Wallpaper Vs Paint

Are you thinking of refinishing your walls but don’t know whether to use paint or wallpaper? 

Both can create an absolutely fabulous look within the home depending on how you choose to use them. Whether you use wallpaper or paint , either will give your home character and color.

Please let me know if paint or wallpaper terrifies or excites you.

Below are the advantages and disadvantages of both paint and wallpaper to help you make the decision.

 Paint

Paint is the most popular wall treatment and has been for many years because it is the cheapest and easiest way to give a room an instant makeover.  It can be used to draw attention to a feature, or to disguise a feature should it become necessary.  You also need much less preparation time for paint than you do for wallpaper and it can hide walls that are in poor condition, while wallpaper exaggerates any wall imperfections.  Paint is also more versatile than wallpaper – for the feeling of a light, airy room, or a bigger room, paint is usually necessary. 

It is also much easier to paint over paint than it is to paint over wallpaper.  While it is possible to paint over wallpaper, the joining will show and it can be difficult to remove wallpaper that has been covered over with paint.

There are two basic types of paint – water based and oil based.  Water based paints are washable and dry quickly.  Oil based paints do take longer to dry but they are very rich in color and are durable.  Both oil and water based paints are available in a range of finishes from matte to very high gloss.

However, there are disadvantages to paint as well.  Oil based paint especially, is slow to dry and needs a long drying time between coats.  It also needs to be applied by a professional. Also, the higher the oil content in the paint, the less resistant it is to heat.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper may be harder to do than painting is, but it will last for a good deal longer than paint. In fact, many modern wallpapers will last for ten to fifteen years, whereas, repainting often has to be done as often as every couple of years, depending on your household.  Wallpaper can last five times longer than paint under normal conditions, making it a very economical choice.  Over time, you can save over 30 percent of your repainting costs, simply by choosing wallpaper.

Wallpaper is unmatched in the aesthetic value that it brings to a room.  It adds warmth, character, and beauty, and can be used to create an astonishing variety of effects.  It changes the entire look and feel of a room.  Some effects that you can get with wallpaper include texture, paint it yourself wallpaper, custom wallpaper that has been printed with a pattern of your choosing, a natural feel, leather look, timber look, and much more. These are effects that simply cannot be replicated with paint.

Wallpaper is also no longer difficult to remove with new removal systems meaning that it is possible to remove the paper from the wall in long strips.  Taking the time to apply the wallpaper properly and using a good primer will also make removal easier in the long run.

However, there are disadvantages to wallpaper as well.  In humid conditions, the glue may loosen and can actually cause the wallpaper to peel from the wall.  It is also easily soiled and damaged.  Over time it can be nearly impossible to match the color or pattern of your wallpaper should it become damaged and need replacing. This can be overcome by keeping a few spare rolls when you first install wallpaper but be aware that the wallpaper already on the walls may look faded in comparison to the new rolls thanks to fading by the sun over time.  Wallpaper is also costly to replace.