Wallpaper has ceased to be a luxury item for wealthy households since the 1950s at the latest, but has become a popular and widespread mass product. The very first wallpaper was in the Orient, but today most of it is wallpapered in the United States. People of the United States especially love wallpaper; especially the classic wood chip has become an indispensable part of the walls in this country. In other countries, such as Germany, France or Italy, the walls are generally less likely to be wallpapered; plastered or painted walls are more standard there.
In the trade there are wallpapers made of different materials, paper and other plant fibers, fleece, textile fabric, glass fibers, plastics or metal. The modern wallpaper market is so diverse that it can be difficult to keep track of things or to make a quick decision. In this article we have therefore clearly listed the different types of wallpaper and give you an overview of materials, properties and processing. However, not every wallpaper name or term stands for a completely unique type of wallpaper; there are many overlaps and similarities. Knowing them helps you to find your way around the huge wallpaper market faster and makes it easier for you to choose the right wallpaper.
After listing the types of wallpaper, you will find an overview of other important terms and general parameters for modern wall coverings.
Table of Contents
1. Paper Wallpaper
The paper wallpapers make the start here, because to this day almost all types of wallpaper contain paper at least as a base or carrier material. Only a few types, including non-woven wallpapers and fiberglass wallpapers, are made entirely of other materials, so they have no underside or backing made of paper.
In order to keep confusion within limits, the term “paper wallpaper” is usually only used in the trade for types of wallpaper that consist exclusively of paper. When it comes to types of wallpaper, printed paper wallpapers form the largest and most important group. They are usually printed on the front; In addition, the wallpaper can consist of thinner or thicker, single-ply or multi-ply paper. In addition, there are special types of paper wallpapers that also have their own names. For example;
- Natural wallpapers: They consist of unprinted, natural raw paper and therefore appear very delicate and natural. Natural paper wallpapers should not be confused with natural wallpapers which, depending on the type, can contain many other materials besides paper.
- Background wallpapers: These are paper wallpapers that are completely covered with lightfast paint before the wallpaper pattern is printed. This continuous application of paint is called a fond and prevents the wallpaper from yellowing. In addition, the colors printed on it appear stronger and brighter.
Paper living room wallpapers are cheap, environmentally friendly, harmless to health and, when unpainted, open to diffusion (breathable). Many grades contain some recycled paper or are made entirely from it. In terms of colors, patterns and structures, everything is possible that can be achieved with modern printing and embossing techniques – from floral patterns, leaf wallpaper, geometric designs and baroque ornaments to stone and wood optics. Photo wallpapers are commonly called leaves wallpapers. Wallpaper leaves often come in different beautiful colors and designs. You may also check some Leaf wallpaper designs here at Wallmur.
2. Woodchip wallpaper
The woodchip is the best-known representative of the paper wallpaper. Its knobbed structure is created by working in small pieces of wood; these “chaff” sit between two or three layers of paper. The rough (h) fiber wallpaper was invented in 1864 by Hugo Erfurt, and to this day the Wuppertal paper factory Erfurt & Sohn KG is one of the largest and best-known wallpaper manufacturers.
Woodchip is made from natural and renewable raw materials (recycling) paper, wood chips and cellulose and is a healthy, environmentally friendly, inexpensive, vapor-permeable and easy-to-process wallpaper. They are available in finer and coarser versions. Because of the typical structure, wall paint sticks particularly well on it, which is why wood chips can be painted over many times without any problems. In the meantime, not only white or cream-colored, but also colored woodchip wallpapers are available in stores.
3. Non-Woven Wallpapers
The carrier material for non -woven wallpapers is not paper, but a mixture of textile fibers and cellulose. That alone makes the difference between paper and non-woven wallpapers. Due to the non-woven backing, the wallpaper is more stable and tear-resistant than paper wallpaper, so that it can also be used as reinforcement for small surface defects (e.g., cracks). In addition, non-woven wallpapers are dimensionally stable, i.e., they do not warp and keep their shape, regardless of whether they are wet or dry. Non-woven wallpapers are also breathable when uncoated. Because they can withstand moisture and water vapor very well, they can also be used as bathroom wallpapers.
Smooth, structured and embossed, white and single or multi-colored printed non-woven wallpapers are available in stores. There is also a large range of designer wallpapers, baroque wallpapers, retro wallpapers and other splendid, romantic or classic non-woven wallpapers, which, however, also cost significantly more than paper wallpapers.
4. Non-Woven woodchip wallpaper
This is a non-woven wallpaper with a woodchip look. Fleece woodchip is dimensionally stable, tear-resistant, hard-wearing and can bridge small cracks in the substrate; In addition, as with other non-woven wallpapers, it is not the wallpaper but the wall that is pasted. This type of wallpaper was developed for everyone who likes the woodchip look but would rather use a non-woven wallpaper. The surface of the non-woven wood chip is structured like a classic woodchip with wood chips and can therefore be painted over very easily, but not easily wallpapered over.
5. Fiberglass wallpaper
Fiberglass wallpapers are also offered under the name’s fiberglass fleece or fiberglass fabric. They consist entirely of fiberglass, so it is a mineral wallpaper. Depending on the weaving technique, the glass fibers form a diamond pattern, herringbone pattern, or other structures; also, individual designs such as B. woven-in company logos are possible with this type of wallpaper.
Glass fiber is one of the most stable, hard-wearing, hygienic and durable wallpapers. It is waterproof, washable, abrasion-proof, mold-resistant and, if properly glued, can last for generations. Fiberglass wallpaper can be painted over many times without affecting the structure. However, it is also correspondingly expensive, not breathable, and processing is not child’s play.