When decorating or transforming your home and walls, the choices available in the market can be overwhelming. Should you go for paint or wallpaper? Of course, we all want our aesthetic walls to be the talk of the town, so it can be a struggling decision to make. But we are here to help you with an elaborate rundown of factors to keep in mind.
Pros of Wallpaper
Wallpaper lasts a very long time, sometimes up to 15 years. Its lifetime may, however, depend on the brand and quality.
It adds interest and dimension to the room. With the variety of patterns, colours, and designs, you can create depth in your room, adding atmosphere and warmth.
It can hide blemishes and minor wall damage, particularly if you opt for thicker paper.
Cons of Wallpaper
It takes time to remove and there’s a lot of scraping of walls that needs to be done. Newer wallpapers like peel-and-stick come off in complete sheets but older and more traditional types are very difficult and time-consuming to remove.
With wallpapers, you do not have the liberty to change the design and style scheme of your room as frequently due to inconvenience.
Wallpapering can be very costly.
Pros of Paint
It is easier to paint and doesn’t take as much time as wallpapering, especially if you are seeking professional help to get the painting job done.
Painting is cost-efficient and cheaper upfront than wallpapering.
You can paint on a wide variety of surfaces - such as wood, metal, plaster, steel, and many more.
You can also elevate your rooms with Accent Walls in interior design.
Cons of Paint
Paint can be limiting in the number of finishes - matte, satin sheen, or gloss.
As the colour is in one solid block, it can look very plain in large wall areas.
If you are looking for some dimension, you might not get the desired results with paint as it generally gives a flat output, without much depth or warmth to the walls.
Wallpaper or Paint: Which is easier to put on and easily removable?
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a user-friendly choice due to its ease of use in DIY projects. Its application is as easy and quick as peeling off the backing and sticking it right onto your wall, making it perfect for beginner DIYers.
Traditional wallpaper, however, takes more effort and skill, as handling adhesive paste while also ensuring a smooth, bubble-free application is quite a task and requires patience. Removing it is not easy either and without an expert, might cause damage to your walls.
Painting demands a bit more time, skill, and preparation work for that “pro-level finish”. You might need to apply multiple coats, and also wait for drying in between. This will take up a lot of time, and is not suitable for beginner DIYers as it is a labor-intensive process. If you are planning to paint patterns, it will require additional tools and should be better left to the experts. Get in touch with us and we will help you with our expertise.
Removing peel-and-stick wallpaper is more straightforward than removing or covering paint. This type is designed to be removable and repositionable without causing damage to the underlying wall, making it an excellent option for those who change their decor frequently. Simply start peeling it off from a corner and it will come away cleanly.
Paint is more challenging to remove or cover. Removing paint involves labor-intensive and time-consuming processes like scraping, sanding, and applying paint strippers, which release toxic fumes. Furthermore, covering the layer of paint requires priming and repainting.
Wallpaper or Paint: Which is costlier?
The cost of wallpaper and paint varies greatly based on factors like brand, quality, and the size of the area of the project.
Generally, wallpaper tends to be more expensive upfront. However, once installed, any good quality wallpaper can last for 10-15 years easily, without fading and showing signs of wear and tear. This makes it a cost-effective and long-term option. Wallpapers can save you lots of money as it doesn't require frequent replacement and much maintenance.
Paint is a budget-friendly option, but as every paint job requires a second coat for complete coverage and may also need frequent touch-ups and repainting over time. This results in additional costs. To limit these extra cost, at Painteradam we always undercoat the walls before painting, this ensures a long lasting resulting meaning you don't have to worry about adding another layer for many years to come.
Considering the lower maintenance and longer lifespan, wallpaper, which is quite expensive initially, can be a cost-effective choice in the long run. Contrarily, paint may have lower costs upfront, but with frequent reapplication needs for your aesthetic walls, additional costs in maintenance can add up over time.
Wallpaper or Paint: What lasts longer?
A major concern for many: how long can I expect my wall finish to last?
If you invest in high-quality wallpaper, it can last you for 10+ years, as it is known for its ability to withstand wear and tear and is more resistant to scratches, scuffs, and stains as compared to painted walls. The thickness of wallpaper provides an additional layer of protection for your walls. Due to its thickness, it can hide minor imperfections in the wall more effectively than paint. This thickness also acts as an extra layer of insulation and soundproofing, making wallpaper a perfect choice for bedrooms and quiet spaces.
A well-applied paint job by an expert should last you 5 years, at the least, without the need for a touch-up. However, as painted walls are more susceptible to chipping, scuffing, and staining, it can be challenging to repair and damage to sections of non-washable painted walls can require repainting of the whole wall. If the walls are painted with washable paint, then the stains can be easily wiped off.
Sounds confusing? Take professional help from Adam
If all this information is overwhelming and you don’t have the time to do so much work by yourself, leave it to the professionals. We will take care of everything - from choosing the right wallpaper and paint according to your preference, setting it up, to finishing the task perfectly fine! With only one click, you can get a quote for your job, and find the best services for paint and wallpaper in Dublin.