Wallpaper is popular nowadays and it is considered as a good alternative for painting, but is it bad for walls? Wallpapers are easy to use and they can easily change the look of the room into something that is classy and stylish. However, a lot of people are wondering if wallpapers can cause damaged to the wall while they are in place or when they are removed. Let us find out the answer below.
Is wallpaper bad for walls? Wallpaper can damage the wall if humidity and moisture is trapped behind the paper. This can cause the wall to crack and decay. Aside from that, mold can also grow in areas that are damp and can further cause problems to the wall. Removing the wallpaper can cause damage to your walls if it is not properly done.
How can wallpaper damage the wall? Is wallpaper good or bad? What are the disadvantages of wallpaper? Is it better to paint or wallpaper a wall? These are some of the questions that we will discuss in this article. Find out more about the possible damages disadvantages that you can get from installing wallpaper below.
Is Wallpaper Good or Bad?
Wallpaper can be good or bad depending on the how it is maintained and installed. The good thing about wallpaper is that it can last for many years which can be an advantage to those who are not planning to renovate their walls for a long time. There is also a wide array of styles, patterns, colors, and designs of wallpaper to choose from. However, wallpaper needs to be installed properly into the wall or it will not look as great as it is supposed to be. Aside from that, wallpaper can be hard to remove can cause potential damage to wall.
Does Wallpaper Damage the Wall?
Wallpaper can cause damage to the wall. If you have walls that are heavily textured or have flaky spots of plaster, it is ideal that you do not use wallpaper on them. This is because the uneven texture of the wall will make it difficult for the wallpaper to stick properly and you might end up with a lot of air bubbles. Moreover, applying wallpaper to uneven walls can possibly damage the sections of wall with loose plaster if you decide to peel off the wallpaper. We have also shared this article that talks about what wallpaper does not damage walls. Check out the article for more information about the topic.
What are the Common Causes of Wallpaper Damage?
Water leakage, humid environment, and termites can affect the wallpaper and cause possible damage to the wall. You need to consider these things when you are planning to wallpaper a wide portion of your wall. Wallpapers can be great for accent walls but they might not be ideal to cover entire walls. Let us learn more about how wallpaper can damage the wall below.
Humidity
Another factor that can damage wallpaper and the wall where it is installed is humidity. Be careful when installing wallpaper in the bathroom or any rooms in your house where there is a high level of humidity. If you do not have proper ventilation, the humidity can damage both the wallpaper and the wall. This is because moisture can get trapped behind the wallpaper which can lead to the growth of mold that can damage the wall.
Water Leakage
Water leakage is a common issue when it comes to walls. These can be caused by a damaged roof and plumbing problems. The water leakage can drip into the wall and cause damage to the wallpaper that is sticking into it. As a result, wallpaper can have stains that are impossible to get rid of. Moreover, the wallpaper can peel from the wall or get torn.
Termites
Insects such as termites can also damage the wallpaper and the wall behind it. If you have non- woven wallpapers that are made of wood and you see tiny holes in it, this can mean that you are dealing with termites. Make sure that you get in touch with your pest control to get rid of termites from your home.
What are the Disadvantages of Wallpaper?
Wallpaper can be expensive depending on the pattern and style that you would like to have for your walls. You might also need to hire the services of a professional to install the wallpaper and they are hard to remove. Aside from that, wallpapers are vulnerable to humidity and moisture. Moreover, they can contain toxic and fumes that are bade for the health and environment. Let us learn more about the disadvantages of wallpaper below.
Hard to Remove
Removing wallpaper can be a difficult task especially if it has been in your walls for decades. You will need to have the right tools. Be careful when stripping away wallpaper from your walls to prevent damages.
Expensive
When it comes to wallpaper, the cost is usually more upfront. Depending on the style and design that you choose, you might end up spending a lot of money to cover an entire wall.
Vulnerable to Damages
Do not install wallpaper in rooms where moisture and humidity level us high because it can damage the wallpaper. You will notice that the paper starts to peel off from the wall and stains might even appear. Moisture can get trapped behind the wallpaper which can also cause damage to the wall. Fortunately, there are now moisture-resistant wallpapers available on the market. You can also check out this article that discusses why vinyl wallpaper is bad. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Difficult to Install
Take note that wallpaper should be properly installed to avoid problems and to make sure that it will be easy to remove if you want to change the design of the wall. If it is your first time installing wallpaper or you do not have that much idea about proper installation, it is best to hire the services of a professional.
Can be Toxic
Wallpaper can also be toxic. This is because some wallpaper can emit VOC compounds that can harm the environment and is dangerous for the health. See to it that you choose eco-friendly wallpaper for your walls.
Is it better to Paint or Wallpaper?
When choosing between paint and wallpaper, there are a few things that you need to consider which includes preparation time, cost, labor, maintenance, safety, and durability. Both paint and wallpaper have their pros and cons. It is important that you weigh out your options so that you can you can make the best choice. Let us compare paint and wallpaper on varying parameters below.
Preparation
Paint: Easy to apply and need less time and effort. Painting is ideal if the wall requires a lot of renovation because it can cover imperfections in a less amount of time.
Wallpaper: You first need to cover and fix of imperfections on the walls which includes plastering. It is not recommended to use wallpaper in moist and humid areas like the bathroom because it can easily damage the wallpaper. We have also shared this article that discusses if you need to prime your walls before wallpapering. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Cost
Take note that the cost will have to depend on the quality and brand of the product that you choose.
Paint: Is a much affordable option when it comes to working on large areas of walls. However, it cannot last for a long time as compared to wallpaper.
Wallpaper: The upfront cost of wallpaper is more expensive and you need to have a few supplies such as glue and other material to stick the wallpaper properly. However, wallpaper can last for a long time and can be an affordable choice when it comes to long-term use.
Labor
Paint: Painting is an easy job that can be done even if you are not that skilled in painting.
Wallpaper: Installing wallpaper takes some skill to make sure that it is properly placed on the wall. You might need to hire the services of a professional to get the job done correctly.
Durability
Paint: The paint on the wall should be redone every 2 to 3 years. It can last up to five years.
Wallpaper: Properly maintained wallpaper can last up to 15 years or more.
✅ Video – Wallpaper Vs Paint, which is better?
Civil Dimensions shared the video below on YouTube. In the video, wallpaper and paint are compared to determine which a better option is. The pros and cons of both materials as well as the different factors that need to be considered for the application are discussed. Check out the video for more tips and information.
Is Wallpaper a Good Idea?
Wallpaper is a good idea if you want to have a stylish wall without being creative with paint. You can find a wide array of wallpapers that have an attractive design which you can use without permanently altering your walls. Wallpapers are great for accent walls that you would like to pop out and be noticed in your wall. They also make a great backdrop if you want to showcase certain furniture.
Does Removable Wallpaper Damage Walls?
In general, removable wallpaper will not damage your walls. On the other hand, there are some important factors that you need to consider which can affect the removal of wallpaper. If the wallpaper is not properly installed, removing it can cause damage to the wall.
How Long Does Wallpaper Last?
Wallpaper can last about fifteen years or more. They can last at longer as compared to paint. Make sure that you properly install wallpaper on your walls to avoid peeling, staining, or tears.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discusses if wallpaper is bad for walls. We have found out that there are some disadvantages to installing wallpaper in your walls. The good thing is that there is a wide array of wallpapers that are available on the market. You can choose one according to your preferences and needs. Thank you for reading!