Paint or Wallpaper

Starting a renovation or construction, property owners often face the challenge of choosing wall covering. However, a decision can only be made by understanding the features of various finishing materials and their application areas.

Types of Wallpaper

For many decades, paper wallpapers have been popular and remain the most widely used type today. Among their main advantages are eco-friendliness and relatively low cost. On the downside, they are not very durable, may fade in areas exposed to direct sunlight, and require thorough surface preparation before application.

These wallpapers are ideal for use in kitchens, bathrooms, and toilets. Thanks to a polyvinyl chloride layer applied on a paper base, walls covered with these wallpapers can withstand damp cleaning. They usually feature a textured surface, creating an additional decorative effect through light reflection.

They are more durable than paper wallpapers and, due to their texture, can conceal minor wall imperfections. A drawback is that they are synthetic and do not allow good air circulation, so they are not recommended for rooms with poor ventilation.

Paintable wallpapers come in two types: on paper or non-woven (felts) base. The paper-based version is denser than regular paper wallpapers, consisting of multiple layers of thick paper with compressed wood shavings between them. This multi-layer structure allows them to effectively cover minor surface flaws and withstand repeated painting.

Non-woven (felt-based) wallpapers are often used for initial finishing or renovations in new buildings. They not only level wall surfaces but also strengthen them. Cracks that naturally occur during a new home’s settling do not spread under this coating. However, care must be taken before applying the first coat of paint: the top layer is made of foamed vinyl and is easily worn down by contact with moving furniture, household, or construction equipment.

Types of Paint and Coatings

• Water-based emulsion paints – one of the most common types of coating materials. They are used for easy and trouble-free painting of wooden or previously primed metal parts and plastered surfaces.
• Acrilic paints are suitable for both interior and exterior finishing. They perfectly coat a wide variety of surfaces, making them a widely used universal coating material.
• Silicate paints – durable and strong, they are made from non-flammable liquid glass. This allows them to be used not only for painting but also for fire protection of wooden and wood-based structural and finishing elements.
• Thixotropic paints. A major advantage is their natural thickening on vertical surfaces, which almost completely prevents drips on walls.
• Oil-based paints form a protective, waterproof film on the painted surface. Note that oil-based paints dry slowly and over time may slightly yellow, especially outdoors.

Modern construction industry facilities equipped with advanced machinery produce a vast range of finishing materials. Both wallpapers and paint products are available in a wide variety of colors and shades. It’s difficult to give a definitive answer on whether paint or wallpaper is better.

Typically, walls in living rooms or office spaces are covered with wallpaper. In utility areas with high foot traffic or many architectural protrusions and recesses, wall painting is a more practical choice. However, to make a final decision on wall covering, interior design should also be considered – modern finishing materials allow for the realization of any creative vision.