What is liquid wallpaper and how to work with it

Unlike conventional paints or wallpapers, liquid wallpaper offers a soft, textured finish, making it a distinctive and fashionable way to decorate walls. Composed of a blend of organic materials such as silk, cellulose, and cotton, it offers a visually captivating surface and a cozy, welcoming feel that elevates any space.

The simplicity of application of liquid wallpaper is one of its key advantages. It is applied to the walls with a trowel or specialized sprayer after being mixed with water when it is delivered in a dry form. Even for novices, the procedure is easy to follow and gives creative freedom for textures and patterns.

Another benefit of liquid wallpaper is its flexibility, which allows it to hide minor flaws like uneven surfaces or cracks in the wall. In addition, it offers some thermal and acoustic insulation, which makes it a useful choice for a variety of areas. It’s also simple to maintain and repair; all you have to do is reapply more material to a damaged area to make it whole.

Liquid wallpaper is an attractive option for any interior design project because it is durable and versatile, suiting both modern and more organic aesthetics.

Liquid wallpaper what is it

We will first refer to the two closest finishing coatings—decorated plaster and wallpaper—as their "relatives" before going into detail about liquid wallpaper. Many people mistake the new material for decorative plaster, if wallpaper sheets are a ready-made roll sheet product that cannot be confused with anything else due to the joints being easily detected.

Like plaster compositions, liquid wallpaper is also a dry mixture that is diluted with water and then plastered onto the base using plastering tools. The mixture’s ingredients are the primary distinction between them and ornamental plaster.

The primary ingredients in the mixture are:

• glue (CMC is often used as a binder);
• fiber filler (cotton or cellulose);
• dye;
• decorative inclusions (glitter, threads, artificial or natural granules, flocks, mother-of-pearl, shavings).

The lack of sand in the composition is the second distinction from plasters. Liquid wallpaper material is comparable to plaster in every other way. It seems that this is the reason the new substance is frequently referred to as silk plaster, which frequently causes confusion (we will also use this name further in the article). Panels can be made, and it can be further tinted and molded. Children will ask to be co-authors, so it’s appropriate that people with a creative streak can express themselves through their imagination.

This kind of coating is easily repaired. You can apply some water to the wall, and then use a spatula to scrape off the wet layer after a few minutes. Apply the mass to the area that needs to be restored after diluting the new mixture.

Painting is another viable solution for fixing liquid wallpaper. This option is usually used to paint over dirty finishing or quickly change the environment. It’s simple and repeatable to paint over paper wallpaper. Only in this situation do the material’s properties like fabric effect, air permeability, and ease of removal disappear.

Additionally, since the fibrous material absorbs moisture easily, you will need to select the appropriate paint based on the composition. For this use, acrylic and water-based compositions work best. The former are more resilient to mechanical stress and more long-lasting.

A pneumatic tool can be used to apply silk plaster in large quantities.

The main properties of liquid wallpaper

Their properties as a finishing material are both decorative and functional. The mixture’s constituents determine the decorative qualities and the final result. There are compositions in a wide variety of shades for sale. Most of them have light tones. You can personalize liquid wallpaper by adorning it with different elements (like glitter, confetti, or cut Christmas tree tinsel).

The ambience of the space will feel cozy and comfortable with warm tones. Using cold colors will make the room appear larger.

Physical attributes are also contingent upon the constituents:

• vapor permeability – 120 m3/ms*Pa (the mixture can be used on aerated concrete walls);
• thermal conductivity – 0.04 W/m o C;
• noise absorption – 30% (with sound up to 5 kHz);

Advantages of liquid wallpaper

Liquid wallpaper offers advantages as well as disadvantages.

The ensuing attributes are deemed favorable:

• environmental friendliness (can be used in children"s rooms, bedrooms, hospitals, in the interiors of public buildings);
• fire safety;
• ability to form monolithic coatings without seams;
• not demanding on the evenness of the surface (which is what ordinary wallpaper "suffers" from), you can apply a layer that hides minor differences, cracks;
• ability to fill cracks, for example, between the wall and the baseboard;
• can be applied to walls, ceilings and inclined structures;
• good adhesion to bases made of any materials (for wood, metal or plastic, a special primer is required);
• silk plaster is pleasant to the touch;
• resistance to temperature fluctuations;
• not afraid of vibration loads;
• the material "breathes", allows the walls to "breathe", is a regulator of air humidity (like clay);
• easy to apply and form, therefore does not require special plastering knowledge and experience;
• does not rot, is not susceptible to mold;
• the coating does not fade, preserving the richness of colors;
• forms an antistatic coating, therefore does not attract dust;
• does not smell;
• is easily removed for replacement with a new finishing material, the coating is repairable.

Disadvantages of liquid wallpaper

The cost of the new material is its primary drawback.

Let’s talk about some more drawbacks:

• the material is not suitable for finishing facades (unstable to moisture);
• cannot be used (without additional treatment) in rooms where humidity is high;
• drying of the layer takes at least a day (this is more than wallpaper would require, but less than decorative plaster dries);
• the coating can absorb odors;
• are not very resistant to abrasion;
• the rough surface may require more frequent cleaning, and for this the top of the coating needs varnish protection (without this, the surface can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and a dry cloth).

The contemporary and adaptable wall covering known as liquid wallpaper is composed of a blend of natural fibers, adhesive, and decorative components. It has the visual appeal of wallpaper, with a distinct texture and an array of colors and patterns, but is applied similarly to plaster. Using liquid wallpaper is as simple as mixing it with water, letting it sit, and then using a trowel or spatula to spread it across walls. This material is a popular choice for both professionals and do-it-yourselfers because it is great for hiding minor wall imperfections and gives any space a soft, natural look.

A contemporary and adaptable wall covering option, liquid wallpaper mimics the look of wallpaper while incorporating the feel of plaster. It provides a distinctive way to give your living areas more flair and coziness. For smooth, seamless, and ornamental finishes, liquid wallpaper can be a great option whether you’re trying to update a space or give it a whole new look.

It’s not too difficult to work with liquid wallpaper, especially if you prepare well. The most important steps are to use a trowel or spatula to apply the product, clean the wall surface, and mix it properly. Instead of using traditional wallpaper or paint, the outcome is a natural, textured finish that is easily repairable if it gets damaged.

Liquid wallpaper allows you to customize your home to your taste in decor with an array of colors and textures to choose from. It’s an eco-friendly, long-lasting, and stylish solution that not only makes your walls look better but also makes your room feel cozier and more acoustically balanced.

Video on the topic

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