Difference between paper vinyl and non-woven wallpaper. Which wallpaper is better - vinyl, non-woven or paper. All about vinyl decor

Paradox: the larger the assortment, the more difficult it is to make a choice. Just 20-30 years ago, only paper wallpaper was presented on the finishing materials market. Now progress has provided where more choice materials from which the wallpaper is made.

People often don’t really know how wallpapers differ from each other, except for color and design. Let's figure it out.

Vinyl wallpaper

Double-layer vinyl wallpaper. The first layer is fabric or paper. The second is made of synthetic material - polyvinyl chloride. In other words, it is called PVC, vinyl, winnol, corvik, lukovil, etc. Simply put, polyvinyl chloride is plastic. Linoleum is made from this material, furniture edge and even clothes. By the way, gramophone records are also made of polyvinyl chloride.

This material is both a plus and a minus of vinyl wallpaper.

Dignity. Polyvinyl chloride “does not burn in fire and does not sink in water.” That's why vinyl wallpaper They are waterproof and can even be wiped with a brush and cleaning agents. They don't burn. They are not afraid of exposure to light and direct sunlight, water and scratches (other mechanical damage).

Vinyl wallpaper impregnate special composition, which prevents the formation of fungi and mold. This wallpaper is good for bathrooms and kitchens where there is high humidity.

Flaw. It's synthetic artificial material, so it does not allow air to pass through. Polyvinyl chloride releases harmful substances, such as formaldehyde. Vinyl wallpaper is good for the kitchen and even the bathroom, but it is not advisable to glue it in the living room, bedroom, and especially in the nursery.

There are vinyl wallpapers with micropores for better breathability, but they also do not allow us to talk about the environmental friendliness of the material.

Interesting. The first vinyl wallpaper appeared in 1947 (manufactured by the United Wallpaper company).

Vinyl wallpaper has a wide variety design solutions. They can imitate tiles, wood, leather, fabric. They even produce special ones.

Vinyl wallpapers are:

Foamed. Embossed, dense wallpaper. Due to their heterogeneous structure, they mask wall defects well. But not very moisture resistant. It is better to glue in non-residential premises.
. Suitable for treating walls in the bathroom and kitchen.
Silkscreen printing. The second wallpaper layer contains silk threads. Pearlescent, silky to the touch, does not fade for a long time. Much more expensive than other vinyl wallpapers.

The service life of vinyl wallpaper is up to 10 years.

How to glue vinyl wallpaper?

The glue is applied to the wallpaper, left for three to five minutes, and then the wallpaper is applied to the wall. There is no need to overexpose, otherwise the paper base will deteriorate. For vinyl wallpaper, a special adhesive for heavy wallpaper is suitable.

At least two people are needed to hang vinyl wallpaper. If you do not have experience working with this finishing material, it is better to hire professionals.

Non-woven wallpaper

Unlike two-layer vinyl, non-woven wallpaper is uniform, made from natural material– fibrous cellulose. Therefore, they allow the walls to “breathe” - the air in the room will not be “stagnant”.

By the way, some items of clothing are trimmed with non-woven fabric. The edges of blouses, suits, some outerwear. This is done to ensure that the product keeps its shape. The same property is valued in non-woven wallpaper.

Non-woven wallpaper perfectly disguises wall unevenness, microcracks, there will be no need to plaster and level the surface before installation.

The design variety is not as great as vinyl ones. Most often they are smooth and plain, although there are also reliefs, patterns, and embossing.

Significant advantages of wallpaper made from this material: when next renovation You don’t have to tear off the wallpaper, but apply the next wallpaper layer to the old non-woven wallpaper.

Any non-woven wallpaper can be painted. Even if they don’t have a special mark about it. Paint will only strengthen the structure of the wallpaper.

But the disadvantages can be determined by their cost. Non-woven wallpapers are an order of magnitude more expensive than vinyl ones.

Another disadvantage is instability to mechanical damage. Non-woven wallpaper will be easy prey for pets and children.

The service life of non-woven wallpaper is the same as that of vinyl - up to 10 years.

How to glue non-woven wallpaper?

Non-woven wallpaper is easy to use. The glue is applied directly to the wall. The wallpaper is glued end to end. Choose a special glue for heavy wallpaper.

Non-woven wallpaper is denser and more uniform, so it does not tear or stretch like vinyl.

Wallpaper does not shrink after pasting. This is an important fact for the happy owners of an apartment in a new building. Because the walls of new buildings can shrink over time.

Even a beginner can handle gluing non-woven wallpaper. So if you do not have experience in such work, choose non-woven wallpaper.

Vinyl wallpaper on non-woven backing

Not so long ago, manufacturers combined the advantages of two types of wallpaper - and released vinyl coating.

What is the advantage of mixed type?

Can be wetted or washed using cleaning products.
Convenient to glue. The technology is the same as with non-woven wallpaper.
You can paint up to five layers of paint. Wallpaper will mask the roughness and defects of the wall, so there is no need to first level, plaster or putty the wall. Choose acrylic or water-dispersion paint.
The vinyl layer does not absorb dust, unlike, for example, paper wallpaper. This is relevant for asthmatics, allergy sufferers and all people who care about their health.

Unfortunately, the breathability of such wallpaper is low due to the vinyl layer.

When choosing wallpaper, you need to take into account not only the design, but also the material from which it is made. In this article we will look at three main types of wallpaper, each of which has its own pros and cons. Not all will suit every room in the house. Today you will learn the difference between paper, non-woven, vinyl wallpaper and can easily choose the ones you need.

PAPER WALLPAPER

Despite the development of technology and the entry of new types into the market, paper wallpaper does not become a thing of history, it is widespread and popular. This is a classic of the genre.

Pros

cheap - all the disadvantages of paper wallpaper are offset by the low price
wide range - a huge variety, many shades, patterns, textures, designs, they can be smooth and embossed, imitate some materials (silk, pile, plaster)
good air permeability - paper wallpaper “breathes”, so the room will not be stuffy, and it also prevents the appearance of fungus
environmentally friendly - are made from natural materials, do not highlight harmful substances, safe for health

Cons

short-lived - enough for 3-5 years
fade quickly - cannot be hung on walls where the sun hits, otherwise the colors will fade
difficult to glue - to do quality gluing, you need to be a specialist with great experience
easy to damage - pets will quickly scratch paper wallpaper and make it look obscene
not resistant to abrasion - soon you will notice scuffs near switches, in the corridor in places of contact with outer clothing, etc.
get dirty easily - absorbs dirt and odors well, it’s easy to put a stain on, but you can’t wash it, just re-glue dirty pieces
can't be washed - do not tolerate water, tear easily (except for special washable paper wallpaper)
afraid of humidity - due to low water resistance, not suitable for kitchens and bathrooms

Species

Single layer. The simplest and cheapest, but short-lived, do not hide unevenness, tear easily, and are very difficult to glue.
Multilayer. More dense and durable, can be embossed, hide wall defects better, and are easier to glue.
Washable. This is a two-layer wallpaper impregnated with a special composition that makes it relatively waterproof. “Washable” are called conditionally; they should only be carefully wiped with a damp cloth.

Where is it appropriate to glue

Paper wallpaper is best suited for rooms with low load, low traffic, where strength is not so important, but beauty is needed. These are bedrooms, living rooms and children's rooms.

They are also suitable for bedrooms and children's rooms due to their environmental friendliness and breathability.

You may find it useful

Non-woven wallpaper

Non-woven wallpaper is a homogeneous material, velvety and smooth. It is made from cellulose fibers, sometimes with the addition of synthetic fibers and textiles. The technology is similar to paper wallpaper.

IMPORTANT! Not to be confused with vinyl wallpaper that has a non-woven base.

Pros

more durable than paper ones - will last 8-10 years
stronger than paper - in addition to cellulose, the wallpaper contains binder polymers, which provide them with greater wear resistance
elastic - are not afraid of shrinkage of the new house and the appearance of cracks
hide defects and unevenness - it is not necessary to glue non-woven wallpaper onto a perfectly prepared surface; thanks to its density, it will hide small unevenness
environmentally friendly - are made from natural materials, do not emit harmful substances
allow air and moisture to pass through well - thanks to air and vapor permeability, the room will not be stuffy, and mold will not appear on the wall under the wallpaper
have a slight noise-canceling effect
easy to glue - cannot be compared with paper wallpaper, non-woven wallpaper is very easy to glue and does not tear in the process
do not change shape when moistened and dried - do not swell, do not shrink
easy to remove - just pry from the edge and remove the wallpaper from the wall
you can glue other wallpaper on top of it - non-woven wallpaper does not need to be removed, glue new ones directly onto the old ones
can be painted - any non-woven wallpaper can be painted, in a sense, that’s what they were created for

Cons

high price - the cost is higher not only than paper, but also vinyl wallpaper
get dirty easily - absorbs dirt and collects dust well
afraid of humidity - non-woven wallpaper is not suitable for rooms with high humidity
easy to damage - do not withstand mechanical stress well, children and pets will quickly damage them appearance wallpaper
modest assortment - you won’t find a lot of variety in stores, since non-woven wallpaper is often intended for painting; usually they are smooth, although they can be embossed, often monochromatic, rarely colored

Species

With low, medium and high density - the denser, the easier it is to glue.

Smooth, embossed, textured, embossed, patterned.
For painting and ordinary ones.

Where is it appropriate to glue

They are best suited for rooms with low load, low traffic, where strength is not very important. Due to the fact that they are made from environmentally friendly materials and allow air to pass through well, non-woven wallpaper will fit well in the bedroom and nursery. Also it will be good option for the living room, as they can be painted in beautiful color, draw interesting patterns, etc.

You shouldn’t waste your money and glue non-woven fabrics in the kitchen, hallway, and especially in the bathroom. They won't live there long.

VINYL WALLPAPER

They have two layers, the base is paper or non-woven fabric, and the coating is vinyl (aka polyvinyl chloride or PVC). This top layer makes the wallpaper very durable. And thanks to the properties of PVC and production technologies, vinyl wallpapers are distinguished by great variety and beauty.

Pros

the richest assortment - presented on the market in the most different colors, shades, with various designs, patterns, ornaments, textures and reliefs, for any design and for every taste; vinyl wallpaper perfectly imitates not only fabric, suede, silk, leather, but also stone, wood, tile, plaster
durable - they will bore you faster than they will lose their attractiveness
indestructible - champion in strength, are not afraid of scratches (you can even rub them with a brush), do not wear out over time
don't light up - vinyl wallpapers are made of non-flammable materials, which speaks in their favor in terms of safety
retain heat - can be considered as an additional thermal insulation material
do not fade - are not at all afraid of the sun, great for rooms on sunny side
are not afraid of humidity - vinyl wallpapers are moisture resistant, they do not care about steam and water, they have water-repellent properties
stain-resistant - do not absorb dirt, repel fat
can be washed - all dirt can be easily washed off, since vinyl is not afraid of not only moisture, but also aggressive detergents and brushes
relatively easy to glue - in terms of the labor intensity of gluing, vinyl wallpapers are between multilayer paper and non-woven ones; easy to glue, but they don't like it too much uneven walls and require the use of special glue (“for heavy wallpaper”)

Species

Hot stamping . The most common. They feature a wide variety of decors. Very durable and moisture resistant.
Silkscreen printing. Similar to silk. Silk and synthetic threads are used in production. The wallpaper has a spectacular appearance with shine. Do not glue on uneven walls!
Foamed vinyl. Embossed wallpaper with a soft texture. They cope well with uneven walls, but do not tolerate moisture well. Excellent imitations various materials. Good air permeability.

Where is it appropriate to glue

Vinyl wallpaper is ideal for the kitchen and bathroom, as it is not afraid of moisture, does not absorb odors and is easy to clean. Due to their strength and abrasion resistance, they are perfect for the corridor, hallway and, again, the kitchen, which are areas of high traffic and load (except for wallpaper made of foam vinyl). And with a wide variety of designs and beauty, vinyl will brighten up your living room.

It is better not to use this type of wallpaper in the bedroom and nursery, because... They are not environmentally friendly enough, they do not allow air to pass through and there is a risk of fungus.

Without exaggeration, we can say that most often people choose wallpaper only for its aesthetic indicators - color and pattern. This approach is justified if the decoration is purchased for a bedroom, nursery, living room and other rooms intended primarily for relaxation. But if you need to choose, other criteria should come to the fore. In particular, practicality and durability. Which wallpaper is best to choose based on these parameters: paper, non-woven or vinyl? And what are their differences? This is what we will look into further. For your attention general requirements to kitchen wallpaper, the pros and cons of the three most common types of cladding and reviews about them, as well as the basic rules for choosing finishes for specific kitchens.

What should be the wallpaper for the kitchen?

First, let's determine what requirements quality products must meet. kitchen wallpaper. There are five of them.

Moisture resistance. This parameter is important for two reasons. Firstly, in the kitchen it is a priori impossible to avoid high humidity. Secondly, the wallpaper here quickly becomes dirty due to regular cooking, so the finish must withstand at least the simplest wet cleaning.

Advice. Choose a material marked “wave” - this icon indicates moisture resistance. Even more practical option– wallpaper marked “wave with brush”, which can be rubbed with a brush.

Breathability. The kitchen is a kind of work shop in living conditions, therefore, to maintain a comfortable microclimate, the finishing must ensure good ventilation of the walls. Breathable wallpaper does not accumulate dampness and is not prone to the formation of fungus.
Light fastness. Wallpaper must be resistant to ultraviolet rays, otherwise it will fade very quickly and ruin the aesthetics of the entire interior.

Fire resistance. In the kitchen, as a rule, many technical appliances are used, so it is important that the wallpaper is resistant to fire. This requirement concerns not so much practicality as safety, so it should not be ignored.
Density. The denser the material, the fewer pores it has and, accordingly, the less dust and dirt accumulates in the finish.

And now we will take a closer look at the advantages of the three types of wallpaper that are most often used for decoration kitchen walls: paper, vinyl and non-woven.

Paper wallpaper

The most common type of wallpaper is paper. They are made entirely of paper, without any other impurities. This leads to both serious advantages and serious disadvantages of finishing. Let's start with the advantages:

low price - much cheaper than any other type of wallpaper;
breathability – allow the walls to “breathe”;
environmentally friendly - do not contain toxic components;
easy gluing - to cover walls with paper wallpaper, it is enough to have minimal skills;
large selection of colors and patterns - paper finishing has a rich variety of designs, so you can find suitable option wallpaper for any interior. Moreover, due to the low cost of cladding, it can be regularly updated, changing the appearance of the kitchen at will.

The disadvantages are no less significant than the advantages:

instability to moisture - paper wallpaper cannot be washed;
fading in the sun - under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the cladding quickly loses its original color and becomes dull;
rapid absorption of odors;
prone to fire;
fragility - due to the above disadvantages, the maximum recommended period of use of paper wallpaper is 5 years.

This finishing material from compressed cellulose fibers. Externally, non-woven fabric is somewhat reminiscent of paper lining, but quality characteristics he is significantly superior to her. Such wallpaper can have both a smooth and textured foam surface.

Advantages of non-woven lining:

Moisture resistance - the material does not swell when exposed to water, so it can be washed.
High strength - the finish is resistant to accidental mechanical damage. But this advantage only applies to materials with a smooth surface.
Resistance to direct sunlight - wallpaper does not fade under the influence of ultraviolet radiation and retains its original appearance for many years.
Air permeability – wallpaper allows air to pass through, which prevents the appearance of mold under the cladding.
Fire resistance.

Possibility of repeated staining.
Easy to apply - the wallpaper does not move or bubble, so it does not cause any hassle during work. In addition, for pasting you need to apply the adhesive only to the wall, which significantly speeds up and facilitates the process.

Non-woven wallpaper also has disadvantages:

facing with textured surface collects dust and therefore needs careful and regular care;
non-woven wallpaper costs several times more than paper wallpaper;
The top layer of textured wallpaper is not resistant to mechanical damage, so dents and scratches may remain on the lining.

Vinyl wallpaper refers to combined canvases with a paper or non-woven base and a front vinyl covering. They can be of several types: foamed, smooth, hard, flat. Of all these options, it is not recommended to use only foam wallpaper in the kitchen, since they cannot be washed. The remaining three types are quite suitable for kitchen premises. And they have many advantages:

mask unevenness and cracks in walls well;
Can be easily cleaned with wet water;
not subject to mechanical damage;

can be painted up to ten times;
do not fade in the sun;
can imitate absolutely any materials - from textiles to snakeskin.

The main disadvantages of vinyl cladding:

Airtightness - wallpaper does not allow air to pass through, therefore, to ensure a pleasant microclimate in the kitchen, it must be ventilated regularly.

Advice. To prevent mold from growing under such cladding, the wall must first be treated with an antifungal agent before pasting.

Difficulty in pasting - vinyl wallpaper is much more difficult to glue than non-woven and paper wallpaper: firstly, the adhesive must be applied to both the canvas and the walls; secondly, under the influence of glue, the wallpaper stretches, but after direct gluing it can “sit”, so it is difficult to join the canvases together.

Selecting wallpaper for the kitchen

When choosing a finish, you need to take into account not only the quality of the wallpaper, but also the features of the kitchen itself.

If you have a small room, avoid dark cladding with a large print - it will make the space even more miniature and constrained. It’s better to pay attention to light, plain canvases with a small pattern or design.

If your kitchen is very low ceilings, use wallpaper with vertical stripes - they will visually increase the height of the room. But a horizontal strip will help to visually expand the space, as if pushing its walls apart. To prevent you from quickly getting bored with a vertical or horizontal print, choose a low-contrast finish with shades smoothly flowing into each other.

If the kitchen windows face north side, it is better to cover the walls with wallpaper in warm colors to make the space more comfortable. It can be peachy, creamy, light herbaceous.

As you can see, all three types of wallpaper considered - paper, non-woven and vinyl - have their own fundamental differences. And if you want to choose a truly high-quality finish, you should not neglect these features - the functionality and comfort of your kitchen will directly depend on them.

How to choose wallpaper for the kitchen: video

Wallpaper for the kitchen: photo

The choice of wallpaper has long been one of the most important aspects of renovation. It is at the moment of choosing wallpaper that numerous quarrels and altercations occur. The appearance of the room, its mood and the atmosphere in it will depend on it.

But choose beautiful colors- that's not so bad. Many people consider the external component of wallpaper to be the main one, forgetting about the material from which the wallpaper is made. But right choice will allow you to save not only your nerves during the operation of the wallpaper, but also money due to the fact that you will not have to re-glue it every couple of years.

Nowadays, there is a huge variety of materials from which wallpaper is made. AiF.ru will help you choose the one that is right for your case.

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Paper wallpaper

Paper wallpapers are still one of the most popular in Russia. True, many consider them already morally obsolete. Let's explain why.

Paper wallpaper can also be different: single-layer or double-layer. But in any case, they retain all their shortcomings. Firstly, they are not among the most durable types of wallpaper - this applies to both operation and the moment of gluing the wallpaper to the wall. Secondly, paper wallpaper is very susceptible to environment- they happily absorb moisture, can change color under the influence of various factors, and when exposed to direct sunlight they are prone to fading. Thirdly, paper wallpaper is practically impossible to wash - if something gets on it, it will remain on it almost forever.

But paper wallpaper also has an undeniable advantage. By and large, this is the only plus. We are talking about cheapness. Just for the cheapness Russian people and loves paper wallpaper. This factor can only work if you handle paper wallpaper carefully. Otherwise, their fragility and frequent need for replacement will negate any savings when purchasing. Another advantage of paper wallpaper is environmental friendliness. They do not emit any harmful substances into the air.

It is recommended to use such wallpapers either in very limited budget, provided that there are no small children in the family who can stain the wallpaper or animals that can tear it. It is also not recommended to glue paper wallpaper in damp rooms and in the kitchen due to the fact that they can be deformed from moisture and change color under the influence of by-products when cooking.

Vinyl wallpaper

Vinyl wallpapers are becoming more and more popular in our country. People choose them due to their practicality. With a huge number of advantages, they have practically no disadvantages.

The only one possible disadvantage, which can be found in vinyl wallpapers, is their relative high cost when compared with paper wallpapers. But thanks to practicality, in which the service life of vinyl wallpaper can easily reach 10 years, they can be even more economical than paper wallpaper.

The advantages of vinyl wallpaper include their practicality. Firstly, they are very durable and can even be subject to deformation. Secondly, vinyl wallpaper can withstand even wet washing without problems. There are several types of vinyl wallpaper - from those that can be gently wiped to those that can easily withstand a cleaning session with a vacuum cleaner.

Vinyl wallpaper is so called due to the top layer, which is made of vinyl. It also gives them those positive qualities that distinguish them from paper wallpaper. The basis on which the vinyl surface is applied and which will be glued to the wall is most often the same paper. Less commonly, the more practical non-woven fabric is used as a base, but this significantly affects the cost of the wallpaper.

There are practically no restrictions on the use of vinyl wallpaper. However, we recommend avoiding using them, or any type of wallpaper in general, in the bathroom. When used in damp rooms, in the kitchen, as well as with the prospect of frequent wet cleaning of the room, it is better to choose wallpaper that is more resistant to this very wet cleaning. This can be determined by special markings on the packaging, which are indicated by the number of waves from one to three. How more waves, the more resistant the wallpaper is to moisture. If the wallpaper depicts a wave with a crest, then for washing you can use either a brush with a cleaning agent or a vacuum cleaner with a wet cleaning function.

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Structural wallpaper

Lately, structural wallpaper has also become popular. This is wallpaper on a paper or non-woven basis, onto which a structural relief pattern is applied in a special way. This wallpaper is intended for painting. That is, after they are glued to the wall, they need to be painted. This allows structural wallpaper to be matched to almost any interior.

Also among the advantages of structural wallpaper is the fact that instead of re-gluing them, you can simply paint them - the same or even a different color. Structural wallpaper on a non-woven basis can withstand up to 12 layers of paint. On paper based- up to 7 layers of paint. They are durable and very wear-resistant. Another plus is ease of use - you can wash the wallpaper with anything, as if you were just washing a painted wall.

The only disadvantages are the slightly cheaper paper-based version of this wallpaper. In addition to the fewer coats of paint they can withstand, they are also not recommended for use in damp areas due to the properties of the paper, which can easily absorb moisture.

Such wallpaper is most often used in offices and hotels, where there is no particular pretense of sophistication, but practicality is valued primarily. Structural wallpaper coupled with painting, of course, is not a cheap pleasure, but due to its practicality and in the long term, it turns out to be a very economical option.

Glass wallpaper

Similar in properties to structural wallpaper are glass wallpaper, which is made from interwoven fiberglass. Thanks to the interlacing of threads, a three-dimensional pattern and relief is created. The fiberglass layer can either be applied to a paper or non-woven base, or directly glued to the wall.

The advantages of this wallpaper compared to structural wallpaper include even greater strength, as well as the ability to smooth the surface on which they are glued. In some cases, they can even cover small cracks and potholes. Paint is applied on top. Glass wallpaper is more fireproof compared to other types of wallpaper.

The downside is the high cost. Therefore, glass wallpaper is mainly used in industrial scale- when finishing large hotels, office and shopping centers, hospitals and other institutions.

Textile wallpaper

Textile wallpaper is considered the most beautiful and most prestigious of all types of wallpaper. The price tag also corresponds to the status: they are one of the most expensive wallpapers.

As the name suggests, the top layer of such wallpaper is made of textile, which is then applied to a paper or, more often, non-woven base, since no one is going to save money on textile wallpaper anyway.

The advantages of such wallpaper have already been listed - status and beauty. They create in the room the atmosphere of a noble home in which representatives of the upper class live.

But these wallpapers also have undeniable disadvantages. Although they are durable, they are very impractical. As with paper wallpaper, everything that gets on it stays on it. Small quantity clean water They, of course, can forgive - then they will simply dry up. But if it is a liquid with dyes, the paint will remain on the fabric forever, and it will be impossible to wash it like a shirt - all you have to do is re-glue it. Also textile wallpaper are exposed to long-term exposure to direct sunlight - they fade. Therefore, in rooms with textile wallpaper, noble twilight most often reigns.

Most often, textile wallpaper is used in living rooms intended for receiving guests, as well as in bedrooms, where you can afford twilight throughout the day and damage to the wallpaper by any liquids or other staining substances is practically excluded.

When choosing clothes for your walls, you want them to not only be beautiful, but also to last a long time. Therefore, even before going to the store, you should decide whether you need non-woven or vinyl wallpaper, what is the difference between them and which one is best suited for the room.

All about vinyl decor

The panels consist of two layers. The first is the basis. Her main task- keep the covering on the wall. Non-woven fabric copes best with this. It holds its shape well, is able to hide wall defects and is easy to stick. The paper base differs for the worse. It shrinks, as a result, cracks may appear in the area of the joints, it does not hide surface unevenness and it is much more difficult to glue it.

The second layer is formed by a film of polyvinyl chloride, which determines the appearance and performance characteristics. There are two types of its application:

Foaming

The polymer is applied to the substrate, after which it undergoes special processing. As a result, the PVC foams and forms a clear relief. Such panels are thick and loose. They are the best at hiding all sorts of wall surface defects, but have the lowest density of all vinyl ones. Therefore, they wear out a little faster than other varieties.

Hot stamping

Initial stage production is similar to the previous version. Hot stamping is used as a special treatment, resulting in a very dense, moisture-resistant fabric, characterized by increased strength and wear resistance. One of the varieties of such wallpaper is called silk-screen printing; in this case, silk threads are additionally placed under the film.

Regardless of the manufacturing method, all panels are made of vinyl:

Durable, will last 10-12 years or more.
Not sensitive to moisture, chemicals and organic solvents.
Resistant to mechanical damage.
They are easy to care for and can withstand wet and even intensive cleaning.
They can imitate almost any texture.

When comparing which is better, vinyl wallpaper or non-woven wallpaper, the main disadvantage of the former is considered to be its composition. Like any synthetic substance, PVC film can be dangerous. True, most often problems arise with low-quality products that have not passed certification. Another disadvantage is low vapor permeability.

Features of non-woven fabric

The product can be considered a relative, because the same raw materials are used for their production. This is natural cellulose to which some polyester fibers have been added. To produce the coating, non-woven fabric production technology is used. The result is a fairly dense material with a pronounced relief. Its significant advantages:

Ability to hold shape well. The canvas does not deform and does not shrink.
Vapor permeability. With this decor the walls “breathe”.
Sufficient wear resistance and service life of about 8-10 years.
The ability to easily tolerate numerous stains, as a result of which the surface relief only becomes stronger.

But the material is not perfect. It is very vulnerable to mechanical damage, easily absorbs dirt and... Getting rid of them is extremely difficult, and most often impossible, since non-woven fabric tolerates only dry cleaning. If the surface is painted, then choose a care product. It is best to choose a water-based emulsion that can be washed. This tandem gives the most practical result.

Vinyl and non-woven wallpaper: the difference is in the details

Despite the fact that many people confuse these materials, they are similar, perhaps, only in cost. Otherwise there are significant differences. Let's learn them differ.

Wear resistance and durability

The service life of the panels is approximately the same, but the operating conditions are completely different. Unpretentious vinyl can be applied to almost any room. It is easy to clean, does not absorb dirt, and is not afraid of water. more capricious. Even a small impact on its surface can leave a scratch or dent. Taking care of him is also not easy.

Vapor permeability

This is the ability of a material to pass steam. Some are sure that “breathable” wallpaper regulates the microclimate in the room, but in reality, of course, this is not the case. No amount of vapor permeability of wall decor will help create an ideal environment in a poorly ventilated room.

This is much easier to achieve with basic . However, if for some reason the walls become very wet, you need to choose only non-woven fabric. PVC film does not allow steam to pass through, in such conditions mold will inevitably appear underneath it.

Ability to hide foundation imperfections

The best “camouflage” of wall unevenness is foamed vinyl. The loose surface hides all kinds of differences well, they become externally not noticeable. But on walls with small cracks and where there is a possibility of shrinkage, for example, in new buildings, it is better to glue non-woven fabric. However, you need to remember that it will not cover stains on the base that may show through the finish. If painting is planned, it will hide this defect.

Moisture resistance

There is a significant difference between the materials regarding resistance to water. Polyvinyl chloride film is absolutely insensitive to it. The polymer does not allow moisture to pass through to the base of the canvas, so it can be glued in the very rooms of the house. Non-woven fabric consisting of cellulose, on the contrary, is very hygroscopic. For this reason, it can only be used in dry rooms.

Difficulty of installation

The easiest way is to glue non-woven strips. To do this, just lubricate the wall with liquid adhesive and attach the panel. True, its width is usually 106 cm, so it may be difficult to adjust and smooth out. It's better to do this with an assistant. Thicker vinyl is more difficult. Glue is applied to both the wall and the wallpaper. If the base is paper, in some cases they wait until it gets a little wet. Only then do they apply the strip to the surface.

Registration

Only vinyl decor can boast a variety of designs. It has a rich color range, which includes many of the most different shades. The texture also differs. If necessary, imitation of any material is possible. Non-woven fabric, in contrast, has a simpler design. This is explained by the fact that the manufacturing technology somewhat limits the decor of the material. But the relief turns out to be very clear and durable.

Which wallpaper is better to choose, vinyl or non-woven?

Everything determines the purpose of the room, for which the decorative properties are selected. Vinyl is ideal for the hallway, corridors, bathroom or kitchen. It is not afraid of humidity and possible mechanical damage. In such conditions, the coating will serve for a long time and will not lose its properties, while non-woven fabric will very quickly become unusable. The latter is worth choosing for the bedroom, living room and children's room.

It is not advisable to glue vinyl sheeting in rooms where people are constantly present. The only person to blame for this is the polymer that forms protective film. It may be hazardous to health. To avoid possible problems, you should purchase only certified material without a strong unpleasant odor.

It is impossible to definitively answer which wallpaper is better, non-woven or vinyl. Each option is good in its own way and is suitable for certain operating conditions. If you take this into account when choosing, the finish will last a long time and will not make its owner upset about wasted money.