What is embossed wallpaper, how they are made, their advantages and disadvantages, the technology of sticking different types of canvases on the walls and design features of the choice of embossed panels. Embossed wallpaper is a special type of wallpaper that has an embossed surface. They are usually represented by two-layer paper products, the top layer of which has been subjected to special processing.
Embossed wallpaper production technology
Embossed wallpaper has this name due to the special technology of their manufacture. Depending on the basis of the material used to create this type of wallpaper, hot, dry, damp, chemical embossing is used to make a relief pattern.
Embossed (embossed) wallpaper is made using the following technology:
- Intaglio printing. This method makes it possible to transfer the most subtle transitions of color and shades to the canvas, creating the illusion of a real image.
- Paper lamination. The inner layer of the wallpaper is glued to the top with a special adhesive.
- Embossing. The wet glued wallpaper passes through the steel and paper roll. The profile of the upper shaft made of steel has a pattern that is transferred in the form of an invoice to the canvas.
- Drying of finished wallpaper, cutting, roll formation.
Thanks to this manufacturing technology, wallpapers of this type are considered the most stable, that is, they have minimal elongation when wetted with glue. Moreover, it is a very durable wallpaper.
Embossed wallpaper can be made not only on paper, but also on a non-woven base. Treatment with polyvinyl chloride can be used, which significantly improves the performance of the wallpaper.
The main varieties of embossed wallpaper
Embossed wallpapers can differ in the material used in their manufacture and, accordingly, in the technology that is used in the process. Depending on the variety, embossed canvases have their own advantages, disadvantages and features of gluing.
Duplex Paper Embossed Wallpaper
Embossed paper wallpaper is also called duplex. The web of this finishing material consists of a pair of paper layers such as a backing and a topcoat. Wallpaper of this type can be colorless with a relief pattern for painting and with a color image. Wallpaper designed for paint application has a more pronounced relief. It should be noted that with frequent staining, the surface of such embossed wallpaper is deformed.
Pros of paper embossed wallpaper:
- You can mask unevenness and roughness on the walls.
- Duplex wallpaper is more durable than simplex (one-layer paper wallpaper).
- The finishing material "breathes", which helps to create an optimal microclimate in the room.
- Duplex is an environmentally friendly material because no chemicals are used for its production.
- Embossed paper wallpapers are relatively inexpensive. They will cost less than other types of embossed wallpaper.
However, we also note the disadvantages of this finishing material:
- These wallpapers cannot be washed. For this reason, they should not be glued in the kitchen or nursery.
- The paper surface is subject to mechanical stress.
- The service life is relatively short - up to 5 years.
The standard length of wallpaper in a roll is 10.5 meters, width - 0.53 meters.
Vinyl Embossed Wallpaper
Vinyl embossed wallpaper has a decorative PVC outer layer. The base can be made of paper or non-woven fabric. Vinyl protects the base well from moisture, chemical compounds (salts, fats, acids, alkalis), minimizes the risk of fire.
With the technology of hot stamping of such wallpapers, a special chamber is used, where the canvas, covered with foamed polyvinyl chloride, is heated and passed through the rollers with patterns. Such wallpapers can be of three types:
- Silkscreen … They have a smooth and even structure, they can reflect light, which creates the effect of silk overflow. This is a fairly thin material that does not hide wall defects, therefore, the surfaces must be perfectly aligned before pasting.
- Heavy vinyl … Its surface imitates well embossed plaster. If you plan to paste over with such wallpaper, then it is not necessary to bring the walls to perfect smoothness - all the roughness will be successfully hidden.
- Flat vinyl … These wallpapers imitate various finishing materials: brush strokes, brickwork, plaster, untreated wood. These wallpapers are created with a thick vinyl layer and deeper relief.
Hot stamping vinyl wallpaper has the following advantages:
- Long service life - on average 7-15 years.
- Resistant to sunlight, bacteria, moisture, fungi.
- The material does not absorb odors.
- Ease of cleaning. A damp cloth and non-abrasive cleaning agents can be used.
- Excellent thermal insulation performance.
- The material is environmentally friendly, since most of the resins evaporate under the influence of high temperatures during manufacture.
The disadvantage of such wallpaper is that it does not allow air to pass through. Therefore, a room that is pasted over with this material must be frequently ventilated in order to prevent air stagnation. Otherwise, fungus and mold may develop on the walls. It is also worth noting the higher price of vinyl wallpaper compared to embossed paper.
In the production of chemical embossing vinyl wallpaper, the method of zone inhibition of vinyl is used, which is pre-foamed. In other words: a reagent is applied to certain areas of the canvas, which is covered with PVC. The latter suppresses foaming of polyvinyl chloride. After the procedure, the wallpaper is warmed up in the chamber and the vinyl layer, which has not been treated with the reagent, expands (foams).
The advantages of such wallpaper:
- Original design solutions: elements of foamed vinyl and silk-screen printing are harmoniously combined.
- Good resistance to mechanical damage, ultraviolet light.
- The wallpaper can be cleaned many times, even with a damp cloth or sponge.
- Long service life - up to 15 years.
Disadvantages of the finishing material: high price of wallpaper, poor masking of wall surface defects.
Non-woven embossed wallpaper
As a rule, embossed non-woven wallpaper is made for further coloring. The non-woven backing consists of cellulose fibers, which are held together by a polymer. The advantages of this material are that it is durable, resistant to abrasion, and is poorly flammable. Also, wallpapers based on this material have the following advantages:
- Good ability to mask imperfections in wall surfaces.
- Fire safety.
- The rolls of non-woven wallpaper are usually wide, which makes them easier to apply.
- Easily amenable to wet cleaning, do not deteriorate from them.
- Multiple painting is allowed, the relief remains unchanged.
- When carrying out repairs, the vinyl wallpaper layer can be easily separated from the non-woven one, and new canvases can be glued onto the base that remains.
The disadvantages of embossed non-woven wallpaper are exactly the same as for all vinyl wallpapers of this type: high price and poor air exchange.
Technology for mounting embossed wallpaper on walls
As a rule, on the packaging of duplex paper wallpaper, the manufacturer indicates the type of glue that is suitable for use with the canvas. Most often, this is an adhesive composition designed for heavy types of wallpaper, for example, non-woven backing.
Before you start gluing new wallpaper, you need to prepare the walls. To do this, old finishing materials are carefully removed from the surface, cracks and irregularities, dirt are eliminated.
Embossed duplex wallpaper is glued to the walls in stages:
- Prepared walls are treated with a primer to improve adhesion. Let it dry for a day.
- We check the rolls of wallpaper: their batch number, shade and pattern must completely match.
- We measure the height of the walls in the room and cut the wallpaper into suitable cuts. On each side, we leave allowances of 3-5 cm. Carefully control that the pattern on the wallpaper coincides at the joints.
- We prepare the glue and apply it to the strip using a wide brush. After that, fold the cut in a ratio of 2/3 and 1/3 and let it rest for about 10 minutes. We make sure that each canvas lies at the same time.
- Draw a vertical line on the wall using a building level. It will be a guide for gluing wallpaper strips.
- We glue the first strip from the window.
- Remove air bubbles with a soft brush or rubber spatula if they have formed under the wallpaper. We do it smoothly from top to bottom and from center to edge.
- Wallpaper canvases may overlap slightly as they may shrink after they dry.
- We cut off the excess parts of the wallpaper with a construction knife.
When gluing wallpaper of this type, you should also remember a number of recommendations:
- We carry out all work at temperatures from 15 to 22 degrees Celsius.
- We avoid drafts in the room.
- If glue gets on the outer surface of the canvas, remove it with a soft sponge, gently blotting, but not rubbing.
- If the wallpaper has a pattern, then it is best to glue them together, but if the pattern does not need to be joined, then you can handle it yourself.
- It is not necessary to remove sockets and switches while wallpapering the walls. It is enough to de-energize the room and remove the covers. The wallpaper must first be applied to the wall surface and a cross-shaped cut is made.
Hot and cold-embossed wallpaper on a non-woven backing is glued in the same way. It should be noted that interlining is a transparent material. Therefore, if the top layer of wallpaper is not too dense, then an inhomogeneous layer of paint on the walls or seams in the gypsum board can shine through through them.
Before gluing this type of embossed wallpaper, you need to attach it to the wall in sunlight and make sure that the uneven color does not show through the canvas. If wall defects are visible, then you will have to additionally prepare the surface - paint it in one tone. However, if you plan to paint the wallpaper, then the walls do not need to be covered with paint.
For non-woven wallpaper, use a thick glue that does not turn yellow after it dries. We carry out work on wallpapering according to the following instructions:
- We cut the wallpaper into strips along the height of the walls plus 5-7 cm. Remember that the pattern or pattern must match.
- Apply glue to the wall with a brush or roller. The width of the treated surface should slightly exceed the width of the wallpaper cut.
- We apply a dry cloth to the wall and press it.
- Remove the air that has accumulated under the wallpaper with a rubber brush or soft cloth.
- We glue the strips of this wallpaper end-to-end, leaving no gaps or overlaps.
Remember that wallpaper is best glued in a room with a uniform temperature. Hot radiators or drafts of cold wind from windows will negatively affect the appearance of the finishing material after drying.
Design solutions for the use of embossed wallpaper in the interior
Embossed wallpaper for walls is presented on the market in a wide range of textures, colors, patterns. Before opting for certain canvases, consider the recommendations for using embossed wallpaper in the interior:
- Silk-screen printing will look great in living rooms, bedrooms. Moreover, the size of the room does not matter. The main thing is to successfully choose the pattern and color of the material.
- Bright silk-screen wallpapers are suitable for light rooms - the glare of the sun's rays will emphasize their beauty.
- If artificial lighting prevails in the room, then it is better to choose embossed wallpaper in pastel colors.
- In large rooms, you can use wallpaper with large figures and plots.
- You can choose embossed wallpapers for any style of room, due to the fact that they imitate textures well: wood, brick, paint, tiles.
- Don't be limited to one type of wallpaper. The combinations look very interesting. So, for a high-tech or loft-style room, a combination of woody relief with brick is suitable. And for a retro style, you can pick up wallpaper with a pattern that imitates plaster and painting.
- The walls covered with embossed wallpaper in the patchwork style will look fresh and non-standard. To do this, you need to use wallpaper of different types, cut into shreds. Such a heterogeneous colorful "patchwork quilt" on the wall will decorate a nursery or living room in country style.
How to glue embossed wallpaper - watch the video:
[media = https://www.youtube.com/watch? v = PrcPzN2I_2o] Embossed wallpaper is an excellent modern finishing material that will suit almost any room. The gluing technology is not much different from working with ordinary paper canvases, so a beginner can also cope with it.
