When it comes to wallpapering projects there are a couple of options that you can choose from. If you are leaning more towards traditional wallpaper, you might come across the choice between vinyl and non-woven wallpaper. To help you out, in this blog post we will be going through pros and cons of each wallpaper. At Livettes we offer traditional non-woven wallpaper. Read further to see why that is.
Vinyl Wallpaper
Image source: Everydayjenny
Vinyl wallpaper has been known and used in the wallpapering world for quite some time now. Some of its main pros include its increased water resistance, meaning that it might be easier to clean them than other wallpaper materials. When we look at the texture, vinyl wallpaper mostly has a smooth finish and it is quite elastic and flexible, ensuring an easy application process. However, as you need to apply glue or paste to the back of the wallpaper and then book it to soak for some time before applying it to the wall, it can significantly make the installation process longer than with our non-woven wallpaper, where glue or paste only needs to be applied on the wall. In the photo above we can see a DIY vinyl wallpaper powder room project by Jenny, where the vinyl wallpaper has added some lovely pop of color to the space.
Vinyl wallpaper can also give a plastic look making the design appear cheaper, and have the risk of shrinking and changing its shape over time. Additionally, vinyl is not PVC-free and is not recommended to be used in kids rooms. Although a strong advantage of vinyl wallpaper is the ability to clean it easily, because the material does not allow air or steam to pass through, a common problem with vinyl wallpaper is the mildew growing under the wallpaper. Another thing to be aware of before the purchase is that some vinyl wallpapers can also have a specific, unpleasant scent. Please find below a detailed list of pros and cons of vinyl wallpaper.
Vinyl Wallpaper Pros And Cons
- Vinyl mostly has a smooth finish;
- Vinyl wallpapers are characterized by increased water resistance, meaning it is easy to clean them;
- Elastic and flexible for easier application.
- Vinyl can shrink and change shape over time;
- Can give a plastic look, making the design appear cheaper;
- Some vinyl wallpapers can have an unpleasant scent;
- Vinyl is not PVC-free, so it is not recommended to use vinyl wallpaper in kids rooms;
- Unable to allow air and steam to pass through;
- It is a common problem of mildew growing under vinyl wallpaper.
Non-Woven Wallpaper
Non-woven wallpaper that we offer as well, compared to vinyl wallpaper, does not deform or change shape over time and gives a quality look for a professional finish. It also is easy to install and is often chosen by first time DIY wallpaper installers, as, because the glue or paste for non-woven wallpaper needs to be applied directly to the wall, it allows to slide the wallpaper panel easily in the position and ensure a perfect pattern match with each panel added. If you would like to learn more about our non-woven traditional wallpaper installation, please visit our How To Install Traditional Non Woven Wallpaper | Wallpaper 101 blog post. In the photo above, we can see a beautifully done laundry room interior design by Rachel with our Tiny Brush Pattern Removable Wallpaper In Blue adding some fun and color to the space.
Non-Woven Wallpaper Pros And Cons
- Non-woven wallpaper does not deform or change shape over time;
- Professional look;
- Good breathability;
- Environmentally friendly;
- Easy to install as glue is applied directly to the wall, allowing to slide the panel in position;
- Non-woven wallpaper can be removed from the wall in one piece, because the fiber material prevents it from tearing;
- Usually meets fire safety requirements for residential as well as commercial interiors.
- Higher in price compared to vinyl wallpapers;
- Any dirt has to be removed carefully with dry cloth or damp sponge as wallpaper can get damaged more easily than vinyl wallpaper.
We hope this blog post showing the pros and cons of vinyl and non-woven wallpaper will help you determine which wallpaper material would be best suited for your wallpaper project. If you are looking for more information about our traditional non-woven wallpaper, please visit our Learn & How To page section on Traditional Wallpaper.
