaper there is never a musty smell.

Self-sticking

Absolutely any person can paste wallpaper from paper, there are no difficulties in this. Of course, if you trust the pros, they will make repairs faster, but if you don’t need time, do it yourself.

They themselves are glued, they themselves admire

The algorithm for gluing paper wallpapers does not differ from working with other materials: we prepare the wall, spread and apply glue, glue the pieces, trying to make smooth beautiful joints.

By the way, about the joints, some plain single-layer paper wallpapers can be glued and lapped, so you will greatly simplify the gluing.

As you can see, paper wallpapers have an impressive list of advantages that they can be proud of. At the forefront we would put the environmental properties of the material, which allow you to glue such wallpaper in the nursery.

Dutch paper wallpaper: simple but sophisticated

In addition, an impressive assortment, which has appeared recently, is also very pleasing to the eye. It remains to add that when choosing paper wallpapers in the store, proceed not only from the appearance, but also from the qualitative characteristics of the wallpaper.

The advantages of paper wallpaper

They are based on paper, which is an environmentally friendly material. Simple manufacturing technology using only natural products ensures the environmental safety of wallpaper. They are also glued with glues that do not have harmful substances in their composition. At the same time, the walls have the ability to breathe, while maintaining the necessary oxygen exchange. Therefore, paper wallpaper can be safely used in living rooms, school and preschool institutions, where there are increased requirements for sanitation and environmental safety.
Wallpaper made of paper has a wide variety of colors, patterns, textures. They can be single or double layer, embossed or smooth, color or plain. Wallpaper is also available for impregnation or application of paint.
Wallpaper sticker technology is simple and accessible to anyone. The paper base allows you to use for decoration of any premises with the exception of damp. To obtain a high-quality result, careful preparation of the glued surface is required, which consists in cleaning from dirt, paint, dust, oil stains, leveling and eliminating all irregularities, cracks and protrusions. After applying a layer of glue to the wallpaper, you need to give time 5-10 minutes so that the glue soaks them. Putting the prepared strip on the wall, thoroughly smooth it with a dry rag or rubber roller from the center to the edges to remove excess glue and air bubbles. For a quick and high-quality wallpaper sticker, 2 people are enough.
The main advantage of wallpaper, which determines the choice of customers, is low cost in comparison with other finishing materials with high aesthetic appeal.

The disadvantages of paper wallpaper

Before choosing any kind of wall decoration, you need to weigh all its pros and cons. If the advantages outweigh, and you are ready to put up with the minuses, then you can safely stop your choice on a certain material. What are the main disadvantages of paper wallpaper?

low strength. Paper wallpapers are easily torn, stained, afraid of water and wet cleaning. It is worth noting that a two-layer material is more resistant to damage than a single-layer material, but still inferior in strength to some other types of wallpaper.
burnout. With prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, the colors on the wallpaper gradually begin to fade. This may not be visible to the naked eye, but when you decide, for example, to rearrange the furniture, you will see that the wallpaper behind it is much brighter than in open places,
minimal noise insulation and moisture resistance. Some types of finishing materials, including and certain types of wallpaper that can absorb extraneous noise, increasing comfort in the room, but not paper wallpaper. In addition, they are unstable before exposure to moisture, so they are recommended to be used only in dry rooms. Naturally, they are not suitable for bathrooms and kitchens, if you are not going to do mini-repairs every six months,
low durability. From other operational characteristics it follows that paper wallpapers do not have high durability and practicality. On average, they retain their normal appearance for five years, but today there are more durable options for wallpaper that, with proper care, can last much longer.

Wallpaper paper: positive and negative aspects

The main advantage that modern people attribute to paper wallpaper for walls is their low cost. But on the other hand, it repels most people - the idea that cheap, as a rule, low-quality, does not give them rest. In fact, this is a bit wrong - firstly, cheap does not always mean poor quality, and secondly, if you deal with this finishing material in detail, you can come to the conclusion that paper wallpapers are not so cheap, and in terms of price To politics, they can even compete with non-woven and even vinyl wallpapers. As the saying goes, wallpapers are different, and you need to make a discount on it - it all depends on the type of wallpaper, which, oddly enough, is quite a lot. But more on that later, but for now let's get back to the advantages and disadvantages of this type of wallpaper. Among the advantages, the following points can be distinguished.

The first and perhaps most important is the environmental component of paper wallpaper. It's no secret that paper is wood processing, which does not even have adhesives in its composition. It is obtained by special processing of wood - subsequently the resulting mass is simply rolled with presses and the necessary strips with a pattern are obtained. The most non-ecological element of paper wallpaper is paint, by which a pattern is applied to them.
Easy to stick. In principle, this concept is quite abstract - depending on what to compare. If with textile types of wallpaper, then yes, they are glued quite simply, but if you consider this moment against the background of non-woven wallpaper, then paper, in comparison with them, are more difficult to glue. Be that as it may, the technology of sticking them in itself is available for almost every afflicted person.
Paper wallpaper is also easy to remove later from the walls - when re-gluing difficulties in dismantling it is practically not observed here. They soaked them and scraped them off with a spatula - in most cases they are quite easy to rip off the walls and dry.
Paper is capable of breathing - passing moisture through its pores and letting it go into the wall. This is very good, because under such conditions, fungal and mold microorganisms are not able to survive behind the wallpaper. If we are talking about decorating walls in a children's room, then it’s hard to come up with anything better than paper wallpapers.

Wallpaper on a paper basis photo

Oddly enough, with advantages, everything is one of those types of wallpapers that have more disadvantages than advantages. In principle, the shortcomings of these wallpapers are also quite conditional and it is difficult to attribute them to such ones - it would be more correct to say that these are the features of this material. These may include the following points.

Inability to use in rooms with high and medium humidity.
It is almost impossible to wash or clean them - any attempt to do this will lead to paper soaking and, as a result, to damage to the wallpaper.
Very short life. Even the highest quality paper wallpapers are not able to last more than 10 years. Moreover, after half this period, they will largely lose their appearance - as a rule, 5 years is their limit, after which paper wallpaper needs to be changed. Or put up with their faded look.
If we talk about the effect of environmental factors on paper wallpapers, then here they are not up to the mark - almost all varieties of this material burn out under the influence of sunlight. This is worth considering, especially if the room into which they will be glued is located on the sunny side of the house.

Wallpaper paper duplex photo

And there are a lot of such shortcomings, but there is no sense in it - the overall picture is clear, and it does not look attractive at all, even despite all its environmental component. In this regard, classic paper wallpapers are very losing to their synthetic counterparts - for this reason, in order to improve the operational characteristics of this type of finishing material, manufacturers began to combine paper with other materials. So there were subspecies, which we will talk about later.

Types of paper wallpaper and their features

To be extremely precise, today there are seven main types of paper wallpaper - they all have their own characteristics, which will be discussed further.

Simplex, or, as they are also called, single-layer paper wallpapers. This is the simplest wallpaper, thanks to which there was a negative impression about the entire group of this finishing material.
Two-layer - paper duplex wallpapers. They have more strength and other performance characteristics are slightly higher - because of their thickness, they perfectly hide wall defects and get wet to a lesser extent during gluing.
Cached (embossed) paper wallpapers, the hallmark of which is a structural pattern. This is a two-layer wallpaper in which the embossed pattern is repeated with paint, so they look more voluminous.
Moisture resistant paper wallpaper. They are coated with varnish or latex, due to which they acquire the ability to withstand moisture - such wallpapers can even be wiped with a damp cloth, only without much pressure. Rubbing them with zeal is not worth it.
Structural paper wallpaper - they are also classified as two-layer. Between two layers of paper is placed wood shavings, which, after rolling the wallpaper with a press, perfectly holds the given relief.
Foamed paper wallpaper. This is a modified version of duplex wallpaper. They have an acrylic polymer between the layers of paper, which, after foaming, gives the wallpaper extra strength.
Wallpaper for painting. But what without them - this is a two-layer wallpaper with embossed or structure. Unlike other similar analogues, they have a short life. In addition, several layers of paint completely deprive this type of wallpaper of environmental qualities.

Types of paper photo wallpaper

Among other things, there are several types of paper wallpapers combined with other materials - paper-based wallpapers (vinyl, woven, etc.) and non-woven paper wallpapers. This is the most technological type of material, which is characterized by high technical and operational characteristics. But the ecological component of such wallpaper can only be said with a stretch.

Wallpapering: the main nuances

In principle, the solution to the question of how to glue paper wallpapers is not much different from the technology for gluing wallpapers of other types - the principle is the same, only other nuances. It is on them that we will focus.

Wallpaper, like the wall itself, must be smeared with glue and wait for them to get wet.
The wallpaper should not get wet for a long time, otherwise it will simply splatter and will easily tear even under its own weight. As a rule, after spreading glue on them, they need to be kept for no more than 1.5-2 minutes. So it is not worth preparing the stripes for pasting in advance - they have spread it, glued it right away and so on with each strip separately.

How to glue paper wallpaper photo

That's all! Ask which paper wallpaper is better? The answer to this question is quite simple. If you want to stick them for a long time, then, of course, it is better to give preference to combined options. If environmental friendliness is needed, then duplex two-layer wallpapers showed themselves best in operation.

Types of Wallpaper

To make the right choice, you should carefully understand what kind of wallpaper for the walls is, what is their technical characteristic and operational features.

Below are all types of wallpapers with their nuances - pluses and minuses. Some of them require special conditions and gentle care, others are more resistant and unpretentious in use. Having familiarized with what types of wall-paper are there, it will be possible to decide which wallpaper to choose for a particular room.

Vinyl

These finishing materials are the most practical and wear-resistant. Structurally, they consist of two or more layers - they are created on a paper or non-woven basis:

Interior. Designed for applying wallpaper glue.
External. It performs a decorative function - drawings and tinting are applied to it. In some cases, the role of the inner and outer layers is played by a single canvas on a paper or non-woven basis.
PVC protective film.

Vinyl cloth

The presence on the surface of the protective film makes them resistant to moisture, detergents, ultraviolet radiation, abrasion. This option is usually chosen when you need high-quality, but inexpensive wallpaper on the wall.

Among the disadvantages of vinyl canvases is the tightness of the protective film. As a result, they interfere with the normal gas exchange in the room, removing excess moisture and carbon dioxide.

Non-woven

Non-woven wallpaper is a material created on the basis of cellulose. Cellulose fibers are bonded together using polymer adhesives. The main difference between non-woven paper and paper is that its fibers are more tensile and resistant to various external influences.

On sale there are two types of wallpaper, manufactured on a non-woven basis. In the first case, this is a single-layer wallpaper, on one side of which a decorative pattern is applied, and the other is intended for applying glue.

Two-layer non-woven wallpaper is a base of cellulose fabric, on the front side of which a protective film of polyvinyl chloride is glued. Such non-woven wallpaper is often classified as vinyl. Among the positive qualities of this material are:

High strength.
Breathability.
Resistance to water.
Possibility of staining with various paints and varnishes.

Textile

Fabric wallpaper for walls can be made either entirely from textile fabric, or the woven component can be glued to a paper or non-woven fabric.

The main advantage of this material is its high decorative qualities and a wide selection of colors. At the same time, wallpaper made of fabric for walls has several disadvantages. First of all, this is a low resistance to external aggressive influences - abrasion, sunlight, etc., therefore, it is not recommended to paste over such rooms as children's rooms, hallways, public receptions. Also, when gluing, special care must be taken so that drops of glue do not get on the fabric.

Velor

In essence, they are a two-layer structure made on the basis of paper wallpaper. Nylon fibers are glued onto the front of the paper webs. At the same time, the villi are stuck “stand”, creating the likeness of a short pile with a length of not more than 1 mm

The velor surface feels like velvet and shimmers in the light. Like textiles, velor fabrics should be glued with great care so as not to mess with wallpaper glue.

Their disadvantage is that the velor pile is easily popped out. In this regard, cleaning the wallpaper with a wet brush or sponge is undesirable. Another drawback is that the pile attracts dust, so the walls get dirty pretty quickly.

Paper

Paper wallpaper for walls is the very first type of such decoration, the history of which goes back more than one century. More recently, these types of wallpaper for walls were the only ones available. But even today they top the popularity rating among wall decoration materials. This became possible due to the fact that on the modern market in a large assortment of varieties of wallpaper of this kind appeared.

The paper base is used for the manufacture of vinyl, textile and velor fabrics. In addition, there are many new types of wallpaper that are made purely from paper - with a variety of patterns, textured embossing and improved performance.

To understand what modern paper wallpapers are, to understand which is better and why, you need to consider this group of decoration materials in more detail.

Simplex

Simplex is the usual single-layer wallpaper that was used to paste the walls a century ago. Since then, the technology of their production has not changed much. They consist of one layer of paper web, one side of which plays the role of a substrate for applying the adhesive composition, and the other - the front, serves to apply a decorative pattern by printing.

True, in recent years, two-layer simplexes have also appeared. They are two identical paper webs glued together, the front and the inside. The result is a dense wallpaper, more resistant to mechanical stress.

Among the undeniable advantages of a simplex, it should be noted:

A wide range of colors and patterns. Almost any pattern can be applied to the paper base, painted in any shade. Dense two-layer simplexes can be embossed, resulting in a relief ornament.
Excellent breathability. The porosity of the material does not interfere with the free gas exchange between the interior of the building and the outdoor atmosphere. As a result, living rooms maintain a normal level of humidity and carbon dioxide concentration.
Low cost is a very important factor with a limited repair budget. With the help of simplex wallpapers, you can quite inexpensively completely update the walls of the apartment.

Minus simplex wallpaper can be recognized:

Fear of dampness makes it impossible to wet the walls. Paper easily absorbs moisture, as a result of which the wallpaper can be deformed and even peel off from the base of the wall.
Low resistance to mechanical stress. During operation, simplex canvases easily tear, scratch, and wear. As a result, paper wallpapers have a low life.
Fast fading. In the sun, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, paper wallpapers quickly lose their original color saturation.
The need for careful preparation of the base, since simplex canvases are thin, they can not hide wall defects. Even the smallest flaws in the surface: dents and tubercles, will appear on the wallpaper.

Duplex

Duplex wallpaper is a two-layer design. One cloth is glued to another, which significantly increases their density and strength. In contrast to two-layer simplexes, in the production of duplexes, webs with different technical characteristics are used, which makes it possible to improve their quality due to the rational use of the material. The outer side is made of a more durable and dense sheet, able to better withstand external physical influences. For the inner layer, paper with higher adhesion to the base wall is taken.

Duplexes can be applied both flat drawings in a printing way, and embossed relief patterns.

Advantages of such types of wallpaper:

Increased UV resistance. Duplexes can be glued over sunny rooms without fear of soon fading of the material.
Leveling minor wall defects. Due to its denser structure, duplex wallpapers can hide minor flaws in the bearing surfaces.
High resistance to physical damage makes duplex wallpapers more durable.

Embossed Duplex

Like all finishing materials, duplex canvases have their drawbacks:

Higher cost. Compared with simplex canvases, pasting an apartment with two-ply paper wallpaper will cost much more.
Compared with other types (vinyl, non-woven wallpaper), duplex canvases are less durable in use.

Duplex canvases can have several varieties that differ in their purpose.

Wallpaper for painting. They differ from ordinary duplex in white color and embossed embossing. They can be repeatedly painted in any color with the help of various paints and varnishes.
Structural wallpaper. They are made by stamping using binding polymer compositions. Thanks to this, the canvas acquires a combined relief-smooth surface.
Coarse fibrous. In their production, shredded wood chips are used, which fills the space between the two canvases. The result is an original texture pattern.
Moisture resistant. The outer wallpaper sheet of such duplexes is subjected to moisture resistant treatment. As a result, their resistance to moisture increases, their wet cleaning becomes possible.

Bearing surface preparation

Before proceeding with the gluing of the walls, it is necessary to prepare them. The order of the preparatory work depends on in which room the repair is carried out - in an already inhabited apartment or a new building.

If this repair is far from the first, you should first clean the walls from the previous finish. It is absolutely necessary to remove the whitewash, since lime particles do not form a reliable bond with the wall. As a result, lime will create between it and the wallpaper a weakly held dividing layer, and the glued sheets will fall off very quickly.

Painting can only be left if there is complete confidence in its strength. To do this, you need to carefully examine the painted wall for peeling and swelling. Places where the paint has moved away from the base should be thoroughly cleaned and puttied.

Since paper wallpapers are very thin, special attention should be paid to aligning the wall. All irregularities must be sealed with putty and leveled with sandpaper or a sanding machine.

Old wallpapers should be removed anyway. This is done with a metal spatula or knife. If the coating holds too firmly, it can be moistened with a sponge or spray bottle with warm soapy water. After the solution thoroughly soaks the canvas, removing it is not difficult.

In especially difficult cases, you can use a special liquid to remove wallpaper, which is sold in hardware stores.

To remove moisture-proof wallpaper before applying the liquid, cuts are made in them with a knife or perforated with a needle roller. As a result, the solution penetrates to the base of the web and softens the glue. Preparing a “bare” wall in a new building is much simpler - it comes down to leveling it with plaster and putty.

Primer

After removing the old finish and leveling the walls with putty, the walls should be primed with an adhesive compound. It increases the coefficient of adhesion between wallpaper glue and glued base. This happens due to the smallest particles of quartz sand contained in the soil compositions, which creates a rough structure on the wall surface. As a result, wallpaper glue adheres to the wall much better.

In addition, the binders contained in the primers can strengthen the surface layer, preventing it from cracking and peeling from the base of the wall. To increase the effectiveness of the primer should be applied in two to three layers.

Before applying each next coat of primer, you must wait for the previous to dry completely.

Gluing cloths

When stickering wallpapers, the order of work should be followed. First of all, the height of the ceilings is measured, after which pieces of cloth are cut. Each of them should be 10 cm longer than the height of the walls. Plain wallpaper can be cut immediately to the entire area of the wall.

Canvases with a pattern on the surface must be combined with each other before cutting to avoid visible joints of individual sheets. The packaging usually indicates the distance through which the pattern is repeated. When cutting a wallpaper roll, you should be guided by these data to get a flat surface without visual defects.

Paper wallpapers are very afraid of increased dampness, so this option is not suitable for kitchens and bathrooms.

Next, you should vertically mark the wall, starting from one of the corners, and if there is a window on the wall, then from the window opening. To do this, you can use the usual building or laser level. In accordance with this vertical line and the sticker is made on the first canvas.

For gluing paper wallpapers, you can use any universal wallpaper glue. This compares favorably with other “heavy” materials, for example, vinyl or non-woven wallpaper is recommended to be glued only on special adhesives.

The proportions of the preparation of wallpaper glue

In accordance with the technology, glue is first applied to the entire length of the wallpaper, after which it is folded in half and left for 5-10 minutes. During this time, the adhesive uniformly impregnates its entire surface. Then the canvas is carefully glued to the wall, all irregularities are carefully smoothed out with a rubber spatula or a dry rag. Excess glue protruding at the edges are immediately removed. After the first sheet is pasted, by the same method proceed to applying the second and subsequent paintings.

Having become acquainted with various types of wallpaper materials, you can choose the best or most suitable for decoration. The video instructions show all the subtleties of sticking paper wallpaper on the wall.
Video:

Color and tone of paper wallpaper

When choosing wallpaper, an important factor from the aesthetic side is their color and pattern. When choosing a color, you need to consider not only aesthetic, but also psychological requirements and recommendations. For example, soft colors and shades are recommended for the bedroom, contributing to the calming of the nervous system, causing a feeling of relaxation and peace. Bright and contrasting colors can go into the nursery, living room, study.

It should also take into account the location of the room in terms of its natural illumination during the day. If it is on the south side and is lit by the sun most of the day, then it makes sense to glue the walls with wallpaper of dark tones that absorb excess glare. If there is not enough natural illumination, then, on the contrary, you should choose light-colored wallpapers that contribute to the reflection and scattering of light. Thus, it is possible to artificially increase the illumination of the room by 1.5-2 times.

The color of the wallpaper also creates the visual effect of increasing or decreasing space. The direction of the pattern and patterns on the wallpaper also have the ability to visually resize rooms in height and width. So, vertical stripes increase the height of the room, and a small wallpaper pattern visually expands it. To "reduce" the room suitable wallpaper with a large pattern. At the same time, the larger the size of the picture, the softer the tone of the wallpaper should be chosen. It should be remembered that a diagonally directed pattern creates the illusion of a violation of the perpendicularity of the walls and ceiling (floor).

When choosing a product, you need to compare its tonality in artificial and natural lighting, as the difference can be striking. Usually rolls paper wallpaper They have standard dimensions of 53x1005 cm. In appearance, they practically do not differ from their more expensive vinyl counterparts. The peculiarity of the coloring of the wallpaper models of the same name is that the shade may be different in different lots of goods, so it is important to take them from the same batch. For the same reasons, it is necessary to purchase products with a small margin, since if the goods are not enough, it will be almost impossible to find suitable wallpapers for tonality.

The main types of paper wallpaper

simplex - single-layer wallpapers, durability, practicality and strength of which leave much to be desired. They have not been manufactured and sold on the European market for a long time, but due to their affordable prices, they are still quite popular with us.
duplex - two-layer paper wallpapers, the layers of which are glued together with glue. A certain pattern and color is applied to the front surface of the material. They are distinguished by a more complex production technology, increased strength, so the price is higher. With the sticking of such wallpaper will be a minimum of problems. As you know, paper wallpaper when applied to them glue slightly soften, as a result of which they can stretch, and therefore it may be difficult to combine the pattern in the future. Duplex-type wallpapers are free from this drawback, because only one side is completely saturated with glue, and the front one retains its original parameters and pattern,
embossed wallpaper - in fact, they are a complete analogue of duplex, but on the front surface they have a noticeable relief,
foam wallpaper - a type of two-layer paper wallpaper, on the outside of which acrylic is applied, it foams under the influence of high temperatures, which leads to the formation of a certain pattern or relief,
structural wallpaper are multilayer material, often with a raised surface. They differ in strength and durability; they are impregnated with a water-repellent composition. Due to their thickness, they can hide some wall defects, so they do not require thorough surface preparation. They often include additional materials such as sawdust or chopped nutshells, resulting in a unique design,
wallpaper for painting - paper wallpapers that resemble duplex. They are thick and durable, saturated with special water-repellent compounds, thanks to which they can be painted repeatedly. Such material is often used to decorate the ceiling.

Choice of color and pattern

The range of paper wallpapers is so vast that you can find material of any desired color and with any pattern. Each of us has the right to organize the interior that he wants, but still, before buying wallpaper, remember that there is A few golden rules for choosing color and pattern:

for small rooms it is better to choose wallpapers of light and pastel shades that will visually push the boundaries of space. If the room, on the contrary, is too large, then you can use dark and saturated colors to make the room more comfortable,
lack of lighting can be compensated wallpaper of warm shades: peach, yellow, pink, etc. If there is so much light, and the window in the room faces south, then cold shades of wallpaper will fit perfectly into the interior: blue, blue, green, purple, gray,
large drawings - not for small rooms,
wallpaper must blend in seamlessly with the interior: for example, minimalism will not tolerate a small flower wallpaper.

It is also worth paying attention to the strength, moisture resistance and vapor permeability class of the wallpaper, because each room and individual circumstances put forward their own requirements for finishing materials.

It is also important to ensure that the packaging of the wallpaper is complete, and all purchased material belong to the same batch. In this case, there is a guarantee that the wallpaper in different rolls will have exactly the same shade and pattern. Pay attention to the certificates and the name of the manufacturer.

Surface preparation

Wallpaper is glued to a smooth wall, cleaned of layers of the old finish. Depending on the type of previous coating, the following procedures are carried out:

old wallpaper can be easily removed by pre-soaking them with soapy water. Some advise ironing them with a hot iron through a cloth soaked in a solution of soda or hydrogen peroxide. If thick wallpapers were pasted, then to speed up their impregnation with liquid, you can make small cuts over the entire surface,
old paint can be removed with a special solvent. You can simply try to sand oil paint with sandpaper, and water-based paint - soak in soapy water and remove with a spatula,
drywall or chipboard surface carefully putty to dirt all joints and indentations from nails and screws.

If there are noticeable defects in the form of cracks or holes on the wall, then they must be plaster. Then you can go to primingto strengthen the base and facilitate the further dismantling of wallpaper.

At this stage, you should also take care of all necessary tools:

pencil and tape measure
scissors or knife
capacity for breeding wallpaper lei,
brush and roller
sponge or piece of cloth.

Wallpaper and wall layout

Before you open the rolls of wallpaper, you need to check whether they belong to the same batch, so that the pattern and color are completely the same. Now it is necessary to accurately measure the height of the walls, and on the seamy side of the wallpaper to designate a cut-off point taking into account an increase of 6-10 cm in case of uneven walls. If the wallpaper has a pattern, it must be combined, and cut the canvas already with this in mind. Many manufacturers on the packages, by the way, indicate the allowance necessary for the combinations. Cut the canvas with a sharp knife or scissors. For convenience, on the reverse side you can make some notes for yourself (numbering, drawing direction, etc.).

In order to glue the wallpaper as evenly as possible, you need to pay attention to the installation of the first canvas and the marking of the walls. So, we start sticking from the window. Preliminarily measuring the width of the wallpaper, lay it on the wall and draw a perfectly straight vertical line with a pencil. In the future, focusing on it, it will be much easier for you to achieve an ideal result. Before gluing, it is better to remove the housing of sockets and switches, as well as the baseboard.

Glue application

Glue is bred according to the instructions. It must be applied to the wallpaper with an even thin layer, with particular attention to the edges. When glue is applied to the entire canvas, it is folded with the back side inwards for 5-7 minutes so that the material is well saturated with glue. It is important to keep all the strips folded the same amount of time in order to prevent the subsequent formation of bubbles or incorrect joints of the pattern. You can also glue the wall itself with glue.

Wallpapering

Now comes the most critical part of the work. Before this, you need to find out how the wallpaper is glued: butt or lap. In the second case, it is worth starting from the window, so that the shadows do not interfere with you creating the most even, smooth and ideal surface.

A section of wallpaper begins to be glued from above, gently pressing with a dry rag and smoothing the surface from the middle to the edges. The lower part must be kept folded and smoothed over during gluing. It is convenient if you are gluing together. In this case, the speed and efficiency of work will be an order of magnitude higher. Do not forget about allowances which should go a little on ceilings and a floor. When the wallpaper is completely dry, gently holding with a spatula, the excess is cut off with a knife.

Joints between the paintings Smooth with a rubber roller so that they are minimally noticeable. Butt-gluing requires a lot of attention and special accuracy. If the wallpaper is glued with an overlap, then they should overlap each other by 2-3 mm.

If the glue got on the front side of the wallpaper, it should be removed as soon as possible with a damp sponge. Do not rub too much or use an excessively damp sponge so as not to damage the surface.

Require special attention difficult places in the rooms:

outer corner. In this case, it is necessary to measure the distance from the last glued strip to the outer corner, add 1-2 cm and cut off the canvas of just such a width. In the place where the wallpaper will be bent, small cuts can be made from above and below to facilitate the process. The next strip, on the other side of the outer corner, is necessarily overlapped by 1 cm overlap,
inside corner. The first strip should be so wide as to go to the other side of the corner with an overlap of 1 cm. On the other side of the canvas, the wallpaper is glued clearly into the corner, without going to the adjacent side,
sockets and switches. Before starting work on wallpapering, you must turn off the electricity. Wallpaper strips should completely cover places with switches and sockets. While the glue has not yet dried, it is necessary to cut holes in the required places. When everything is completely dry, you can install switches and sockets.

After completing all these procedures, you can install skirting boards, glue borders around windows, in the middle of a wall, near a ceiling or wall.

Paper wallpapers rarely paint, even despite the fact that there is a special type of wallpaper for painting. This is due to the fact that they are inferior in strength to non-woven wallpaper and glass wallpaper, which easily transfer paint layers.

Finally

Paper wallpaper is a great affordable way to create the necessary interior in the bedroom, nursery or living room. This is a natural, eco-friendly finish that impresses with the range. Paper wallpapers will perfectly fit into different interior styles: from classic to minimalism. All that remains is to choose them correctly and glue them accordingly. Both that, and another to make it is simple, if to be attentive to trifles and to observe several rules.