What to choose wallpaper or decorative plaster: comparison of characteristics

The decision between decorative plaster and wallpaper for wall decoration can be difficult. Making an informed choice requires an understanding of the distinctions between the two options because they each have special advantages and aesthetic qualities.

Because wallpaper comes in a multitude of patterns and is simple to apply, it is a popular option. With little work, it can quickly change a room and offers both modern and classic prints. Decorative plaster, on the other hand, offers a more robust and textured finish. Although it frequently calls for expert application, the result is a sophisticated appearance that can endure for years.

To assist you in selecting which decorative plaster or wallpaper is best for your room, we’ll compare their features in this post. Examining their benefits, installation procedures, and upkeep requirements will provide you more information to help you select the best option for your house.

What to look for when choosing

It’s important to consider the following important factors before selecting a finishing material:

• Venetian plaster looks spectacular in large rooms where it is possible to leave a wall or part of it free. This is especially important when the decorative material will create a pattern – in the form of a panel or a separate section on the surface.
• The work of applying plaster is more expensive than gluing wallpaper. In addition, it is worth considering that the surface under it must be perfectly leveled.
• Decorating an apartment with wallpaper is a more affordable option. Although there is an elite category of such finishing material made from natural and artificial materials.
• Different types of wallpaper can suit both a minimalist style and a classic interior. Whereas with the help of plaster, status interiors in the style of Baroque, Rococo, English classic, Art Deco are most often recreated.
• The choice of any material should take into account some technical parameters – environmental friendliness, moisture resistance, maintainability, resistance to mechanical stress.
• From an aesthetic point of view, it is necessary to select the color of the plaster or wallpaper. Here, one rule applies, regardless of the material – the smaller and darker the space, the lighter the color scheme should be.
• As for the pattern, the opinion of designers here also converges on one solution. The smaller the area of ​​the room, the smaller the pattern should be or it may be absent altogether. In this case, decorative plaster or wallpaper can imitate a certain texture – marble, matting, sandstone or some other material. If you create a pattern on the wall from plaster, then the space should be distinguished by large dimensions.

Comparison of characteristics

It is worthwhile to assess each material’s qualities in order to select the most beneficial one in each unique situation.

Vapor permeability

The following characteristics should be noted in light of the potential for steam to pass through various finishing materials:

• A wall covered with wallpaper will only let in steam and moisture if the wallpaper material is made of paper, sisal, jute, linen or bamboo. If it is non-woven, acetate or polyester, a kind of “greenhouse” effect will form in the room.
• But decorative plaster will always allow the surface to let in moisture and steam. This will help create a more comfortable microclimate in the room.

What is cheaper

We can state with certainty that renovating apartments with decorative Venetian plaster is an expensive pleasure if we compare the costs of various finishing options. Furthermore, if a particular finishing technique is employed in one room, it should be applied in other rooms as well, in order to create a cohesive whole and preserve style.

Wallpapering is a less expensive option.

Especially if it’s one of the more understated and basic styles of wallpaper. Furthermore, it is important to note at the outset that the material used in their creation has very little bearing on the total cost of a roll of wallpaper. The quality of implementation and brand have a greater impact on price.

Resistance to external influences

Regarding the plaster layer’s resistance to different adverse external influences, it can tolerate:

• Long-term exposure to sunlight. This material is practically not subject to fading.
• Due to its plasticity, the plaster can withstand minor mechanical loads. It rarely develops chips and cracks.

However, wallpaper is not fade-resistant. Most of them undergo color changes after four to five years of use. This is especially apparent depending on whether they are made in bright or dark colors. If they are not careful enough with them, they can also break fairly quickly.

Durability

The plastered layer lasts for about ten to fifteen years. It’s true that this number can be greatly lowered if pets and children reside in the apartment because of the ongoing harm. In some instances, a plastered wall may last up to 50 years if the work is completed quickly and with the priciest materials. True, given that it receives adequate care and that all required conditions of care are met.

However, wallpapered walls need to be repaired every five to seven years on average in an apartment.

Environmental friendliness

Regarding the lack of adverse effects on human well-being, the following exhibit favorable attributes:

• All decorative plasters.
• Wallpapers that are made from natural materials such as jute, bamboo fiber, straw, natural paper, coconut fiber, hemp, flax, sisal and others.

However, the artificial materials used to make wallpaper are generally not very environmentally friendly.

They are able to discriminate between benzene, formaldehyde, nitrobenzole, xylol, and certain chemical compounds that are coloring agents in the surrounding environment. They are all harmful to human health, especially when the effects are long-lasting. Consequently, it is not advised to use them in children’s rooms or bedrooms.

Moisture resistance

The plastered layer has a good ability to withstand the increased effects of moisture. Theoretically, wallpaper composed of polyester, viscose, and polyvinyl chloride shares the same parameter.

However, if paper trellises are pasted in the kitchen—a room with consistently higher humidity—they will quickly fail. They’ll become mushy and ugly very quickly, losing their shape.

Convenience in work

When it comes to job comfort, it’s best to limit your work to just wallpapering. There are no particular skills needed for this manipulation. It is sufficient to study every step of the technological process, from initial wall preparation to actual pasting.

However, plaster finishing can only be done by an expert.

Correct solution dilution requires specific knowledge and abilities. The surface must be expertly prepared to be flawlessly even and smooth; otherwise, every imperfection will be apparent. Applying multiple layers of plaster accurately to mimic the veins of various shades of marble or any other stone is also a challenging task. Only experts possessing artistic abilities will be able to create a panel using plaster mixtures. Although it will be costly, the interior will be distinctive.

Features of the finish

It’s also critical to realize that every decorating technique calls for the appropriate technology:

• Both wallpaper and plaster require preliminary preparation of the wall. The surface must be leveled – both in terms of maintaining flatness and eliminating minor irregularities, cracks, cavities and roughness. After which special primers are applied to it, which ensure the required level of adhesion with the subsequent finishing material used.
• When gluing wallpaper, take into account that some types of glue can be applied directly to the wall, and then a dry sheet cut to size can be fixed on top. It is necessary to level from top to bottom and smoothing from the center to the edges to prevent the formation of bubbles.
• When applying plaster, a multi-layer technique is used. In this case, each subsequent layer can be implemented only when the previous one has completely dried.
• Often, specialists can paint the top layer of plaster with a special composition that imitates the effect of varnish. This way, increased strength, resistance to mechanical stress and other negative factors is achieved.

What is easier to clean

The following characteristics of care come to mind:

• Natural wallpaper can most often only be treated with a vacuum cleaner brush with soft bristles or dust can be brushed off the surface using a sponge.
• Wallpapers made of artificial materials are more resistant to friction. Therefore, they are often pasted where there are numerous negative factors, for example, in the kitchen. In this case, the surface can be cleaned with a damp cloth, and also use soft cleaning agents without abrasives and bleaches in the composition.
• As for Venetian plaster, here they get by with a slightly damp soft sponge or cloth. Other cleaning agents are not used so as not to damage the top layer.

Your unique needs and preferences will determine which decorative plaster or wallpaper is best for you. With the variety of patterns and designs available, wallpaper makes it simple to give your room a makeover. It’s usually simpler to apply and take off, which is fantastic if you like to switch up your interior design regularly.

Conversely, wallpaper cannot match the distinctive texture and longevity of decorative plaster. It’s a good option if you want a sophisticated, long-lasting finish because it’s more permanent. Additionally, plaster can be altered to produce a range of effects, from sleek and contemporary to rustic and textured.

Your choice should ultimately depend on the appearance you want to achieve and the length of time you intend to maintain it. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, so before choosing, consider what best fits your lifestyle and sense of style.

It’s important to consider the differences between decorative plaster and wallpaper when choosing which to use for your walls. While decorative plaster adds a distinctive texture and longevity that can improve the ambience of the room, wallpaper comes in a vast array of patterns and colors that make it simple to match any decor style. You can use this comparison to determine which option, taking into account aspects like application, maintenance, and aesthetics, best meets your needs.

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