When choosing whether to paint or wallpaper the walls of a certain room, office, or bathroom, there are several factors you should carefully consider.
In today’s blog post, Carlton Building Services compares the two for you so that you’re able to make an informed decision on what is best for you.
Durability
Wallpaper is a great product which lasts a lot longer than paint — up to 15 years. After around 10 years you will start to see issues such as peeling or cuts/tears. However wallpaper typically does not develop scuff marks for high traffic areas. Depending on the humidity wallpaper can develop mold and mildew issues after a while. Paint, on the other hand, is able to last between 5 and 7 years. It will require occasional touch-ups, especially in rooms that see a lot of use such as a waiting room, hallways, or lobbies. However, paint is much more moisture resistant than wallpaper which makes it a better choice for rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Installation
Painting can be easily done by individuals, but wallpapering requires a professional. Wallpapering is often a more time-consuming process than painting. If the wall preparation beforehand is done well, then wallpapering can take less time than painting. Priming is recommended for both applications. Wallpapering can cover small crevices and imperfections in the walls better than paint can. However, making sure that its patterns match can be a tedious process. Please consult the wallpaper and paint manufacturer specifications before applying.
Affordability
Wallpaper typically costs more than paint. The cost of removing wallpaper later on is also significant (whereas with paint, you can simply apply another layer of a different color). Older wallpaper is even harder to remove than new wallpaper. You must repair the walls before any new wallpaper can be applied. Unlike wallpaper, painting requires additional supplies such as brushes and trays (which add on to the total cost).
Please keep in mind that neither paint or wallpaper is better than the other; both have unique advantages and disadvantages. Each will be suitable in different circumstances.
You can browse through various types of paints and wallpaper and find one that suits your particular individual needs here.
Helpful links for further reading:
https://www.brewsterwallcovering.com/wallpaper-vs-paint
https://www.wallpaperboulevard.com/blog/wallpaper-vs-paint-which-is-better-87.aspx
