Since wallpaper has been around for a very long period, it has undergone many changes over the years. Amongst the different types of wallpaper, vinyl and fabric wallpapers are the most talked about. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, yet many choose vinyl over the fabric.
This article discusses the basics of vinyl and fabric wallpaper and focuses on why most homeowners prefer vinyl wallpapers for their walls.
Difference Between Vinyl Wallpaper and Fabric Wallpaper
The base layer of vinyl is paper, but for ease of cleaning, it has been coated with acrylic vinyl or polyvinyl chloride. The layer’s main objective is to protect the wallpaper from damage when cleaning.
This type of wallpaper peel and stick can be used in bathrooms and kitchens, and other damp areas. The paper and patterns are shielded from water damage by the vinyl covering, but you should keep it as dry as you can.
Speaking of fabric wallpapers, they employ a fabric basis as opposed to a paper base. Coated fabric wallpaper, as opposed to vinyl coated wallpaper, has graphics on the coating rather than the fabric. Additionally, this type of wallpaper should not be used in humid environments. It is made to have a lovely appearance in spaces where you entertain guests, including living rooms or dining rooms.
Why You Should Choose Vinyl Wallpaper for Your Walls
Many individuals are unaware that vinyl wallcovering comes in several sizes and various types, peel and stick flower wallpaper being the most popular one. There are four broad groups, each with unique traits, advantages, and disadvantages.
A general name for wallcovering created with a vinyl coating to offer further protection that traditional papers do not is “vinyl wallcovering.” Most people assume that vinyl wallcovering belongs in bathrooms and kitchens when they think about those spaces. While many vinyl wallcoverings do fit this description, not all do.
Here are four types of vinyl wallpapers:
- Fabric-backed vinyl: Fabric-back vinyl is frequently solid in color, textured, or created to resemble another material, like grasscloth, because it is challenging to print fine details on its surface.
- Paper-backed vinyl: This kind consists of a vinyl sheet with a pulp substrate that is typically patterned. It is a somewhat less strong vinyl wallcovering than its fabric-backed vinyl cousin, despite being an all-around sturdy residential wallcovering that cannot be used in commercial installations.
- Vinyl-coated paper: Since this is actually wallpaper, complex designs like leafy tendrils and finely drawn flowers are possible. The vinyl top layer provides some, albeit limited, protection against stains and scuffs in comparison to conventional wallpaper.
- Digitally printed vinyl: Since most digitally printed wallcoverings are made to order and can be made from a wide range of materials, this is a broad classification.
The vinyl wallcoverings with nonwoven backings are dry-strippable, which means they may be removed without soaking and with little paste residue. Additionally, they are permeable; therefore, mildew issues should be avoided.
Bottom Line
Although both vinyl and fabric wallpapers have their own pros and cons, many homeowners and businesses today prefer vinyl wallpaper.