Wallpaper vs. wall paint - who will win the race?

You want to feel comfortable in your own four walls. In addition to the individually selected furniture and flooring, the design of the walls also determines the atmosphere in living rooms. But an important question that arises here: is a fresh coat of paint better than a new wallpaper? Or isn't wallpaper the better solution in the long term? Whether you ultimately decide on wallpaper or wall paint depends on your needs. So that the decision is easier and you can find the optimal solution for yourself, we present the advantages and disadvantages of both variants below.
 

Wallpaper - what speaks for and against

The wallpaper is for many who preferred wallcovering. Originally the wallpaper comes from the Orient and was made of leather or woven material. With its patterned surface, the wallpaper was supposed to beautify the interior surfaces many hundreds of years ago - and that is still the case today. In the meantime, wallpaper consists of processed and printed paper.
 

The design options

Wallpaper is available in countless designs and with various structures. The right wallpaper can be found for almost every furnishing style. The woodchip wallpaper as a classic variant is usually kept in white and has a rough surface. If you want bright colors and unusual patterns on your walls, paper wallpaper is the right solution for you. This wallpaper is usually made of two-ply paper, with the top layer of the wallpaper having a colored print. The designs range from monochrome prints to playful floral motifs to traditional wallpaper with damask. Non-woven wallpapers, whose carrier material consists of textile fiber instead of paper, are among the decorative wallpaper options. Metal wallpapers create a particularly elegant and original look - especially in the kitchen and bathroom, but also selectively used in the living room and bedroom.
 

Rugs

The time required

The time required depends heavily on the type of wallpaper you choose. Woodchip wallpaper, for example, is very easy to apply. The multi-layered paper wallpapers are also easy to process and can be quickly put on the wall. The same applies to non-woven wallpapers, which can also be quickly removed from the wall. On the other hand, you have to reckon with a slightly longer expenditure of time with fiberglass and metal wallpapers, as these are more complex to apply. In order to achieve a result that is as time-efficient as possible, the wallpaper is applied smoothly and there are no disturbing gaps to complain about, we recommend having the wallpapering done by a professional.
 

The costs

The cost of wallpapering depends on the area to be wallpapered, the quality and the material of the wallpaper chosen. Paper wallpapers are similar to woodchip wallpapers in the cheaper price segment - they have to be replaced more often. The price-performance ratio speaks for the high-quality fiberglass, fleece and exclusive metal wallpapers. The highest quality and durability are paired here with the special look.
 
If you have not yet had any experience with wallpapering, a craftsman should not only be commissioned with metal and fiberglass wallpapers, but also with the application of paper, fleece or woodchip wallpaper. Because the wrinkle-free, professional work of a master upholsterer pays off for the wallet in the long term.
 

Special treatments

Walls rarely need to be cleaned. In households with small children, with pets or in households with smokers, however, the care of the wallpaper definitely plays a role. If there is an increased risk of soiling the wallpaper, washable variants should be used. The surface of non-washable wallpaper could possibly be rubbed off.
 
Textile and metal wallpapers are generally not washable. If necessary, they can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and a soft brush. Vinyl wallpapers, on the other hand, can be dabbed off with a lint-free, dampened cloth. Non-woven wallpapers are comparatively easy to remove from the wall. In the event of heavy soiling - for example if the child has painted the wallpaper - it can be removed and replaced with a new strip of wallpaper.
 

The environmental friendliness

How environmentally friendly a wallpaper is ultimately depends on its material. Woodchip wallpapers are made of paper and have wood fibers incorporated into them. As a result, this wallpaper is a much more environmentally friendly solution than metal, fiberglass or non-woven wallpapers. Paper wallpapers can also be considered environmentally friendly. What is decisive here, however, is what the colored print on the topmost paper layer consists of. When choosing wallpaper, pay attention to the existing eco-labels and rely on products from experts.
 

Wall paint

Wall paint - PROs and CONTRAs

Wall paint is available in a wide variety of colors. The wall paint is also available in a wide variety of compositions. In addition to the classic emulsion paint, there are silicate paint, glue paint and lime paint. All these wall colors have advantages and disadvantages - also compared to wallpaper. The wall paint is used in both interior and facade applications.
 

The design options

Wall paint sets no limits to creativity. You can apply a color tone over a large area on all walls and set individual accents with wall paint. Several colors can also be combined with one another or even complex works of art can be painted on the walls. The choice of colors is particularly large in the area of ​​classic wall paint, the emulsion paint. Whether alternative wall paint such as lime paint, glue paint or silicate paint suits your needs better, we can find out together in a free consultation.
 

The time required

Painting the walls usually doesn't take more time than wallpapering. This is because the wall paint has to be applied in two layers. So that it lasts better, a primer is applied beforehand. The drying time must also be observed between painting the individual layers. In this respect, the application of wall paint can take several days, depending on the surface and decorative requirements.
 

The costs

The cost of wall paint is heavily dependent on the type of wall paint. Classic emulsion paint is usually a little cheaper than environmentally friendly lime or silicate paint. However, the quality of the wall paint has a major influence. Ultimately, it also decides how many coats of paint have to be applied to achieve the desired result. With the implementation of text or patterns with wall paint as well as the painting of multi-colored walls, the effort also increases. Of course, we also keep an eye on your budget in the free consultation and show you everything that is possible with wall paint.
 

Special treatments

In order for the wall paint to last a long time, the specialist applies a primer before application. In order to achieve a perfect color result, two coats of color are usually applied. If soiling occurs or if paint is peeling off in a small area, the wall or the affected area can be painted over. In order to achieve a fresh color result, all walls should be repainted with wall paint after a few years.
 

The environmental friendliness

How environmentally friendly the wall paint is depends on its ingredients. Lime paint, for example, is considered to be particularly environmentally friendly, while emulsion paint contains more chemical substances. Glue and silicate paint are also advertised as being particularly environmentally friendly.
 

Paint the wall or paper it

Conclusion

The different types of wallpaper and wall paints have their advantages and disadvantages. But first the question arises whether wallpapering or painting is more suitable for you.
 
If you care about environmental protection, we can advise you on suitable types of wallpaper and wall colors. In terms of care, on the other hand, the wall color is clearly convincing. If necessary, the old wall paint can easily be painted over. As far as the design options are concerned, it depends a lot on what you envision. Complex designs with different shapes and details can be realized particularly well with wallpaper. On the other hand, it is better to paint individual paints and monochrome walls with wall paint. For a special look, the combination of wall paint and wallpaper can also be suitable - we can easily find out whether this is suitable for you in a free consultation.
 
However, we cannot generally recommend either of the two variants, as it always depends on what requirements you have for your Wall design place. In one free consultation we can respond specifically to your individual wishes and support you in deciding between wall color and wallpaper. Just get in touch with us.

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