What is vinyl wallpaper?

Dear Jacek,
Vinyl-coated wallpapers are a common type of wall covering, as they are very robust and suitable for bathrooms and kitchens. Let me explain in more detail:

What are vinyl wallpapers?

Vinyl is a recycled plastic material, used to produce records, wrapping material for food, carpets, and signs. Vinyl wallpapers incorporate vinyl in the production process to make them more robust, moisture-resistant and easy to clean. There are three types of vinyl wallpapers:

• Vinyl-coated wallpapers with non-woven backing
  The most common vinyl wallpaper models have a non-woven backing layer, while the top layer is coated with vinyl. They are durable, washable, scratch-resistant and easy to install. Also known as “paste the wall” wallpapers, they can be hung on the wall in a dry state after the wall is prepped with adhesive. These are the ones I normally recommend for home use.
• Vinyl-coated wallpapers with paper backing
  Cheaper to produce than the models above, these wallpapers share the same excellent dirt- and moisture-repellent properties. Vinyl-coated wallpapers with a paper backing are a bit trickier to install as they need to be soaked with wallpapering paste for a specific time (provided in the instructions) before being hung on the wall.
• Fabric-backed vinyl wallpapers
  Fabric-backed vinyl wallpaper combines the strength and durability of vinyl and heavy-duty fabric to create the most robust wall coverings available on the market. These models are industrial-grade products, designed to be used in hotels, office buildings, trade fairs or airports and rarely seen in private homes.

What are the advantages of vinyl wallpapers?

Vinyl wallpapers have many appealing characteristics:

1. Vinyl wallpapers are highly durable and can withstand the usual wear and tear, making them suitable for high-traffic areas like hallways, living rooms, and children's rooms.
2. Vinyl wallpapers are moisture-resistant, making them suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
3. Vinyl wallpapers can be easily cleaned with a wet cloth and a mild cleaning agent.
4. Vinyl wallpapers generally offer a good level of light resistance, which means that the colours remain vibrant over time.

What are the disadvantages of vinyl wallpapers?

Having highlighted the benefits and positive properties of vinyl wallpaper, let’s now discuss the disadvantages:

1. Vinyl wallpapers are not as breathable as natural or paper-based models, which could lead to mould in particularly damp environments if the area in question is not aired enough.
2. Vinyl wallpapers are made from synthetic materials, which means that they have a larger environmental footprint compared to natural or sustainable models.

Is there a difference between vinyl-coated and non-woven wallpapers?

This is a very common question and the source of confusion for some, so let’s be clear: When it comes to installing it, there is no difference between a vinyl-coated wallpaper with a non-woven backing and a non-woven wallpaper. A vinyl-coated wallpaper is simply a non-woven wallpaper with an extra coat of vinyl sprayed on the surface layer to make it more robust and moisture-resistant.

For which rooms are vinyl wallpapers recommended?

As they are moisture-resistant, easy to clean and robust, vinyl wallpapers are ideal for bathrooms and kitchens as well as children’s rooms and areas subject to substantial wear and tear.

Your wallpaper expert
Isabel