Are you stuck between finding the perfect pick for your wall? Whether you're moving into a new house or renovating your old one, finding the correct solution to beautify your home decor can be quite a task. Thanks to a wide range of products, there are several options out in the market, but for most people either painting or setting up a wallpaper does the job.
Painting and wallpapers have been the top two choices for a lot of people for decades. They're both easy to apply and look good at the end. However, there are a few things that separate these two from each other. Due to advancement in wallpaper printing technology, wallpapers win hands down in competition with paint both in terms of wide range of designs, and also lifecycle costs!
What Is Painting?
Paint is a liquid substance that is made up of four primary components: Solvents, Additives, Pigments, and Resins. With all components having their designated function. For instance, solvents are the liquids that help to distribute and also dissolve different components utilized for formulating coatings and paintings.
Additives help prevent the occurrence of defects in the coat, it similarly has certain properties like improving durability and leveling as well as being mildew resistant. Pigments provide color and texture while also delivering protection to the surface. And finally, there are resins which are also called as binders used to decrease the viscosity of the paint and also enhance the application.
The Difference Between Water and Oil-Based Paint
Paints are mainly divided into two types; water-based or oil-based paints. Both water-based or latex and oil-based paints have their specific characteristics and features. First, let's go over the characteristics of water-based painting.
Water-Based or Latex Painting
Water-based paints are incredibly convenient and they dry quickly as well. They further have lower or no VOC options. (VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds are toxic particles that partially emit the smell of paint. If inhaled for a longer duration it may result in health problems).
In addition, it can be effortlessly cleaned with soap and water. It is also well-known for its flexibility and ability to keep mildew and moisture out of your home. The final paint job is also resistant to yellowing and cracking.
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paints consist of Alkyd or else Linseed oils. The more widely used one of these two paints is the Alkyd paint as it is both tough and is relatively inexpensive. Moreover, oil-based paints are normally used for areas with high moisture like bathrooms and kitchens. Oil-based paints are also a great option for interior trim work.
While oil-based paints do dry at a slower pace regardless, the final result has an incredibly polished appearance along with a luxurious gloss and greater durability. They also have great resistance to wear and tear.
There are various colors and designs which are possible with paint, like texture paints etc.
What are wallpapers?
Wallpapers are one of the most famous aspects of interior design. The aesthetic appeal for them has soared, especially over the last decade. Wallpaper is essentially a material that is vertically applied onto walls. They are sold either in rolls and come in many sizes such as standard (57 square feet) depending on the feature wall and design picked or as per wall size (customised wallpaper designs, also called wall murals).
Similar to paint, wallpapers need a proper and stable surface to be applied on. It should also be noted that wallpapers aren't fitting for every room such as bathrooms. Before setting up a wallpaper, the selected wall should be repaired for defects in the plaster or drywall.
Wallpapers for walls come in different materials such as paper-backed, vinyl, fabric, and non-woven. These materials vary in durability, ease of applying, and maintenance. The most common material used (for residential purposes) is vinyl-coated paper. Wallpapers are generally washable making them a better choice compared to paints. In paint, spots will show making walls look dirty wherein such spots can be easily cleaned on wallpaper making them always look as new.
Wallpapers also come as 'borders' for the top of your walls. Hung horizontally, border wallpapers are available at various edges, patterns, and eye-catching designs. These borders fit best with walls that already have wallpapers on them but require a finishing touch.
When it comes to wallpaper patterns, interior designers come up with new eye-catching designs regularly. The most well-known patterns, however, would be a repeat and geometric pattern. These patterns are largely chosen for their simple yet modern style and. People can even use the idea of making a highlight with wallpapers on just one wall in either their master bedroom or dining room.
There are various designs available for consumers' but did you know you can customize your wallpaper from scratch? Yes, you read that right, in case no design fits your desire, you can go and create a whole new wallpaper design with colors and patterns of your choice! Genuine websites for wallpapers such as lifencolors allow you to filter, customize and print your wallpaper design the way you want!
Wallpapers are a winner!
Wallpaper are an amazing option for wall decoration, paints have limited applications.
Longevity- The biggest advantage of wallpaper is certainly its durability. A standard wallpaper will last at most 15 years with just little maintenance.
Disguises Any Damage on Walls - Wallpapers conceal any defects and damages on the walls. There is no extra cost incurred of renovating and repairing.
Variety of Finishes- There are several options available when it comes to wallpaper finishes such as fabric, vinyl, non-woven, paper, and so on.
Easy Application - Wallpaper is a simple way to give a wall an elegant and modern look. Also, wallpaper pasting needs relatively less preparation time.
Cost effective over a longer period- You need to repaint your walls every 2-3 years, wherein wallpapers last for 15 years. Thus reducing your periodic investments.
Final Verdict
Wallpapers are simple to maintain since they can be cleaned and wiped unless they're ripped. If you are looking for a temporary solution, paint is a reasonable and cheap option whereas if you want eye-catching decorative designs on your walls, wallpapers are suitable for the long run.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, there are several elements one has to consider before selecting whether they will go with paint or wallpaper. The most basic and vital aspect however is the duration of both. Paintings need to be redone once a few years but a well-preserved wallpaper can last for approximately 10-15 years.
Another relatively important facet is that chemical paints release harmful fumes which can be hazardous for the health, especially the cheap ones. On the other hand, wallpapers do not have these safety-related issues. Moreover, paints require to be coated with 2-3 layers that take weeks. Also, they have almost a similar spectrum of designs as compared to wallpapers. Altogether, the interior layout will help in determining which will suit better.