Types of Wallpapers
There are a number of different types of wallpaper available. Understanding the different types of wall paper will choose the right one.
Lining Paper
This type of wall paper is used to prepare walls and ceilings for further work. This isn't finishing wallpaper as it does not give a decorative finish; lining paper is applied to bare walls or ceilings in preparation for painting or papering with decorative wallpaper.
Woodchip
It is relatively inexpensive wallpaper consisting of small chips of wood. Woodchip is ideal for hiding small defects in walls and ceiling and is usually finished by applying paint after the paper has fully dried.
Pulps
This is the cheapest type of patterned wallpaper. The pattern is just printed onto a basic paper. Pulps are easy to hang however it stretches very easily. Washable Washable wallpapers have a thin plastic transparent coating covering the pattern printed on to the base pulp paper. This coating allows wiping it with a damp cloth.
Vinyl-coated
this wallpaper usually consists of a pattern printed on to a thin skin of vinyl (plastic) with a paper backing behind. They can be washed so ideal for use in kitchens and bathrooms.
Vinyl
This wallpaper consist of a pattern printed on to thick skin of vinyl on the front and thicker, than vinyl?coated wallpaper, base paper on the bottom. Vinyl wallpaper is hard and waterproof and can be used for kitchens and bathrooms.
Embossed
This wallpapers has relief pattern which are often coloured and gold/silver leafed. Foil Wallpaper It is made from metal foils in various patterns. This type of paper is not always easy to work with. It can be unforgiving if it gets wrinkled or folded and has a tendency to reveal any defects in the wall behind it.
Anaglypta
This wallpaper is ideal for hiding defects in walls and is usually finished off with a coat of paint. Occurs in many types of 3D white patterns ranging from light, random 'line pattern to heavily embossed geometric patterns.
Blown vinyl
These wallpaper are finished with a vinyl plastic which gives it a tough finish and make it washable however this wallpaper can`t be over painted.
Flocks
Flock wallpapers are one of the oldest types of wallpaper. It is great for decorative highlights and more formal areas such as dining rooms, clubs, restaurants, pubs or residential interior especially in presentable rooms. The pattern consists of fibres which feel and look like velvet.
Hand-printed
Hand printed wallpapers come untrimmed and are not widely available off-the-shelf . These are often purchased to special order to match in with existing papers hung in old properties. It is cost a lot of money. When used, they should only be hung by professionals. This wallpaper is handmade and has been used in the past as a traditional way to decorate walls in wealthy households.
Fabric Wallpaper
It`s made from textiles (cloth). It is sometimes laminated to regular paper. It is not easy to keep clean or prevent staining. Fabric wallpaper is fairly difficult to work with, requiring that the fabric be stretched until it is taut, but not so much so that it is stretched out of shape. Quite expensive.
The wallpaper occurs as American and European rolled goods. The American rolled goods are 8.2 m in length and the European 10 m in length which gives proximately 5.6 m2 of wall cover.
Types of paint
There are two basic types of house paint "Latex" - water based paint and "Alkyd" - linseed oil based paint.
Alkyd paint is known also as an Oil paint. Alkyd paint requires mineral spirits for thinning and cleans up while Latex paint cleans up with soap and water.
Modern Emulsions are water-based, with vinyl or acrylic resins added to make them more hard-wearing than traditional emulsions.
The paint comes with a different level of sheen which is the amount of light reflected by the surface of a paint finish.
There are four basic sheens: flat, satin, semi gloss and gloss .
Flat Paints
It does exhibit non-reflective properties providing a matte finish. It is normally used for ceilings and walls in areas not subjected to a lot of wear and tear, dining rooms, living rooms and bedrooms.
Satin Finish / eggshell finish /
It does provide soft luster sheen similar to that of an eggshell. It can be used for walls in children's rooms, hallways, stairways and family rooms.
Semi gloss Paints
It is very durable, easier to clean, and are more stain resistant than satin finish paints. It can be used in a kitchens and bathrooms.
It is also used on wood trim and cabinets.
Gloss Paint It is a harder, more durable and more stain resistant paint finish than others paints. It is good choice for heavy wear areas like kitchens, bathrooms, furniture and cabinets, floors, stairs, handrails, high traffic doors and trim.
